** specific dates can be arranged upon request

Arrive in Beijing.  The day is free to explore China’s fascinating capital city.  In the evening we have the opportunity to have a Beijing duck dinner and see the acrobats.

We take an excursion from Beijing out to a less frequented portion of the wall and take a 10km (6 mile) hike between two of the most picturesque regions (optional).

We visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.  There is a little more free time before boarding the train for Xian.

After arriving in Xian we head out to the famous Terracotta Warriors, a short drive out of town.  After a dumpling lunch, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this ancient capital and eastern gateway to the Silk Road

A free morning to explore more of the many features this city has to offer such as visiting the Muslim quarter and it’s Chinese-Arabesque mosque, climbing Tang Dynasty pagodas or riding a bike along the wall of the enclosed city.  We board an afternoon flight to China’s arid west.

In the morning we will have a chance to climb, surf or sled down sand dunes, visit the Crescent Lake Pagoda or shop at Silk Road markets. In the afternoon we head out by camel to camp among the sand dunes of China’s Gobi Desert. (D)

By camel we continue to the Mogao Grottoes which house the greatest and earliest examples of Buddhist painting in the Far East.  We stay the night in Dunhuang. (B,L)

A bus leads us across mountains ranges and wide panoramas to Golmud at the foot of the Tibetan Plateau.

We board China’s engineering marvel, a train that winds its way up the Tibetan Plateau through towering mountains and the highest railroad passes in the world.

Today we have a free day to see Lhasa, the old city, the Jokhang Temple, handicraft markets, and to acclimatize to the high altitude.

We take an excursion to the Dalai Lama’s former winter palace, the Potala Palace, and to the Drepung Monastery

Our jeep tour begins as we head out to Shigatse.

Today we visit the Tashilumpo Monastery, former residence of the Panchen Lama.  The rest of the day is free to explore Shigatse, its markets and the old fortress.

Drive to a village where we will begin our journey to Everest.

We trek part of the journey to Everest Base Camp, passing through Tibetan villages before driving up to the Rhongbuk Monastery, near Everest Base Camp, where we spend the night.

Our journey takes us to the town of Tingri, a bustling former trading post where we stay the night.

We drive to the Nepal border where we descend through the Bhote Kosi Gorge of the Himalayas.  We part with our jeep, and travel by Nepali bus to Kathmandu.

We are free to explore the ancient buildings and cobbled alleyways of Kathmandu or visit numerous sights in the region. The tour ends today for those only doing the Beijing to Kathmandu segment.