Tibetan Wonders

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: AUSTRALIA TO KUNMING

Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific Airways to Kunming for a two night stay.

Brisbane passengers depart on DAY 2.

DAY 3: KUNMING

We will spend today wandering around the park grounds of the awe inspiring Stone Forest. Located 120km southeast of Kunming, the Stone Forest consists of thousands of narrow, fantastically shaped pillars of rock, scattered over an area of more than 80ha. The park is designed so that you can follow a walkway through the formations of water pools and grey pinnacles, the tallest of which is over 30m high.

See if you can find the following formations for yourself – Everlasting Fungus, Baby Buffalo, Moon Grazing Rhino, Sword Pond and Baby Elephant.

This afternoon, return to Kunming and see Dianchi Lake from the Western Hills. Dianchi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province. The lake is crescent-shaped and its natural banks are formed by mountains on all four sides. The Western Hills are also known as 'Sleeping Beauty Hills'. From a distance, they have the appearance of a lady lying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailing into the water.

DAY 4: KUNMING TO DALI

Fly to the ancient city of Dali. Explore the fascinating Ancient Quarter, absorbing the local atmosphere of the market stalls.

DAY 5: DALI

Visit the charming Song Dynasty’s Three Pagodas which dominate the skyline above Dali’s ancient city walls. Enjoy a cruise on Erhai Lake where you may be lucky enough to see traditional junks still plying their trade.

DAY 6: DALI TO LIJIANG

Drive to the ‘living museum’ city of Lijiang, which sits at the foothills of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Visit the picturesque Black Dragon Pool and wander the back street markets filled with Naxi women wearing traditional costumes.

DAY 7: LIJIANG

Take a cable car to one of the meadows on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain where you can enjoy spectacular views. Next, visit the famous Baisha Frescoes and explore a typical Chinese rural village.

DAY 8: LIJIANG TO ZHONGDIAN

Drive to Zhongdian, visiting one of the most dramatic gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge, along the way. Tiger Leaping Gorge is said to be the deepest gorge in the world. Legend has it that the gorge is so narrow in places that a tiger escaped capture by leaping across. Arrive in Zhongdian this afternoon for a three night stay.

DAY 9: ZHONGDIAN

See the Baishui Terrace where spring water cascades over layers of white limestone pools creating a perfect photographic moment.

DAY 10: ZHONGDIAN

Visit the Songshanlin Monastery, which was built by the 5th Dalai Lama over 300 years ago. Explore the Old Town in Zhongdian and a Tibetan village.

DAY 11: ZHONGDIAN TO LHASA

Leave Zhongdian and fly to Lhasa, the spiritual home of Tibet. This afternoon is free at your leisure to help you acclimatise to the higher altitude.

DAY 12: LHASA

This morning visit the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred and spiritual temple in Tibet. Wander among the pilgrims at the colourful Barkhor Markets where you will see local handicrafts and artworks.

DAY 13: LHASA

Explore the Potala Palace, the ‘Crown Jewel of Tibet’. The palace is an architectural wonder which towers over the entire city, with hundreds of rooms filled with intricate shrines and frescoes. Later, visit Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, before enjoying a performance of traditional Tibetan dance.

DAY 14: LHASA TO SHIGATSE

Drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet and wander through the local cobblestone lanes.

DAY 15: SHIGATSE TO NEW TINGRI

Leave Shigatse and travel to New Tingri for an overnight stay.

DAY 16: NEW TINGRI TO MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP

Arrive at Mt. Everest where you will visit the base camp and gaze at the stunning north face of the world’s tallest mountain peak at 8,848m (weather permitting). Next, visit the Rongbuk Monastery and stay overnight in the township.

DAY 17: MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP TO OLD TINGRI

Rise early to see the sun rise over Mt. Everest (weather permitting) before continuing to Old Tingri for an overnight stay.

DAY 18: OLD TINGRI TO SHIGATSE

Leave Old Tingri and travel back to Shigatse.

DAY 19: SHIGATSE TO GYANTSE

Visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama and then drive to Gyantse and visit the unique Pelkor Monastery which has features of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture.

DAY 20: GYANTSE TO TSEDANG

See the Gyantse Kumbum before continuing the journey to Tsedang, said to be the ‘cradle of Tibetan civilisation’.

DAY 21: TSEDANG TO LHASA

Explore Yumbulhakang Palace, one of the oldest buildings in Tibet, Chang Chun Monastery and the King’s Tomb. This afternoon return to Lhasa for your final night in Tibet.

DAY 22: LHASA TO CHENGDU

Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see these famous animals in an environment similar to their natural habitat. The base also includes a protective wilderness breeding area, museum and research facility. This evening enjoy sumptuous Sichuan cuisine as your farewell celebration.

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 today.

Price guide

Important Note: Above prices include Fuel surcharges and tipping of $392 (correct as at May 2013 and subject to change). Please note the Tipping amount of USD85 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 travel in, or to, Tibet.

Though status is regularly updated, availability above is indicative only, not live and hence does not guarantee that space is available on your selected tour when you or your agent calls Wendy Wu Tours to book.  Booking early is the only way to ensure availability of your selected departure date.