Tibetan Dreams - Wendy Wu Tours

Days 1-2 : UK – Kunming

Fly overnight via Hong Kong to Kunming also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. Transfer to the hotel before our welcome dinner which includes the famous Across the Bridge Noodles.

Day 3 : Kunming

Enjoy a full day tour of the picturesque Stone Forest where the huge limestone columns form surreal shapes and images.

Days 4-5 : Kunming – Dali

Visit the Western Hills which wrap around Dianchi Lake before flying to Dali. The next day, visit the Three Pagodas, explore Dali’s Ancient Quarter and enjoy a cruise on Erhai Lake.

Day 6 : Dali – Lijiang

Fly to Lijiang, a UNESCO world heritage site and wander through the Old Quarter. We also visit Black Dragon Pool.

Day 7 : Lijiang

Visit the impressive Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which soars to a height of 5500m, where we will take a chairlift to explore one of the highest meadows and enjoy the amazing scenery. This is followed by a tour of the Baisha Frescoes. In the evening, enjoy the acclaimed Naxi Ancient Music Show and admire the traditional costumes.

Day 8 : Lijiang – Zhongdian

Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most dramatic and deepest gorges in the world and enjoy the truly breathtaking scenery that surrounds it. Continue by coach to Zhongdian.

Days 9-10 : Zhongdian

Explore the Baishui Terrace, where sparkling spring water cascades over layers of limestone pools. The next day, visit Napa Hai Lake and the Songshanlin Monastery built by a historical Dalai Lama over 300 years ago.

Day 11 : Zhongdian – Deqing

Travel by coach to Deqing ascending into the Hengduan Mountains and mighty Himalaya. This region is known as the Three Parallel Rivers, UNESCO world heritage site because three of the world’s greatest rivers – the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween run almost parallel from the Tibetan Plateau to the sub tropical valleys of Yunnan Province.

Day 12 : Deqing – Mangkang

Today we start our ascent to the Tibetan Plateau following the ancient Tea Horse Road. For centuries, the Chinese traded westward along this route with tea and spices while the Tibetans traded eastward with tough mountain horses. From here to Lhasa, we will travel by 4WD vehicles and accommodation will be in simple local guesthouses.

Days 13-15 : Basu – Zhammu – Linzhi

Spend the next four days travelling through unrivalled scenery with spectacular river crossings, pristine forests and deep gorges as we ascend some of the highest roads in the world. The final day to Linzi involves steep climbs and descents with incredible mountain views of Mt Bonri and Mt Namche Barwa.

Day 16 : Linzhi – Lhasa

Visit Pasum Tso Lake, then continue to Lhasa watching out for the attractive monasteries on the slopes of the Gyalmashung Valley.

Day 17 : 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 and the Sera Monastery, which has about 600 monks in residence.

Day 18 : 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 Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, containing several palaces and chapels and a local Tibetan Primary School (if time permits). Enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner and dance performance in the evening.

Day 19 : Lhasa – Shigatse

Travel to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama.

Day 20 : Shigatse – Gyantse

Travel by coach to the smaller town of Gyantse and visit the unique Pelkor Monastery, the famous Gyantse Kumbum, the largest shrine in Tibet and the magnificent ruins of the Old Fort.

Day 21 : Gyantse – Lhasa

Return to Lhasa. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 22 : Lhasa – Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see these adorable animals being reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Enjoy a delicious Sichuan meal in the evening.

Days 23-24 : Chengdu – UK

Fly overnight to the UK via Hong Kong, arriving home the following day.