Tibet Experience 7 Days (TD)

Day 3  (B, L) Lhasa   

Today we will bring you to the Norbulingka Park and the Sera Monastery.
Norbulingka Park: Norbulingka means "Jewelled Garden", built in 1751 AD as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama where they handled political affairs and practiced religious activities. Now a large-scale palace complex and garden in Tibetan style covering an area of 40 hectares, the whole park has 370 rooms of different sizes and lawns shaded by green trees and enclosed by various flowers. Before 1959, commoners had no access to this park. Nowadays, on festivals and holidays, the local people in their colorful costumes come here with food and tents to sing and dance Overnight at hotel

Sera Monastery: Sera means "Wild Rose Garden" in Tibetan because lush wild rose woods once grew around it, the monastery is one of the three largest monasteries in Tibet. Located at the northern outskirts of Lhasa, it was built in 1419 AD by Jamchen Choje (or Sakyayeshe), one of the eight disciples of Tsong Khapa who was the founder of Gelugpa Sect. Sera Monastery houses three colleges built in 15th and 16th century respectively as well, and it is famous for the "Buddhism Scriptures Debating".
Overnight at hotel

Day 4  (B, L) Lhasa / Gyantse

Today's drive is from Lhasa to Gyantse (about 256km, 5.5-hour drive); along the way you will visit Yamdrok Lake and a Tibetan family. After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Palcho Monastery.
Yamdrok Lake: one of the three largest lakes of Tibet and one of the three holy lakes, it covers an area of 638 square kilometres with a coastal line of 250 kilometres. The deepest point is 60 meters. The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture, where you can enjoy the intoxicating picturesque natural scenery.
The Tibetan Family: where you will be greeted and warmly welcomed by common Tibetan people in their traditional way and entertained with their typical food.
Gyantse: was an important wool trading post between Tibet and India in mediaeval times.
Palcho Monastery: built in 1414 AD, it is unique because three Sects of Buddhism-Sakya, Gedan and Gelug are living harmoniously under one roof. The Palcho Pagoda beside the Monastery has 9 stories, 108 doors and 77 rooms housing some 100,000 statues of Buddha, so it is famed as the "100,000-Buddha Pagoda." The frescoes, statues and sculptures in the monastery are exquisite, succinct and life-like.
Overnight at hotel

Day 5  (B, L) Gyantse / Shigatse

After breakfast, drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (about 90km, 1.5-hour drive). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery and free market.
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. The image of the Buddha is kind, generous and vivid.
Overnight at hotel

Day 6  (B, L, D) Shigatse / Lhasa

Today, drive back to Lhasa (280km, about 6 hours driving) along the Yaluzangbu River; enjoy the beautiful view of the valley en route. After a rest in Lhasa, the farewell dinner will be arranged at the Typical Tibetan restaurant for you to enjoy the local food with Tibetan dances and songs.
The Yaluzangbu River: with 2,051 km long, the Yaluzangbu River turns and twists like a silver dragon from the west to the east into the valleys of South Tibet. It runs through Muotuo County. After a 90-degree turn, it empties into the Indian Ocean.
Accommodations: 

Day 7  (B) Lhasa / Departure

Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination.
Service ends. 

TOUR COST

Based on Hotels shown below – subject to availability – GB Pounds

All Tours are subject to an Acceptance Payment/Deposit of £200.

Cost per person on twin share basis as per itinerary 

Price on application for the current Tour Cost
Please note:  The Acceptance Payment is only payable ONCE - NOT every Tour

Note:
1/The rate is not valid during May1-7th, Oct 1-7th, Jul 16th-Sep 16, and the Chinese Spring festival.
2/ Potala Palace is subject to availability because we are not sure if it will closed or not in 2008.

Hotels

Payment.

1. On acceptance - £200 per person, Acceptance Payment/Deposit (non refundable) by cheque payable
to “S W & M Miller”.
 
Your Contract for all tour arrangements is directly with our Associate Company in China to whom payment for the tour is made.

2. Eight weeks prior to arrival in China or on Acceptance - 50% payable in US $, by Credit Card or International Bank Transfer, direct to China

3. On arrival in China – 50% payable, in US $, by Credit Card or Cash.

Please Note:  A credit card charge will apply.

Cancellation Charges

35 days prior to arrival a cancellation fee of US$200 per person will be applicable.
30 days notice of cancellation a fee of 25% of the total amount will be applicable.
25 days notice of cancellation a fee of 50% of the total amount will be applicable
Less than 25 days notice incurs the full amount.
Acceptance Payment non refundable

Included in the Cost

• Accommodation on a twin sharing basis in the hotels mentioned above or equivalent – subject to availability.
• Any single room subject to supplement shown.
• Room and breakfast basis – or meals as indicated in the itinerary (B), (L) and (D)
• Full board at Wildlife Park if applicable.
• All transfers, sightseeing and excursions by air-conditioned vehicle where appropriate.
• Services of an English speaking local guide (or a naturalist in National Parks)
• Entrance fees at monuments and parks where applicable
• Train journeys where applicable
• Domestic economy airfares, indicated in the itinerary, are subject to change,
•  Basic porterage at airports, rail stations and hotels (not tips).
• All currently applicable taxes.
• China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty insurance
• Where US$ are quoted the UK pounds price shown is for comparison only and is subject to change.

Excluded from the Cost

• Expenses of a personal nature such as table drinks, laundry, telephone calls, Internet charges, mineral water, tips, shopping etc.
• Any other meals or services not mentioned in the itinerary or ‘includes’ list.
• Any international airfares to India and Asia
• Any airport taxes where applicable in each country
• Any subsequent increase in airfares, fuel costs, monuments/sightseeing fees.
• Any other taxes subsequently introduced by Government, State or Tourist Ministry.
• Travel Insurance
• Visa Fees, if applicable, in any country
• Any Christmas, New Year and Gala Dinners
• Surcharge if you pay with your credit card