Beijing to Kathmandu - 2009/10 Departures - Overland Trip

Itineraries

Arrival day.

A day at the Great Wall, with the chance to hike along one of the less visited sections. Approx 5 hours driving.

Visit Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi’an. Approx 14 hour train journey.

Morning arrival in Xi’an and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon you can explore Xi’an’s fascinating Muslim quarter.

A free morning to explore the many fascinating sites of Xi’an before we fly to Shanghai.

A full free day to take in this bustling city. Perhaps take a river cruise or visit the tallest building in China, the Jinmao Tower. In the evening you can visit the spectacular Shanghai Acrobats.

Today we fly to Guilin and then continue by bus to Chengyang, famous for its beautiful ‘wind and rain’ bridge.

Today we catch a local bus to Congjiang. The route through this remote region follows a series of river valleys, with views that few travellers get to see.

We take a morning bus from Congjiang and arrive for a late lunch in Kaili. The afternoon is free to explore the lively markets.

A full day‘s exploration of the surrounding countryside and villages, each with its own unique handicrafts. We finish the day in a Miao village, where we spend the evening in a local guesthouse.

A free morning before we transfer back to Kaili and take a local bus to Guiyang for an overnight train to Kunming.

Arrive in Kunming, the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. The rest of the day is free to visit the Yuantong Temple, Bamboo Temple or Tang Dynasty Pagodas.

Morning bus to Dali where we stay in the old town, home of the Bai people. The rest of the day is free to explore.

A free day to sample the delights of Dali - it is an ideal place to explore by bike or you can take a short horse trek into the mountains behind the town. Option to visit the colourful Shaping markets where women in traditional dress sell their wares.

A bus journey takes us to Qiaotou, the start of our trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge. We spend the first night at a minority guesthouse inside the gorge. Approx 5 hours driving.

Trek through this impressive gorge with superb views of Jade Dragon Mountain and the Yangtse.

A morning to relax or further explore the gorge, before travelling to the lovely old town of Lijiang. Appox 3 hours driving.

Full free day to explore Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority group. Wander past old wooden houses clustered in narrow lanes beside the picturesque Black Dragon Lake.

We travel by bus to Zhongdian, one of the claimants to the title ‘Shangri-la’, and the doorway to Tibet.

A day to relax and get acclimatized to the altitude. Maybe visit the 300 year old Ganden Sumtelling Tibetan Monastery or to the Ringha (Dabao) Monastery.

A spectacular morning flight to Lhasa. The afternoon is free to acclimatise to Lhasa and explore this incomparable city.

Guided excursions to the Potala Palace, Sera and Drepung Monasteries and Jokhang Temple. We have also allowed free time for your own exploration of this incomparable city.

Today we drive out of Lhasa through the mountains to Gyantse. In the afternoon there’s time to explore the town, which still retains its traditional Tibetan character.

We return to Lhasa stopping for a picnic lunch overlooking the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso, Tibet’s most sacred lake.

A magnificent flight across the Himalayas to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel.

Tour ends.