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SPIRIT OF TIBET (SOT) - 14 DAY TOUR
(Beijing, Lhasa, Gyantze,
Shigatze, Chengdu, Shanghai)
Itinerary and Departure Dates and Fares:
Day 1. Saturday. USA/Beijing.
Your tour departs from Los Angeles about mid-day and you will head across the Pacific Ocean to Beijing, the illustrious capital city of China. Spend the night aboard your trans-Pacific flight as you cross the International Date Line.
Day 2. Sunday. Beijing. (IM).
You arrive in Beijing, one of the largest cities in China, in the late afternoon. There, you will be escorted to a local four- or five-star hotel.
Day 3. Monday. Beijing. (AB, L, D).
Your highlight today will be a visit to an unrestored section of the awe-inspiring Great Wall, close to a quiet farming village. You will also visit the solemn Ming Tombs, the burial place for the 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. The tour continues with a wonderful stroll down the renowned Sacred Way, the formal entrance to the Ming Tombs. Attend a delicious Peking Duck banquet in the evening.
Day 4. Tuesday. Beijing. (AB, L, D).
Morning sightseeing features the infamous Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Next, you will stroll through the fabulous Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years. In the afternoon, you will tour the beautiful Temple of Heaven where, during the last Ming and Qing Dynasties, the emperors prayed for good harvests. A tour to the Summer Palace on Kunming Lake is another highlight of the day.
Day 5. Wednesday. Beijing/Lhasa. (AB, L, D).
In the morning, you will take a domestic flight to the holy city of Lhasa, the capital of the Buddhist Kingdom of Tibet. During the 1.5 hour drive to the city, you will experience spectacular scenery, pass by charming villages and see Yak skin boats cruising along the Yulang Zangbo River. After these wonderful sights, you will check in at a local four- or five-star hotel. Take this time to rest and relax, as you will need extra energy to adjust to the high altitudes of Lhasa.
Day 6. Thursday. Lhasa. (AB, L, D).
Today you will visit Jokhang monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism in this sacred land of Buddhist followers. Many pilgrims come here to worship every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. You may want to walk along nearby Barkhor street, which contains a large free market with stalls selling local specialties. In the afternoon, you will visit Norbulingka, which means the garden of treasures in Tibetan language. Located in the western suburbs of Lhasa, this palace complex was built in the 18th century and served as the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas.
Day 7. Friday. Lhasa. (AB, L, D).
This morning you will visit the awe-inspiring Potala Palace, which was constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of united Tibet. Potala Palace later served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. You will also visit Dralha Lhupuk (meditation cave) where Pelden Lhamo, the goddess of protection, is enshrined. In the afternoon you will visit Sera Monastery, erected in 1419, which has always been an important Buddhist Seminary. It is also referred to as "the court of wild roses," because roses are planted throughout. 200 lamas are currently in residence.
Day 8. Saturday. Lhasa/Gyantze. (AB, L, D).
Today you will leave Lhasa by deluxe motor coach and head for Gyantze. Along the way, you will pass Yamdrok-Tso Lake, the third largest holy lake in Tibet, and a wonderful place for taking photos. Next, you will cross Kangpa-La Pass and in the late afternoon, arrive in Gyantze. Gyantze lies on the bank of the Nyang-river. Once there, you will visit Kumbum Pagoda, 100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda, and Pelkor Monastery, famed for its splendid Tibetan Buddhist art. Both temples were built in the15th century. In the evening, you will check in to a local four- or five-star hotel.
Day 9. Sunday. Gyantze/Shigatze. (AB, L, D).
This morning you will take a deluxe motor coach to Shigatze, the second largest city in Tibet with 40,000 inhabitants. Once there, you will visit the mysterious Tashilunpo monastery of the Gelukpa sect, the seat of the Panchan Lamas and one of the 6 grand monasteries in Tibet. The largest gilded statue of Maitreya in China is enshrined here.
Day 10. Monday. Shigatze/Lhasa. (AB, L, D).
Today you will return by deluxe motor coach to Lhasa, arriving by late afternoon. After an early dinner, you will settle in to the comforts of a local four- or five-star hotel.
Day 11. Tuesday. Lhasa/Chengdu. (AB, L, D).
First thing this morning, you will take a domestic flight to Chengdu, located in the Sichuan Province. You will check in to a local four- or five-star hotel, and then visit the awesome Qingyang Palace, the largest Taoist Temple in China.
Day 12. Wednesday. Chengdu. (AB, L, D).
Today you will get the chance to visit the Wolong Natural Reserve and see the fascinating giant Pandas, the most precious animal in China. There are about 30 giant Pandas at the breeding research center. The Reserve, established in 1983 with the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund, plays an active role in the preservation of China's rare animals and plants.
Day 13. Thursday. Chengdu/Shanghai. (AB, L, D).
After breakfast today you will take a domestic flight to Shanghai, China's financial and commercial center. Upon arrival, you will visit the historic Bund along Shanghai's famous international waterfront. After the morning's tour, you will experience the gorgeous Yu Garden, followed by the fascinating Jade Buddha Temple. In the evening, you will enjoy an entertaining acrobatics show, and check in at a local four- or five-star hotel.
Day 14. Friday. Shanghai. (AB).
Today you will board your trans-Pacific flight back to the United States. You will take home many wonderful memories of the Spirit of Tibet.
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Departure Dates and Fares:
10 or more passengers that sign up as a group may be eligible for special discounts upon request.
If your preferred travel date is not listed in the departure dates, please call to set up your own tour date, at no additional charge.
2004:
|
Departure
Date
(Saturday)
|
Return
Date
(Friday)
|
Tour Fare
From
Los Angeles
|
Land
Tours
Only
|
Single
Supplement
|
|
4/24
|
5/7
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
5/15
|
5/28
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
6/12
|
6/25
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
7/10
|
7/23
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
8/14
|
8/27
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
9/4
|
9/17
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
10/9
|
10/22
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
2005:
|
Departure
Date
(Saturday)
|
Return
Date
(Friday)
|
Tour Fare
From
Los Angeles
|
Land
Tours
Only
|
Single
Supplement
|
|
4/23
|
5/6
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
5/14
|
5/27
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
6/11
|
6/24
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
7/9
|
7/22
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
8/13
|
8/26
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
9/3
|
9/16
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
|
10/8
|
10/21
|
$3,099
|
$2,049
|
$649
|
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