Journey to the Roof of the World

China, 10 Nights

Day 1 - London/Beijing  
Board your overnight British Airways flight from Heathrow to Beijing.

Day 2 - Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and check-in to The Peninsula Beijing hotel for one night. This afternoon, your private guide will introduce you to the Temple of Heaven.  

Day 3 - Beijing/Lhasa
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa, via Chengdu. Arrive in Lhasa and transfer to the St Regis Lhasa. Relax and acclimatise for the rest of the day.

Day 4 - Lhasa
Enjoy a full day with your private guide exploring the sacred city of Lhasa, stopping for lunch in a local restaurant. The magnificent Potala Palace, once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, almost seems to touch the sky with its 13 storeys and over 1000 rooms. You will also visit the Sera Monastery (home to around 600 monks), the 1300 year-old Jokhang Temple and bustling Barkhor Bazaar.  

Day 5 - Lhasa
Today visit the 15th century Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world. Also visit Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama. The park here is home to several palaces and chapels including the New Summer Palace. Have lunch in a local restaurant and explore the Tibetan Museum.

Day 6 - Lhasa/Gyantse
After breakfast, leave Lhasa and drive to traditional Gyantse, once well-known for its wool and carpet production (380km, approximately six hours drive). En route, stop to see Yamdruk Lake. On a clear day, the sparkling lake appears dark turquoise in colour. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Check-in to the Gyantse Hotel, dinner is included.

Day 7 - Gyantse/Shigatse
This morning, visit Palkhor Chode Kubum - a 15th century monastery - to see the beautiful murals on the largest stupa in Tibet. Continue on to Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city (98 km, approximately 1 1/2 hours drive). Stop for lunch in a local restaurant and check-in to the Shigatse Hotel for one night, dinner is included.

Day 8 - Shigatse/Lhasa
Today enjoy a full-day of sightseeing, including the 15th century Tashilhunpo Monastery - home to the opulent tomb of the fourth Panchen Lama. Walk the Linkhor (the pilgrimage road around the monastery) and look out for the ruins of Shigatse Fortress. Eat lunch in a local restaurant and have a browse in the market. Drive back to Lhasa (290 km, approximately 4 hours drive), for an overnight stay in the St Regis Lhasa Resort.

Day 9 -Lhasa/Chengdu
This morning visit the Pabonka Monastery, one of the most ancient Buddhist sites in the Lhasa region, built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo. After lunch at a local restaurant transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Chengdu. On arrival, transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel.

Day 10 - Chengdu/Shanghai
After breakfast, drive to the Panda Research & Breeding Centre, home to around 50 giant and red pandas. If you arrive early you may get an opportunity to see the pandas feeding. Breeding season is March to May and you may get the chance to see a new cub in the autumn. Learn about the conservation efforts to save this endangered animal in the museum. Have lunch in a local restaurant before your flight to Shanghai. Arrive early evening and transfer to the Four Seasons Hotel.

Day 11 - Shanghai/London
Transfer to the airport by early-morning train for your homeward flight, arriving later the same day. Alternatively, extend your stay in China