Once your flight lands in Guilin Airport, our professional guide and driver will meet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel. You'll start your Guilin tour after a rest. Then start the visit to the landmark of Guilin-Elephant Trunk Hill. The name comes from a vivid shape of a hill which looks like an elephant drinking water. Meanwhile, there are also many historical sites to explore here, such as stone carving, Puxian Pagoda, Yunfeng Buddhist Temple, etc. Then, drive about 7 kilometers (about 20 minutes) to next attraction-Reed Flute Cave, an underground palace of natural arts. This limestone cave is over 180 million years old and has been one of Guilin's most interesting attractions since Tang Dynasty in China. Stay overnight in Guilin.
Elephant Trunk Hill
Reed Flute Cave
Today's highlight is the cruiser tour from Guilin to Yangshuo on Li River. The 83km downstream travel takes about 4.5 hours. During the river cruise, you'll enjoy the dreamlike scenery at each bends of the tranquil river with its picturesque karst mountains as backdrop. Then you disembark at Yangshuo Town, and check in hotel. This afternoon, stroll leisurely on the ancient West Street to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. You can also hire a bike to cycle or simply have a short hike around the idyllic farming land. Optional activity: experience the splendid evening show Impressions Liu Sanjie (19:30~20:30 or 21:30~22:30) with Li River itself serving as the stage, directed by China's famous director – Zhang Yimou.
Li River Cruise
West Street
In the morning, drive about 2.5 hours to Longji Rice Terraces (also named Dragon's Backbone Terraces), which are a scenic spot not to be missed while travelling in Guilin. They are built along the steep mountainsides, and they look like a dragon's ribs if looking from the top of mountain, hence their name 'Dragon's Backbone' (Longji). The rice terraces cover an area of 66 square kilometers. There are several villages in Longji, and all are perched on hills, boasting terrific views of terraced paddy fields. Most locals are ethnic minority people abiding by traditional ways of farming. You will also have a chance to visit the hundred-year-old houses. Afternoon, you will return to Guilin.
Longji Rice Terraces
Local Minorities' Village
In the morning, your tour guide will send you to the airport. Fly to Lhasa with a stopover in Chengdu. You will be greeted by your Tibetan guide once you arrive in Lhasa airport. From airport to Lhasa city is 68km, around one hour and half drive will take you to the holy city Lhasa. Afterwards, free time for relax, have a good rest and drink more water to acclimatize the high altitude on the plateau. Overnight in Lhasa.
Lhasa Gonggar Airport
Barkhor Street
Today, you'll have a tour to Lhasa's cardinal landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site-Potala Palace. Renowned as one of the great wonders on earth for its elaborate architecture built at an elevation of 3700m, this awe-inspiring palace will not disappoint you. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Jokhang Temple, the most respected shrine in Tibet. Thick with the smell of incense and yak butter, you'll witness a throng of prostrating pilgrims cramming out there. The temple is the masterpiece of Tibetan, Chinese and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then take a stroll around the Barkhor Street, the oldest bazaar in the city. You'll also enjoy a welcome dinner gathering with all travel mates in the group after the sightseeing activities. Overnight in Lhasa.
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Morning, you'll visit Drepung Monastery, which locates about 8km west of central Lhasa and was once one of the world's largest monasteries with the population of around 10,000 monks in its heyday. Climb uphill through the whitewashed intersecting alleyways as well as the medieval chapels, and enjoy the panoramic view of the city on top of the mountain. In the afternoon, you'll have a chance to witness the famous 'Scriptures Debating' session at Sera Monastery, spectating their featured way of Buddhist dialectics and hand slapping in a landscaped courtyard with lush trees. Overnight in Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery
Sera Monastery
Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4794m], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Tso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass are the wonders of the day. Far in the distance you'll spot the towering massif Mt. Nojin Kangtsang [7191m], and the staggering Karo-la Glacier [5045m].Then along the Friendship southern High way drive to Gyantse, you will be arranged to visit the Pelkhor Monastery and the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon, drive to Shigatse. Overnight in Shigatse.
Yamdrok Lake
Pelkhor Monastery
In the morning, we will visit the largest monastery in west Tibet, the Tashilhunpo Monastery, which is also the home of Panchen Lama. Then drive westwards the Friendship way to New Tingri via Gyatso La pass [5248m], which gives you distance view of Himalayan range. When we reach E.B.C (Everest Base Camp), If it is in clear weather, we can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which are 8000m high or more. Overnight in Rongbuk Monastery Tent or Guest House.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Rongbuk Monastery
Get up early this morning, and if you are lucky enough, you will have a chance to see the sunrise at Base Camp. It's hard to take your eyes away from the stunning view of the magnificent north face of the world's tallest peak-Mt. Everest (Qomolangma as its Tibetan name, meaning "Goddess Mother of Mountains"). There's a monument locating about 1 kilometer beyond the tent guesthouses. Late morning or early afternoon, we will drive forward to Gyirong Town. You will pass by Peikutso Lake and enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Shishapangma [8012m]. Overnight at Gyirong Town.
Everest Sunrise
Everest Base Camp
Today, we see you off from the Gyirong Town to the port. Our guide will assist tourists to clear the China Customs and you will cross the border and check in Nepal side on your own. There are about 130km from Gyirong to Kathmandu city which takes about 9 hours by local jeeps at the Nepalese border. All our services in Tibet end at Chinese border of Gyirong.
※What is a Private Tour?
A Private Tour Package means you will have your own private guide, driver, and vehicle for your own disposal. You don't have to share the vehicle with others even if you are a single traveler. You would have full attention of your guide and driver. Our professional guide would love to share local culture, knowledge and stories.
Your private guide would also help you make an easier, comfortable, flexible and enjoyable tour. You can stop on the road to get a rest or take pictures during the drive. You have the flexibility of changing the visiting order of attractions or extending the visiting time at some tourist sites.
We will arrange the private airport or train station pick-up and see-off for you. Upon your arrival, you can find our guide waiting at the pick-up area, holding a name sign, welcome you with a warm smile. You will be transferred to hotel.
When traveling with your family or friends, a private tour would be your first choice.
※Accommodation Choices
For private tour, we can arrange hotels according to your requirements. There are options of budget guesthouse, 3 star hotel, 4 star hotel, high-end luxury hotel or bouquet heritage hotel. If you have your own preferred hotel, just let us know, we will help you with the booking, everything would be arranged as per your interests.
※Meal Choices
Our tour packages generally include breakfasts. Meanwhile, lunches and dinners are optional to be arranged either by yourself or by us.
It's easy to find nice restaurants in China, and you could also ask for suggestions from your guide. They always know where you can find something tasty.
The price would be different according to different food:
1. If you choose noodles, around RMB 15-30 per person.
2. If you like some fast food like KFC, around RMB 25-40 per person.
3. If you prefer some food at a decent restaurant, around RMB 70-150 per person.
