Beyond Chengdu: Lhasa

Foreign visitors to Tibet need a special permit. We can arrange this and arrange your sightseeing so as to make the most of your time in this delightful capital - the focal point for so many pilgrims and travellers.

N.B. This module can add to your journey in China. It is designed to fit with our journeys ending in Chengdu but can be booked as a standalone journey if you prefer.

Going on to Nepal: You may choose to pay a small supplement and continue to Kathmandu rather than return to Chengdu. There are only two flights a week - on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Features
Maximum Group Size: we strongly believe that the coherence of the group is important, especially at mealtimes. We therefore limit the number of travellers to 10. This allows the group, with their guide, to sit comfortably at one table in most Chinese establishments.

Standards: You can click on any service title below to read a description of the standards that apply. This link takes you to the relevant page.
Accommodation
4-Star Hotel - 1 night
Simple Hotel - 4 nights
Transport
(Please note:These figures include only transport used between stopovers. The daily summaries also show approximate times for the driving element of excursions. Short drives - such as transfers to stations, airports or restaurants - are not included.)
Domestic flights - 2
(Please note: You can find a list of likely carriers here)
Meals
Breakfasts - 5
Lunches - 4
Dinners - 4
Extra Services
Extra Accommodation: you may want to book extra nights before or after the tour. We will do our best to book you at the same hotel, usually in the same room, as on your chosen journey.

You will be given an opportunity to purchase extra nights once you reach the Shopping Cart.
Connecting Flights: we can arrange domestic flights within China to get you to or from your international portal.

We have listed a number of standard routes in the price list as an indication. If you do not see the route you want, or any other service, please just email and ask.

Follow this link to see more details about the Extra Services that we offer.

Prices for Extra Services relevant to this itinerary are shown on the Extras and Extensions tab.
Inclusions
Journey Leader(s): Your group will be lead by a suitably qualified guide. This person is our representative and has responsibility for delivering the travel services according to your itinerary. They will also act as your guide at sites.

Please note: On itineraries with domestic flights you may have a different guide to manage travel services in different cities. This will be noted on the itinerary. Each guide acts as Journey Leader in their respective city
Food & drink: we include many meals throughout the journey, especially breakfasts at hotels and when the group are travelling together.

A soft drink is included with each lunch or dinner and tea/coffee and juice for breakfasts.

We do leave some meals free for you to go off on your own and explore. You can see which meals are included on the day-by-day itinerary.
Entrance Fees: We include the cost of entrance fees to all sites listed in your itinerary. You should allow some money for other sites that you may wish to visit on your own. Not all sites have an entrance fee.
Gratuities: We have included gratuities for service providers encountered on a normal journey, and for expected levels of service.
Exclusions
We do not sell flights to China. Your package includes only services in China. Flights from China can be purchased as an Extra Service.
We do not include a departure transfer as this is more easily arranged during the last few days of your visit.
Where we include a domestic flight in China you are responsible for any additional charges imposed by the airline including those relating to baggage in excess of the standard allowance (normally 20 kilograms).
You are responsible for obtaining the correct visa for your journey and for all costs associated with that visa application.
There are many other sites that you could visit during your journey. We cover the cost of those sites included in the itinerary. You are responsible for all other entrance fees.
You are responsible for the cost of all drinks other than those provided with included meals.
Your Journey Leader is not included in the standard gratuities. We expect you will thoroughly appreciate their services throughout your journey and will tip accordingly.

We hope to have achieved the right balance between organised activities and free time.

Your Guide will offer suggestions for the free time. You may do as many of these as you like, or something completely different.

Please note: You can click on any photo to toggle between sizes

1 - Flight to Lhasa

You will be escorted from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. On arrival you will be met by your Tibet Guide and transferred to your hotel.

Since Lhasa is situated at about 3700 metres asl it is important to remain well-hydrated and to take it easy. We will find somewhere comfortable to sit and drink throughout the afternoon.

In the late afternoon we will head into the Jokhang Temple at the heart of Lhasa. This is a busy time with many pilgrims making their evening rounds.

This journey begins in Chengdu. If you need advice or assistance getting to Chengdu then please Contact Us

Meals:

Lunch, Dinner

Transport:

Flight

Approximate flight duration,

2.0 hours

Accommodation:

Simple Hotel

2 - Potala Palace Views

Today we visit the iconic Potala Palace. Traditionally the seat of the Dalai Lama this monastery cum fortress is one of the most widely-recognised structures in the world and needs little introduction.

Afterwards we head off on an excursion to the Lalu Wetland Reserve, located behind the Potala Palace. This area of bogs and marshes plays an important ecological role in a landscape that is generally noted for its extreme dryness. The wetlands are home to a wide range of species including Black-necked Cranes.

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sightseeing:

Approximate driving time,

1.5 hours

Accommodation:

Simple Hotel

3 - The 'Joyful' Monastery

Today we drive out to Ganden Monastery which rivals Lhasa's Sera and Drepung as a university monastery. Ganden is the Tibetan name for the paradise of the 'Buddha of the Future' upon whose arrival all worldly suffering would end. This is therefore often translated as 'Joyful'.

We will visit the golden tomb of Tsongkhapa, the monastery's founder, the chapel where he taught and the grand Assembly Hall.

Those who wish may walk the hour long Lingkhor, Ganden's pilgrimage route.

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sightseeing:

Approximate driving time,

4.0 hours

Accommodation:

Simple Hotel

4 - Home visit and Debating Monks

Today we stay around Lhasa. In the morning we will visit a local family and stay for lunch. Although this is a paid arrangement it would still be nice if you brought gifts from home.

In the afternoon we head up the hillside to Sera Monastery to watch a strange spectacle. The monks here spend their early afternoon debating theology in the open air. Nothing strange about that - other than the way that they slap their hands together when challenging a colleague with a scriptural question.

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sightseeing:

Approximate driving time,

1.5 hours

Accommodation:

Simple Hotel

5 - Fly out of Lhasa

We transfer to Lhasa airport for your flight. You will be transferred back to your hotel in Chengdu on arrival. The rest of the day is free.

Please note: The standard Extension ends in Chengdu tomorrow. If you want to continue to Nepal then you can choose to fly on to Kathmandu instead. There are only two flights each week - on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Meals:

Breakfast

Transport:

Flight

Approximate flight duration,

2.0 hours

Accommodation:

4-Star Hotel

6 - Journey's End

This Journey ends after breakfast.

We include a departure transfer for all of our travellers. This will be timed to connect with your onward travel plans. Since check-out is normally 12:00 noon you may want to request a late check-out for an evening flight.

Meals:

Breakfast

Click on the date you want and you will be taken to our secure shopping cart hosted by Romancart.com. Pay the non-refundable deposit to reserve your place.

For those departures coloured Green you may pay only the deposit. Orange departures are those now within the period where the full balance is required. Grey dates are those where we cannot accept bookings automatically. If you would like to join one of these departures please Contact Us.

In the next stage you will be able to select the number of places, remove items or continue shopping.

You will be offered the opportunity to add Extra Services during the Checkout process.

Follow this link for a fuller explanation of the Booking Process.

For help with your Booking call our 24/7 Sales Support team on +44 (0)844 567 0953

The air holiday package shown is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Our ATOL number is ATOL 10236.

China Holidays 2012

You may choose to pay the balance and single supplement at the same time. These amounts would be refundable subject to our Booking Conditions

A single supplement is compulsory for all travellers not sharing a room. This is due with the final balance, so may be paid later in most cases.

We require a minimum group size of two to operate. If your booking is for two or more then the departure is guaranteed by us (but still subject to circumstances beyond our control).

We will operate departures for one person on payment of an additional Solo Supplement. This may not be your preferred option but could well be better than cancelling once you have time off work and flights all arranged.

Extensions:

It is not necessary to specify a date with this option. We will email you afterwards to ensure that we understand your plans correctly.

All requests are subject to availability. Deposits will be refunded in full if the option is not available.

If you would like to book a date within the next 30 days we recommend that you Contact Us before paying a deposit.

To pay the amount in full now Click below.

(Please note: Full payment is required for bookings within 60 days.)

China Holidays 2013

You may choose to pay the balance and single supplement at the same time. These amounts would be refundable subject to our Booking Conditions

A single supplement is compulsory for all travellers not sharing a room. This is due with the final balance, so may be paid later in most cases.

We require a minimum group size of two to operate. If your booking is for two or more then the departure is guaranteed by us (but still subject to circumstances beyond our control).

We will operate departures for one person on payment of an additional Solo Supplement. This may not be your preferred option but could well be better than cancelling once you have time off work and flights all arranged.

Extensions:

It is not necessary to specify a date with this option. We will email you afterwards to ensure that we understand your plans correctly.

All requests are subject to availability. Deposits will be refunded in full if the option is not available.

If you would like to book a date within the next 30 days we recommend that you Contact Us before paying a deposit.

To pay the amount in full now Click below.

(Please note: Full payment is required for bookings within 60 days.)

Reviews
An in-depth look at one particular place.
Get to the places most tours skip.
Chengdu Review
Extensions
Options for you to extend your journey.
A flexible approach to travel in China.

Please note: There may be sections (usually only flights) where you are unescorted. These are noted in the relevant itineraries.
Beyond Chengdu: Mountain Splendour

Beyond Chengdu: Tibet

Beyond Chengdu: Emei Shan
Extra Services
Additional travel arrangements to fit in with your other plans.
Hotels
£
Per night
Chengdu Hotel98
Guide/driver services
£
Half day£
Full day
Chengdu, guide onlyTBATBA
Chengdu, guide & driverTBATBA
Prices quoted here are for a maximum of two passengers within Beijing City. Other prices available upon request.
Flights
£
Economy
Chengdu - BeijingTBA
Chengdu - GuangzhouTBA
Chengdu - GuilinTBA
Chengdu - KunmingTBA
Chengdu - ShanghaiTBA
Trains
£
Soft sleeper
Chengdu - Kunming70
Space here is limited. Only services relevant to this journey are shown. You can see the full range of Extra Services here.
Please Contact Us if you require any other services not listed.

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