The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 6.30 CNY
B=Breakfast
Day 01: Arrive in Beijing
Arrive at the Beijing Capital Airport, be met and transferred to your hotel by your Beijing tour guide and driver. Rest of the day is on your own.
Day 02: Beijing (B)
Today you will be arranged to visit Tian'anmen Square - the largest public square in the world and Forbidden City - magnificent imperial Palaces of Ming and Qing dynasties for almost 500 years, and then head to the Temple of Heaven, a place where the Emperors prayed for peace and harvest. After lunch, drive to visit Summer Palace, originally a royal garden and a temporary dwelling palace for emperors of Qing Dynasty. On the way back Fresh-water pearl market for a good bargain can not to be missed. In the evening enjoy the Kongfu show afer dinner. Overnight at Beijing.
Day 03: Beijing (B)
Morning excursion to the most beautiful section of the Great Wall - the Mutianyu Great Wall. The hike takes about 2-3 hours. After lunch drive to visit Changling, one of the 13 Ming Tombs of the 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Drive back to your hotel, rest on your own. Overnight at Beijing
Day 04: Beijing / Xi'an by train (B)
After breakfast, drive to Shichahai Area - the old part of Beijing, first you will have one-hour tour of a 300-year old courtyard. With the help of your English speaking tour guide, the housekeeper of the yard will give you a detailed explanation of the old courtyard (Siheyuan) - its history, its layout, its Fengshui, and its traditiona Chinese culture involved. Then have about 1.5 hour the richshaw tour driving through the narrow alleys(Hutong) to experience the real life of local Beijing residents.Two people share one rickshaw. Drop off at the Silver Ingot Bridge(Yinding Bridge) and walk along the 800-year old Yandai Xiejie (Tobacco Pipe Lean Street) to the Drum Torwer. Visit the big drum tower and have a great view of the surrounding hutongs and traditional courtyards. Afterwards head to the Olympic Green to have an outside look at the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. After lunch, free activity on your own. Evening transfer you to train station for the train to Xi'an (Z19, 21:18- the next day 08:19 or the train Z53, 21:24 - 08:25).
Day 05: Arrive at Xian
Arrive at Xi'an train station around 08:30, to be met and transferred to your hotel by your Xi'an local guide. Morning you take a rest at hotel or explore Xi'an on your own. Afternoon half day tour is arranged to visit Shanxi Provincial Historic Museum, the big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Xi'an City Wal(the best preserved in the world), afterward have a wander on the famous Shuyuanmen Culture Street to appreciate the delicate traditional art crafts. Overnight at Xi'an.
Day 06: Xi'an (B)
Today make an excursion to see the extraordinary 2,200-year-old Terracotta Warriors of China's first Emperor- Qin Shihuang, discovered in 1974 by farmers while digging a well. This archaeological excavation site is a stunning exhibit of more than 7,000 ancient life-size terracotta statues of soldiers, officers, horses, chariots, and other artifacts. After lunch, drive back to the city, visit the Great Mosque and have some free time to explore for some souvenirs or antiques in the Bazaar near the Mosque. In the evening after the local specialty - Dumpling Banquet as dinner, enjoy the splendid Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. Overnight at Xi'an.
Day 07: Xian / Lhasa by flight (B)
Transfer to Xi'an Xianyang airport for the morning flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa airport, to be met and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa. Afternoon have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 08: Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Potola Palace & Jokhang Temple (B)
Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only to visit Jokhang temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is the most scared shrine in Tibet which was built in 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 09: Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Drepung monastery, Sera monastery & Norbulingka summer palace (B)
Today you will be arranged to visit Drepung, Sera monasteries and Summer Palace - Norbulingka palace. Both Drepung and Sera monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges. Drepung monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala, it was once the world largest monastery in the history with 10,000 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Norbulingka is the summer palace of Dalai Lama, you can visit the residences of different lineages of the Dalai Lama. The park is crowded with picnickers and traditional activities during the Shoton (Yogurt festival) in August. Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 10: One day free on your own to explore Lhasa city (B)
Day 11: Lhasa /Yamdrok Lake /Gyantse [4040m] /Shigatse[3836m], 360KM, 7hrs (B)
Morning drive up to Kambala pass[4794m high], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso there, which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Then along the Friendship southern Hwy to Gyantse, short stop at Karo La pass[5100m] which is overlooked by MT. Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. Visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, the most stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. Late afternoon drive to Shigatse. Overnight at Shigatse.
Day 12: Shigatse / Sakya / Lhatse, 200KM, 4hrs (B)
Morning visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas, monks in this monastery are nice looking in their hand-made traditional shoes-'Tsomba' in Tibetan. Late morning drive to visit Sakya Monastery which is the main monastery of Sakyapa sect, houses around the monastery are also in a typical gray colour. Hike around the monastery northern ruins and drive back to Lhatse. Overnight at Lhatse.
Day 13: Lhatse/ New Tinggri [Shegar,4500m]/ Rongbuk Monastery[5000m]/ E.B.C[5250m], 190KM, 4hrs (B)
Early morning start driving to Rongbuk via Shegar, cross over Gyatsola Pass[5200m] and Gawu la pass[5200m], from the top of the Gawu la you will see the spetacular Himalayan Ranges and its glorious peaks viz Mt.Makalu[8463m], Mt.Lotse[8516m], Mt.Everst[8844m], Mt.Cho Oyu[8201m] and Mt.Shishapama[8020m] from Left to right, climbing down through numbers of switchback bends lead to the dry valley of Tashi Zom and then to Rongbuk. Rongbuk is the highest monastery in Tibet and it consists both monks and nuns, it is also a good point to see Mt.Everest. Afternoon trek from local tent guesthouses community to E.B.C, it takes about 2 hours(6km). Or you can take the dedicated minibus(25rmb/per person, round-trip). Overnight at distinguish featured local tent guesthouse.
Note: It is a bit cold within that valley and windy too, you'd better to take your sleeping bag with you. Please prepare your own package food for Rongbuk stay.
Day 14: Rongphu/ Old Tingri/ Zhangmu, 280KM, 7-8hrs
Morning after see the sunrise at E.B.C, start driving to Zhangmu via Old Tingri & Nyalam, crossing Thongla[5300m] pass, savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma[8020m], Cho Oyu[8201m], Menlungtse and Gauri, the road driving over the pass of Tongla is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks and it is like a road to the sky. Overnight at Zhangmu.
Day 15: Zhangmu/ Kodari(Nepal Boarder)/ Kathmandu, 122km, 5hrs (B)
After breakfast, our guide will help you clear the customs, your Nepalese guide / driver will pick you up there, after you check in at Nepali Immigration office, then drive about 5 hours to Kathmandu city, enjoy the scenery of great white waters along the way. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, end the trip