Transtibetan Journey On The Sky Express
Have you ever flown by train? No we are not kidding! Now this is possible with the highest railroad in the world and the Sky Express sliding along it towards the sky, equipped with oxygen masks for the flight through the dilute air of Tibet.
We offer you a trip in the new country of unlimited opportunities – China. The journey starts from Beijing – the centre of the most impetuously developing contemporary county, passes through Xian – the ancient capital of one of the mightiest empires and continues to the clouded heights of the Tibetan plateau, to the legendary spiritual centre Lhasa. The place where Buddhist temples complement since centuries the divine dimensions of the severe landscape, where the fearful crags of the Himalaya peaks line with icy wreath the millennia-old land of herdsmen and monks, where life is so different as it can be only in Tibet.
Ultra-industrialized megalopolises, sky scrapers, shopping centers and unimaginable traffic, but also respectful tranquility surrounding the creations of the ancient Chinese civilization, immersing in the fast-running world of the technological 21-st century, but also dissolving in Buddhism and the immense spaces of the magic Tibetan plateau. You can experience the pleasure of such a rich cultural feast only on this tour!
Lhasa
Who hasn’t heard of the spiritual leader of the Buddhists, Dalai Lama, whose headquarters used to be in Lhasa for centuries?
The Tibetan capital is situated at 3650 m.a.s.l. and has attracted pilgrims for thousands of years while in recent times it is a target for admirers of history and culture as well from all over the world. The train journey from Beijing to Lhasa (4064 km) passes over a high plateau past snowy mountain peaks and through distant villages.
Xian
Xian is usually associated with the Silk Road – a network of “silk roads” and caravan routes of 2000 years, connecting the Roman Empire and Xian. The city was earlier the first capital of united China and later becomes the main city of 13 great dynasties. Today Xian has a population of over 3 million people, the city features extremely dynamic development, which accelerates since 1970s when archeologists discovered the famous terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, composed of thousands of figures of warriors and horses.
Trip plan:
Day 1: Beijing
Arrival in Beijing and transfer to the hotel. In the evening acrobatic show and dinner.
Day 2: Beijing
Whole day sightseeing tour including Forbidden City and Summer Palace.
Day 3: Beijing
Tour to the Great Chinese Wall and Temple of Heaven.
Day 4: Beijing
Free day in Beijing. In the evening depart to Lhasa from the largest train station in the world – Western train station in Beijing, which serves up to 400 000 passengers per day in high season. About 60 million people per year start their journey from here.
Day 5: Xian
Arrival in the morning in Xian. Transfer to the hotel and breakfast. Then we begin our sightseeing in Xian with visit to the Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. In the evening Tang Show.
Day 6: Surroundings of Xian
Today we continue with exploring of the surroundings of Xian - Huaqing Hot Springs and Terracota Army. Overnight in Xian.
Day 7: Xian
Free day in Xian.
Day 8: Xian-Lhasa
In the morning transfer to the train station for departure by the Sky Express to Lhasa.
Day 9: Xian-Lhasa
In the Sky Express. In the evening arrival in Lhasa at 3650 m.a.s.l. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.
Day 10: Lhasa
Visit of Potala Palace. Excursion to the Sera Monastery situated outside the city. Lunch and dinner included.
Day 11: Lhasa
A day trip to Drepung monastery near Lhasa. We visit the Summer Palace Norbulinka. Lunch and dinner included.
Day 12: Lhasa-Beijing
In the morning visit to a Tibetan family to see their daily life and customs. About noon, transfer to Lhasa airport for departure to Beijing. Arrival in Beijing and transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 13: Departure
Transfer to the airport for the return flight.
Accommodation and food: Accommodation in 3-star hotels; 11 breakfasts, dinner on day 1; 2 dinners in Lhasa, 2 lunches in Lhasa.
Price of extra services: Single supplement (10 nights in hotel) - 380 EUR.
Included in the price: 10 overnights in 3-star hotels; 11 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 2 lunches; English-speaking tour leader from the agency; flight ticket Lhasa-Beijing; tickets for sleeping wagon Beijing-Xian and Xian-Lhasa (compartment for 4 people); all excursions mentioned in the itinerary with local English-speaking guides; entrance fees; transport by bus according to the itinerary; Tibet permit.
Excluded from the price: Flight ticket to/from Beijing; medical insurance; Chinese visa (please, check at the nearest embassy for the latest conditions)
Practical information: The journey is suitable for everyone in good health condition. However, there is a risk of altitude sickness even for the healthiest and well trained tourists. There is time for acclimatization in Lhasa according to the programme which is the best way to prevent from altitude sickness as well as drinking of more water and other liquids. You can also consult your doctor about suitable medications.
Vacation Extensions:
Yangtze River - Downstream Cruise
Yangtze River - Upstream Cruise
Transsiberian Railway - Stopovers in China
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