Journey Through Tibet

Day 1: Beijing

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Beijing. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. Please refer to your tour itinerary for the joining hotel name and address. If you have not pre-booked an arrival transfer you will find taxis available on arrival at Beijing airport. The taxis in Beijing have meters and you can expect to pay between US$20-US$25, depending on the time you arrive. If you have booked an airport transfer with us, please meet your transfer guide in the arrivals area as you exit from the customs hall. There will be a pre-departure briefing with your tour leader late Thursday afternoon. Don’t forget to check the notice board in the foyer of the joining hotel for details of this meeting and for any messages from your leader.

Day 2-3: Beijing - The Great Wall

Beijing is a thriving metropolis and home to over 16 million people. Over the next couple of days, we explore many of its main attractions. The Forbidden City, built over 500 years ago, has been off limits to commoners until about 100 years ago. After entering through an archway beyond Tiananmen Gate, we spend the morning exploring this huge complex and marvel at the many intricate carvings that adorn its buildings. A visit to China is not complete without taking a walk along the Great Wall. You will visit one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience - the surrounding views are amazing. There is also some free time to explore the many other sights of Beijing, such as the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. China is a great place to buy cheap clothing and there are many places in Beijing that cater for this. Shoppers may like to try their bargaining skills at the famous street markets. In the early evening we board the sleeper train for Lanzhou. You can either purchase dinner on the train or buy some food prior to boarding. We stay in six-berth air-conditioned cabins that have an open and relaxed feel about them. A blanket, sheets and a pillow are provided, although some people may wish to bring their own inner sheet. Travelling on the train is a great way to mix with the locals and practise your Chinese-language skills.

Day 4: Lanzhou

We arrive in Lanzhou early afternoon after a long train journey. Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province offers an interesting snapshot of Chinese life. Here there is the option to visit the impressive Gansu Museum or the White Cloud Temple which overlooks Yellow River. The following morning we continue our journey to Xiahe.

Day 5-6: Xiahe

We depart early in the morning from Lanzhou to travel to Xiahe. It's approximately six hours of travel via bus, but well worth it when we arrive in Xiahe. After we freshen up we will walk around the circumference of Labrang Monastery and witness many Tibetans spinning thousands of prayer wheels and prostrating themselves on the ground. In the evening there is an optional Tibetan cooking class or simply relax and soak in the atmosphere of this traditional Tibetan town. On the following morning, we have the option of taking a guided tour by a local monk of Labrang Monastery, the most important Tibetan monastery outside of Lhasa. We stay in a guesthouse in Xiahe nestled amongst the Tibetan grasslands, where you get a glimpse of how Tibetans live today.

Day 7-8: Langmusi

In the morning we travel by bus up to 3500m to Langmusi, a Tibetan town surrounded by mountains and monasteries. In the afternoon we visit Langmusi Monastery. The following day we enjoy a hike around the surrounding mountains. This trek is optional and about a five-hour active walk. If you don't wish to trek then you can just soak in the atmosphere and mountainous scenery of this relaxing town.

Day 9-10: Songpan - Chengdu

We depart Langmusi in the morning, heading for Songpan – a drive of about eight hours. Leaving the Langmusi, we descend into alpine forest areas and wide grasslands. Songpan is a quaint little town situated over 2000 metres above sea level. The ancient gates from the original walled city remain, and from here an interesting walk down the main cobblestone street will confront you with Tibetan and Qiang minorities selling their wares, such as big Tibetan coats and lots of silver jewellery and embroideries. Once in Songpan you have the option of many activities - firstly to travel to Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The scenery in this Park is spectacular with turquoise lakes and flowing waterfalls. Alternatively you can visit Huang Long National Park or just soak in the atmosphere of this special Chinese town with strong Muslim and Tibetan influences. We then have a long day of travel to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, which is known for its hot, spicy dishes that are generally considered by the Chinese as the best cuisine within China. In such a food-loving country, that is no mean achievement.

Day 11-12: Chengdu

We visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, located just out of the city. Giant pandas are one of the world’s most endangered species and have become an icon for conservation movements everywhere. Still found in parts of Sichuan Province, they are very difficult to spot in the wild. The afternoon and following day is free. You may wish to visit the Wenshu Temple or Shangli Old Town or simply sit on a bamboo chair at the teahouse in Renmin Park, sipping tea and watching the world go by. We spend the final night in Chengdu out on the town and have the chance to experience another of the local restaurants and test how spicy we can go with our food.

Day 13-15: Lhasa

A flight at dawn takes us over snow-capped mountains to Lhasa, capital of the autonomous region of Tibet. This is one of the most spectacular flights in the world, as we cross over high mountain peaks before arriving in the high Tibetan Plateau. On arrival at Gongkar Airport we are met and driven by coach to the fabled city of Lhasa, which lies at 3650 metres above sea level. The distance used to be 90 kilometres, but has been slightly shortened due to a tunnel that was recently opened. We spend the rest of our first day in Lhasa relaxing to aid our acclimatization, as it is likely we will be feeling some effects after coming from Chengdu. On Days 4 and 5 we explore this once isolated city which is now a mixture of old and new. We visit the fabled Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple plus Sera and Drepung Monasteries. There is free time to wander around and explore this fascinating city on our own. You can wander around the markets around the Barkhor or arrange a taxi to go out to the Norbulingka (Summer Palace) or the interesting Tibet Museum.

Day 16: Gyantse

We follow the Friendship Highway - a spectacular road which traverses high mountain passes and crosses wide plateaus, connecting Lhasa with Kathmandu. Please note that the road conditions are very poor in many places in Tibet, so we should be prepared for bumpy and sometimes slow journeys. We first travel through Tibet’s richest farming areas, before crossing the Brahmaputra River as it winds its way down towards the Bay of Bengal many hundreds of kilometres away. In Tibet it flows at an altitude of 3939 metres above sea level, making it is the highest major river in the world. We cross the river on a solid suspension bridge and wind our way to Kamba La (Pass), where we enjoy a view over the huge Yamdrok Tso (Scorpion Lake). After the lake we climb again, this time to the Karo La (Pass) (5010 metres) before descending to the historic town of Gyantse, which served as the capital of a small kingdom in the 15th century. The beautiful Kumbum Chorten, built around 1400, and the huge ruined fort bear witness to the powers that once ruled here. It later became the main centre for trade with British India and was the focal point for Younghusband’s British Expedition to Tibet in 1904, when his soldiers defeated some 5000 Tibetans and destroyed the fort by cannon fire. Gyantse is a great place to try the local specialty of 'momo', which are small meat dumplings.

Day 17-18: Shigatse

In the morning we explore Gyantse before taking a three-hour drive across the Tibetan Plateau in the afternoon. Our destination is Shigatse(3900m), the second largest city in Tibet with a population of some 40,000 people. Tashilhunpo Monastery is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the most important incarnation for Tibetan Buddhists after the Dalai Lama. This impressive religious centre contains a giant statue of Buddha in the Temple of Maitreya as well as an ornate tomb, which is the final resting-place of the fourth Panchen Lama. Its huge size ensures it is almost a town in itself. One of Tibet's most active monasteries, it is currently being restored to its former beauty. We have a free time in Shigatse, when we can just wander by ourselves through the old town or visit the market place and try one of the many unusual delicacies on offer.

Day 19: Shegar

Our adventure continues with a drive over rough, dusty roads to Shegar. In the morning we cross Jai Tsuo Pass with stunning views of the Himalayan peaks to the south. Although the scenery is desolate, the country is dotted with busy villages and ruined monasteries. Amongst these villages is the major town of Lhaze which makes for a convenient halfway point to stop; here we have the opportunity to try a local-style lunch. Our night stop, Shegar, is a small village of 1500 inhabitants with an interesting fort.

Day 20: Zhangmu

We pass through the Shegar checkpoint and then cross the Tingri Plains before ascending to Lalung Leh (5050m). At this pass we have spectacular views to the east (weather permitting) of Everest (8850m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8463m), Cho Oyu (8201m) and Gauri Shanker (7146m). To the west it may be possible to see Xixapangma (8013m), Langtang (7245m) and Dorje Lakpa (6980m). That’s five peaks, each over 8000 metres in height - a truly spectacular sight. From the pass, we descend steeply over 3000 metres to the small town of Nyalam. As you near the border, the road is cut into the cliffs high above the valley floor. If you don’t like heights, you should sit on the left-hand side of the vehicle!

Day 21: Kathmandu

After breakfast we make the short trip to the border and complete customs and immigration formalities. We cross the Friendship Bridge that spans the Bhote (Tibet) Kosi River and enter Nepal, before driving back to Kathmandu. Our journey here is in complete contrast to the wild and often barren plains of Tibet. We travel through heavily populated areas, with lush terraced hillsides rising steeply from the valley. After nearly five hours of travelling we arrive back at our hotel in Kathmandu, where we spend our final night.

Day 22: Kathmandu

Our journey comes to an end this morning. You can extend your stay in Kathmandu or why not join another Gecko’s trip from Kathmandu to India?

Tour Grade: Culture

Whether you’re taking in man’s greatest works at places like Petra or Angkor Wat, experiencing grand set-pieces like the Trans-Mongolian Railway or trying your hand at regional specialities like tango in Buenos Aires, getting to grips with local cultures is what travel’s all about. A few tips from a local guide and a sense of adventure are pretty much all you need. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the lowdown on high Tibet among Lhasa’s magisterial temples; follow up Delhi’s eye-popping bustle with a fix of its fiery food; and mix manic markets and Incan masterpieces in Peru.