Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Kunming
After landing in Kunming, you'll have time to settle in and get used to the relaxed pace here. Rest up from your overnight flight and let yourself acclimatize to the city's pleasant atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Kunming - Day 3
Stone Forest - Western Hills
This morning starts with a walk through the Stone Forest, a UNESCO site featuring dramatic karst rock formations rising from the earth. Later you'll head to the Western Hills for sweeping views back over the city. By evening, grab dinner with local 'Across the Bridge' noodles, a specialty here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional 'Across the Bridge' noodles)
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO-listed Stone Forest
- Explore Western Hills
- Traditional 'Across the Bridge' noodles dinner
Landmarks Stone Forest Western Hills - Day 4
Kunming to Dali
You'll drive to Dali, a charming town that feels like stepping into ancient China. Walk through the old quarter and see the Three Pagodas, impressive structures that date back centuries and stand as reminders of the region's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wander ancient quarter of Dali
- Visit Three Pagodas
Landmarks Three Pagodas - Day 5
Weibaoshan
Head out to Weibaoshan, one of Taoism's most sacred mountains. You'll walk through forested slopes where temples dot the hillside. A Taoist priest meets with you to teach meditation techniques connected to the tradition here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic walk on Weibaoshan
- Visit temples on Weibaoshan
- Meet with Taoist priest and learn Taoist meditation techniques
Landmarks Weibaoshan - Day 6
Dali to Shaxi to Lijiang
Drive to Shaxi ancient town in the Himalayan foothills, where you'll learn about the minority groups living in the area and eat a local lunch. From there, continue on to Lijiang and spend the evening wandering through the old town's atmospheric streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch in Shaxi), Dinner
Included Activities
- Learn about minority people in Shaxi
- Local lunch in Shaxi
- Explore Lijiang old town
Landmarks Shaxi ancient town Lijiang old town - Day 7
Baisha - Dongba Pictograms
Take a cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to 5,500 metres and explore high meadows with wide views across the landscape. After that, visit Baisha to see Ming Dynasty frescoes and check out an embroidery school. You'll also meet a Shaman who teaches you to write Dongba Pictograms, the forgotten script of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cable car ride on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Explore high meadows on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Visit Baisha and see Ming Dynasty frescoes
- Visit embroidery school
- Meet Shaman and learn Dongba Pictograms writing
Landmarks Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Baisha - Day 8
Tiger Leaping Gorge - Zhongdian
Start at Black Dragon Pool Park for views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Then head to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a 3,000 metre deep canyon with snow-capped peaks as backdrop, one of China's most striking natural sites. Later, continue to Zhongdian, also known as Shangri-La. Visit Dafo Temple and spend time on your own exploring the old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Black Dragon Pool Park
- Journey to Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Visit Dafo Temple in Zhongdian
- Explore Zhongdian old town
Landmarks Black Dragon Pool Park Tiger Leaping Gorge Dafo Temple - Day 9
Napa Hai - Tibetan Village
After visiting Songzanlin Monastery, you'll hike 2 to 3 hours to Napa Hai, surrounded by mountains and grasslands with varied plant and animal life. Later, you'll visit a Tibetan-style rural village to learn how locals live, make butter tea together, and try home-cooked dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Home-cooked dishes at Tibetan-style village)
Included Activities
- Visit Songzanlin Monastery
- Hiking to Napa Hai (2-3 hours)
- Visit rural Tibetan-style village
- Learn about villagers' way of life
- Make butter tea
- Taste home-cooked dishes
Landmarks Songzanlin Monastery Napa Hai - Day 10
Flight to Lhasa
You'll fly to Lhasa, Tibet's heart. The afternoon is left open so you can rest and adjust to the altitude before starting to explore the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lhasa - Day 11
Jokhang Temple - Sera Monastery - Tibetan Dinner and Dance
Walk the Barkhor Circuit to see locals in traditional dress, religious items at stalls, and pilgrims prostrating themselves. Visit Jokhang Temple where you'll feel the religious devotion as people worship in the glow of yak butter candles. Then head to Sera Monastery to watch debating monks. End with a Tibetan dinner and dance show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tibetan dinner and dance)
Included Activities
- Explore Barkhor Circuit
- Visit Jokhang Temple
- Visit Sera Monastery and witness debating monks
- Tibetan dinner and dance
Landmarks Barkhor Circuit Jokhang Temple Sera Monastery - Day 12
Norbulingka
Explore the Potala Palace, an architectural landmark rising over the city that once served as the winter home of the Dalai Lama. It holds thousands of rooms filled with historical treasures. Later, check out Norbulingka, the summer residence, set within parkland just outside the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Potala Palace
- Visit Norbulingka
Landmarks Potala Palace Norbulingka - Day 13
Lhasa to Gyantse
Travel across Tibet's dramatic plains toward Gyantse. You'll cross Gampala Pass, stopping to take in views of Yamdrok Lake and the towering Karola Glacier stretching across the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Gampala Pass
- View Yamdrok Lake
- View Karola Glacier
Landmarks Gampala Pass Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier - Day 14
Shigatse
In Gyantse, explore the Kumbum inside Pelkor Monastery. Visit a traditional folk house and try home brewed 'chang', the local alcohol. See Dzong Castle before heading on to Shigatse for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Gyantse Kumbum
- Visit traditional folk house
- Sample home brewed 'chang'
- Visit Dzong Castle
Landmarks Gyantse Kumbum Pelkor Monastery Dzong Castle - Day 15
Shigatse
Get to know Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city marked by a fort similar to the Potala and the traditional home of the Panchen Lama. Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery and join pilgrims on their evening 'kora', the ceremonial circuit. You'll have time on your own to check out the local markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
- Join pilgrims on evening 'kora' of monastery
- Free time to explore local markets
Landmarks Tashilhunpo Monastery - Day 16
Shigatse to Lhasa
You'll return to Lhasa with the evening free. Explore at your own pace or rest after the journey across the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 17
Lhasa to Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu in Sichuan Province, heading toward your next destination in central China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Chengdu - Day 18
Chengdu
Visit Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre to see the famous bears. Walk through People's Park, check out Matchmaker's Corner, and stop by a traditional teahouse to relax. In the evening, have Sichuanese cuisine followed by an optional 'facechanging' performance show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Sichuanese cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Panda Conservation Centre
- Stroll around People's Park
- Visit Matchmaker's Corner
- Stop by traditional teahouse
- Sichuanese cuisine dinner
Optional Activities
- 'Facechanging' show
Landmarks Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre People's Park - Day 19
Fly to UK
You'll fly back to the UK, arriving home the same day or the following day depending on your flight times and connections.
