22 Days Best China Tibet Nepal Cultural Tour

When international flight lands in Beijing, Please take a taxi by yourself to our reserved hotel or by agreement the transfer will be arranged for you. The rest of the day, you may have a good rest or explore around on your own.

Stay overnight in Beijing

Today is guided tour to Forbidden City and Summer Palace which are the traditionally must-see attractions in Beijing. These attractions present the visitors an image of how the ancient Chinese emperors manage the country, what their family life is, how they spend leisure time, how they offer sacrifices to gods, etc.

Stay overnight in Beijing

To avoid the huge crowds, we will rise early to visit the Temple of Heaven, one of the architectural wonders in ancient China. You will see grand Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, which was built without a single nail used. The vivid dragon design, majestic imperial vault of heaven, etc. can also been seen. Do use sunscreen or sunhat to avoid the sunburn if you travel in summer.

After lunch, we will take a long walk on Mutianyu Great Wall, the best-preserved and most famous part of the Great Wall as well. It is located 80km north-east of Beijing with 22 ancient watchtowers, about one every kilometer. (Cable car is optional if you do not want to walk)

Stay overnight in Beijing

Rise early to catch the morning flight from Beijing to Xi’an. The non-stop flight takes around 2h05m. Then get transferred to your hotel. You may have a good rest.

In the afternoon, we will trace back to the Qing Dynasty and explore the magnificent Emperor’s Terracotta Army, which is also one of the eight wonders in the world. These terracotta warriors and horses are the size of a real army, and were buried alongside the Emperor Qinshihuang in a vast underground palace.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

Today’s tour is filled with excitement and tasty food. In the morning, you will head to tour another must-see attraction in Xi’an Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Originally built in 652 during the Tang dynasty, the Pagoda is known for keeping the Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang, one of the most renowned Chinese monks. The whole place is one of the most visited destinations by international tourists in Xi’an.

In the afternoon, tourists can enjoy wonderful cycling on the top of Ancient City Wall. The wall around the city centre of Xi'an is a massive construction, about 14 kilometers in perimeter. With 98 defensive ramparts, four main gates, and a moat around it, the ancient city wall is a wonderful example of ancient defensive building. Near its centre are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower.

Later, we will travel to Muslim Quarter, the most famous gourmet street and largest Muslim business street in Xi’an. It’s the perfect place to have close chat with street venders of Muslims and buy the exquisite handicrafts and enjoy various local snacks.

Stay overnight in Xi’an

Hop on the morning Tibet train bound for Lhasa. The entire Train ride, with a total distance of 2,864km, will last about 30 hours. You will enjoy the stunning alpine scenery as the train travels from Golmud to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in the train

You will witness the most beautiful scenery of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Spectacular land of snows, boundless desert, vast grasslands, grand ice mountains, and beautiful lakes will unfold before your eyes one after another and deliver a visual feast to you.

Arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon. Your tour guide will hold a board with your name and welcome you at the exit of the train station. A private tour vehicle will take you to the reserved hotel. The rest of the day is for your acclimatization to high altitude in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century, in order to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the only most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. Around the temple is Barkhor Street where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, in the meantime you can buy souvenirs.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace used to be Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before he moved to the Potala palace.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

Stay overnight in Shigatse

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch.

After that, we will pass Tsola Pass (4600M), and Gyatsola Pass (5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass (5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gazt at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at Rongbuk monastery guest house.

In the morning, you can appreciate the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area and then visit the Rongbuk Monstery - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. Later, we can visit the Everest Base Camp and take pictures of Mt. Everest at the closes distance in EBC.

After that, we can drive from EBC to Gyirong border. On the way, tourists can enjoy breathtakign vista of Mt. Shishapangma and the Pekutso Lake. After passing the Ghungtang Lhamo(5236M), we will arrive in Gyirong in late afternoon.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Gyirong

Tour Guide will assist the clients to exit China. And see clients off at Gyirong border. After you enter the Nepal territory, our Nepali guide will be expecting you on the Nepali-side border and transfer you to the hotel in Kathmandu. The distance between Kathmandu and Sino-Nepal border is around 130km. And the entire ride takes around 7-8 hours. On the way, you will enjoy cliff-side Nepali villages and terraced farmland and vibrant vegetation, etc.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

In the morning, we will the Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, which is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and when important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, still take place today.

Then, we will tour Swayambhunath. It is one of the most recognizable symbols in Nepal and the painted eyes of Buddha watch all who ascend the worn stone steps. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, and is at the source of the Valley’s mythical beginning.

In the afternoon, the tour group will head to Patan City, which is 15 minutes driving from Kathmandu. Patan's central -Durbar Square, is absolutely packed with temples: It’s an architectural center point with a far greater concentration of temples per sq. meter than in Kathamandu or Bhaktapur. You may shop around and finally we will head back to Kathmandu.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

As our Nepal tour continues, our today’s tour will firstly cover Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal. The old buildings on the site were destroyed by Moslem invaders in the 14th century, its stone linga smashed to dust, but it rose again behind their retreating backs. Succeeding monarchs reinstated the temple and the images.

Then we will visit Bouddhanath, which is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries.

Our final stop is Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

After breakfast, we depart for Pokhara and commence a full day sightseeing of Pokhara, the most popular destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. Spending enjoyably morning trip along the bank of Phewa Lake, you can admire the stunning view of the Fish Tail's Peak reflected in the silver surface of the water. You can also see the wonderful Annapurna panoramaforms a superb backdrop to Pokhara from the lake.

Aside from Phewa Lake, we keep visiting the Seti River Gorge - one of the best places to see. You will have an opportunity to take a glimpse to the limestone cave of Mahendra Gufa, used to be well-known for its stalactites.

Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara

After breakfast, we travel overland from Pokhara to Royal Chitwan National Park. The long drive will cover 147 km and takes around 5 to 6 hours. After your arrival in Chitwan National Park, you will have a briefing about tomorrow’s jungle safari and have a good rest in your hotel.

Stay overnight at hotel in Chitwan

After breakfast, you will get a full day safari activities, such as jungle walks on elephant, canoeing, etc. in Royal Chitwan national Park.

If you are lucky, you will see many amazing creatures that you spend most time to looking for, such as rhinoceroses, Chitwan's royal Bengal tigers, leopards, monkeys, many types of deer and reptiles. Check your camera gear, preferably with a telephoto lens and you will not miss any shots.

Stay overnight at hotel in Chitwan

After breakfast, we travel overland from Chitwan to the Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, where has been revered as the place of holy pilgrimage. Lumbini has been included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO - if the time permits, we take you to visit Manakamana Temple, believed as the wish fulfilling goddess by cable car.

Upon arrival Lumbini, we transfer you to the hotel, check-in and then we go walking through the Sacred Lumbini Gardenwhere the Buddha was born converges on the Ashoka pillar, visit the Maya Devi Temple with its bas-relief sculpture depicting Maya Devi holding on with her right hand to a branch of pipal tree and giving birth to the infant Buddha who stand up on a lotus pedestal.

Stay overnight in Lumbini

After breakfast, we begin the trip by driving away 27km west of Lumbini to visit the important archaeological site, Tilaurkot, the ancient palace of King Suddodha (Siddhartha Gautam's father), where the Buddha spent his formative years as a Shakya Prince. Allow yourself for a moment to wander around and soak the atmosphere. There's a museum nearby, The Kapilvastu Museum; the pottery, jewelry and ornaments are gathered in-house.

End up the remarkable tour in Tilaurkot by visiting the shrines, monasteries and stupa near the sacred garden.

Stay overnight in Lumbini

After breakfast, we leave Lumbini by road and back to Kathmandu. Check-in at hotel, rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

For the last day, the tour guide will see you off at Kathmandu airport. The entire tour ends.