The Pilgrims Trails - Overland Trip
6 ½ weeks: Kathmandu to Beijing or v.v. (DR4CC-BTK)
This trip is a combination of 2 journeys, Himalayan, Tibetan & Chinese Explorer (HTC) and China & Inner Mongolia (CHM) both p49. The first section is a tough trip through high altitude, with harsh cold climates. The second section is much easier, staying in hotels or hostels virtually every night, discovering modern day China and its ancient historical sites. Off the beaten track travel, modern provincial cities, rural backwaters and mountain wilderness, as well as some of China’s most visited areas. Full on paced adventure.General Notes
Activities available at extra costs- Trek along the Great Wall Of China between Jinshanling and Simatai
- If you hate trekking, take the cable car up onto the wall at Simatai
- Trek along the Great Wall Of China between Jinshanling and Simatai
- If you hate trekking, take the cable car up onto the wall at Simatai
Accommodation
Mixed hotels from 4 star to guesthouses and wildcamps.
Itineraries
Week 1:Nepal & Tibetan Himalayas: Time in Nepal either at the beautiful mountain retreat, the Last Resort or en route acclimatising
Nepal & Tibetan Himalayas: Overland along the Friendship Highway between Kathmandu and Tingri, over passes of 5050 metres
Week 2:Tibetan Plateau & Friendship Highway: Side trip to the Rhongphuk Monastery, crossing passes of 5200 metres
Tibetan Plateau & Friendship Highway: Entrance to the national park and walk to Tibet's Everest Base Camp
Tibetan Plateau & Friendship Highway: Stopover in Shigatse and visit to Tashihunpo Monastery
Tibetan Plateau & Friendship Highway: Visit to the stunning town of Gyantse and the Baiju Monastery
Week 3:Lhasa & Northern Plateau: 3 night stay and guided tour of the main sites in Lhasa
Lhasa & Northern Plateau: The ultimate overland journey from Lhasa over the high passes of the Tibetan Plateau to Golmud
Week 4:China & Gansu Province: Guided visit to the vast Buddha and cave at Bingling Si near Lanzhou
China & Gansu Province: 2 night detour to the Tibetan town of Xiahe, one of the main pilgrimage sites for Tibetan Buddhists
Week 5:Shaanxi, Gansu & Ningzia Provinces: Luxury in Xi'an, civilisation, a great hotel and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors
Shaanxi, Gansu & Ningzia Provinces: 2 nights to explore the stunningly beautiful Mt. Kongtong and its temples
Shaanxi, Gansu & Ningzia Provinces: Cross the Yellow River into the deserts and semi deserts of the north
Shaanxi, Gansu & Ningzia Provinces: Visit to the multi-religion Zhongwei Temple complex
Shaanxi, Gansu & Ningzia Provinces: Discover modern provincial Chinese urban life in the fun city of Yinchuan
Weeks 6-6½:Inner Mongolia & the North: Overland via Hohhot through China's Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia & the North: Journey through the remarkable industrial heartland of the north, the power house of modern China
Inner Mongolia & the North: 2 nights to explore Datong's Hanging Monastery and the stunning Yungang Caves
Inner Mongolia & the North: Explore the Imperial city of Chengde, summer home to the Emperor's family
Inner Mongolia & the North: Visits to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, Simatai and at Mutianyu
Inner Mongolia & the North: Guided tour of the hugely impressive Eastern Qing Tombs
Inner Mongolia & the North: Guided visits to the Summer Palace & Forbidden City in Beijing
Last updated: 5th February 2008
I am interested in this trip!
Download PDF with trip and operator details
