Beijing to Kathmandu Tour

The definitive tour of China. Just look at this itinerary!! This combination tour extends our Journey Across China tour by one week, taking us on through Chengdu to Lhasa, finishing with a spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Kathmandu. In one month you will visit many of the highlights of this vast country and see a whole range of people and places. Ideal for the traveller who wants to learn about this incredible civilization whether or not you plan to continue afterwards.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 18
Trek Grade: B - Moderate
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader in China, services of local guides at major sites and in Lhasa, services of local representative in Kathmandu
Transport: Train, plane, air-conditioned cruise boat, public and private bus, taxi
Flights: Chongqing to Guilin, Guilin to Kunming, Lijiang to Chengdu, Chengdu to Lhasa and Lhasa to Kathmandu
Activities: Optional hike on the Great Wall, optional cycling in Yangshuo and Dali, optional horse trek in Dali, trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge, extensive walking at sites
Accommodation: 15 nights simple hotels, 6 nights guesthouses (sometimes basic), 3 nights sleeper train, 3 nights cruise boat
Meals: Not included except on cruise boat. Allow US$8 per day for other days
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$120
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Cycle in stunning Yangshuo
• Hike the Great Wall and Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Visit the pandas in Chengdu
• Discover the beauty and mystery of Tibet

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, BEIJING: Arrival day.

Day 2, BEIJING, GREAT WALL: A day at the Great Wall, with the chance to hike along one of the less visited sections.

Day 3, BEIJING: Visit Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi'an.

Day 4, XI'AN: Morning arrival in Xi'an and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon you can explore Xi'an's fascinating Muslim quarter.

Day 5, XI'AN: A free day to explore the many fascinating sites of Xi'an before the overnight train to Chongqing.

Day 6, CHONGQING: Arrive in Chongqing where there's free time to explore before we board our cruise boat.

Days 7-8, YANGTSE RIVER CRUISE: We cruise down the Yangtse River, passing through the spectacular Three Gorges section. Along the way we stop for various excursions to places of interest. (BLD)

Day 9, YICHANG - GUILIN: We disembark in Yichang and transfer to Wuhan for the overnight train to Guilin. (B)

Day 10, YANGSHUO: Early arrival in Guilin and transfer to the scenic town of Yangshuo. The day is free to relax, explore the surroundings or perhaps take a lesson in Tai Chi, calligraphy or Chinese cooking.

Day 11, YANGSHUO: A free day to explore. Perhaps hire a bike and cycle along small tracks through the countryside amidst the amazing karst scenery.

Day 12, YANGSHUO - KUNMING: Time to further explore the beautiful countryside or shop for souvenirs. Later in the day we fly to Kunming.

Day 13, KUNMING: A full free day to explore Kunming. Perhaps head up into the hills to the Bamboo Temple. Overnight train to Dali.

Day 14, DALI: Morning arrival and transfer to the old town, home of the Bai people. The rest of the day is free to explore.

Day 15, DALI: A free day to sample the delights of Dali - it is an ideal place to explore by bike or you can take a short horse trek into the mountains behind the town. Option to visit the colourful Shaping markets.

Day 16, DALI - TIGER LEAPING GORGE TREK: A bus journey takes us to Qiaotou, the start of our trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge. We spend the first night at a minority guesthouse inside the gorge.

Day 17, TIGER LEAPING GORGE TREK: Trek through this impressive gorge with superb views of Jade Dragon Mountain and the Yangtse.

Day 18, TIGER LEAPING GORGE - LIJIANG: A morning to relax or further explore the gorge, before travelling to the lovely old town of Lijiang.

Day 19, LIJIANG: Full free day to explore Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority group.

Day 20, LIJIANG - CHENGDU: Time to explore the small lanes and canals of Lijiang before we fly to Chengdu.

Day 21, CHENGDU: A morning visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. In the evening there is the chance to watch the fascinating Sichuan variety performance.

Day 22, CHENGDU - LHASA: A spectacular morning flight to Lhasa. The afternoon is free to relax and acclimatise in Lhasa.

Days 23-24, LHASA: Guided excursions to the Potala Palace, Sera and Drepung Monasteries and Jokhang Temple. We have also allowed free time for your own exploration of this incomparable city.

Day 25, LHASA - GYANTSE: Today we drive out of Lhasa through the mountains to Gyantse. In the afternoon there's time to explore the town, which still retains its traditional Tibetan character.

Day 26, GYANTSE - LHASA: We return to Lhasa stopping for a picnic lunch overlooking the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso, Tibet's most sacred lake.

Day 27, KATHMANDU: A magnificent flight across the Himalayas to Kathmandu.

Day 28, KATHMANDU: Tour ends.

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]