Beijing Lhasa Kathmandu Train Tour (8days)

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    www.explorehimalaya.com www.everest-skydive.com

    > 2 full days to explore Beijing including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of

    Heaven, the Ming Tombs.> Awesome glimpse of the striated rock summit of Mt. Everest from Everest Base Camp

    [5200m].

    > Picturesque tableau of Tibetan countryside, nomadic herdsmen, ancient monasteries, highmountain passes, wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain views.> A memorable 48 hours train journey from Beijing to Lhasa, aboard the world's highest

    railways.> 3 amazing nights in Lhasa spent visiting Potala Palace, Norbulingka monastery, Jokhang

    Temple, Barkhor Markets and Drepung monastery.> Culturally stimulating drive to Lhasa, Lhatse, Shigatse and Gyantse amidst the magnificent

    mountain vistas of Everest, Makalu, Changtse, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma and many other Tibetanpeaks.

    > Insightful cultural explorations in Kathmandu.

    OUTLINE ITINERARY

    Day 01 - Arrive in BeijingDay 02/03 - Sightseeing in Beijing (Forbidden city, Imperial Palaces, Summer Palace, andGreat Wall of China)Day 04/05 - Morning visit to Temple of Heaven-Evening Board the train from Beijing to Lhasa(3650m)-Departure 21:30hrs (48 hrs journey)Day 06 - Arrive in Lhasa at 21:30hrsDay 07/08 - Sightseeing in Lhasa- (Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple, BarkhorSquare, Drepung Monastery and Potala Palace)

    Day 09 - Free day in Lhasa- (for acclimatization)Day 10 - Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m) 261kmDay 11 - Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (3900m) 90km (Before leaving Gyantse visit GyantseDzong and Gyantse Kumbum)Day 12 - Drive from Shigatse to Shegar (4050m) 244km (Before leaving Shigatse visitTashilhunpo Monastery)Day 13 - Drive to Rongbuk (5000m) 68kmDay 14 - Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181kmDay 15 - Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123kmDay 16 - Sightseeing in Kathmandu - (Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath)Day 17 - Depart Kathmandu

    Optional:If you would like to visit other chinese cities such as Chengdu (Panda Farm and TeshanBuddha Statue), Xian (City wall, Terracota Warriors) andXining, please contact us using the formbelow.

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    FIXED DEPARTURES DATES13 JUN - 29 JUN // 30 JUN - 16 JUL // 07 JUL - 23 JUL //04 AUG - 20 AUG // 11 AUG - 27 AUG // 25 AUG - 10 SEPT //01 SEP - 17 SEP // 15 SEP - 01 OCT // 06 OCT - 22 OCT //17 OCT - 02 NOV // 27 OCT - 12 NOV 2011 //(Note: 25 AUG - 10 SEPT One person has already booked, Booking still Open)

    PRICEUSD 2595 per person on twin sharing

    single supplement USD 385

    (Group joining - required minimum of 3 participants to run this trip)

    Cost Includes:

    y Accommodation at 3 star Hotel in Beijing with breakfast,y guided sightseeing tour including a visit to the Great Wall in Beijing,

    y Lhasa/Beijing train fare (soft sleeper; if unavailable would opt for hard sleeper and refundthe difference),

    y Hotel Kailash or similar hotel in Lhasa (3 star) & best available en route with breakfast,y transportation by 4WD land cruiser (Toyota 4500, the best available in Tibet),

    y sightseeing tours with English speaking local TIBETAN guide,y all entry fees,

    y Tibet travel permit, airport transfers,y 2 nights accommodation at 3 star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast,

    y guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with an English speaking guide, entry fees,y border transfer and train station transfers.

    Cost Excludes:

    y Any airfare,y Lunch and dinner (7-10 USD per meal), airport tax,

    y personal clothing & equipments,y any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due any reason,

    y your insurance.

    DETAILED ITINERARY

    Day 1: Arrive in BeijingSoon after landing at Beijing airport, you will be escorted to your hotel. At the hotel, you shall bebriefed about your travel arrangements and travel destinations. Thereon, you can enjoy the lively

    ambience and excellent facilities of the hotel.

    Day 2: Sightseeing in BeijingToday you will first visit the historic Tiananmen Square, and then the magnificent Forbidden City.

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    In the afternoon, you will visit the fine Summer Palace. You will also visit the Tiananmen Square,the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised

    exactly at sunrise everyday, the Forbidden City, located in the center of Beijing, which used to bethe imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years ( it is the

    grandest integral palace complex still remaining in China). You will also be taken to visit the

    Summer Palace, located on the northwestern outskirts of the city. It was an imperial summer resortof the Qing Dynasty. With its perfect layout, magnificent buildings and enchanting landscape, it isthe most splendid classical garden in China.

    Day 3: Sightseeing in Beijing Today you will visit the majestic Great Wall (Badaling section) and

    the Chang Tomb of Ming Tombs. You will be taken on a tour to the Great Wall, the most famoussymbol of China and one of the worlds most remarkable architectural wonders. It was built over

    2,000 years ago and stretches a long distance for about 6,700km.You will visit the Great wall atBadaling, the most outstanding representation of Chinas Great Wall, located 70km north-west of

    Beijing, at an elevation of 1000m. This section was first built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD). It stands at a strategic highest point from north-west of Beijing and gives access to every

    direction. Badaling section is composed of Guan City, with city platforms, wall platforms and watchtowers along the Wall. The surrounding scenery is magnificent and impressive. You will be taken on

    a visit to the Ming Tomb the burial site of the emperor Wanli, the 13th emperor of the MingDynasty who ruled for 48 years until his death in 1620.

    Day 4: Visit to Temple of Heaven & Evening- Board the Train from Beijing to Lhasa [3650m]Early in the morning you will be taken for a visit to the Temple of Heaven which spreads across a

    267 hectare park. This temple serves as the best example of the fine Ming architecture. To the

    Chinese this is a sacred site where prayers for good harvests, prosperity and harmonious life areoffered. In the evening you board the Sky train to Lhasa and experience the worlds highest

    railway journey.

    Day 5: Onboard the Sky TrainThe 4,064 km journey lasts for 48 hrs. Looking through UV blocked train window, you remaincaptivated by the flashing glimpse of Chinese countryside, flat cultivated lands, brown hills, and

    riverside valleys. The train passes across 5200m high Tanggula Mountain pass, amidst surrealmountain vistas, as you near the Tibetan plateau. The train continues to pass through mesmerizing

    views of the turquoise Qinghai Lake and uniquely shaped vast Tibetan Plateau right below hugemountain range with 7000+ meter peaks, dominating the entire landscape.

    Equipments for oxygen supply and an oxygen mask are also available in the train for those who areprone to altitude sickness. The train is fitted with soft sleepers, vacuum flush toilets, flat-screen TVs

    and the finest dining service.

    Day 6: Arrive in Lhasa (3650 meter)After traveling for approximately 48 hrs, across the roof of the world, you finally arrive in Lhasa.

    At the Lhasa train station you will be met by your Tibetan tour guide who will escort you to yourhotel.

    Day 7: Sightseeing in Lhasa

    After breakfast, you will be briefed on the days program. An experienced guide will take you on a

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    tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingkaand the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery,you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to

    Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building isornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another

    glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy

    Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa.

    Day 8: Sightseeing in Lhasa

    After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. Theimposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the

    ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vastarray of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the

    eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monasterywhere you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the

    days tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest. Note: Since only alimited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala Palace every day, the order of sightseeing

    places will be decided upon by your Tibetan guide.

    Day 9: Free day in LhasaA final day in Lhasa for acclimatization. This day is for you to spend it as you wish. Explore and

    soak in the sights and sounds of the old city, revisit a favorite monastery, go for souvenir hunting inthe busy local market at Barkhor Square, or simply sit in a caf and watch pilgrims as they

    circumambulate the Jokhang. There is also the option of an additional tour to places such as theTibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this additional tour will

    incur an extra cost.

    Day 10: Drive to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km

    Driving along the Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La, at 4794m with a brief halt tosavor majestic views ofYamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa, standing at 7252m. On turning

    westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. From the roadside, you can see hugeglaciers tumbling down. After driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages come into

    view as you enter the town ofGyantse.

    Day 11: Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90kmGyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong, a 14th century historical fort,

    overlooks the entire Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has a large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After exploring Gyantse, you

    take a 90 km drive and arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet that lies at an altitude of

    3900m. Tashilhunpo Monastery, being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, is themajor attraction of Shigatse.

    Day 12: Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km.

    Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving pastsmall town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, you pass many

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    monasteries and camps of nomadic herders en route to Shegar.

    Day 13: Drive to Rongbuk (5000m) 68kmLeaving Shegar, you will drive towards the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. Along the way,

    you delight in the amazing views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After

    driving for 68 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. You can view the spectacular MountEverest from here. You will have overnight accommodation in a guest house.

    Day 14: Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181kmYou will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. You can

    delight in the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtseand Gauri Shankar. As you drive along, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant

    Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush andverdant Zhangmu at 2300m.

    Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km

    Drive few kilometers away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi River whichbrings you closer to the Immigration Control in Kodari. Here you will part with your Tibetan guideand driver, and walk across the river to meet your Nepalese escort who will drive you to

    Kathmandu. After driving for around 5 hours, and covering 123 km, you finally arrive atKathmandu.

    Day 16: Sightseeing in Kathmandu ValleyKathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination fortourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of

    Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. There will be a half day guidedtour to UNESCO World Heritage Site kathmandu Durbar Square, the famous and biggest Hindu

    shrine ofPashupatinath & the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath.

    Day 17: Depart KathmanduOur driver and airport representative will drive you to the airport in time for your flight back home.

    We ensure you that you will leave Kathmandu with cherishing memories and an experience of alifetime.

    If you want to more information please visit our official website: www.explorehimalaya.comand email at

    [email protected] or [email protected].