Himalayan Adventure - Wendy Wu Tours

Days 1-2 : UK – Chengdu
Fly overnight via Hong Kong to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. The area is renowned for its lush landscapes. Enjoy a delicious Sichuan meal in the evening.

Day 3 : Chengdu – Leshan – Chengdu
Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see these adorable animals being reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Later, travel to Leshan to visit the remarkable Grand Buddha, the world's largest stone-carved Buddhist statue. We take a short boat trip to view the statue from the river. The carving of the Buddha into the side of Lingyun Mountain began in 713AD and was completed in 803AD. Later, return to Chengdu.

Day 4 : Chengdu – Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa, the spiritual home of Tibet. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to allow for acclimatisation.

Day 5 : Lhasa
Sightseeing today includes a stroll around the Barkhor circuit where traditional dress, market stalls selling religious trinkets and the sound of chanted prayers create the atmosphere of a medieval carnival. We also visit the 7th century Jokhang Temple, which is the most sacred in Tibet.

Day 6 : Lhasa
Explore the 'crown jewel' of Tibet – the Potala Palace. The palace is an architectural wonder that towers over the city with thousands of rooms filled with treasures such as intricate shrines and beautiful frescoes. The dominance of the Potala Palace over the Lhasa skyline reflects the Dalai Lama's former position as the centre of the Tibetan faith and politics. We also visit the Sera Monastery, which has about 600 monks in residence.

Day 7 : Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse
Travel to the smaller town of Gyantse and visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum, the largest shrine in Tibet. Later, we continue our journey to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet.

Day 8 : Shigatse – Shegar
Visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama. Continue to Shegar passing small Tibetan villages and ruins of ancient dzongs along the way.

Day 9 : Shegar – Old Tingri – Mt Everest – Old Tingri
We start our journey to the roof of the world to see the magnificent Everest region. Crossing the Gue La and its panoramic views of the eastern Himalaya, we continue our drive to Pasum. We visit the monastic village of Rangbuk before arriving at one of the greatest and unforgettable highlights of this tour – Mount Everest Base Camp. You will have the opportunity to gaze at the stunning north face of the world's tallest peak, take plenty of photos at the base camp marker, mingle with climbers making an attempt to the summit, send a postcard from the world's highest post box, or take a walk to view the Rhongpu Glacier. Later, return to Old Tingri and stay overnight.

Day 10 : Old Tingri – Zhangmu
Drive via Nyalam to Zhangmu on the Tibet-Nepal border en-route to Kathmandu.

Day 11 : Zhangmu – Kathmandu
Continue to Kathmandu, crossing the Friendship Bridge. The transition from the high, dry and wild Tibetan plateau to Nepal's green hills is breathtaking as the road twists through steep and narrow gorges that are punctuated by waterfalls.

Day 12 : Patan day tour
Travel to the second largest city in Nepal, Patan, located on the southern bank of Bagmati River. Visit the World Heritage listed Royal Palace and Durbar Square, which is encompassed by temples, houses and shrines. On our way back to the hotel, we explore two of the most significant sites in Nepal – the Swayambhunath Stupa located on top of a hill, which is often referred to as the 'monkey temple' and the Boudhanath Stupa, which is the longest Stupa in Nepal. Return to Kathmandu.

Day 13 : Bhaktapur day tour
Travel to the 9th century town of Bhaktapur, a treasure trove of medieval art and architecture. Visit the Golden Gate and the Palace of 55 Windows. We also visit the temple of Changu Narayan, which is the oldest temple in the valley dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Return to Kathmandu.

Day 14 : Kathmandu – Pokhara
Travel to Pokhara and tour around this small town whilst admiring the beautiful scenery of the Himalaya region. Enjoy the view of the mountain peaks of Machhapuchhre or 'Fish Tail', the Annapurna and Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal.

Day 15 : Chitwan National Park
Drive to Chitwan National Park, the third biggest attraction in Nepal and one of the last refuges to the one-horned rhinos. Later, enjoy a briefing on the national park and the activities on offer.

Days 16-17 : Chitwan National Park
Over the next two days, enjoy the comprehensive programme of activities, including elephant bathing, safaris, jungle walks and bird watching.

Day 18 : Chitwan National Park – Daman
Travel to Daman, which offers the best view of the Himalayas in the entire region. In Daman, we visit a nearby monastery and have tea with a Tibetan Lama and his wife. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 19 : Daman – Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu and enjoy the rest day of the day at leisure.

Day 20 : Dhulikhel day tour
Visit Durbar Square, Kumari Temple and Thamen. After lunch, travel to Dhulikhel, visiting the small village of Thimi en-route. In Dhulikhel, explore the Newari houses and the local market. Return to Kathmandu.

Day 21-22 : Kathmandu – UK
Fly overnight to the UK via Hong Kong, arriving home the following day.