China
and The Far East:
The
Roof of the World - 15 Day Tour
"Lets
get away, far away..."
Although
geographically part of the same nation, Tibet is distinctly different
from the rest of China: a contrast that sets the stage for this
journey of discovery across The Roof of the World. This tour shows
you the sights of Hong Kong and classic China, sandwiched between
a tour of the mountain strongholds of mysterious, medieval Tibet.
Day
1: USA or Canada - Hong Kong, China
Today we board our flight to Hong Kong.
Day 2: Hong Kong
We arrive this evening in colorful Hong Kong and
we transfer to our elegant hotel.
Mandarin
Oriental
Day
3: Hong Kong
Today's comprehensive tour of this bustling hub
of commerce and trade includes visits to the Sam Tun Uk, a historical
museum in the New Territories; the fishing village of Lei Yue Mun,
once the haunt of pirates; and the city's colorful flower and bird
markets. We also pause for a briefing on our travels to come. Hong
Kong is famous for its food: we enjoy a delicious dim sum lunch,
and welcome cocktails and dinner tonight.
Mandarin Oriental: B.L.D
Day
4 : Hong Kong - Guilin
After a leisurely morning, we transfer to the airport
to board a flight to Guilin.
Sheraton Guilin: B.L.D
Day 5: Guilin
Today we board a boat for a relaxing half-day cruise
on the river, disembarking at the charming village of Yangshuo and
returning overland to Guilin, whose scenic splendors have been celebrated
for centuries in Chinese art and song. Our sightseeing also includes
a look at traditional cormorant fishing by night.
Sheraton Guilin: B.L.D
Day 6: Guilin - Chengdu
Today we fly to Chengdu, capital of China's Sichuan
Province, where we join travelers on A&K's Soul of Tibet tour.
Sheraton Chengdu Lido: B.L.D
Days
7-8: Chengdu - Lhasa, Tibet - Tsedang
After an early-morning flight to Gonggar Airport,
we continue by road to Tsedang, Tibet's pre-Buddhist center of culture.
Here we see the tombs of the Tibetan kings and the ancient fortress
of Yumbu Lakang.
Tsedang Hotel: B.L.D
Day
9: Tsedang - Gyantse
Today, we travel overland along the southern corridor
highway via Gonggar and Nagarzc, traveling through the spectacular
scenery of the Karo La and Kamba La mountain passes with their stunning
views. Our destination is Gyantse, site of the sacred Kumbum Stupa,
the most exquisite example of Newari design in Tibet.
Gyantse Guest House: B.L.D
Day
10: Gyantse - Xigaze
This morning we drive to Xigaze via Nyemo, crossing
the Tsangpo Bridge and arriving in the afternoon. We visit the Tashilhumpo
Monastery, seat of the Yellow-Hat Panchen Lamas and one of the most
beautiful remaining examples of Tibetan architecture. Time permitting,
we also stop at a unique local bazaar, overlooked by the ruins of
an old fort.
Xigaze Guest House: B.L.D
Day
11: Xigaze - Lhasa
This morning we travel to Lhasa by the middle route,
following the course of the Yarlung River.
Lhasa Hotel: B.L.D
Days 12-13: Lhasa
Lhasa stands at the crossroads between its traditional
way of life and the modern developments brought by the Chinese.
We visit the unforgettable highlights of the city: sacred Jokhang,
Drepung and Sera monasteries, the colorful Barkhor Bazaar, and the
towering Potala Palace ("Buddha's Mountain"), certainly one of the
highlights of our trip.
Lhasa Hotel: B.L.D
Day
14: Lhasa - Chengdu - Hong Kong
Travelers ending their tour today fly to Hong Kong
for an overnight stay.
Mandarin Hotel: B.L.D
Day
15: Hong Kong - USA or Canada
Today we are transferred to the airport for our
flight home to the USA or Canada.
Exend
your travel to 19 Days: Optional Xian and Beijing Extension
Day
14: Lhasa - Chengdu - Xian
This morning we fly to Chengdu, to board a connecting
flight to Xian.
Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel: B.L.D
Day 15: Xian
Xian is world-famous as the site of Qin dynasty
Emperor Qin Shihuangdi's tomb complex, with its army of life-size
terra-cotta soldiers. Other highlights include a visit to the Shaanxi
Provincial Museum, considered China's finest museum of antiquities;
we also see the magnificent City Gate and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Tonight we enjoy a cultural show at the Tang Dynasty Theater, undoubtedly
the best performance of its kind in all China.
Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel: B.L.D
Day
16: Xian - Beijing
This morning we fly to Beijing. Though rapidly transforming
itself into a modern metropolis, Beijing's history is never more
than a back street away. Turning into one of the narrow mazes which
lie hidden behind Beijing's modern façade, we turn into the past.
Palace Hotel: B.L.D
Days 17-18: Beijing
We have two days to explore a fascinating city that
has enchanted the imaginations of visitors for centuries. Our stops
include Tiananmen Square; the magnificent Forbidden City and the
Temple of Heaven, one of the world's most beautiful structures,
as well as a walk along the Great Wall. There may also be time to
see a performance of Chinese opera or ballet.
Palace Hotel: B.L.D
Day
19: Beijing - USA or Canada
Today we are transferred to Beijing's Airport for
our flight home or on to another destination in the Orient. B
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
**Departures Limited to 20 Passengers**
Your Roof of the World land arrangements include:
- Hotel accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary; domestic
bottled water with all meals
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All sightseeing as shown, including entrance
fees
- Services of a professional escort
- All gratuities except to your escort (tour will
be locally hosted for groups of less than 6 persons)
- All baggage handling
It
does not include:
- personal
expenses such as laundry
- travel
insurance
- excess
baggage fees
- communication
charges
- cost
of obtaining passports or visas
- meals,
beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary
- any
airfares
PRICING:
Please
contact Quality Travel Services for updated prices.
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Request Form.
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Quality Travel Serivices, Inc. 2007. All Rights Reserved.