Lhasa and Beijing - 11 days / 10 nights
Trip highlights and features:
• Beijing sightseeing: the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City
• Xian sightseeing: the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, Drum and Bell Towers and Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Train to Lhasa the ‘ Roof of the World’ at 1,149 km
• 5 nights onboard the train, 4 nights in deluxe hotels
• Most Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• Cities visited: Beijing, Luoyang, Xian, Lanzhou, Gomud, Lhasa
Northbound Tour Lhasa to Beijing
Day 1: Lhasa Flight arrivals
Passengers are met at the airport and transferred to the Holiday Inn, where we stay for three nights. Once known as one of the most difficult cities on the earth to get to, our first day is spent at the hotel for acclimatization purposes.
Day 2: Lhasa
On the second day, we visit the 13th century Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest shrine and the adjacent Barkhor market. Lunch features a concert with traditional folk music. In the afternoon, we visit the 17th century Potala Palace, former seat of the Tibetan Government and the Dalai Lama’s winter residence. Containing thousands of rooms, its outline dominates the city and is considered one of the architectural wonders of the world.
Day 3: Lhasa
Morning visit to Norbu Lingka, the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace. Free time in the afternoon to explore Lhasa.
Day 4: Lhasa, Shangri-La Express
All aboard our private Shangri-La Express train as we leave Lhasa in the afternoon. We begin our 1000km-long journey across the Tibetan Plateau, giving you a full day on board to relax and reflect on your days spent in the ‘Roof of the World’- Lhasa.
Day 5: Arrive Golmud
Afternoon arrival into Golmud, which is the starting point for the new 1,149km ‘Roof of the World’ railway line to Lhasa.
Day 6: Lanzhou
Upon our arrival into Lanzhou, situated on the Yellow River, we take a trip down the river during our afternoon stop here as well as visiting the Gansu Provincial Museum.
Day 7: Xian
Morning arrival into the ancient city of Xian. We tour the city this morning with the highlights being the Great Mosque, the 14-km city walls, Drum, Bell Towers, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered by peasants barely 30 years ago. The 6,000 Terracotta figures, arranged in row after row of warriors and horses, are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century and considered one of the wonders of the modern world. Midnight departure.
Day 8: Luoyang
Luoyang, in the middle reaches of the Yellow River Valley, has an interesting museum containing many relics from Luoyang’s days of glory, including historical maps of the city, and artifacts recovered from tombs, such as sculpted horses and camels. The day is spent touring this ancient city including a visit to the museum. Evening departure as we head towards the bright lights of Beijing.
Day 9: Beijing
We bid farewell to our train crew and transfer to the five-star Peninsula Palace (or similar) hotel for a three night stay. After breakfast, we spend the morning on a tour of Beijing, including the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City. Afternoon sightseeing program includes the Great Wall and an evening visit to Tiananmen Square.
Day 10: Beijing
After breakfast, we visit the Great Wall at Badaling and Ming Tombs. Lunch is in the city. Afternoon free time to explore the weekend market (open every day). Our final evening together features our farewell dinner at a Peking Duck restaurant.
Day 11: Beijing Flight departures
After breakfast in the hotel, guests are transferred to the airport for international flight departures.
Schedule and Fares - prices are per person
From Lhasa
Twin Share – EUR 5150
Single – EUR 7100
Note: Prices are per person in EUR and include all taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change without notice. Please reconfirm at the time of booking.
We suggest adding trip insurance >>> to any and all bookings.
