Dreams of Shangri-laFrom $8,359 per person Twin Share- 27 Days, Fully Inclusive From New ZealandAlmost 80 years ago the author James Hilton released the novel Lost Horizon, a story about a valley of stunning scenery surrounded by soaring mountains; the name of that valley is Shangri-La. Join us to explore the place where the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in southwest China crosses the borders of Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is here that you will find the real Shangri-La, ‘the last pure land in the world’. As well as the snow-capped mountains, beautiful lakes and vast grasslands, this region is also home to a large number of ethnic cultures such as Tibetan, Naxi and Pumi, to name a few. This journey offers scenery that will take your breath away and will introduce you to lifestyles and cultures that one can only imagine. TOUR ITINERARYDAYS 1-2: NEW ZEALAND TO KUNMINGFly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Kunming for a two-night stay. Sample the delicious local specialty, ‘Across the Bridge Noodles’, as your welcome dinner. DAY 3: KUNMINGTour the scenic Stone Forest this morning. Later today you will visit the Western Hills, which wrap around Dianchi Lake. DAY 4: KUNMING TO DALIToday you will fly to Dali for a two-night stay. Upon arrival you will visit the Ancient Quarter and Xizhou Village. DAY 5: DALIThis morning you will see the picturesque Three Pagodas and relax as you cruise on the stunning Erhai Lake. DAY 6: DALI TO LIJIANGLeave Dali today and travel to Lijiang where you will visit the Black Dragon Pool. Wander through Lijiang’s Ancient Quarter, admiring the colourful costumes of the Naxi people. DAY 7: LIJIANGToday you will catch a chairlift to explore one of the high meadows of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and enjoy the amazing scenery. In the afternoon you will visit the Baisha Frescoes. DAY 8: LIJIANG TO ZHONGDIANDrive to Zhongdian today, stopping en route at the Tiger Leaping Gorge. DAYS 9-10: ZHONGDIANToday you will see the Baishui Terrace, where spring water cascades over layers of white limestone pools. Tomorrow you will visit the Napa Hai Lake and the Songshanlin Monastery. DAYS 11-13: ZHONGDIAN TO DEQING TO ZOGANGLeave Zhongdian for Deqing, ascending into the Hengduan Mountains. Tomorrow you will visit the snow-capped Baimang Mountain, with its highest peak at 5,640m and the Feilai Temple, devoted to the spirit of Kawa Karpo. The next day you will travel to Zogang, stopping at the snow-capped Meili Mountain en route. DAY 14: ZOGANG TO QAMDODepart Zogang today and travel to Qamdo, visiting the Yanjing Saltpans en route. Later this afternoon you will see the Qambaling Monastery, famous for its well-preserved statues, frescoes and tangkas. DAY 15: QAMDOVisit the Red Mountains today, where you will see many ancient cypress trees, which have survived 1,300 years. You will also visit the Karub Ruins. This significant discovery extends the human history of Tibet to approximately 5,000 years ago. DAYS 16-17: QAMDO TO DE’GA TO XINLONGDrive to De’Ga today, stopping at the De’Ga printing house and Chola Mountain Pass, which is 5,050m high with views of the Yangtze Gorge below. Tomorrow you will leave De’Ga and visit Xinlu Lake. Later, continue over Chola Mountain Pass to Xinlong, to see the Baili Monastery in Ganzi en route. DAY 18: XINLONG TO BATANGToday you will pass Mani Gange Grasslands, driving over Haizi Mountain Pass to Batang, visiting Litang Monastery en route. The monastery was founded in 1580 at the appointment of the 3rd Dalai Lama. DAY 19: BATANG TO LITANGVisit Copu and Genian scenic areas, where the famous Copu Lake and Copu Temple are located. See local Batang houses before driving to Litang, where you will visit the Eternal Youth Kor Monastery. DAY 20: LITANG TO KANGDINGDrive to Kangding, passing over Kazila, Jianziwan and Gao’ersi mountain passes. View Minya Konka, the highest mountain in Sichuan at a height of 7,590m, and Xindu Bridge before going over Zheduo Mountain Pass into Kangding. DAY 21: KANGDINGVisit Moge Co scenic area today, located in the Gongge Mountain National Park north of Kangding. It covers an area of 300sq km. DAY 22: KANGDING TO MT. EMEITravel to Mt. Emei, one of Buddhism’s most sacred mountains. DAY 23: MT. EMEIExplore the magnificent Mt. Emei today, interacting with the locals and the many pilgrims that pay homage to this holy site. DAY 24: MT. EMEI TO CHENGDUTravel to Chengdu today. En route you will explore Leshan’s Grand Buddha, an enormous statue carved into the side of the Lingyun Mountain. The Buddha is over 71m tall and is wide enough for more than 100 people to sit between its feet. DAY 25: CHENGDUThis morning visit the famous Panda Research Centre. You will be served local Sichuan cuisine for your farewell dinner this evening. DAY 26: DEPART CHENGDUThis morning is free at your leisure before you are transferred to Chengdu airport to board your flight to New Zealand. Due to flight schedules there is an overnight stopover in Singapore. Please note that no meals are included in Singapore. DAY 27: ARRIVE NEW ZEALANDArrive home this evening. |
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Important note: Above prices do not includem Tipping. Please note the tipping amount of US$105 per person is payable on arrival in China. Travel Info
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