Himalayan ExpressFrom ZAR34 040 - 21 Days, Fully Inclusive From JohannesburgWith the opening of the 1,956 kilometre long Qinghai-Tibet railway, a unique opportunity now exists to travel by train between Lhasa and Beijing, over 4,000 kilometres away. Our amazing journey starts in the scenic Sichuan Province where we will be able to visit the adorable pandas in Chengdu before flying to Lhasa to discover the mystical lands of Tibet. Our return journey is by the Tibetan Railway which crosses the starkly dramatic Qinghai Plateau where we stop to visit the sacred Qinghai Lake. Our trip would not be complete without visiting the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall. TOUR ITINERARYDay 1-2: South Africa to Chengdu
Fly with Cathay Pacific to Chengdu via Hong Kong. Upon arrival we will be transferred to our hotel. Tonight’s dinner will be a feast of Sichuan’s famous cuisine. Day 3: Chengdu
Visit the Panda Reserve to see these delightful animals being reared in surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Tonight’s dinner will be some of Sichuan’s famous cuisine. Days 4-6: Chengdu to Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa, upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel for 3 nights. The next day visit Barkhor Square, the sacred Jokhang Temple, and Sera Monastery. The following day visit the ‘crown jewel’ of Tibet, the Potala Palace, and Norpulinka the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Day 7: Lhasa to Gyantse
Travel by coach to Gyantse where we will explore this small town including the mystical Gyantse Kumbum, the largest shrine in Tibet. Day 8: Gyantse to Shigatse
Drive to Shigatse, the second largest town in Tibet. Here we visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. Day 9: Shigatse to Lhasa
Return to Lhasa via Yandrok Lake for our final night in Tibet. Days 10-11: Lhasa to Xining
Transfer to the railway station for our journey across the Tibetan Plateau. Travel through natural scenery as our train crosses the Kunlun and Tangula Mountains. Arrive the following day in Xining, and transfer to our hotel for 2 nights. Day 12: Xining
Enjoy the morning at leisure. This afternoon we visit the Ta’er Temple which was built in 1577 on sacred ground and is located 26 km south of Xining. Day 13: Xining to Xian
Enjoy a visit to an ethnic village before transferring to the railway station this evening to board our overnight sleeper train to Xian. Days 14-15: Arrive Xian
Arrive in Xian this morning and visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao Dumpling Banquet in the evening. The following day, visit the Terracotta Warriors and the Ancient City Wall. Day 16: Xian to Beijing
Visit the renowned Shaanxi Museum, where thousands of cultural relics are housed. Walk through the lively Muslim Quarter and visit the Great Mosque, before boarding our overnight sleeper train to Beijing. Days 17-18: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing early this morning and visit the exquisite Summer Palace. This evening enjoy a sample of the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’. Tomorrow stroll along Tiananmen Square, visit the Forbidden City and the unique Temple of Heaven. Day 19: Beijing - Great Wall
Enjoy an exciting walk on the Great Wall, a highlight of any trip to China. Enjoy an evening Chinese Acrobatic Show. Day 20: Depart Beijing
Enjoy the morning at leisure, before transferring to the airport for our flight home. Day 21: Arrive South Africa
Arrive home this morning. |
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