IN 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.
DAYS 1-2: AUSTRALIA TO KUNMING
Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific to Kunming for a two-night stay. Sample the delicious local specialty, ‘Across the Bridge Noodles’, for your welcome dinner.
DAY 3: KUNMING
Today enjoy a full-day tour of the picturesque Stone Forest. This afternoon visit the Western Hills.
DAY 4: KUNMING TO DALI
This morning you will transfer to the airport to board your flight to Dali. Explore the fascinating wonders of Dali’s Ancient Quarter this afternoon.
DAY 5: DALI
See the Three Pagodas and enjoy an afternoon cruise on the stunning Erhai Lake.
DAY 6: DALI TO LIJIANG
Travel to Lijiang this morning. Visit the Black Dragon Pool before wandering through Lijiang’s Ancient Quarter.
DAY 7: LIJIANG
Your explorations take you to the picturesque Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take a chairlift to one of the high meadows from where you can view amazing scenery. This afternoon you will visit the Baisha Frescoes.
DAY 8: LIJIANG TO ZHONGDIAN
Drive to Zhongdian for a three-night stay. This afternoon travel to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world.
DAY 9: ZHONGDIAN
See the Baishui Terrace, where spring water cascades over layers of white limestone pools.
DAY 10: ZHONGDIAN
Enjoy 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 DEQING
Travel to Deqing, ascending into the Hengduan Mountains and the mighty Himalayas.
DAY 12: DEQING TO MANGKANG
Start 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 LINZHI
Over the next three days your overland adventure will take you from Mangkang to Linzhi via Basu and Zhammu, through a region of unrivalled landscapes. You will cross rivers and follow deep gorges to ascend to some of the highest roads in the world to Linzhi.
DAY 16: LINZHI TO LHASA
Leave Linzhi this morning and continue your journey to Lhasa. En route you will see Pasum Tso Lake.
DAY 17: LHASA
Travel to the 7th-century Jokhang Temple this morning and wander amongst the pilgrims at the colourful, mediaeval Barkhor Markets.
DAY 18: LHASA
Today 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 SHIGATSE
Continue your journey by coach to Shigatse. Upon arrival visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery.
DAY 20: SHIGATSE TO GYANTSE
Today 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 LHASA
Leave Gyantse this morning and travel back to Lhasa for your final night in Tibet.
DAY 22: LHASA TO CHENGDU
Fly 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 CHENGDU
This morning is free at your leisure before you are transferred to Chengdu airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.
DAY 24: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Arrive home this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours Review:
"This tour was absolutely wonderful."
Mr and Mrs Moore, Australian Capital Territory - April 2009
|
![[Logo] Wendy Wu Tours](/site/images/WWLogo_180x115.gif)
