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Mountains & Monasteries 2013-2014

18 days with Intrepid Travel   Rating: Budget

800-680-2858 800-680-2858 Itinerary
Click for Dates and Prices Days 1-2 Beijing
Beijing has a long and colourful history and this rapidly modernising city is an amazing whirl of ancient sites, modern buildings, bicycles, people, shops and eateries. Snaking over the landscape for 8,851 km, the building of China's Great Wall started in the 5th century BC with the aim of protecting China's northern borders from invading Mongolian hordes.

Day 3 Train to the Roof of the World
The Train to the Roof of the World connects China's cities to Lhasa in Tibet and is the highest train in the world. Stretching nearly 2,000km, the views are phenomenal.

Days 4-8 Lhasa
Colourful, historic and with a deeply fascinating culture, the holy city of Lhasa is situated in a small valley high on the Tibetan Plateau.

Day 9 Samye
Samye is famed for having the oldest Buddhist monastery in Tibet, which was built in the shape of a mandala and is full of Tibetan relics and art.

Day 10 Gyantse
Gyantse is a small agricultural town set in the Nyang-chu Valley, famed for its wool carpets and the Pelkhor Chode Temple complex.

Days 11-12 Shigatse
Sitting at the confluence of two rivers, Shigatse is a bustling, dusty city home to some fantastic monasteries, fortresses and palaces.

Day 13 Sakya
Sakya, located in a valley off the Friendship Highway, is a small town with unique architecture and a beautiful monastery.

Day 14 Everest National Park
As one of the world's big challenges, Mount Everest evokes visions of beauty, danger, awe and triumph. Standing close to this mountain is certain to leave you breathless.

Day 15 Zhangmu
Clinging perilously to the sheer mountainside, Zhangmu separates Tibet from Nepal by a cascading river that spans the famous Friendship Bridge.

Day 16 Dhulikhel
Peaceful Dhulikhel has been an important trading route between Nepal and Tibet for centuries and has staggering views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

Days 17-18 Kathmandu
Kathmandu is like an alluring whirlwind of sights, sounds, smells and colours. Almost overwhelming, its charm and history peaks out from the most unexpected places rendering most visitors enamoured.
800-680-2858 800-680-2858 Map
800-680-2858 800-680-2858 All This Included
Satisfy your sense of adventure and spiritual curiosity on this overland journey. From the great capital of China, travel across the vast Tibetan Plateau, through remote villages and into the mountain kingdom of Nepal. Ride the world's highest railway all the way to Lhasa and witness the intense spirituality of the Tibetan people in their remote monasteries, high mountain passes, traditional homes and colourful marketplaces. Sample yak cheese and fresh bread at an organic farm in Shigatse and immerse yourself in the atmospheric monastic rituals along the way. Complete the journey with a view of Mt Everest for an extraordinary real life experience.
  • Overnight sleeper train, Private Bus, Public bus, Taxi
  • Braille without Borders visit, Braille Without Borders visit, Everest Base Camp visit, Great Wall - Mutianyu section, Gyantse Kumbum, Informal Chinese language lesson, Johkang Temple, Momo class and lunch, Nam-Tso Lake day trip, Pelkor Chode Monastery, Potala Palace, Rongphu Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Samye Monastery, Sera Monstery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Tibetan language lesson, Lhasa
800-680-2858 800-680-2858 Highlights
  • Discover Nepalese culture in Kathmandu
  • Mingle with pilgrims at Potala Palace in Lhasa
  • Shop in bustling bazaars
  • Soak up the spiritual atmosphere of Lhasa
  • Spend a night near Everest Base Camp
  • Stay at Tibet's oldest monastery, Samye Monastery
  • Take the world's highest railway from Beijing to Lhasa
  • Visit an organic farm in Shigatse
800-680-2858 800-680-2858 Accommodations
Guesthouse (6 nts)
Hotel (8 nts)
Overnight sleeper train (2 nts)
Permanent tented camp (1 nt)
800-680-2858 800-680-2858 Notes
  • No meals included.
  • The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English isn't common and the food will be quite different to home. It's important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals’ standard of living may be confronting. This is a demanding, overland travel trip, which is suitable for the experienced traveller. The affects of altitude, long days of travel in cramped conditions over extremely rough roads, accommodation in shared dormitories that vary in quality from the basic to the very basic and the possibility of severe and sudden climate changes means that this is definitely not a trip for the armchair traveller. Be prepared for no showers for several days, and in the event of a landslide or heavy snow blocking the road you may be required to walk carrying your own luggage for unspecified distances or the itinerary may change.
  • Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy your holiday.
  • During 2012, due to government permit rules, there were restrictions on nationalities that could travel on specific departures. This may continue in 2013. Bookings will need to be requested. Tibet may also be closed to tourists at any time without warning.
  • Once you have obtained your Chinese visa please provide your booking agent with a scanned colour copy of the personal details page of your passport and your Chinese visa.
  • Group Size: Min 1, Max 12.
  • Ages: Min 12.
  • Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.
800-680-2858 800-680-2858 Terms and Conditions
For Intrepid Travel terms and conditions, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.