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21 |
Soft Hiking |
DAYS |
Voir les photos
Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- Potala Palace: Winter palace of the Dalai Lama
- Mount Kailash Circuit Trek: the most sacred of Holy Mountains in Tibet
- Guge Kingdom: fascinating ruins of the highest ancient Kingdom
- Sources of three major rivers: the Yaluzhangbu, the Mekom and the Indus
- Manasarovar Lake: One of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet
Brief Itinerary
- DAY 01 ARRIVE IN LHASA
- DAY 02 LHASA
- DAY 03 LHASA
- DAY 04 LHASA / TSURPHU MONASTERY
- DAY 05 TREKKING FROM TSURPHU MONASTERY / LETEN
- DAY 06 LETEN / BARTSO
- DAY 07 BARTSO / DORJE LING NUNNERY / DRIVE TO NAMTSO
- DAY 08 NAMTSO / LHASA
- DAY 09 LHASA / GYANGTSE
- DAY 10 GYANGTSE / TINGRI
- DAY 11 MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP
- DAY 12 EBC - TINGRI
- DAY 14 SHIGATSE - SAMYE MONASTERY
- DAY 15 SAMYE TO TSETANG
- DAY 16 TSETANG - NYINGCHI
- DAY 17 NYINGCHI - BOMI
- DAY 18 BOMI - RAWU
- DAY 19 RAWU - NYINGCHI
- DAY 20 NYINGCHI - GANDEN - LHASA
- DAY 21 TRANSFER TO AIRPORT AND DEPART FROM TIBET
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
The tour includes all the important places of interest in central & south Tibet. We have two full days in Lhasa which gives us ample time to see the most important sites and allows us to acclimatize to the altitude in the comforts of the hotel in the old town, and then really enjoy the overland trip through the Himalaya. The breathtaking view of Qomolangma Peak at the Base Camp, the fascinating Monasteries in Gyantse and Shigatse, and the devout pilgrims making their way to Lhasa will make our journey a life-time trip.
Note: All the time and distance shown here are approximate and indicative only, if there is inconsistency, it will depend on the weather, local road condition and other actual situation.
Holiday Itinerary
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ARRIVE IN LHASA
Take the flight into Tibet. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by your guide and warmly welcomed with a pure white katak scarf (prayer scarf). Then drive to Lhasa, 100km away from the airport. On the way, you may enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Lhasa River and stop occasionally for pictures of local villages. As you have just made a sudden ascent to 3,670 meters, transfer to the hotel for a good rest. The rest time is free for relax and adjustment. We suggest taking it easy, drinking lots of water, and avoiding heavy foods.
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Accommodation Stay in Lhasa
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LHASA
Since we have just made a sudden ascent from lowland to an altitude of over 3,700 meters (12,139 ft), today’s itinerary is not so tight. Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka. Drepung is about 8km west of central Lhasa, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains. Sera Monastery sits at the foot of the mountains. One of the three main Gelupka monasteries in Lhasa, Sera is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. If we are lucky enough, we could watch the Lamas in their traditional theological exercise of lively debating. is recognized by “the summer palace of dalai lamas”. "Norbu Linka" means beautiful gardens. This garden covers an area of 36 hectares and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama, who would move here from the Potala Palace to this summer palace and spend most of their summer here.
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Accommodation Stay in Lhasa
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Meals B
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LHASA
We will visit the Potala Palace, landmark of Lhasa and spiritual symbol of Tibet - you will join many pilgrims on your way to the top of a hill where this 13-storey architectural wonder is perched upon. The approach to the Potala is not easy, and requires climbing many steep steps, so we take it slowly and allow ourselves to leisurely enjoy the Palace and its surroundings. We enjoy strolling through its winding corridors and peaking in some of its thousand rooms, and can only imagine what life here was once like. In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Lhasa. As we make the inner circuit around the courtyard, spinning numerous prayer wheels as we go, we are swept up in the energy of the devout. From the rooftop, we get stunning views of the Potala, and the snow capped peaks off in the distance. Around the Temple runs the Barkhor, a holy circuit which pilgrims undertake and a bustling commercial market. The rest of the time is left free for you to venture around Bakhor market, where you will feel you are right at the heart of Tibet.
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Accommodation Stay in Lhasa
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Meals B
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LHASA / TSURPHU MONASTERY
After breakfast, we will have a travel explanation meeting and then our driver will take us to Tsurphu Monastery for the acclimatization. It takes about 2 hours, and the altitude will up to 4,480m. Around 60km west of Lhasa, Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of The Karma branch of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in the middle of the valley facing south with high mountains surrounding the monastery complex. As the birthplace of the Reincarnation System of the Living Buddha, this over 800-year-old spiritual hub still pulsates with religious activities. Afterwards, arrange Yaks and yakman to carry our camping gear and food to our campsite. Prepare for our trekking next day.
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Accommodation Camp at the backyard of Tsurphu Monastery
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Meals B
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TREKKING FROM TSURPHU MONASTERY / LETEN
A spectacular first day of trekking ascent up in a green valley crisscrossed with mountain streams. Be on the lookout for various species of mountain goats disguised in gray rocks. Several small nomadic communities camp here for the summer herding months, and we may have a stop into a yak-hair tent named Shupshading (4,700m) for a cup of salt butter tea or some fresh yak milk. Crest the ridge top four hours later at noon, emerging onto a high plateau with the sweeping panoramic view, and look for a flat area for camping in Leten. Leten is also called the 'highest village in the world', several families live here permanently, braving the severe climate with their livestock. Today, it would be a big challenge to us since all the trekking sections are ascending, but the scenery is refreshing and stimulating, the landscapes are classic Tibetan beauty.
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Accommodation Camp near Leten Village
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Ascent 500m
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Distance 11km
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Meals BLD
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Time 4-5hrs hiking
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LETEN / BARTSO
Today we will reach the highest pass of this trekking - Lasar la (5,300m). After breakfast, we will first cross the first small pass, descend into a magical valley of lichen-coated boulders, meandering streams and expansive sky. Arrive at the Lasar La three hours later, and descend into the Yangpachen valley, with its wide open plateaus, spiky grass hummocks and tundra-like parched, cracked patches of earth. Then another 3 hours walk to Bartso. Surrounded by the juniper used for incense all over the Tibetan world, this nomad village of 5 homes with permanent sources of water is a good place to camp.
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Accommodation Camp near Bartso Village
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Ascent 300m
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Descent 600m
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Distance 15km
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Meals BLD
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Time 5-6hrs hiking
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BARTSO / DORJE LING NUNNERY / DRIVE TO NAMTSO
Leaving the village of Bartso behind, head towards a wide trail leading across the valley and over another ridge, from where we will be rewarded with views of Mount Nyenchen Tanglha (7111 m), the holiest mountain in central Tibet. Emerge at Tajung village (4,660m), and then climb gently up rolling hills where young nomadic boys and girls picnic on the plateaus as they watch their yaks and sheep graze. The vistas are, again, just amazing! Mid-day, we should reach the small Djore Ling Nunnery (4,474m) and finish our trekking. It's possible that these nuns, some of the friendliest in Tibet, will drag you into the gompa's tea-house and pass around a heaping plate of yak meat (use the bowie knife provided to hack a piece off) before getting into the requisite photo session. After that we will drive to Namtso Lake for night.
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Accommodation Stay at Holy lake Guest House
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Ascent 150m
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Descent 150m
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Distance 15km
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Meals BLD
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Time 4-5hrs hiking
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NAMTSO / LHASA
In the quiet morning, beat the cold and get up early to the lakeside of Namtso to appreciate the sunrise and beautiful scenery. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' Namtso Lake, considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, is the second-largest saltwater lake in China and the highest lake in the world. As the sun rises, cloud lifts from the mountains and the scene is bathed in golden sunshine. When the weather is clear, the water is a stunning shade of turquoise and we will be surrounded by magnificent views of the nearby Mount Nyenchen Tanglha range with peaks of more than 7,000m. The wide open spaces, dotted with tents of local nomads, are breathtaking. We may also walk along the lake or climb up the hill near the lake to explore the area. After visiting the lake, we will drive back to Lhasa.
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Accommodation Stay in Lhasa
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Distance 250km
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Meals B
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Time 6hrs driving
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LHASA / GYANGTSE
Morning drive up to Kampala pass (5,030m), you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok Tso Lake on the way and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Tanglha in the distance, which are wonders of the day. Lying at the south foot of the uninterrupted snow-capped Himalayas, the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Tso appears like a holy sapphire and evokes solemnity. In clear weather, the reflection of sunshine in different depths lends the lake gorgeous and mysterious colors. Tibetans here believe that it is a dwelling place of the spirits that protect the people. Every year, many devotional followers would come here for pilgrimage.Then along the highway drive to Gyantse, visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum. Gyangtse is very famous for its giant architectural stupa in Tibet. Pelkor Monastery was built when different religious sectors conflicted neck and neck in Tibet. So it occupies a stunning position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and features a mixture of pagoda and monastery. The most symbolic architecture in the monastery is the Kumbum Stupa, which is composed of nine layers of nearly 77 temple halls with numerous Buddha statues in halls and murals. The mural paintings are the wonders of the stupa that mostly date back to its original time, there are around 108 cells all around the stupa and every cell has different paintings and statues inside.
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Accommodation Gyantse hotel
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Distance 435km driving
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Meals B
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GYANGTSE / TINGRI
This day can make you tired as you basically spend the whole day on the road driving (about seven hours on the way). On the way, you will cross over Gyatsola Pass at 5,220m. You will also visit Sakya Monastery and see Mt. Everest far away. Located in Sakya County southwest of Shigatse, the Sakya Monastery is the principal monastery of the Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tingri or rather Lao Tingri is the last stop before Everest Base Camp Tour.
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Accommodation Sakya Hotel in Tingri
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Distance 330km
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Meals B
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Time 7hrs driving
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MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP
Although it's just 100km from Tingri to Mt. Everest Base Camp, it takes about 5 hours since the cracked winding roads demand much caution. But the views are stupendous on a clear day and f eature a huge sweep of the spectacular Himalaya ranges including its glorious peaks over 8,000km, Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516m), Everest (8,844m), Gyachung and Cho Oyu, especially when you cross over the top of the Gawu la Pass (5,250m) on the way. When you finally get to Everest Base Camp, the first sight of the mighty Everest simply leaves you speechless. All the hardship you bear along the way makes sense at the while. As the supreme point of the world, Mt. Qomolangma is also blessed with many starkly beautiful and extreme wonder. This afternoon is left free for you to wondering around the Rongphu Monastery or hiking to the base camp of Mt. Everest.
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Accommodation hostel near Rongphu Monastery
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Distance 100km
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Meals B
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Time 5hrs driving
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EBC - TINGRI
After a simple breakfast, drvie from Rongbu Monastery to Tingri,
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Accommodation Sakya Hotel in Tingri
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Meals B
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TINGRI - SHIGATSE
Drvie from Tingri to Shigatse via Tingri, about 4.5 hours on the way. Upon arrival, we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. Built in 1447 and the seat of the Panchen Lama, the monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama, which contains masses of jewels and gold. Just close Tashilhunpo is the Old Town of Shigatse, a great place to wander around: Nicely decorated Tibetan houses and interesting market and bazaar give you a vivid picture of local people's life.
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Accommodation Manasarovar hotel
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Meals B
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SHIGATSE - SAMYE MONASTERY
After breakfast, drive to Samye Monastery. Samye Monatery is regarded as the first Buddhist Temple in Tibet. It was founded in 779 by King Trisong Detsen and located in the quiet piedmont area of north bank of Yarlung Zangpo River. Samye is also the first complete with the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. It has become a top destination for Tibetan Buddhists who will walk thousands of miles for weeks to finish their pilgrimage to this monastery.
Today we will also have a chance to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the Yarlung Zangbo River.
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Accommodation Samye Hotel
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Meals B
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SAMYE TO TSETANG
Drive from Samye to Tsetang, the third largest city in Tibet. Tsetang is known as “the cradle of Tibetan Civilization” for two reasons: first, its mild weather and fertile land conceived the great Tibet dynasty; second, it’s the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. Today you will visit the Yumbulakang and Samye monasteries.
According to a legend of followers of the Bon religion, Yumbulakang was erected in the second century B.C. for the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo, who was descended from the sky. Yumbulagang became a shrine and under the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, a monastery of the Gelugpa school. Yumbulakang monastery was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution, though it has been extensively rennovated since.
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Accommodation Tsetang Hotel
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Meals B
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TSETANG - NYINGCHI
Today will be a long drive day, we will take 5.5-6hrs (400km) from Tsetang to Bayi town in Nyingchi, the “Switzerland of Tibet”. Upon arrival, the rest of today is free for you to acclimatize the altitude and explore surroundings
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Accommodation Bayi town
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Meals B
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NYINGCHI - BOMI
Wake up in the peaceful morning. Today, you are going to drive to Bomi, about 230km away from Bayi Town. But sightseeing activities come on the road.
Firstly, you will drive about 1.5km out of town to visit the most famous and magical tree in Nyingchi – the King Cypress which is 50 meters tall but more than 2,500 years old. Leave the King Cypress, you will move to the highlight of today – Lulang Forest.
Lulang Forest is a 15km long, 1km wide narrow valley of wild forests and flowers, grasslands and streams. Lulang, in Tibetan, means “Dragon Valley” or “the place where you won’t be homesick”. On the both sides of the valley are lofty green mountains covered by prosperous spruce, pine trees and brush. At the foot of the mountain are the beautiful meadows and villages. Winding streams flow through among the wooden houses. Wild flowers of different colors dot on the meadows. Look into distance over the valley are enormous snow-capped mountains. All these sceneries make Lulang a dream land.
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Accommodation Bayi town
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Meals B
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BOMI - RAWU
Today, you will enjoy a fabulous feast of landscape. After breakfast, drive about 104km to visit the famous Midui Glacier. Ranked by China National Geography as one of the top six most beautiful glaciers in China, the Midui Glacier is featured in different shapes and forms of glaciers, including two about 800 meters high ice falls. At the foot of the glacier are green wild forests. Further down the forests are peaceful Tibetan villages, farmlands and ice lakes.
Leave Midui, and move to next also the final stop of today – Rawu Lake. It is a barrier lake formed by landslides and debris flows of around 200 years ago. The lake is tranquil and clean. But the best feature is its reflections of surrounding diverse landscapes of grasslands, forests, blue sky and snow mountains like a mirror, which changes colors in different seasons.
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Accommodation near Ranwu Lake
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Meals B
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RAWU - NYINGCHI
Get up early to witness the amazing sunrise at Rawu Lake. Wispy mists float above the lake, while the morning sunlight shines on the snow mountains, which looks like a golden pyramid. Enjoy the fresh air and let your camera record the wonderful landscape.
Then you will move back to Nyingchi in the rest of today along the 318 National Road. It may take about 8~9 hours to get to Bayi Town, but you don’t have to worry being bored by the long distance. Because you will drive on the most beautiful parts of the 318 Road which starts from Rawu to Bayi. Feel free to ask for your driver for stop on the way for the scenery.
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Accommodation Bayi town
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Meals B
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NYINGCHI - GANDEN - LHASA
We will drive to the holy City Lhasa. The whole journey takes about 7 hours’ driving. On route, you will take a sidetrip to visit Ganden monastery.
Ganden Monastery is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, famous for its Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival. It was founded in the early 15th century by Tsong Khapa, a well-known Tibetan religious philosopher. 45km away Lhasa City, the monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain, on the southern bank of Lhasa River. Its significance as a religious, artistic, political and cultural relic led to it being preserved by the National Key Cultural Relic Preservation scheme in 1961, and is now known as being one of the 'Three Great Temples', together with the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa.
After arriving at Ganden, spend at least a half day to explore the attractions in and around the ancient monastery, home to the earliest monastery of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Although the monastery is mostly in ruins, it is a fascinating place. Pilgrims arrive in Ganden from all over Tibet to walk around the site of the monastery, and one can observe the rituals they perform on this ‘Kora’ around the monastery.
After visit, drive back to Lhasa
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Accommodation Lhasa
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Meals B
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TRANSFER TO AIRPORT AND DEPART FROM TIBET
After breakfast, take 1hrs drive to Lhasa Gongga Airport, see off.
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Meals B
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Price Policy
Tour Price Policy
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
7. Internal flights
** Day 11/ Flight from Yichang to Shanghai (based on economy class);
8. Trains
** Day 04/ High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (based on 2nd class);
** Day 06/ High speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (based on 2nd class)
** Day 06/ High speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (based on 2nd class)
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.
