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25 |
Trek |
DAYS |
Voir les photos
Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- Potala Palace: Winter palace of the Dalai Lama
- Mt. Everest: The highest mountain in the world
- Sources of three major rivers: the Yaluzhangbu, the Mekom and the Indus
- Guge Kingdom: fascinating ruins of the highest ancient Kingdom
- Mount Kailash Circuit Trek: the most sacred of Holy Mountains in Tibet
Brief Itinerary
- DAY 01 ARRIVE LHASA
- DAY 02 LHASA
- DAY 03 LHASA
- DAY 04 LHASA - GANDEN - LHASA
- DAY 05 LHASA / GYANGTSE
- DAY 06 GYANGTSE / TINGRI
- DAY 07 MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP
- DAY 08 EBC - TINGRI
- DAY 09 TINGRI - SHIGATSE
- DAY 10 SHIGATSE / LHATSE
- DAY 11 LHATSE / SAGA
- DAY 12 SAGA / ZHONGBA / STAY IN PARYANG
- DAY 13 PARYANG / LAKE MANASAROVAR
- DAY 14 LAKE MANASAROVAR / DARCHEN
- DAY 15 START MOUNT KAILASH CIRCUIT TREK FROM DARCHEN / DIRAPHUK
- DAY 16 DIRAPHUK / ZHULTHULPHUK
- DAY 17 ZHULTHULPHUK / DARCHEN
- DAY 18 DARCHEN / TSADA
- DAY 19 RUINS OF GUGE KINGDOM IN TSADA
- DAY 20 BACK TO DARCHEN
- DAY 21 BACK TO PAYANG
- DAY 22 BACK TO SAGA
- DAY 23 SAGA / SANGSANG / LHATSE
- DAY 24 LHATSE / GYIRONG BORDER
- DAY 25 GYIRONG BORDER / KATMANDU
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
We have two full days in Lhasa which gives us ample time to see the Potala Palace and many magnificent monasteries. From Lhasa to Gyantze to Shigatse, the original birth place of Tibet civilization. Then move to the most sacred of Holy Mountains in Tibet, Mount Kailash, and have the great Mount Kailash Circuit Trek. Along the way we will explore the holy lakes of Tibet, Yomdrok Lake, Lake Manasarovar, and the Ghost Lake. Pass by three of the Orient's greatest rivers, The Yaluzhangbu, The Mekom and The Indus. We will discover the fascinating ruins of the highest ancient Guge Kingdom in Ngari region, a powerful kingdom born a thousand years ago on the ridge of Tibet. Our last stop is the Tsurphu Monastery in Shigatse.
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 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. Tonight you will enjoy a local characteristics welcome dinner.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Lhasa
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Meals D
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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 3* hotel 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 3* hotel in Lhasa
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Meals B
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LHASA - GANDEN - LHASA
Today we will drive from Lhasa to Ganden where we will visit the 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. Free in the late afternoon.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Lhasa
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Meals B
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LHASA / GYANGTSE
Morning drive up to Kampala pass (5,030m), you will have a glimpse ofYamdrok Tso Lakeon the way and spectacular views of HolyMount Nyenchen Tanglhain 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 Monasterywas 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 theKumbum 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 3* hotel in Gyantse
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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 visitSakya Monasteryand 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 toEverest 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, drive from Rongbu Monastery to Tingri.
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Accommodation Sakya Hotel in Tingri
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Distance 120km
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Meals B
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Time 5hrs driving
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TINGRI - SHIGATSE
Drvie from Tingri to Shigatse via Tingri, about 4.5 hours on the way. Upon arrival, we will visitTashilhunpo 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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Distance 240km
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Meals B
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Time 4hrs driving
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SHIGATSE / LHATSE
Visit Sakya Monasteryon the way, whichis the principal monastery of the Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. And further on to Lhatse which is located in the valley of theYarlung Tsangpo River. Lhatse is one of the best counties of Shigatse.
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Accommodation Camping at the outskirt of the town
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Distance 151km driving
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Meals B
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LHATSE / SAGA
From Lhatse onwards, we will be driving on rugged roads. Saga, meaning 'Happy Land', is a town situated along the Tsangpo River in a region crisscrossed by the upper Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The land becomes rugged, the air thinner and the sky endless and impossibly blue. Tonight, we will stay at Saga in a tent or a local guest house.
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Accommodation tent or a local guest house at Saga
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Distance 299km
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Meals B
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Time 7hrs driving
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SAGA / ZHONGBA / STAY IN PARYANG
From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good and the trip can be completed in 4-5 hours. There is also a small monastery at the western end of town on a hill. From Zhongba onwards the southern road deteriorates. There is also danger of vehicles getting stuck. But this section of the road has the typical plateau scenery and landscape, and you could enjoy the panoramic views of the snow covered mountain peaks on either side of the road.
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Accommodation tent or a local guest house in Paryang Village
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Distance 255km driving
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Meals B
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PARYANG / LAKE MANASAROVAR
The sightseeing today will focus on another famous holy lake of Tibet, theManasarovara Lake.From Paryang to Lake Mansorovar is a long drive of 10 hours or more.There will be several river crossings and when drive past the Mayum La Pass (4,600m), the scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Visit theChiu Gompawhich is at a fabulous location on the top a hill overlooking Lake Manasarovara. Every summer to autumn, many pilgrims bathe in the lake and take water back as a gift for their relatives and friends. Another highlight of today is the visit of Ghost Lake, which is only 8km away from the Lake Manasorovar. You could have a breathtaking view of the Namunali Peak (7,694m) in the evening.
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Accommodation Camping near the Lake Manasarovara
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Distance 260km
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Meals B
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Time 10hrs driving
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LAKE MANASAROVAR / DARCHEN
About 60km north of Lake Manasorovar is Darchen, the main gateway and the village, and stay overnight there, which is located at the foot of the majestic sacred Mt. Kailash. Here we organize yaks or ponies for the next Kailash Circuit Trek.
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Accommodation tent or overnight in Gangdisi Hotel
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Distance 60km driving
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Meals B
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START MOUNT KAILASH CIRCUIT TREK FROM DARCHEN / DIRAPHUK
This Kailash Circuitcovers 53km and can be done in 3 days. This is the first day of Kailash Parikrama. We should start our journey after breakfast as early as possible. This day we have to walk continuously for about 6 to 7 hours. Yak will carry all our goods and equipment. We head west in clockwise direction and after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4,730m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes to view. En route we will visit Tarboche where annual flagpole raising ceremony takes place during Saga Dawa.
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Accommodation tent
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Meals BLD
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DIRAPHUK / ZHULTHULPHUK
This day is very sensitive and we have to crossDolma-La Pass(5,630m) andGauri Kund Lake(5,608m) where Hindus worship and immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake. The weather is unpredictable in Doma-la Pass and at any time snowstorm can fall. So we try to start our journey as early as possible. In route we can have Darshan of Gaurikund but it is very difficult to go and touch.
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Accommodation tent in route to Zhulthulphuk
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Distance 12km
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Meals BLD
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Time 6-7hrs
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ZHULTHULPHUK / DARCHEN
The final end of the Parikrama is an easy 2-3 hours walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga Plain. Wecomplete the 3-day Circuit Trek of Mt. Kailash. Then drive north further and camping.
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Accommodation Camping in the route to Darchen
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Distance 6km
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Meals BLD
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Time 2-3hrs
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DARCHEN / TSADA
We will spend a day driving to Tsada, a small town situated deep in a valley. The drive itself offers a breathtaking view of sand-rock formations shaping the deep valley.
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Accommodation tent or a local guest house in Tsada
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Meals B
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RUINS OF GUGE KINGDOM IN TSADA
We will visit theRuins of the Guge Kingdom, which is in today Zhada County, Ngari Region of Tibet. It is said to be the highest ancient kingdom ruled western Tibet 1,000 years ago. The buildings follow a small earth mountain, covered by the yellowish constructions and caves, to the top in a rigid layout and an imposing manner. It was a powerful kingdom with a splendid civilization and prosperous state. The estate was almost ruined after the civil revolt and the invasion of the allied armies of eight foreign countries, but the legendary kingdom hasn't been totally vanished and one can learn a lot about it from its remains. The structure of The Ruins of Guge Kingdom was the political center of The Guge Kingdom and the religious center is the sublimeTholing Monasterywhich you will explore today in the afternoon.
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Accommodation tent or a local guest house in Tsada
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Meals B
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BACK TO DARCHEN
Today you will be driven to Darchen and check in the hotel upon arrival.
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Accommodation Gangdisi Hotel
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Meals B
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BACK TO PAYANG
It is a hard driving day on the road, with Gobi and broken road most of the time, camping somewhere when sunset.
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Accommodation Camping
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Distance 310km driving
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Meals B
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BACK TO SAGA
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Accommodation Camping
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Distance 260km driving
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Meals B
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SAGA / SANGSANG / LHATSE
From Saga we dive face to east and along the Yalongzangp River.
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Accommodation Lhatse Hotel
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Distance 300km driving
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Meals B
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LHATSE / GYIRONG BORDER
After breakfast, drive from Lhatse to Gyirong border. On the way, tourists can enjoy breathtaking vista of Mt. Shishapangma and the Pekutso Lake. After passing the Ghungtang Lhamo(5236M), we will arrive in Gyirong in late afternoon.
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Accommodation guesthouse in Gyirong
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Distance 300km driving
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GYIRONG BORDER / KATMANDU
Your Guide will assist you to exit China. And see you off at Gyirong border. End the services at the border.
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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.
