- Detailed day by day itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Beijing . Transfer to Hotel
Our representative from Himalayan Dreams receive you at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight hotel.
Day 2 : Beijing Sightseeing Tour: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square ,Forbidden & Summer Palace
sightseeing tour of the following locations of Beijing:
Temple of Heaven: It is a wonderful temple in Beijing, built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. It is enclosed by a long wall. Its north part is semicircular symbolizing heaven and the south is square like the earth. The design shows that the heaven is high over the earth, reflecting ancient Chinese thought of "The heaven is round and the earth is square". The most magnificent buildings are The Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest from south to north. Also, there are some additional buildings like Three Echo Stones and Echo Wall. Almost all of the buildings are connected by a wide bridge called Vermilion Steps Bridge or called Sacred Way.
Tiananmen Square: The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 culminating in the Tiananmen Square Massacre were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the People's Republic of China (PRC) beginning on April 14. Led mainly by students and intellectuals, the protests occurred in a year that saw the collapse of a number of communist governments around the world. The protests were sparked by the death of pro-market and pro-democracy official, Hu Yaobang, whom protesters wanted to mourn. The movement lasted seven weeks from Hu's death on 15 April until
tanks cleared Tiananmen Square on 4 June. In Beijing, the resulting military response to the protesters by the PRC government left many civilians dead or severely injured. The official Chinese government figure is 241 dead, including soldiers, and 7,000 wounded. Forbidden City: This is also named as the Palace Museum of China, is situated in the central part of Beijing. It covers 74 hectares and just opposites the Tian'anmen Gate in the south; to the north is the Gate of Devine Prowess, which faces Jingshan Park. It is a beautiful scenic spot with exuberant wood and grass. By far, Forbidden City is the largest; most completed ancient wood palace buildings. Listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987. The City has turned out to be one of the most popular tourist attractions from home and abroad. Both its splendid painted decoration on these royal architectural wonders and the grand and deluxe halls, with their surprisingly magnificent treasures will appear great attraction to satisfy the curiosity.
Summer Palace: It is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Its chinese name, YiHeYuan, translates as 'Garden of Nurtured Harmony' or 'Garden for Maintaining Health and Harmony’. The Palace is located on the western edge of Beijing, between the fourth and fifth ring roads, close to the western hills, 12km from central Beijing. Overnight hotel at Beijing .
Day 3 : Sightseeing: “The Great Wall of China” at Badaling.
“The Great Wall of China” at Badaling: The Great Wall is a symbol of Chinese civilization, and one of the wonders that the Chinese people have created. Badaling Great Wall, the most representative part, was promoted as a key national cultural relic, protected under the approval of the State Council in 1961. In 1988, it was enlisted in the World Cultural Heritage Directory by UNESCO. July 7, 2007 has once again witnessed the worldwide reputation that the Great Wall gained: it was listed among the New Seven
Wonders of the World. Badaling Great Wall is situated in Yanqing County,over 70 kilometres north of Beijing. It is the most well-preserved section of the Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This section with an average altitude of over 1,000 meters. Badaling Great Wall is like a strong dragon winding its way along the mountain ranges.
Day 4 : On board train to Lhasa.
It is the highest rail line in the world, the line runs above 13000 feet above sea level for more than 80 percent of the route and tops at a height of 16,640 feet. The trip takes around 48 hrs and covers a distance of around 4065 km. The power for the train is provided by three 3,800 horse power diesel locomotive. Amazingly it climb from Golmund City at 9000 feet to Tanggula pass at 16,640 feet covered in mere six and a half hour. Your journey through picturesque locations, showcasing the vista of mountainous landscape, the snow-clad mountains, the green foothills and the exciting sight of the Tibetan folklore will definitely be a lifetime experience.
The train passes through the biggest Qinghai Lake, The Bird Island, Chaerhan Salt Lake, Kunlun Mountains Pass, Tuotuo River, Changtang Grassland, Eight-Pagodas in North Tibet Pasture,
Namtso (Lake Namco), Yambajan Hot Springs all kinds of spectacular landscapes, breathtaking deep valleys, delightful hill tops, exotic vast deserts or frozen lands. When you reach Golmund, the change in the surrounding is quite striking. The landscape of the city is very barren and gives a lunar look to it. After crossing the city of Golmund, the train starts on a steep climb to Lhasa. This is the stretch where oxygen is released into the cabins. And if you still feel dizziness, you can request for a personal oxygen canister.
The train proves it, to experience the fun of adventure, you need not go climbing high mountains or running around in jungles, you can feel the excitement just by sitting in an AC compartment, with your legs outstretched and you sipping your favorite drink in the most unique and fascinating train in the world that will without a doubt will be your most cherished traveling stint.
Overnight hotel at Beijing.
Day 5 : On board train to Lhasa
Day 6 : Arrive in Lhasa by train from Beijing ( T27), arrival time is 19:50,PM evening. Transfer to Hotel.
Day 7 : Lhasa Sightseeing: Potala Palace, Nurbulinka
Potala Palace: Lying on the Red Hill in Lhasa City, Potala Palace is regarded as the symbol of Lhasa, noted for its magnificent construction, complex structure, pious atmosphere and delicate artworks. Originally, the King Songtsen Gampo built it in the seventh century and later the Fifth Dalai Lama repaired it in 1645. Its present size was enlarged by the
thirteenth Dalai Lama. Gradually, it has become the political center in Tibet and the seat of Dalai Lamas. It is mainly made up of the Red Palace
and the White Palace and covers an area of about 25 acres. Overnight Hotel
Nurbulinka Park: It is a very picturesque garden built over 200 years ago.Under the careful construction of the Dalai Lamas, the attractions inside the park include palaces, pavilions, villas and various trees and flowers.It is really a nice place to experience the Tibetan culture and have fun. Overnight hotel at Lhasa.
Day 8 : Lhasa Sightseeing: Drephang, Sera and Jokhang
Drephang Temple: Drepung Monastery is actually a collection of Buddhist chapels and colleges located about 8km west of Lhasa. The word Drepung can be literally translated as "rice pile", a name whose meaning becomes clear when you see the white-walled buildings scattered along the hill. Originally founded in 1416, the monastery in its heyday was home to 10,000 monks (around 1600). In 1530, the second Dalai Lama built his palace here, known as the Ganden Palace, which was used until the fifth Dalai Lama built the Potala.
Jokhang Temple: It is a typical Tibetan Buddhist temple, which bears unparalleled status in the Tibetan Buddhism. Constructed in 647 during the Tang Dynasty, the Jokhang Temple was built as a memorial to the Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. As the oldest wooden complex of Tibet, the temple covers an area of over 25,100 square meters (6.2 acres). The main hall has four floors and a gold-plating roof, looking rather spectacular.
Sera Manastery: The Monastery at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City, one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa, is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a
branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built the monastery in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The monastery was named Sera which means wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built. The monastery is magnificent and covers an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). Scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth and unparalleled murals can be found in these halls. Colorful debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here and these employ a style distinctive from those at Lhasa's other famous monasteries.
Overnight hotel at Lhasa.
Day 9 : Drive to Gyantse. Visit Palkhor and Khumbum
After early breakfast we drive to Gyantse , 254 km south-west, the third largest town in Tibet after Lhasa and Shigatse amd is least Chinese influenced towns in Tibet. Its dzong was built in the 14th-15th century and Gyantse owed its prosperity and importance for being located at the junction of a number of trade and military routes. At Gyantse we visit the following places:
Palkhor Monastery: At the foot of Dzong Hill nearby Gyantse, Pelkhor Monastery is a very special monastery in Tibet. There are monks from Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa order living harmoniously together. It is famous for the Kumbu Stupa built in 1412 and completed 10 years later. In the stupa, there are 108 gates and 77 chapels.
Kumbum Stupa: The amazing octagonal Kumbum stupa at Gyantse consists of 75 chapels containing 10 000 deities arranged in three-dimensional mandalas seeking to encompass the entire Tantric oteriology. Built between 1427 and 1439 by Prince Rabten Kunzang Phak, it is considered a major artistic landmark in Tibetan history. Overnight hotel at Gyantse.
Day 10 : Drive to Shigatse, Visit Tashilimpo.
We drive 90km to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet with a population of about 80 thousand. At Shigatse we pay visit to Tashilumpo Monastery built in 1447 AD, the oldest and
largest Gelugpa monastery in Tibet, the seat of Banchen Lama, painted in red and white, the buildings in the monastery stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view. The most amazing image in this monastery is the statue of giant Maitreya (Future Buddha),the largest one in the world, erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914, it stands 26 meters in height and 275 kg in weight with solid gold, great quantity of precious things such as pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. Overnight hotel at Shigatse.
Day 11 : Drive to Tingri
Nyalam, a small Tibetan town near the Nepal border, 35 km from Zhangmu town which is the point of entry of Nepal. A town of stone buildings and tin roofs, it is nicknamed 'The Gate of Hell' by the Nepalese traders because the trail between Nyalam and the Nepalese border was so treacherous to negotiate.Overnight hotel at Nyalam.
Day 12 : Drive o Nyalam
Nyalam, a small Tibetan town near the Nepal border, 35 km from Zhangmu town which is the point of entry of Nepal. A town of stone buildings and tin roofs, it is nicknamed 'The Gate of Hell' by the Nepalese traders because the trail between Nyalam and the Nepalese border was so treacherous to negotiate.Overnight hotel at Nyalam.
Day 13 : Transfer to Friendship Bridge and drive to Dhulikhel
You are picked up by our team and drive up to Dhulikhel, a fascinating hill resort. The little town of Dhulikhel (pop.10,000) lies on a pass to the east of the Banepa Valley at a height of 1440
m (4726 ft) with a magnificent panoramic view of the Himalayas. The town has benefited for hundreds of years from being on the trade route between the Kathmandu Valley and Tibet. Overnight hotel at Dhulikhel.
Day 14 : Drive to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur
We leave the Friendship Bridge behind and drive to Bhaktapur for sweeping sightseeing tour before we reach Kathmandu.Bhaktapur is known for the fabulous art, wonderful culture, and unforgettable lifestyle, Here are some of the most celebrated architectural masterpieces that made the Newari craftsmen much sought after The fascinating destinations of Bhaktapur are Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple,Pottery Square, The unique five-tiered pagoda of Bhaktapur is one of the wonders of the eastern world.
Day 15 : Kathmandu & Patan sightseeing Tour.
After hearty breakfast in the morning we explore the incredible historical and religious sites and experience the unique culture and unforgettable lifestyle of the mythical Kathmandu, the medieval capital city. The Durbar Square is one of the amazing historic sites with the cluster of incredible sacred temples is very impressive. The hilltop Buddhist monkey temple of SWOYAMBHUNATH Stupa, PASHUPATINATH,the famed Hindu temple where Hindu pilgrim perform sacred rituals with thrilling scene of funeral pyres burning in Ghats and BOUDHNATH Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrine in the world are unparallel and spectacular sacred religious sites. Your visit to the amazing historical and religious places in Patan would be most exciting and rewarding. The widely known destinations in PATAN are Durbar Square, Golden Temple, Mahaboudha Temple,and Krishna Mandir. The evening is free to relax in the fabulous hotel or you may wish to stroll around the delightful streets of Thamel for shopping. Overnight hotel.
Day 16 : Departure from Kathmandu
Transfer to airport for your onward departure.
