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ACROSS THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

Day 1 London to Doha
Fly with Qatar Airways via Doha to Beijing.

Day 2 Doha to Beijing
Arrive Beijing in the afternoon and stay three nights at the Xingqiao Novotel Hotel.

Day 3 Beijing
Travel through the countryside to Mutianyu from where you can take a cable car up to the Great Wall. As you stand on the Wall and look at it snaking its way across the top of the mountains, it is easy to imagine ancient armies locked in battle on the misty slopes. Continue across the mountains, after lunch to visit the fascinating tombs of the Ming Emperors before returning to Beijing later in the afternoon. (B/L)

Day 4 Beijing
This morning visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven before continuing onto Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Walk through the square to enter the Forbidden City, the seat of supreme power for the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, where you can spend the remainder of the day exploring the courtyards and buildings of this extensive complex. (B)

Day 5 Beijing to Lhasa – by air
Fly to Lhasa and on arrival you will be met and transferred to the House of Shambhala for four nights.

Capital of Tibet, sacred city and spiritual centre of the Tibetan world, Lhasa is believed to have been founded over 14th Centuries ago when Buddhism was introduced to the region during the reign of King Sontsen Gampo.

Day 6 Lhasa
Today visit the Potala Palace. Built on an escarpment of Red Hill, Potala is an architectural wonder visible for miles around and standing 13 storeys high with over 1,000 rooms. Later leave the palace and drive west out of Lhasa to the Drepung Monastery. Founded in 1416 AD, Drepung was once home to over 7,000 monks making it one of the largest monasteries of its kind in the world. Later visit the Barkhor to see the Jokhang Temple and to explore the many shops and stalls that characterise this focal point of the old city.

Day 7 Lhasa
This morning start your day at Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama. First built in 1755 AD by the seventh Dalai Lama, each successive ruler added his own buildings to create a complex of palaces, pavilions, chapels and gardens.

Day 8 Lhasa
This morning drive north out of the city to the Sera Monastery, situated as the base of Mt Purbuchok and founded in 1419 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa, considered one of Lhasa’s two great Gelugpa Monasteries.

Afternoon at leisure.

Day 9 Lhasa to Shigatse – 267 kms
Today leave Lhasa and drive west to Shigatse via the Yamdrok Lake. Shigatse was once a stronghold and important monastery city. This is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama based at Tashilumpo Monastery. Stay one night at the Shigatse Hotel.

Day 10 Shigatse to Shegar – 244kms
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar (Tingri). Stay at the basic Zhufeng Hotel for two nights.

Day 11 Shegar
Away from Shegar, drive to the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. You eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m, then view the spectacular sight of Mount Everest. Return to Shegar in the afternoon.

Day 12 Shegar to Zhangmu – 136 kms
In the morning continue by car to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border, where you will stay for one night at the Caiyuan Hotel.

Day 13 Zhangmu to Kathmandu – 116 kms
In the morning cross the border and meet your Nepalese driver and continue by car to Kathmandu. Stay four nights at the Summit Hotel (Himalayan View Room).

This evening take a walking tour of the old city of Kathmandu following local paths and back streets of the hidden parts of the city. See the temples, shrines and palaces of Durbar Square including the famous temple of the Kumari, or Living Goddess. Your walk will end in the district of Thamel where there are plenty of restaurants and nightlife. (N)

Day 14 Kathmandu
This morning perhaps take the option of an Everest Mountain flight, a once in a lifetime experience. This 50 minute flight offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.

Visit the 2500 year old Swayambhunath Stupa where the all-seeing eyes of Buddha stare down on the valley.

Day 15 Kathmandu
This morning visit Bhaktapur capital of the Kathmandu Valley between the 14th and 16th Centuries. Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square features an array of shrines, courtyards, and memorial pillars with copper-gilt statues of kings and the famous Golden Gate made of pure gold. However, it is the delicate woodcarvings that adorn virtually all the buildings for which this city is noted and the sculptures guarding the Nayatpola Temple, the tallest shrine in the Kathmandu Valley, are impressive. In the afternoon visit the ancient city of Patan, capital of the Malla Kings. Durbar Square contains a striking array of temples fountains, and royal palaces covered with exquisite carvings and adorned with beautiful bronzes. (B)

Day 16 Kathmandu to Doha
Doha to London
This morning transfer back to Kathmandu Airport for the Qatar Airways flight to Doha. On arrival connect onto the Qatar Airways flight to London Heathrow.

STAYING ON

Wildlife and the world famous Chitwan National Park are a direct flight from Kathmandu. A beautiful reserve, Chitwan is rich in wildlife with one-horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, deer and Royal Bengal Tiger all found in the park. Viewing is by jeep, on foot or by elephant back and we recommend staying at the famous Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge.

Mountains and Pokhara will forever be linked and few places in the world can claim such a perfect setting overlooking the awesome Annapurna massif. A short flight from Kathmandu the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is an excellent base in which to relax and for scenic walks.

Trekking is synonymous with Nepal and we are pleased to offer a choice of short treks from Pokhara using Ker & Downey trekking lodges. Based in the picturesque villages of Birethanti, Ghandruk and Dhampus, these small and intimate lodges are managed by former Gurkha servicemen, cater for around sixteen guests and offer a wonderful insight into this beautiful country.

Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.

A Guide to Price – ACROSS THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is from £3,300. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.

Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner

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