An action packed tour that takes in
not only the major highlights of China, but also includes Chinese cooking
lessons, kite flying, pandas and acrobatic shows. We walk along the Great
Wall of China, marvelling at its length. In Beijing we explore the
Forbidden City, Tian’an Men Square and the Summer Palace, fly kites with
the local children, visit the Pandas at Beijing Zoo and learn to cook
Chinese style. Next stop is Xi’an, where we wander through the bustling
Muslim Quarter, cycle along the City Wall looking down over Xi’an and
learn how to make Chinese noodles. We visit the Terracotta Army, each
warrior with its own unique features, and learn how the army was unearthed
after 2000 years of burial. From Xi’an we fly to Shanghai, and visit the
Yu Gardens, the Bund Area and Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. We
cruise along the Huangpu River, take a boat trip in the Zhujiajiao Water
Town and spend an evening at an Acrobatic Show.
Visiting China has to be high on any traveller’s list. The wealth of
history going back thousands of years and its more recent not always pleasant
past, make this a fascinating destination for the adventurous and inquisitive
traveller.
The Great Wall, the Grand Canal, the Forbidden City, the Great Mosque and
the Terracotta Army all feature in our China tours, not to mention Shanghai
and the Jade Buddha, Buddhist Caves and grottoes and the Three Gorges Dam
Project, just one of the modern day insights into China that we offer. You can
trek with us on the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, cruise down the Yangtze
River, visit the fascinatingly materialistic yet culturally atmospheric Hong
Kong and discover the highlights of Beijing including the world famous and
notorious Tiananmen Square.
Tibet
remains one of the most interesting, remote and undeveloped regions of the
world. Surrounded by vast mountains, century old caravan trails cross the
mysterious landscape through hidden valleys to exotic cities. Also known
as 'The Roof of the World', this mysterious Buddhist kingdom remained long
closed to foreigners, exerting a stronghold on people's imaginations and
giving appeal to travellers to visit Tibet at least once in their
lifetime. Our journey starts with a spectacular flight over the Himalayas
from Kathmandu to Lhasa, where we visit the Potala Palace, once home to
the Dalai Lama, Sera and Drepung Monastaries, as well as the Summer Palace
of Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple and the bustling Barkor Market. Crossing
the arid Tibetan plateau we come to Gyantse and Shigatse, visiting the
Kumbum and Tahilumpo Monastery, and then over the Gyatmso La Pass, the
highest point in our journey at 5220m on our way to Shegar. Crossing the
Pang La Pass will give spectacular views of the Himalayas. From Rongbuk
Monastery, we walk to the Base Camp of the highest mountain in the world -
Everest or 'Quomolangma' as it is known in Tibetan, another highlight of
the trip. We then journey to Tingri and cross the spectacular Lalung La
Pass on our way to Nyalam. From there we head back to Kathmandu via the
Friendship Bridge.