11 days / 10 nights

A & K Insider Access

Visit the Ani Tsangku nunnery in Lhasa and meet the residents. Your guide will act as an interpreter and enlighten you on day-to-day life as a Tibetan nun.

• Natural beauty & cultural heritage in Yunnan
• Snowcapped peaks on the Tibetan plateau
• Cobbled streets of Old Lijiang
• Buddhist monasteries and fortresses
• Strong cultural heritage
• Remote rural villages

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Lijiang (2,400m)
Arrive into Yunnan’s provincial capital to a private A&K welcome before settling into your luxury villa.
Banyan Tree Lijiang (Garden Villa)

Day 02 Design Your Day Lijiang
A city as full of cultural surprises and architectural wonders as Lijiang takes time to explore. Start with half a day on foot in the old town, strolling the cobbled streets and crossing ancient timber footbridges over the network of spring-fed canals. Nearby visit the Black Dragon Pool then the small museum displaying Dongba artifacts and important scroll paintings before a walk to the Wangulou Pagoda, said to be the highest timber pagoda in China. After lunch A&K recommends strolling through the typical Naxi villages of Baisha and Longquan or spending the afternoon in the company of one of Lijiang’s local characters. Your guide will assist with any required interpretation as you experience Yunnan culture first hand (B,L).
Banyan Tree Lijiang (Garden Villa)

Day 03 Lijiang-Shangri-La (3,300m)
Journey overland to Shangri-La (formerly Zhongdian) on the Yunnan-Tibet Highway with a stop at the ‘First Bend’ in the Yangzi River, a major landmark for all Chinese. Visit Shigu Village with its large stone drum memorial and the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge for a short hike to see the Yangzi River roaring 4,000m below on the gorge floor (B,L,D).
Gyalthang Dzong Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Days 04-05 Shangri-La
The next two days are spent exploring this frontier town with strong Tibetan influences. Visit the Songzangling Monastery, the largest in Yunnan with a special visit to the Protector Temple and walk along the pilgrim’s route towards the charming Tibetan village of Ringha where you are invited into a local home for a cup of yak tea. Time to visit the central market and walk the old caravan route through town. Visit an antique Tibetan carpet gallery (B,L,D).
Gyalthang Dzong Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 06 Shangri-La-Lhasa-Tsedang (3,550m)
A flight this morning to Lhasa before a drive overland to Tsedang, situated on the Brahmaputra River and regarded as Tibet’s cradle of civilisation (B,L,D).
Tsedang Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 07 Tsedang
Join devout Buddhist pilgrims as you cross the Brahmaputra River by traditional wooden boats to Samye Monastery, the oldest of all Tibet’s monasteries, and in the afternoon the Yumbulagang Fort perched precariously on a hilltop south of Tsedang (B,L,D).
Tsedang Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 08 Tsedang-Lhasa (3,600m)
Driving overland this morning stop en route to view 11th century Buddhist rock carvings before reaching the Tibetan capital and your boutique hotel. This afternoon visit Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, and the incorporated Tibetan Museum (B,L).
Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Days 09-10 Lhasa
Two days to explore this surprising city. At its heart the Potala Palace, formerly the Dalai Lama’s winter residence and seat of Tibetan government. Meet Tibetan nuns in the Ani Tsangku Nunnery before wandering through the old streets of the Tibetan Quarter to the Barkhor Bazaar and Jokhang Temple. A&K arranges privileged access to a monk’s residence at the historic Drepung Monastery, once home to over 10,000 monks and the opportunity to see monks in heavy discussion at Sera Monastery (B,L).
Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 11 Depart Lhasa
Transfer airport for departure flight (B).

Note: Rates for Design your Day excursions available on request.

Departure Dates & Prices – Roof of the World

Tour Departs:

Daily