Join Phoenix travel on an exciting journey during which you will experience everything from the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Army in Xian to the wonderful mountain landscapes and Tibetan mysticism of the Himalayas. We travel along the world’s highest railway to Lhasa and then on through Tibet by bus to Kathmandu in Nepal. During the trip we visit some of Tibet’s most famous Buddhist monasteries and Mt. Everest Base Camp. This is the journey for you who love magnificent nature experiences in an exotic environment to say the least!

Day 1: Travel to China
Flight to Beijing. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.

Day 2: Beijing
Arrival in the Chinese capital Beijing. At the airport we are met by our local representative and go to the hotel for check-in. In the evening we gather for a welcome dinner. Overnight in Beijing. (Dinner)

Day 3: Beijing
After breakfast we take a bus to the northern Chinese countryside. Up among the mountains, we soon see the Great Wall of China, the world’s longest defense facility, winding along the ridges. Climbing the Great Wall of China and feeling the wings of history is a fantastic experience! We also make a photo stop at Beijing National Stadium (“The Bird’s Nest”) which was the main arena during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Overnight in Beijing. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 4: Beijing The
day begins with an excursion to the Forbidden City dating from the early 15th century. We go on a guided tour within the huge palace area and then visit the world’s largest square, Tiananmen Square. We then continue to the Temple of Heaven where the emperors asked for good harvests. Overnight in Beijing. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 5: Beijing – Xian
After breakfast, we head to the train station and board the modern high-speed train that takes us to Xian. After a relaxing journey of about 4 hours, we arrive in Xian. Under its former name Changan, the city was once China’s imperial capital and also the world’s largest city. In the evening we go for a walk in the city’s old Muslim quarter with its characteristic architecture and get to try local delicacies typical of the area. Overnight in Xian. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 6: Xian
Today we visit one of China’s foremost sights and the largest archaeological find of the 20th century – the 8,000-strong Terracotta Army. The terracotta army that forms part of Emperor Shi Huangdi’s mausoleum was built in the 200s BC. to watch over Emperor Shi Huangdi into eternity. Shi Huangdi was China’s first emperor but is best remembered for his cruelty, lust for power and obsession with achieving immortality. During our visit, we learn more about him and how he managed to subjugate the whole of China. We also visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda dating from the 700s. Here we also get to experience Chinese shadow boxing, Tai Chi Chuan, which is considered very useful for health. In the evening there is an opportunity to wander around the city’s old town center. Overnight in Xian. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 7: Xian – Xining – Golmud
Transfer to the airport and flight to Xining. After lunch we go to the train station to board the train to Lhasa. The train travels through the barren but beautifully dramatic scenery of Qinghai Province. We are now in the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau and travel comfortably in first class with accommodation in four-bed compartments. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 8: Golmud – Lhasa
Early arrival at Golmud and further across desolate plains at 4,000 meters altitude. The train is approaching higher and higher altitudes on the Tibetan plateau. It is from here that rivers such as the Yellow River, the Yangzi River and the Mekong River originate. When we pass the highest point of the train route, Tanggula, we have reached an altitude of 5,072 meters. The train is equipped with oxygen masks if needed. From the train window we can see Nyainqentangra Shan, a mountain range with peaks of over 7,000 meters. We travel over the Chogtse Pass and in the afternoon we arrive in Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa. (Breakfast)

Day 9: Lhasa
Lhasa is one of the world’s highest cities (3,650 masl) and with its more than 300 days of sunshine a year is sometimes called the “sun city”. The sun can be very bright – do not forget sunscreen and sunglasses! Lhasa is one of Asia’s most interesting cities with its isolated location and interesting cultural history. The population is mainly Tibetans, but there are also Han Chinese and other ethnic groups such as Hui Chinese (Chinese Muslims) and Mongols. Lhasa is best known for its position as a religious center in Tibetan Buddhism, and during the day we visit, among other things, Tibet’s most important Buddhist temple, Jokhang, where pilgrims make pilgrimages from the entire Himalayan region. We also visit Barkhor Street, which surrounds the temple on all sides. Here you can see long-distance pilgrims approaching the temple clockwise with spinning prayer wheels. During the day we also visit the magnificent Potala Palace which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the prime example of classical Tibetan architecture. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 10: Lhasa
We start the day by visiting Ani Tsankhung, Lhasa’s only nunnery, where we get to experience a small but very orderly and neat monastery. Just north of Lhasa we visit the Serak Monastery dating from the 15th century. The large monastery complex with its numerous monks is known for its lively debates during which Buddhist philosophy is discussed. The debates are open to the public and even if one does not understand what is being said, they are fascinating to witness. The rest of the day open for own walks in Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 11: Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse
After breakfast we take a bus along the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra’s upper reaches) and enjoy the stunning scenery. We travel on narrow serpentine roads up to Kamba-Lapasset, located at 4,794 meters altitude. Below is Lake Yamdrok Yamtso (4,400 m above sea level). The sight of the azure lake, the sparkling snow, the clear blue sky and the green meadows with grazing yaks is unbeatable! At the Karo lap pass at an altitude of 5,045 meters, we pass the highest point of the road before reaching the town of Gyantse, which was once an important trading post where caravans on their way to Nepal and India passed. Here we visit the fortified Palkhor Monastery and the huge Kumbumstupan. Overnight in Tibet’s second largest city Shigatse. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 12: Shigatse – Dingri
We start the day with a visit to the Tashilhun Monastery founded by the first Dalai Lama in the middle of the 15th century. The monastery has traditionally been the seat of the Panchen Lama – the second highest authority in spiritual matters after the Dalai Lama. We then continue to the old quarters at the foot of the fortress Shigatse Dzong where a craft market is held daily. We continue through the dramatic landscape where the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas tower into the distance. We have begun to approach Mt. Everest and the border with Nepal. Overnight in Dingri. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 13: Dingri – Mt. Everest Base Camp
The journey goes along the Himalayan mountain roads with what are probably some of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world. We reach Mt. Everest Base Camp at the foot of the world’s highest and probably most beautiful mountain. Later in the evening we reach the border town of Zhangmu where we sleep overnight. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 14: Zhangmu – Kathmandu
In the morning, drive to the Kodari border station. We complete the customs formalities, change vehicles and cross the border into Nepal and then continue towards the capital Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 15: Kathmandu
In the morning, a city tour awaits, during which we visit Durbartorget with its Hindu temples and shrines. Kathmandu was hit hard by the 2015 earthquake, but the renovation of the many cultural heritage is in full swing. We then go to the city of Patan in the Kathmandu Valley where we see Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (“the Golden Temple”) and the city’s Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon there is time left for your own walks. Overnight in Kathmandu (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 16: Return from Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport and return to the place of boarding. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight. (Breakfast)