Epic DreamsFrom $10,872 per person Twin Share - 30 Days - Fully Inclusive From AucklandEmbark on a journey through parts of China rarely visited by tourists. This programme encompasses China’s southwest region, across Your explorations will take you from the dusty town of Yecheng on the rim of the Taklimakan Desert, south to the very edge of China and across the Aksai Chin Plateau, a largely uninhabited area bordering Tibet. Travel along the highest vehicular road in the world; encounter views of distant mountains, old villages and yak herders’ camps. The highlight for some will be Mt. Everest Base Camp, where you can view the north face of the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest. What a wonderful end to what can only be described as a journey of a lifetime! TOUR ITINERARYDAYS 1-2: AUCKLAND TO GUANGZHOUFly overnight with Cathay Pacific to Guangzhou for an overnight stay. Due to flight schedules you will have an overnight stopover in Hong Kong. Please note no meals are included in Hong Kong. DAY 3: GUANGZHOU TO URUMQIToday you will fly to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Autonomous Region. DAY 4: URUMQI TO KASHGARFly to Kashgar this morning, an ancient market town and once the flourishing centre of the Silk Road trading route. DAYS 5-6: KASHGARVisit the Abakh Hoja Tomb and the Id Kah Mosque today. Explore the old alleys that intertwine around Id Kah Square. Enjoy an excursion to Lake Karakul tomorrow, where the crystal clear water reflects rich colours of turquoise and azure blue. DAY 7: KASHGARDiscover the world’s largest Sunday Bazaar. See the livestock market, where huge crowds of people, donkey carts, horse carriages and animals gather at this bargain extravaganza. DAY 8: KASHGAR TO YECHENGContinue your journey to Yecheng passing through Yengisar, where the traditional Uyghur dagger is made, and Yarkand, a city that still resonates with Silk Road romance. Upon arrival at Yecheng you will visit the markets around the Jama Mosque. DAYS 9-11: YECHENG TO ALI COUNTY - TIBET HIGHWAYSpend the next three days travelling to Ali County by 4WD as you begin your ascent of the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, the highest road in the world. About 270km from Yecheng, K2 is visible across the Pakistan border. Accommodation for the next 10 nights (until New Tingri) ranges mostly from truck stop lodgings to simple hostels. DAY 12: ALI COUNTYThe town of Shiquanhe emerges like a bizarre mirage and brings you back to civilisation. Stay overnight where you will have the opportunity to restock your supplies. DAYS 13-14: ALI COUNTY TO ZANDAYou will leave Ali County for Zanda and explore Tholing and Tsaparang, the ruined former capitals of the 900AD Guge Kingdom. DAYS 15-16: ZANDA TO TAQINGFrom Zanda you will travel along a broad river valley. After climbing over a gentle rise, you will get your first view of the holy mountain of Kailash. Explore this majestic mountain as well as Lake Manasarovar, two of the most remote and holiest destinations in the world for travellers and pilgrims alike. Upon arrival you will tour the area of Taqing. DAY 17: TAQING TO PARYANGToday you will drive from Taqing to Paryang, where panoramic views of distant mountains and yak herders’ camps can be seen. DAY 18: PARYANG TO SAGAThis morning you will leave Paryang and travel to Saga, passing through the old village of Zhongba along the way. DAY 19: SAGA TO OLD TINGRIRise early this morning and travel to Old Tingri where you will stay overnight. DAY 20: OLD TINGRI TO MT. EVERESTTravel to Mt. Everest today, where you will visit the base camp and gaze at the stunning north face of the world’s tallest peak at 8,848m. There will be plenty of opportunities for photographs (weather permitting). DAY 21: MT. EVEREST TO NEW TINGRIThis morning you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Later, continue your journey to New Tingri for an overnight stay. DAY 22: NEW TINGRI TO SHIGATSETravel to Shigatse and explore the cobblestone lanes. DAY 23: SHIGATSEToday you will see Tashilhunpo Monastery, the former residence of the Panchen Lama. DAY 24: SHIGATSE TO GYANTSETravel to the smaller town of Gyantse today visiting the unique Pelkor Monastery. Later you will travel to the largest shrine in Tibet, the Gyantse Kumbum. You will also view the magnificent ruins of the Old Fort. DAYS 25-27: GYANTSE TO LHASAContinue your journey to Lhasa. During your time here you will visit the ‘Crown Jewel of Tibet’, the Potala Palace. The palace is an architectural wonder, which towers over the entire city and consists of thousands of rooms filled with intricate shrines and frescoes. Stroll around Barkhor Square and visit the 7th-century Jokhang Temple, the most spiritual in Tibet. Later, visit the Drepung and Sera monasteries and Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama. DAY 28: LHASA TO CHENGDUFly to Chengdu where you will enjoy a visit to the Panda Research Centre to see these delightful animals being reared in surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. As your farewell dinner this evening you will feast on traditional Sichuan cuisine. DAY 29: DEPART CHENGDUToday you will be transferred to Chengdu airport to board your flight to Hong Kong, where you will connect with your overnight flight to Auckland. DAY 30: ARRIVE AUCKLANDArrive home this morning. |
Price Guide
Important note: Above prices do not include Tipping. Please note the tipping amount of US$109 per person is payable on arrival in China. The Tibet Autonomous Region may be closed by the Chinese authorities at any given time without notice. Such closures may impact the ability to run tours throughout Tibet. Travel Info
Country InfoInclusions
Exclusions
Images from Epic Dreams
|