The Yak Tour

Day 1

Fly to Beijing

Depart on a direct overnight flight from London or regional airport to Beijing.

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Day 2

Welcome to Beijing

Arrive Beijing in the morning. Your guide will transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 4 night stay and provide a walking orientation tour around your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure, or perhaps add an optional afternoon tour.

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Day 3

Beijing's Past & Present Tour

Our tour provides a unique view of the city's history, culture and modern life, starting at Tiananmen Square and walk into the vast and mythical Forbidden City, home to 24 Chinese Emperors. Here you learn about China's dynastic past, before climbing Coal Hill for a view of Beijing. After an included lunch, we visit Confucius and Buddhist temples to understand China's two most important belief systems and their role in daily life. 

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Day 4

Temple of Heaven and Hutongs

Early start at the Temple of Heaven, considered by UNESCO "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design", to learn about Chinese philosophical beliefs, cosmogony, art, dynastic politics and sacrificial rituals. Here, elderly Beijingers gather to take communal exercises, sing, socialise and play musical instruments. After an included lunch at a family hutong home we explore the traditional narrow streets from a rickshaw and on foot. Enjoy cultural activities like calligraphy or cooking local Chinese dumplings. 

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Day 5

Hike to Great Wall

We drive north of Beijing to trek the iconic Great Wall of China at a wild section away from the crowds. Here we can truly appreciate its full majesty of the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We continue to the restored part of the wall at Mutianyu, allowing you a look at the wall in its original state and take a scenic cable car ride. Lunch is included today.

Day 6

Summer Palace, Art District, fly to Xining

Today you will fly west from Beijing to Xining, capital of the Qinghai province. A late afternoon flight allows for more exploration of Beijing, and so we will visit the Summer Palace and the 798 Art District in the northern part of the city, en-route to the airport. Upon arrival in Xining you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel for the night. 

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Day 7

Overnight scenic train to Lhasa

The 22 hour scenic train to Lhasa departs at around 2pm, leaving this morning free to buy some supplies in the local area. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the train station in plenty of time. During the epic journey you will enjoy a soft sleeper berth, the most comfortable available, which gives you a great vantage point from which to watch the mountain scenery roll-by. Not long after departure you will pass the glistening Qinghai Lake, the largest inland lake in China.

Please note that the train is not considered to be luxurious and cabins are arranged in groups of four. Hot food and drink is available on board, though it is a good idea to come prepared with your own snacks.

You will have a soft sleeper bed reserved, offering a higher level of comfort and privacy, though cabins are arranged in groups of four beds, so you may have to share with other travellers unless you prefer to book the whole cabin. Hot food and drink is available from the on-board restaurant. 

 

Day 8

Transfer to Tibet and Summer Palace

This morning you arrive at Lhasa railway station, where you will be met by our local guide and driver who will welcome you to the city and get you settled in to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay. You will now be at high altitude so it is best to take it easy and drink plenty of water to help your body acclimatise. As a gentle introduction to Lhasa, we will visit the Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama, set within relaxing landscaped parkland on the outskirts of Lhasa. Following an included lunch at a local restaurant you will have the afternoon free to relax and wander around the charming old town. 

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Day 9

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery

We start today with a tour of the Potala Palace, the defining symbol of Lhasa and Tibet. The winter home to ten Dalai Lama's, the huge 17th century structure is one of the most poignant on the planet, telling the story of life here before the Dali Lama was forced to flee to India. The roof terraces house the former residences of the Dalai Lama and afford sweeping views of the city.

We then drive into the very heart of the old town and the centre of the Tibetan religious universe. The colourful Jokhang Temple is the most sacred place in Tibet, a destination for pilgrims from across the Buddhist world. It is encircled by the lively Barkor Street, around which pilgrims walk in a clockwise directions, spinning prayer wheels as they go or prostrating themselves fully on the ground. Watching their incredible devotion is a privileged experience for any visitor.

After an included lunch we conclude the day at the Sera Monastery, arriving in time for a guided tour, before the monks take to the courtyard for their afternoon debating sessions. Watching them express themselves so spectacularly, even without understanding the language, is a memorable experience. 

Day 10

Sacred lake, glacier and Pelkhor Monastery

To truly appreciate the beauty and rural culture of Tibet, we will head out of the city and take the scenic route through the mountains towards Shigatse. On the way we will visit at the beautiful and sacred Yamdrock Lake, stopping for photos at a lookout point and by the shore. We continue through high altitude mountain passes, giving us a spectacular view of the Karola Glacier, a brilliant white mass which tumbles down the mountainside.

We will then drive to the ancient town of Gyanste, paying a visit to the striking Pelkhor Monastery, climbing the unique circular stupa (Kumbum) for magnificent views across to the Gyantse Dzong fortress and old town. We arrive in Shigatse in early evening for our overnight stay. Lunch is included today.

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Day 11

Tashilhunpo Monastery and Everest Base Camp

Shigatse is Tibet's second biggest city, situated in a fertile plain at the confluence of two rivers. It is home to a broad mix of ethnic minority groups and some wonderful Tibetan architecture. The most famous monument is the 15th century Tashilhunpo Monastery, a large gathering of chapels, halls and courtyards that together represent the largest religious site in Tibet. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most important after the Dalai Lama and is home to a rich collection of important relics, as well as the largest gilded Buddha statue in the world.

After our visit to the monastery, we begin the drive south, eventually turning off of the Friendship Highway that runs to Nepal to enter the Mount Everest National Park and follow a winding newly paved road up towards the world's highest mountain pass. From here you might catch you first glimpse of Everest and the other towering Himalayan peaks in the distance. We then will drive onwards to reach the Rongbuk Monastery, the highest in the world at 4,980 metres above sea level, in time for dinner. You will stay overnight in either the basic monastery guest house or the large tents of the nearby campsite to give you the chance to see Everest at its best in the morning. Lunch and dinner are included today.

Day 12

Everest Base Camp and Sakya Monastery

Today we rise early to hopefully see the peak of the great mountain bathed in golden sunlight. We undertake the final 2 mile journey by shuttle bus down to the Base Camp, where your guide will give you a tour of the area and lead a short walk. A small hill affords a mesmerising view of Everest, with hundreds of colourful prayer flags fluttering at your side.

Will then head back to Shigatse for an overnight stay and on the way visit the impressive Sakya Monastery. Sakya differs to those already visited in Lhasa and Shigatse in that it is built in a fortress style, earning it the nickname of the 'Great Wall of Tibet'. It also hosts an astonishing collection of Tibetan prayer books, piled high they make for a spectacular sight. It is also possible to stay at Sakya overnight at a simple guest house, affording more time to visit and hike around the hills here, before returning to Shigatse. Lunch is included today.

 

Day 13

Fly to Chengdu

This morning you will fly from Shigatse to Chengdu, where you will be met on arrival by your guide for the next few days and transferred to your hotel for a 3 night stay. You'll have today at leisure, perhaps to relax in the large People's Square, taking tea at one of the large outside teahouses and observing local life. South of the river is the lively Jinli Street, lined with traditional buildings and shops and stalls selling locally created artwork, handicrafts, paper cuts and calligraphy. This is a great place to spend the afternoon shopping for gifts and souvenirs. 

 

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Day 14

Pandas and Dujiangyan Irrigation System

No visit to Chengdu would be complete without going to the nearby Panda Research Base - the best place to see these charming and highly endangered animals up close. Designed to replicate the natural bamboo habitat of the panda to encourage breeding, the centre is respected the world over for its ongoing research and conservation efforts, not just for the giant pandas, but also for red pandas and black swans. We visit early in the morning to see the baby pandas at their most active, returning to the city for midday.

After an included lunch, we continue to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. This extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site was originally constructed back in 256BC, during the Qin Dynasty. It is the oldest irrigation system in the world and is thought to be the only major system of its kind not to feature a dam.  Another major feat of engineering is the magnificent Anlan Suspension Bridge which crosses the river. Surrounding the irrigation system are a number of impressive temples, halls, towers, statues and gardens. 

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Day 15

Leshan Giant Buddha

Today we will drive around 2 hours south of Chengdu to visit the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha. Measuring in at 71 metres high, the 1,200 year old Buddha watches over the confluence of three rivers and looks out onto the sacred Mount Emei. We will take a boat ride to enjoy panoramic views of the Buddha and then climb up the steps to come face-to-face with it, for a close up view. We will then return to Chengdu by road. Lunch is included today.

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Day 16

Return flight to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight back to London with Air France-KLM, via Amsterdam, arriving later the same day.