Beijing and Great Wall: Take a 10km (6 mile) hike between two picturesque but less frequented sections of the Great Wall. In Beijing visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and go out for a Beijing duck dinner or watch acrobats.
Xian: Xian is the home of the amazing Terracotta Warriors. We also have the opportunity to explore the Muslim quarter and it’s Chinese-Arabesque mosque (Great Mosque), climb Tang Dynasty pagodas or ride a bike along the wall of the enclosed city.
Chinese Desert: In Dunhuang we take a camel ride out to camp among the dunes. We also visit the Mogao Grottoes, home to the greatest and earliest examples of Buddhist painting in the Far East. We will also have an opportunity to surf dunes and shop in Silk Road markets.
Tibet: Ascend to the ‘roof of the world’ on China’s controversial but spectacular engineering marvel, the new Tibetan railway. In Lhasa, Tibet’s capital we visit the Potala Palace, the Dalai Lama’s former winter home, the Drepung and Jokhong monasteries, and the old quarter. Then we head out across the Tibetan countryside by jeep tour to visit Tashilumpu, the Panchen Lama’s monastery, and take a hike near Everest Base Camp.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Explore Kathmandu’s ancient buildings and cobbled alleyways. In our free time we can visit the Monkey Temple, Durbur Square and Freak Street, the burning ghats of Pashupatinath, and the Patan royal residence and museum.
| Transport | train, plane, bus, jeep |
| Flights | Xian to Dunhuang |
| Fully Escorted | By tour leader |
| Activities | hike on Great Wall, camel ride in Dunhuang, Everest Base Camp hike |
| Accomodation | 15 nights hotels, 1 nights train, 1 night camping |
| Meals | only included for camel ride in Dunhuang; otherwise, allow average of $10/day |
| Entrance Fees | not included |
| Elevations | Lhasa is 3700m (12140ft) while most of our tour across Tibet is 4000-5000m (13120-16400ft). Our night near Everest Base Camp will be 5100m (16730ft). |
| Physical Rating | moderately active |
| Visa | Chinese, Nepali |
| Temperature | September: 15°C (60°F) to 25°C (77°F) but 5°C (40°F) Tibet nighttime temperature, colder at Everest |
| Not Included | entrance fees, airfare to Beijing and from Kathmandu |
| Day 17 (1) | Beijing | Arrive in Beijing. The day is free to explore China’s fascinating capital city. In the evening we have the opportunity to have a Beijing duck dinner and see the acrobats. |
| Day 18 (2) | The Great Wall | We take an excursion from Beijing out to a less frequented portion of the wall and take a 10km (6 mile) hike between two of the most picturesque regions (optional). |
| Day 19 (3) | Beijing | We visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. There is a little more free time before boarding the train for Xian. |
| Day 20 (4) | Xian | After arriving in Xian we head out to the famous Terracotta Warriors, a short drive out of town. After a dumpling lunch, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this ancient capital and eastern gateway to the Silk Road |
| Day 21 (5) | Xian | A free morning to explore more of the many features this city has to offer such as visiting the Muslim quarter and it’s Chinese-Arabesque mosque, climbing Tang Dynasty pagodas or riding a bike along the wall of the enclosed city. We board an afternoon flight to China’s arid west. |
| Day 22 (6) | Dunhuang | In the morning we will have a chance to climb, surf or sled down sand dunes, visit the Crescent Lake Pagoda or shop at Silk Road markets. In the afternoon we head out by camel to camp among the sand dunes of China’s Gobi Desert. (D) |
| Day 23 (7) | Dunhuang | By camel we continue to the Mogao Grottoes which house the greatest and earliest examples of Buddhist painting in the Far East. We stay the night in Dunhuang. (B,L) |
| Day 24 (8) | Dunhuang to Golmud | A bus leads us across mountains ranges and wide panoramas to Golmud at the foot of the Tibetan Plateau. |
| Day 25 (9) | Golmud to Lhasa | We board China’s engineering marvel, a train that winds its way up the Tibetan Plateau through towering mountains and the highest railroad passes in the world. |
| Day 26 (10) | Lhasa | Today we have a free day to see Lhasa, the old city, the Jokhang Temple, handicraft markets, and to acclimatize to the high altitude. |
| Day 27 (11) | Lhasa | We take an excursion to the Dalai Lama’s former winter palace, the Potala Palace, and to the Drepung Monastery |
| Day 28 (12) | Lhasa to Shigatse | Our jeep tour begins as we head out to Shigatse. |
| Day 29 (13) | Shigatse | Today we visit the Tashilumpo Monastery, former residence of the Panchen Lama. The rest of the day is free to explore Shigatse, its markets and the old fortress. |
| Day 30 (14) | Shigatse toward Everest | Drive to a village where we will begin our journey to Everest. |
| Day 31 (15) | Mt. Everest Base Camp | We trek part of the journey to Everest Base Camp, passing through Tibetan villages before driving up to the Rhongbuk Monastery, near Everest Base Camp, where we spend the night. |
| Day 32 (16) | Everest Base Camp to Tingri | Our journey takes us to the town of Tingri, a bustling former trading post where we stay the night. |
| Day 33 (17) | Tingri to Kathmandu | We drive to the Nepal border where we descend through the Bhote Kosi Gorge of the Himalayas. We part with our jeep, and travel by Nepali bus to Kathmandu. |
| Day 34 (18) | Kathmandu | We are free to explore the ancient buildings and cobbled alleyways of Kathmandu or visit numerous sights in the region. The tour ends today for those only doing the Beijing to Kathmandu segment. |
| The end of the tour or continue to Beijing to Kathmandu |
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