Tour Itinerary

 

Tibet Experience 7 Days - 2008

 

Day 1  

Arrival / Lhasa

Upon your arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel in Lhasa city (2-hour drive), you will view the Stone Giant Buddha engraved in the mountain face en route. After checking in the hotel, rest in the afternoon to get adapted to the high altitude.

-Lhasa: the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region with an elevation of 3650 meters (12,000 feet) above the sea level, nicknamed Sunlight City, it is the highest city in the world. This ancient sprawling city, settled 1,300 years ago, is the region's political, economic and cultural centre as well as a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism.  

Overnight at hotel

 

Day 2  (B, L)

Lhasa    

Your sightseeing today will include the Lhasa’s cardinal landmark -- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and flourishing Barkhor Street.

The Potala Palace: the symbol of Lhasa, perched upon Marpo Ri Hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa Valley, it is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet and one of the most famous architectural works of the world. The construction of it was started in 641 AD and was rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in three years, while the Thirteenth Dalai Lama extended and repaired it into what it is now. As the religious and political centre of old Tibet and the winter residence of Dalai Lamas, the palace witnessed the life of the Dalai Lamas and the important political and religious activities in the past centuries.

Potala Palace also houses great amounts of rare cultural relics including the gold hand-written Buddhist scriptures, valuable gifts from the Chinese emperors and a lot of priceless antiques.

The Jokhang Temple: located in the centre of the old section of Lhasa, built in 647 AD by Songtsen Gampo and his two foreign wives, and later extended by successive rulers, it has now become a gigantic architectural complex and it is the spiritual centre of Tibet.

The Barkhor Street: a circular street around the Jokhang Temple in the centre of the old section of Lhasa, it is the oldest street in a very traditional style in Tibet, where you can enjoy bargaining with the local Tibetan vendors for the handicrafts which are rare to be seen elsewhere in the world.

Barkhor Street is one of the most important religious paths along which pilgrims walk around Jokhang Temple while turning prayer wheels in their hands through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night.

Overnight at hotel

 

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

 

The following Tour Cost per person, includes an Acceptance Payment of £150 per person

 

£ Tour                                                 AP/Deposit    TOTAL £

 

Hotels                                               Twin share price     Single supplement   

3 star                                                     464                                 124                    150                   614

4 star                                                     529                                 177                    150                   679

5 star                                                     546                                 250                    150                   696

Please note:  The Acceptance Payment is only payable ONCE - NOT every Tour

 

Note:

1/ this 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 3 star 4 star 5 star

Lhasa Shangbala Hotel***

Tel: 0891-6323888 6343433;

Fax: 0891-6323577;

Add: Danjielin Rd, Lhasa,

 

China Lhasa Hotel (Former Holiday Inn) ****

Tel:0891-6832221, 6835796

Add:1 Minzu Rd. Lhasa                  Web：http://www.lhasahotel.com.cn

 

Brahmaputra Hotel*****

TEL:0891-6300583

FAX:6309888  

Add: Yangguang Square, Gongbutang Road, Lhasa.

 

Gyantse Gyantse Hotel**

Tel:0892-8172222,

Fax:0892-8172366

Add: Country Gyantse Tibet

 

higatse Shigatse Hotel***

Tel:0892-8822525,

Fax:0892-8821900

Add:13 Jingdrel Rd, Shigatse, PC:857000

 

Payment.

1. On acceptance - £150 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