Day 1:  Depart from U.S.

Day 3, morning:  Arrive in Hong Kong.  Upon arrival in Hong Kong you are met by your guide and transferred to the four-star New World Hotel.  Enjoy a free day of shopping and exploring the city.  Optional tours available.

Day 4:  Hong Kong (AB)

Begin our tour after breakfast with a cable car ride to Victoria Peak where a panoramic view of Hong Kong awaits.  Also visit Repulse Bay and the floating community in Aberdeen.  Afternoon is free.  Optional tours available.

Day 5:  Hong Kong/Guangzhou (Canton) (AB,L,D)

After breakfast, take a morning express train to Guangzhou.  Tour of the city with a special visit to the Chen Family Temple and the Memorial Hall of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

Accommodations at the four-star Landmark Hotel.

Day 6:  Guangzhou/Chengdu (AB,L,D)

As time permits, take a city tour including a visit to the Chengdu Zoo.  The region around Chengdu is the natural habitiat of the Panda, and a principal feature of the zoo is the panda exhibit.  Also stop at a memorial to one of China’s most revered poets, Du Fu.  Accommodations at the four-star Tibet Hotel.

Day 7:  Chengdu/Lhasa/Tsetang (AB,L,D)

A morning flight brings you to the world’s highest capital city, Lhasa, Tibet.  Coach to Tsetang.  Check into the three-star Tsetang Hotel (the best hotel in the city).

Day 8:  Tsetang/Lhasa (AB,L,D)

In the morning, tour Yumbulagen, the earliest Tibetan forbidden City and Tibetan Kings’ Mausoleum.  On the way to Lhasa, take a ferry to Samye Monastery, the first Tibetan monastic institution.  Continue the trip to Lhasa.  Accommodations at the four-star Holiday Inn Hotel.

Day 9:  Lhasa (AB,L,D)

Start your tour at the 15^th Century Drepung Monastery.  Also visit the Norbulinka, once the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama.

Day 10:  Lhasa (AB,L,D)

Today’s sightseing includes the Potala Palace, traditional home of the Dalai Lama. and the 1,300 year-old Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest place of worship.  Also visit the fascinating free market.

Day 11:  Lhasa/Gyantze (AB,L,D)

Drive to Gyantze, the once fortified city at the junction of two major caravan routes, one to India and the other to Nepal.  Pass the giant Yamdrok Yamtso Lake, the holy lake of the Tibetan people.  Upon arrival, visit the Palkhor Monastery.  Check into the three-star Gyantze Hotel.

Day 12:  Gyantze/Shigatze (AB,L,D)

Take a coach to Shigatze.  Check into the three-star Shigatze Hotel.  After a rest from the drive, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, second holiest man in Tibet.  Also visit the new Panchen Lama’s Palace.

Day 13:  Shigatse/Lhasa (AB,L,D)

Drive back to Lhasa and arrive by late afternnon.  After an early dinner, settle in to the  comforts of the Lhasa Holiday Inn Hotel.

Day 14:  Lhasa/Chengdu (AB,L,D)

Fly to Chengdu.  Return to the Tibet Hotel.  Visit the Qingyang Palace, the largest Taoist Temple in China.

Day 15:  Chengdu/Hong Kong (AB)

Morning flight to Hong Kong.  Transfer to the New World Hotel.  The balance of the day is free.

Day 16:  Hong Kong/USA (AB)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

This itinerary is offered as a group escorted tour and is available as a private tour itinerary.