Flight: EY818 Abu Dhabi - Chengdu 08.15 - 19.00 

Meet & Greet: On arrival in Chengdu, you will be welcomed to China by a representative and guided to the shuttle bus for the short journey to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Chengdu Airport Hotel (Standard Room)

Private transfer to the airport: At the appropriate time today, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Flight: MU9750 Chengdu - Dali 12.50 - 17.00

Private transfer: On arrival in Dali, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in a chauffeur driven car for a two-night stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Landscape Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Dali: Dali is home to the Bai people, a colourfully dressed minority influenced by the Chinese, Tibetans and Indians. Throughout the town you will see typical houses of the Bais with stone walls and dark blue tile roofs. Visit the Three Pagodas, made of bricks, built a thousand years ago and coated with white mud, housing a shrine with a Buddha statue and lotus flowers. Continue to the ancient town, dating from 1382 AD when it was founded as the capital of the Dali kingdom. The original city wall was 8m in height and 6km in length with four gates in the east, west, south and north. The layout of the ancient city resembles a chessboard. The tour finishes with a boat trip on Erhai Lake, with a magnificent setting fringed by mountains and ancient temples.

Afternoon tour of Xizhou and Erhai Lake: This afternoon there will be a visit to the local market at Xizhou. Continue on to see the Bai people’s residential houses in Xizhou. These traditional houses are decorated with woodcarvings, coloured patterns, marble and wash drawings. The tour finishes with a boat trip on Erhai Lake, with a magnificent setting fringed by mountains and ancient temples.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Landscape Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Shaxi, with hike from Shibaoshan Rock Carvings: After breakfast set off towards the village of Shaxi nestled deep in the Himalayan foothills, and home to the Bai and Yi minority peoples. Shortly before the village ascend the pine forested hills to the Stone Treasure Mountain Grottoes of Shibaoshan. Here you will see some fine examples of 9th century Bai / Buddhist carvings depicting life in the region at the time, and enjoy commanding views of the surrounding peaks dotted with temples. After viewing the carvings trek along a firm footpath through pine forests and descend into the lush scenery of the Shaxi Valley, passing more rock carvings along the way. This easy trek takes around 2 hours in total, and includes many steps on the descent.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Landscape Hotel Shaxi (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning at leisure in Shaxi: This morning is free to relax and explore in and around the flat agricultural land of the Shaxi Valley. There is an excellent map available from most hotels showing a network of cycling, trekking and horse riding routes to explore local villages and other places of interest. Bicycles are available to hire in several outlets in the old town at a cost of around £2-4 per day.

Road journey to Lijiang: After your day exploring the Shaxi area set off on the road journey to Lijiang, a journey of around 1.5 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bruce Chalet (Mountain View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Walking tour of Lijiang's Old Town: After breakfast take an early morning walking tour of Lijiang's old town before the crowds arrive. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park where between an arched marble bridge and a three-storey Chinese pavilion you can see the towering peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in the crystal waters. This peak dominates the scenery for miles around and has a continual covering of snow.

Visit Yuhu Village & Joseph Rock's former residence: After this morning's tour set off by car to Yuhu Village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After some time to explore the village visit the former residence of Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American botanist and explorer who was the first to introduce the Lijiang ethnic culture to the western world.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bruce Chalet (Mountain View Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey to Shangri-La, via Tiger Leaping Gorge: After breakfast set off on the drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge which is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Wedged tightly between titanic cliffs, the Yangtze River is so narrow here, so legend tells us, that a hunted tiger made his escape to the other side of the river in a single bound. The drive will take around two hours through some truly dramatic scenery, finishing at today's starting point at an altitude of 1790m. The trek starts at Tina's Guesthouse, from where a rocky, uneven path ascends steeply through shrubland for around an hour. Continue along the higher path which ascends fairly gently for around 2 hours until reaching the Halfway House Guesthouse, where you will stop for lunch. This high path offers some exhillerating views of the Gorge and imposing mountains, but extreme care is required as there are vertical drop offs and no handrails.  After a well-deserved lunch descend along a paved road for around 45 minutes until reaching the main road where you meet your driver. Continue to the lower section of the Gorge where you have the option of descending to the viewing platforms beside the water. It is recommended to visit these viewing platforms after the trek when the crowds have left. Continue your journey to the mountainous region of Shangri-La, arriving at your hotel early this evening. Please note that the trekking element of today's visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge can be removed.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Blossom Hill Inn (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Zhongdian's sights & sounds: Today there will be a tour of the 300 year old Songtsam Monastery, the most active outside of Tibet with around 600 practising monks. Afterwards continue to Napa Hai Lake which is noted for its variety of spectacular lakes, high altitude plants and rare wading birds. The Napa Hai Lake lies in a national park at an altitude of 3,270m above sea level. The lake is surrounded by jagged mountains with rivers flowing through lush grasslands which become carpeted with meadow flowers in the spring time. The marshlands of Napa Hai Nature Reserve provide excellent bird watching opportunities. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon to freshen up. In the evening take a walk to the old town of Zhongdian to see the local Tibetan people dancing and singing (weather permitting).

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Blossom Hill Inn (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: After an early breakfast drive to the airport in time for your flight to Tibet.

Flight: MU 5939 Zhongdian - Lhasa 08.40 - 10.40

Road journey from Lhasa airport to Tsetang: Upon arrival at Lhasa airport you will be welcomed to Tibet by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in Tsetang, a journey of between 2-3 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tsedang Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Samye Monastery & Chimpuk Hermitage hike: After breakfast this morning you wil be taken on a visit to the Samye Monastery. Samye Monastery is an important religious site that was constructed in the late 8th Century, and the place where Buddhism was first established in Tibet. The Monastery has an atmospheric setting in a barren valley surrounded by sand dunes and mountains. The central building of the monastery is a fusion of architectural styles combining Tibetan, Chinese and Indian influences.

Following your tour of the monastery, set out on a challenging but rewarding hike up to the Chim-puk Hermitage, which is located on the hills nearby Samye Monastery. The Chim-puk Hermitage is made up of a warren of caves on the hillside. 108 is a sacred number in many Eastern religions, including Buddhism, and it is said that there are 108 meditation caves, 108 spring mouths, and 108 sky burial grounds. The hermitage can be reached by a scenic uphill hike. The hike is around 7km each way, and can be taken at your own pace. Depending on how fast you wish to move, a round trip will take approximately 5-6 hours. You should be returned to your hotel in Tsetang by early evening. Please note this trek is at high altitude and should only be undertaken by those who are fit and healthy, and fully acclimatised to the thin air.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tsedang Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Tsetang to Gyantse: This morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel before departing for Gyantse. This is a long drive of around 8 hours, passing through some truly spectacular scenery en route. Stop at Yamdrok Yamtso, one of Tibet's largest lakes and located at an altitude of 4,500m. Shaped like a scorpion, it is an intense blue and makes for a very impressive sight. It is over 72 km (45 miles) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end. Around 90km to the west of the lake lies the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is a hundred km to the northwest. According to local mythology, Yamdrok Lake is the transformation of a goddess. After time to take in the lake continue to a pass at 5,050m with a beautiful view of the Karola Glacier. Arrive in Gyantse in the afternoon and check into your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yeti Hotel Gyantse (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Gyantse: After breakfast, visit the impressive Pelkhor Chode Monastery which was founded in the 15th century and is home to the Kumbum, the largest stupa in Tibet which is over 100 feet in height, octagonal in shape, with a 9 storey terraced exterior, 75 chapels, 108 gates and superb wall paintings which include some 10,000 images. The rest of the day can be spent visiting the spectacular Khumbum Stupa, exploring the town, climbing up to the fort, or just watching and meeting the friendly local people.

Afternoon hike to the Rabse Nunnery: This afternoon set off on a gentle walk in the picturesque hills overlooking Gyantse to the Rabse Nunnery, a round-trip of around 2 hours. Explore the chortens and prayer wheel chapels draped in prayer flags, and take in the superb views of Gyantse's monastery and fort in the distance. For the more adventurous there is the option to extend the afternoon's excursion to the Retok Ganden Retreat, a further 4km uphill trek from Rabse Nunnery.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yeti Hotel Gyantse (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Gyantse to Shigatse: After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel before departing for Shigatse, a relaxing 1.5 hour drive through a beautiful agricultural valley. On arrival check into your hotel.

Afternoon tour of Tashilhunpo: This afternoon visit Tashilhunpo, one of Tibet's most active and beautiful monasteries. Tashilhunpo, meaning ‘Heap of Glory', was the seat of the Panchen ('great scholar') Lamas who came into existence in the 17th century when the 5th Dalai Lama gave this title to his beloved and learned tutor. With its traditional Tibetan architecture, striking golden roof and 26m high Buddha this is the largest yellow hat monastery in Tibet and one of the most impressive.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gesar Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Shigatse to Lhasa: After breakfast and some time at leisure, return to Lhasa by car. With stops en-route for refreshments and some optional sightseeing, the total journey time is approximately six hours.

Afternoon tour of Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Market: This afternoon take a short stroll to to Tibet’s holiest place: the Jokhang Temple. Enjoy the view from the roof and watch numerous pilgrims walk around the Palace. Finish by exploring the Barkhor Area which surrounds the Jokhang Temple. This area is the old and traditional part of Lhasa and is lively and eccentric.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kyichu Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day guided tour of Lhasa: After breakfast you will be collected and taken for a tour of the Potala Palace which was home to the Dalai Lama before he left Tibet. The Potala is a treasure and a treasure house, that it contains the golden handwritten Buddhist scriptures, valuable gifts from Chinese emperors, and a lot of priceless antiques. There are many colorful sculptures and paintings chronicling Buddhist folklore and ancient Tibetan life. The Potala Palace deserves the title of art gallery and museum; it is also a symbol of the wisdom and power of the Tibetan people. In 1994 it was listed as an UNESCO world cultural heritage site. 

Continue with a visit the Summer Palace (Norbulingka) which was the retreat of the Dalai Lama and was the place from which the present Dalai Lama made his decision to flee Tibet. Continue to Drepung Monastery which is situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, 3 miles from the western suburb of Lhasa. This is one of the most important monasteries of the Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism. In its heyday it was home to 7700 monks. Finish today’s tour at Sera Monastery, which is one of Tibet’s most important monasteries. With luck you will get to see the fascinating spectacle of monks debating.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kyichu Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Lhasa Airport: After breakfast this morning you will be met by your guide and transferred to Lhasa Airport, a journey of around 1.5 hours.

Flight: CA 407 Lhasa - Kathmandu 12.40 - 11.50

Road journey from Kathmandu to Nagarkot: Drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, a journey of between 1-2 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Club Himalaya Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today is free to explore the Nagarkot area independently and relax at your hotel. If you would like to pre-book either hiking or mountain biking please let us know in advance.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Club Himalaya Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast