14 days Absolute Yunnan and Tibet Adventure Tour
- Trip Highlights: Do you want to escape the crowds of the big city and take a trip filled with adventure and beauty? This 14-day Absolute Yunnan and Tibet Adventure Tour was specifically with you in mind. On this tour you will visit the remote minority cultures and legendary Shangri-la. This tour is so much more than just a trip. It is the experience of a lifetime.
- Tour Route: Kunming (Spring City)
Lijiang (Preserved Ancient Town)Zhongdian (Shangri-la)Lhasa (Holy Tibetan City)Gyantse (Palcho Monastery)Shigatse (Tashilhunpo Monastery)Tingri (Mt. Everest)Lhasa (Holy Tibetan City)
- Tour Code: COT-K-015-A
- Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
- Starts/Ends: Kunming/Lhasa
- Trip Type: Ethnic Culture and Folk Arts, Landscape and Nature, Adventure Travel, Two Destination Tours
- Activity Level: Active itinerary, Moderate walking
- Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
- Special Experiences:
- Go to the Kumming flower market to see how flowers are traded in China.
- Visit Tibetan families to have a intimate contact with local life.
- Watch the sunrise from Mt. Everest. The sight is truly breathtaking and the experience is absolutely unforgettable.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Kunming
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Accommodations: Kunming Hotel 
Upon arriving in Kunming, your tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or step out onto the city for a little adventure of your own.
Day 2 Kunming (B,L)
Accommodations: Kunming Hotel
Sites visited: Stone Forest
On this day you will visit Kunming's famous Stone Forest, a bizarre rock formation created over millennia of rain and weather. A must-see! In the afternoon you will be free to check out all that Kunming has to offer.
The Stone Forest attracts visitors owing to its intricate and unique formations.
In the Flower Market, the beautiful blossoms, cute birds, and delicate plants lure visitors deeply.
Day 3 Kunming / Lijiang (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Wang fu Hotel
Sites visited: Lijiang Ancient Town, Lion Hill
You will be escort to the hotel for your flight to Lijiang. Upon arriving in Lijiang, your tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. After a short rest, you will be driven to the Lijiang Ancient Town and the Lion Hill located inside the ancient town.
Day 4 Lijiang (B,L)
Accommodations: Wang fu Hotel
Sites visited: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Mural Paintings, Black Dragon Pool Park, Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture
This morning you will be driven to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, followed by a visit to the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings, and then the Black Dragon Pool Park and Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture inside the park.
Walking on the street of Lijiang ancient town, visitors may feel that time stops.
In the picturesque Black Dragon Pool Park, visitors may enjoy the sight of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Day 5 Lijiang / Zhongdian (B,L)
Accommodations: Gyalthang Dzong Hotel
Sites visited: First Bend of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shigu Village, Zhongdian
In the morning you will be driven to the town of Shigu (Stone Drum) to view the stunning First Bend of the Yangtze River and Iron Chain Bridge. After your tour to Tiger Leaping Gorge, you will be driven to Shangri-La (2 to 3 hours).
Day 6 Zhongdian (Shangri-la) (B,L)
Accommodations: Gyalthang Dzong Hotel
Sites visited: Bita Lake, The Songzanlin Lamasery, Shudu Lake
This day will be a wonderfully full one. You will first visit Bitahai and Shudu Lakes, followed by a visit to the Gedan Songzanlin Monastery. In the evening, be introduced to the famous hospitality of the Tibetan people as you visit a Tibetan family in their home.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge - the deepest gorge in the world is full of adventure.
Built in 1679, the Songzanlin Lamasery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan.
Day 7 Zhongdian / Lhasa (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Lhasa
On this day you will be free until your tour guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Upon your arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel in Lhasa city (2-hour drive), you will view the Stone Giant Buddha engraved in the mountain face en route. After checking in the hotel, rest in the afternoon to get adapted to the high altitude. (Tips: The direct flight from Zhongdian to Lhasa is only available in high season. You will be transferred via Kunming and Chengdu to Lhasa if the flight from Zhongdian to Lhasa is not available.)
Day 8 Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodations: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Your sightseeing today will include the Lhasa's cardinal landmark -- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and flourishing Barkhor Street.
Day 9 Lhasa (B,L,D)
Accommodations: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Norbulingka Park, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
Today we will bring you to the Norbulingka Park, the Drepung Monastery and the Sera Monastery.
Located on the Red Hill in Lhasa, the Potala Palace is a place that Dalai Lama live and work.
As Dalai Lama's Summer Palace, the Norbulingka Park is the prettiest landscape park in Tibet.
Day 10 Lhasa / Gyantse / Shigatse
Accommodations: Shigatse Hotel
Sites visited: Gyantse, Yamdrok Lake, Tibetan Family, Palcho Monastery
Today's drive is from Lhasa to Gyantse (about 256km, 5.5-hour drive) first, along the way you will visit Yamdrok Lake and a Tibetan family. Tour Palcho Monastery in Gyantse before the drive to Shigatse (about 90km, 1.5-hour drive). Overnight at Shigatse.
Day 11 Shigatse / Tingri (B,L)
Accommodations: Tingri Mt Ever Hotel
Sites visited: Tashilumpo Monastery
In the morning, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery and free market, after the tour in Shigatse, drive to Tingri (245km). Overnight at Tingri.
Day 12 Tingri (B,L)
Accommodations: Tingri Mt Ever Hotel
Sites visited: Mt. Everest
Today, drive to the Mt. Everest（Qomolangma)(100km, about 3-5 hours driving), pay a visit to Rongbu Monastery first, then continue driving to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest for you to take a close look at this great mountain. And you could enjoy seeing the biggest and the most well perserved glacier--Rongbu glacier if you are lucky enough for the weather. Overnight at guesthouse in Rongbu Monastery.
The Tashilumpo Monastery is the seat of Panchen Lama sect.
With an altitude of 8848 meters, the Mt. Everest is the highest peak in the world.
Day 13 Tingri / Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodations: Tibet Hotel
In the morning, enjoy the sunrise from Mt. Everest. Then drive back to Lhasa (about 10-12 hours driving).
Day 14 Lhasa / Departure (B)
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination.
Price & Included Features
- China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodations: for 1 night at three star hotels, 10 nights at four star hotels in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with a private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar.2 nights at guest house offers the best lodging available in the area.
- 24 meals: 12 full breakfasts, 11 lunches and 1 dinners
- Round-trip transfers between airports, hotels, and scenic spots in each city by private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced licensed drivers
- A local English-speaking guide in each city
- Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels
- China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
- Government taxes and service charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
Accommodation
Founded in May 1956, Kunming Hotel started business in October 1958. The European style architecture of the Hotel looked so serene that it was a very eye-catching building in Kunming in the mid-twentieth century.In 1982, the main building was constructed. The futuristic design of the towering building is still attractive. It was redecorated in 1992. With its well-appointed equipment and first-rate service, Kunming Hotel became the first four-star hotel in Yunnan. Detail
Lijiang Wangfu Hotel is a charming and unique four star hotel in Lijiang.The hotel has 2 floors and 92 guest rooms. Complete with small courtyards, gates, and waterside pavilions, the peaceful surroundings resemble a traditional Chinese landscape painting.
Shangri-la - Gyalthang Dzong Hotel
It is a comfortable 4 star hotel in Shangri-la.
Tibet Hotel is an enterprise under the administration of Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region, which is a luxurious three-star hotel with traditional Tibetan style. The hotel is constructed in granite in shape of the Potala Palace. The hotel is near to the Potala Palace and Norbulinka with comfortable environment and convenient transportation. After finish the Building for the Honored Guests of Tibet Hotel which is built with the standard of four-star hotel and invested 50 million Yuan, Tibet Hotel will welcome you with a new appearance. Tibet Hotel has 258 super-decorated guest rooms and suites including 2 luxurious presidential suites, 8 luxurious suites, 5 economic suites, 220 standard rooms, 20 single rooms, 8 triple rooms and 3 special rooms for the disabled. All these rooms are equipped with sanitary ware from U.S.A., coded safe, central heating system, in-room safe, hair dryer, private bathroom, weight, color TV, refrigerator, mini-bar and etc. Besides these, there are also living-room, office, chess-room and sona-bath. Detail
The Shigatse Hotel is a three-star tourist hotel founded in 1985. The structure was in typical Tibetan style with modern equipment in guest rooms. The 123 guestrooms at the hotel are medium size and are well decorated with latest amenities. The ballroom style restaurants at the hotel provide authentic local-style food. Detail
It is a very simple hotel in Tingri. The establishment there is not as convenient as in big cities because it is remote and at the high altitude place.
Meals
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Breakfast - Each breakfast will be served in your hotel. Breakfast selections include both Chinese and Western dishes to meet every diner's taste.
Lunch - Lunches are normally arranged at the Chinese restaurants near the scenic spots. Your tour guides will order food according to your appetite. Most are Chinese dishes, and some are modified to fit westerners' tastes. A complimentary glass of beer or soft drink is served with lunch.
Dinner - Same as lunch. If you prefer to not eat Chinese food, China Odyssey Tours suggests you have dinner on your own. Your local tour guide can recommend some good western restaurants in the area.
Transfer and Transport Service
China Odyssey Tours has received wide recognition for its transfer service. With our on-time service, you will never feel alone while traveling through China. We work hard to live up to the slogan's promise "You are not alone in China".
With our private small group tours, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will enjoy flexible tour arrangements and you will have your own tour guide, car and driver in each destination, exclusive to your own group of friends or family.
