Tour Details
  • Starts in: Beijing / Ends in: Lhasa
  • Departs: Saturdays - March to October
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:10, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 3
  • Hotel Rating: 3 - 4 star
  • Tour Guide: Yes (for groups of 6 or more)
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Gateway to Tibet - 11 days

Exploring Beijing’s grand Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and scenic Great Wall, Xi’an’s warriors and mighty medieval fortress, we continue our journey to the roof of the world, Tibet - a spiritual land that has exerted its magnetic pull over travellers for centuries.

Day 1: Beijing
Saturday. Huan ying, welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Airport arrival transfer and hotel check in. Overnight - Beijing
Day 2: Forbidden City
Today we explore the heart of Beijing - Tiananmen Square where Chairman Mao’s tomb and various monuments to the people are located. Dominating the city’s heart is the Forbidden City, a centre of power for five centuries and seat of the emperors. Entering through the Gate of Heavenly Peace (replete with Chairman Mao’s portrait), we enjoy a guided walk of this old city within a city. Tonight, we enjoy a Peking Duck at a city restaurant. Overnight - Beijing (B, D)
Gateway to Tibet - 11 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
The Marble Boat on Kunming Lake in the grounds of the Summer Palace
Day 3: The Great Wall
Don some comfortable shoes. Today we drive to Badaling, to walk a section of the Great Wall. The Wall is impressive to say the least. Following the ridge of barren hills through northern China it stretches as far as the eye can see. Later we visit a cloisonne workshop demonstrating the unique Chinese art of combining copper and enamel to make decorative pieces. Tonight, watch a death-defying acrobatic performance. Doing the ‘splits’ is an elementary skill, when compared to what these acrobats can do! Overnight - Beijing (B, L)
Day 4: Summer Palace
Beijing - Xi’an. Strong stomachs today, if you are game to try a few unusual delicacies in the local street market. Later we visit the Silk Alley markets and the Summer Palace, set on Kunming Lake. A drive past the 2008 Olympic stadium commonly referred to as the ‘birdsnest’ and aquatic centre. Overnight - Sleeper Train to Xi'an (B)
A group standing by a canon on the medieval Old City Wall in Xi'an
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors
Arrive Xi’an and transfer to hotel. Today we visit the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site and a workshop where we see the process used to create the terracotta figurines. In battle formation, the Terracotta Warriors are one of China’s most impressive sights. This evening we can attend a Tang Dynasty dinner and performance with Chang’an music and dance originally performed for the illustrious Tang emperors. Tonight, optional Tang Dynasty Bolt-on, with dinner and performance. Overnight - Xi'an (B, L)
Day 6: The City Wall
Bright and early this morning you can opt to join our Panda excursion to the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Centre, a 2 hour drive from Xi’an. Alternatively enjoy a free morning. Encircling the old city is Xi’an’s medieval City Wall, 9 mile in length we’ll enjoy a leisurely bike ride and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Overnight - Xi'an (B, D)
Day 7: Tibet
Xi’an - Lhasa. Today, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter. Encircling the old city is Xi’an’s medieval City Wall, where we enjoy a hired bike ride. Later, we fly to Lhasa by air. Upon arrival we will drive (aprox 1.5 hours) to the fabled city. Once we reach our destination the remainder of the day is free for you to relax and acclimatise at ‘the roof of the world’. Overnight - Lhasa (B)
The Potala Palace in Lhasa - former winter home of the Dalai Lamas
Day 8: The Potala Palace
We begin our exploration of this mystical city first heading to Lhasa’s most enduring image, the Potala Palace. The winter home of the Dalai Lamas and a masterpiece in design, 13 stories high, containing thousands of rooms, this is the heart of Tibet, its (exiled) government and people. The Dalai Lama’s Summer palace, Norbulingka, is our next place of pilgrimage. Less daunting and surrounded by gardens, this homely palace reflects the Dalai Lama’s more earthly pleasures and it was from here the present Lama fled in the 1950’s. However, it is the Jokhang Temple which will be the most enlightening stop of the day. The holiest shrine in Tibet, it houses a solid gold shrine of the enlightened Buddha and it is around which, in varying degrees of exertion, all Tibetans prostrate themselves at some point throughout their lifetime. Overnight - Lhasa (B, D)
Day 9: Drepung Monastery
Our exploration of Lhasa continues today as we take the short journey to the 15th century Drepung Monastery. Formerly one of the central monasteries of Tibet it was torn asunder during the Cultural Revolution and continues to rebuild is walls and status today. Just north of Lhasa is the Sera Monastery, still a working retreat 600 years after its foundation as a main teaching monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa ‘Universities’ once housing more than 5500 monks. You will see young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden and being rewarded for a correct answer with a resounding hand-clap from their master. Returning to Lhasa we will experience the Barkhor markets which surround the Jokhang temple and sell all things Tibetan. Overnight - Lhasa (B)
The golden roof of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa - Tibet's holiest shrine
Day 10: 4x4 Himalayas
An early rise and into our 4 wheel drives as we head out to the Himalayas. From Lhasa, itself at 3500m, we travel over the Kamba-La pass and reach 4794m above see level. From the top of the pass we can look down on the deep azure waters of Yamdrok Lake before dropping down to the shores itself. One of Tibet’s 3 holy lakes, nomadic tents, pilgrims prostrating and children hunting with sling shots on the stony beaches make this something you are likely to have never experienced before. Rising back into these vivid and rugged mountains we head back to Lhasa, looking for hoards of Yak along the way. Overnight - Lhasa (B)
Day 11: Lhasa
Monday. Hotel check out and included onward transfer to airport. (B)

Why not extend your stay?
There is plenty to see and do in Lhasa. Visit Nechung Monastery - the powerhouse for all spirtual decisions till 1959, Ganden Temple or picturesque Lake Namtso. As another option, consider travelling through to Kathmandu - Nepal's largest and most cosmopolitan city. Pock marked with medieval alleyways and courtyards, intricate and ornate temples and living gods. Kathmandu is also the meeting place for dozens of ethnic groups filling the streets with life, colour and a buzz of activity. Contact us if you would like to extend your stay.