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Tour Date: 14 Dec 2012 - 03 Jan 2013
Tour Cost ($AUD): $11,997.00
In 2006 Travel Directors became the first company in the world to escort groups on the Himalayan Express, the great train linking China and Tibet. Today the trip is one of our most popular and each year we escort numerous groups on this remarkable journey to the roof of the world. Now we present the ultimate Himalayan adventure as we become the first company to operate this tour over Christmas and New Year. To celebrate Christmas Day at Everest Base Camp is the stuff of dreams and, contrary to popular belief, the weather at this time of year is surprisingly mild. The Tibetan sky is a deep blue, contrasting magnificently with the snowy wonderland of the Himalaya. We begin in the ancient Chinese capital, Xian, where we visit the legendary Terracotta Warriors. We then board the Himalayan Express - the unique oxygenated train - for the exhilarating journey on the world's highest railway to Lhasa, the capital of mysterious, magnificent Tibet. From here we journey into the very heart of the Himalaya, as far as Rongbuk - the Everest base supply camp on the remote north face. Here we spend an unforgettable Christmas Day in the shadow of the world's highest mountain. We then head into neighbouring Nepal and the lovely lakeside town of Pokhara in the fantastic Annapurna region. Finally we see in the New Year in style in exciting Kathmandu. Join us for a festive journey you will never forget!
14/12/2012 Australia - Singapore
Depart Australia from your chosen airport on the flight to Singapore.
15/12/2012 Singapore - Xian (D)
On arrival in Singapore we connect with our flight to Xian, via Guangzhou.
Depart Singapore Singapore Airline SQ 850, 08.15
Arrive Guangzhou 12.15
Depart Guangzhou China Airlines CZ 3211, 14.35
Arrive Xian 16.55
After completing customs and immigration formalities we transfer to our hotel.
Grand Mecure Hotel
319 Dongxin Street
Xian, Shanxi Province
Ph: 0011-86-29-87928228
16/12/2012 Xian (BLD)
Pit No. 1, Terracotta Warriors
The eastern gateway of the Silk Road is a fantastic treasure trove of cultural relics. The remains of past civilisations furnish evidence of every major epoch in China's half-million-year history. Today we visit the extraordinary site of Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Warriors. Known as the eighth Wonder of the World, this incredible 'army' consists of 6,000 life-size terracotta figures, which were only unearthed in 1974. It is an unforgettable and moving experience. After lunch we visit the Huaqinq hot springs which were first recorded during the Zhou Dynasty, more than 3,000 years ago. In the evening we attend a beautiful cultural show dating back more than 1,000 years to the Tang dynasty.
17/12/2012 Xian - Lanzhou (BLD)
Wild Goose Pagoda
Today we continue our tour of Xian with a visit to the superb Shanxi Provincial Museum and the famous Wild Goose Pagoda.
This afternoon we depart Xian for Lanzhou.
Depart Xian MU 2895, 18.30
Arrive Lanzhou 19.30
On arrival we transfer to our hotel.
Ningwozhuang Hotel
No. 20 Tianshui Zhong Lu
Chengguan District
Lanzhou 730000
Ph: 0011-86-931-8271888
Fax: 8271379
18/12/2012 Lanzhou - Tibet (B)
Train 27, the Himalayan Express
Depart Lanzhou Train 27 13.10
This morning we transfer to the railway station and board the Himalayan Express for our thrilling journey to the Tibetan Plateau. The oxygenated train is the first to link China and Tibet and the 1,200-km journey is a fantastic experience. The world's highest railway was completed at the end of 2005 and went into service in July 2006. Built largely on permafrost, four-fifths of the track is at an altitude of over 4,000 metres, with the highest point some 5,072 metres above sea level.
19/12/2012 Arrive Lhasa (D)
Ready to climb up to the Tibetan Plateau
Early morning we arrive in Golmud where two enormous locomotives are attached to the front of the train to haul us up to the Himalayan Plateau and on to Lhasa. Treeless plains give way to snow-capped mountains as we pass the world's highest lake and travel through the world's highest tunnel on this incredible train ride. Finally, late afternoon, the Express pulls into the Tibetan capital and we transfer to our hotel.
Arrive Lhasa 21.00
Xin Ding Hotel
No. 8 Jinzhu Avenue
Lhasa 85000, Tibet
Ph: 0011-86-891-6308555
Fx: 6308333
20/12/2012 Lhasa (BLD)
The Potala Palace
Above the banks of the Lhasa River, at an altitude of 3,760m and surrounded by beautiful landscapes, lies the mysterious city of Lhasa. It is dominated by the architectural wonder, the Potala Palace. Lhasa, which in Tibetan means 'Land of the Gods', has a population of 400,000, of which 87% are Tibetan. Its history dates back 1,300 years. We start our tour with a visit to Moburi Mountain and the Potala Palace. Often referred to as 'the bright pearl in the roof of the world', the palace was the traditional winter home of the Dalai Lama. More than 117 metres in height, and with over 1,000 rooms, this amazing structure has walls which are more than three metres thick. After lunch we visit the old city of Lhasa with its fascinating marketplace.
21/12/2012 Lhasa (BLD)
Debating monks at Sera Monastery
After breakfast we continue to explore this fascinating city. One of today's highlights is a visit to the extraordinary Sera Monastery. The complex was called Sera (meaning 'wild rose' in Tibetan) because the hillside behind it was once covered in wild roses. The Sera monks are required to participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of study. The debating traditions in the Sera Monastery are unique and provide an amazing spectacle. Debates are conducted by the lamas every day, beginning at 3am. In a battle of words, they supplement their efforts with a variety of gestures, including clapping their hands, pushing their partners for an answer, or plucking their prayer beads to win the virtue of the Buddha.
22/12/2012 Lhasa - Gyangtse (BLD)
At the Kambala Pass overlooking Yamdruk Lake
Today we drive 280 kilometres through magnificent countryside to the ancient city of Gyangtse. En-route we picnic by the turquoise waters of Yamdruk Lake and after lunch we pass the giant Kanola Glacier before descending to Gyangtse.
Gyangtse Hotel
8 Yingxiong Road
Gyangtse
Ph: 0011-86-892-8172222
Fx: 8172220
23/12/2012 Gyangtse - Shigatse (BLD)
Pecho Monastery
The ancient walled town of Gyangtse is set in a pretty and fertile valley. This morning we visit the Kunbon Stupa and Pecho Monastery, which embraces all sects of Tibetan Buddhism. We then drive 90 kilometres to Tibet's second-largest city, Shigatse. Meaning 'fertile land', Shigatse is more than 600 years old and sits at the confluence of the Yarlong Tsangpo and Nyangchu rivers. It is the traditional seat of the Punchen Lama and is an important stop for pilgrims travelling between Lhasa and western Tibet.
Manasarovar Hotel
14 Qing Dao Dong Lu
Shigatse, Tibet
Ph: 0011-86-892-8839999
Fx: 8828111
24/12/2012 Shigatse - Tingri (BLD)
Prayer flags on the Tibetan Plateau
After breakfast we drive along the Friendship Highway to the remote town of Tingri. En-route we visit the Sakya Monastery, which resembles a castle in typical Yuan Dynasty style. It contains over 10,000 volumes of Tibetan books on astronomy, medicine, calligraphy and history. This is another day of fantastic scenery as we journey to within sight of Mount Everest.
Chomalungma Hotel
Balba Township
Tingri, Tibet
Ph: 001186-892-8262221
Fx: 8262223
25/12/2012 Tingri - Everest Base Camp - Tingri MERRY CHRISTMAS! (BLD)
Peter Renouf at Everest Base Camp
A very special day as we drive 100 kilometres to Everest Rongbuk Base Camp. As we enjoy our spectacular Christmas lunch with fun-loving Tibetan friends, the north face of Everest stands before us, soaring 8,848m into the heavens. There are few sights on earth that challenge the imagination in quite the same way as the world's highest mountain. We guarantee a Christmas you will never forget!.
26/12/2012 Tingri - Zhangmu (BLD)
The border town of Zhangmu
This morning we leave Tingri and drive across the high Tibetan Plateau to the trade post town of Nylam. We then continue to Zhangmu, the Tibetan border town. En-route we visit the Milarepa Cave where Tibet's greatest yogi of the 11th century meditated.
Zhangmu Hotel
2 China - Nepal Road
Zhangmu, Tibet
Ph: 0011-86-892-8742221
Fx: 8742220
27/12/2012 Zhangmu - Kathmandu (BLD)
Office manager Nia Carras at the Friendship Bridge
An early morning start today as we descend to the Friendship Bridge which separates Tibet and Nepal. After clearing Chinese customs we walk across the bridge to the Nepalese border town of Kodari, from where it is a short drive to the capital, Kathmandu.
Malla Hotel
Lekhnath Marg
Kathmandu, Nepal
Ph: 0011-977-1-4418385
Fx: 4418382
28/12/2012 Kathmandu - Pokhara (BLD)
![Copy of annapurna_range_pokhara[1]](/images/stories/mmm/Copy of annapurna_range_pokhara[1].jpg)
The Annapurna Range
Depart Kathmandu Yeti Airlines YT 129, 11.00
Arrive Pokhara 11.30
On arrival in Pokhara we transfer to our beautiful lodge on Fewa Lake.
Fish Tail Lodge
Lakeside
Pokhara
Nepal
Ph: 0011-977-61-465071
Fx: 465072
29/12/2012 Pokhara (BLD)
Fewa Lake, Pokhara
After breakfast we start to explore the fascinating villages that dot the Annapurna region. In the afternoon we take a delightful boat ride on the sublime Fewa Lake.
30/12/2012 Pokhara (BLD)
Village life in the Annapurnas
Today is totally at leisure in this lakeside paradise.
31/12/2012 Pokhara - Kathmandu (BLD)
Funeral ghats, Kathmandu
Depart Pokhara Yeti Arilines YT 128, 10.00
Arrive Kathmandu 10.30
The fertile Kathmandu valley lies at an altitude of 1,200-1,500m. Although small in size, no fewer than seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites are to be found within the valley. These architectural wonders are monuments to Nepal's past prosperity and artistry, which essentially make the whole area a living museum. After our arrival we take a leisurely tour of Kathmandu and the afternoon is free to continue exploring this extraordinary city. After dinner we take the short walk into the Thamel area for a wonderful New Year's Eve party in Kathmandu's 'Garden of Dreams'.
01/01/2013 Kathmandu (BLD)
HAPPY NEW YEAR. WELCOME TO THE YEAR 2013!
Boudhanath Stupa from the air
Today is extremely special as we immerse ourselves in Nepalese culture, meeting the Kathmandu locals and attending an extraordinary festival.
02/01/2013 Kathmandu - Singapore (B)
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Singapore.
Depart Kathmandu Silk Air, 13.05
Arrive Singapore 20.15
On arrival in Singapore we connect with the flight to our chosen airport in Australia.
03/01/2013 Singapore - Australia
We arrive back in Australia today.
TOUR INFORMATION
Tour Fitness Level: Energetic
DECEMBER 2012 DEPARTURE
TOUR COST: AUD $11,997
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,597
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:
* All flights between Australia & China/Kathmandu & Australia
* All ticketable air taxes (may be subject to change)
* All accommodation (twin-share)
* All ground transportation and transfers
* All meals as specified
* All local guides
* Travel Directors tour escort
* All entrance fees in specified sightseeing
* All visas and courier fees
* All tips and gratuities
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:
* Insurance
* Personal expenses
Please note that whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the above pricing, currency fluctuations beyond our control can affect final tour costs.
A booking form is to be completed by all passengers, followed by a non-refundable deposit of AUD $2,000 at the time of booking.
All tours are based on a minimum group size of 10 people travelling.
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