Tibetan DreamsFrom $6,727 per person Twin Share - 24 Days - Fully Inclusive From New ZealandIN 2000 WENDY WU TOURS PROUDLY TOOK THE FIRST GROUP TOUR IN THE WORLD TO REACH LHASA BY THIS MOST SCENIC OVERLAND ROUTE, INCLUDING THE TEA HORSE ROAD. For thousands of years an ancient pathway criss-crossing the Chinese hinterland and the Tibetan Plateau was followed by people on horseback. Along this unpaved and often rugged road, commodities came into Tibet while local products made their way to the outside world. This ancient passage was dubbed the ‘Tea Horse Road’ and stretched for more than 4,000km. The Tea Horse Road first appeared during the Tang Dynasty and lasted until the 1960s, when construction began on the Tibetan highways. Like the well-known Silk Road, the Tea Horse Road promoted exchanges in culture and religion. This tour will take you on a unique experience through these great lands; a world largely untouched by modern civilisation, which will continually amaze and inspire you. TOUR ITINERARYDAYS 1-2: NEW ZEALAND TO KUNMINGFly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Kunming for a two-night stay. Sample the local specialty, ‘Across the Bridge Noodles’. DAY 3: KUNMINGEnjoy a full-day tour of the picturesque Stone Forest. This afternoon visit the Western Hills. DAY 4: KUNMING TO DALITransfer to the airport to board your flight to Dali. Explore the fascinating wonders of Dali’s Ancient Quarter this afternoon. DAY 5: DALISee the Three Pagodas and enjoy an afternoon cruise on the stunning Erhai Lake. DAY 6: DALI TO LIJIANGTravel to Lijiang this morning. Visit the Black Dragon Pool before wandering through Lijiang’s Ancient Quarter. DAY 7: LIJIANGJourney to the picturesque Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take a chairlift to one of the high meadows to view the amazing scenery. This afternoon you will visit the Baisha Frescoes. DAY 8: LIJIANG TO ZHONGDIANDrive to Zhongdian for a three-night stay. This afternoon travel to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. DAY 9: ZHONGDIANSee the Baishui Terrace, where spring water cascades over layers of white limestone pools. DAY 10: ZHONGDIANEnjoy a visit to Napa Hai Lake and the Songshanlin Monastery today, built by the 5th Dali Lama over 300 years ago. DAY 11: ZHONGDIAN TO DEQINGTravel to Deqing, ascending into the Hengduan Mountains and the mighty Himalayas. DAY 12: DEQING TO MANGKANGStart your ascent to the Tibetan Plateau today following the ancient ‘Tea Horse Road’. For centuries, the Chinese traded westward along this route carrying tea and spices on tough mountain horses. From here you will travel to Lhasa by 4WD vehicles and accommodation will be in simple, local guesthouses. DAYS 13-15: MANGKANG TO LINZHIOver the next three days your overland adventure will take you from Mangkang to Linzhi via Basu and Zhammu, through a region of unrivalled landscapes. Cross rivers and follow deep gorges to ascend to some of the highest roads in the world to Linzhi. DAY 16: LINZHI TO LHASALeave Linzhi this morning and continue your journey to Lhasa. En route you will see Pasum Tso Lake. DAY 17: LHASATravel to the 7th-century Jokhang Temple this morning and wander amongst the pilgrims at the colourful, mediaeval Barkhor Markets. DAY 18: LHASAToday you will explore the ‘Crown Jewel of Tibet’, the Potala Palace. You will see Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, and a local Tibetan carpet factory. Enjoy a performance of traditional Tibetan dance this evening. DAY 19: LHASA TO SHIGATSEContinue your journey by coach to Shigatse. Upon arrival visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery. DAY 20: SHIGATSE TO GYANTSEToday you will travel to the smaller town of Gyantse where you will see the unique Pelkor Monastery. Later, visit the Gyantse Kumbum, and the magnificent ruins of the Old Fort. DAY 21: GYANTSE TO LHASALeave Gyantse this morning and travel back to Lhasa for your final night in Tibet. DAY 22: LHASA TO CHENGDUFly to Chengdu today. Upon arrival you will visit the famous Panda Research Centre. As your farewell dinner celebration this evening you will feast on traditional Sichuan cuisine. DAY 23: 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 24: ARRIVE NEW ZEALANDArrive home this evening. |
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 Tibetan Dreams
|