China and Tibet: The Roof of the World

br />Save $500 per couple on 10/7/11-4/30/13 departures. Offer valid on new bookings only made by 2/28/12.

Restrictions apply, based on availability.
Ask your agent for details today! Click here for terms and conditions.Set off on your tour by exploring Beijing. Discover Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Cruise the Yangtze River downstream for three nights on this 18 day small group tour of China and Tibet. Travel aboard the “Sky Train” as it ascends through spectacular scenery to Lhasa, Tibet, the rooftop of the world. Visit the iconic Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the Giant Panda Breeding Sanctuary. Enjoy a rickshaw tour of the capital and have lunch with a farming family at their home in a rural village, outside Xian.

Day 1: Overnight Flight


Day 2: Beijing, China - Tour Begins
Embark on your journey through China and Tibet – beginning in China’s vibrant capital city – Beijing.

Day 3: Beijing
Learn some key words and phrases in Chinese to better communicate with locals • Set off to tour Beijing • Visit historic Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world • Continue to the Forbidden City, a vast network of 17 palaces and the Chinese Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties • Browse a local market to learn about traditional ingredients • Afterwards, roll up your sleeves for an interactive cooking lesson • Learn about jade carving and help design your very own custom-made jade name seal stamp • This evening, savor a Peking duck dinner!

Day 4: Beijing - Chongqing - Board Ship
Fly to Chongqing, your gateway to the Yangtze River • Visit the General Stillwell Museum, his headquarters during World War II and home of the Flying Tigers • Continue to Eling Park and take in grand views of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers • Board your ship for a three night downstream cruise along the Yangtze.

Day 5: Cruising - Chongqing - Fengdu
Cruise the mighty Yangtze River today en route to the city of Fengdu.

Day 6: Cruising - Three Gorges - Shennong Stream
Sail today, entering the first of the Three Gorges – one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures • Pass through Qutang and Wu Gorge, taking an excursion through the Shennong Stream • Finally, cruise through the third gorge, Xiling Gorge • This evening, pass through the dam ship locks.

Day 7: Cruising - Three Gorges Dam Project - Disembark Ship - Xian
Enjoy a memorable visit to the twenty-five billion dollar Three Gorges Dam; when completed, it will be the world’s largest hydroelectric dam • Disembark in Yichang • Head to Wuhan for your flight to Xian.

Day 8: Xian
Visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the world’s most famous Buddhist temples • Step into the courtyards of Xian’s Islamic Mosque • Enjoy an imperial lunch with twenty courses of dumplings • Explore the excavation site of more than 8,000 terracotta warriors and horses guarding the tomb of China's first emperor • Then, view the panoramic movie on the discovery of the site.

Day 9: Xian - Xining - Overnight Train
Fly to the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau when you go to Xining • Visit the Ta'er Monastery, one of the famous monasteries of the Gelugpa Sect (Yellow Hat Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism • After dinner, it’s all aboard your overnight train en route to Lhasa • Experience a "local" train adventure on the highest train in the world, interacting with friendly Chinese and Tibetan people.

Day 10: On Board Train - Lhasa, Tibet
Experience the "Sky Train" today – an engineering marvel • Journey past yaks grazing in emerald fields against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains and azure skies • Three locomotives pull the train over the 16,600 foot Tangula Pass en route to Lhasa • The train’s cabins feature two oxygen sources to help acclimate you to the altitude • Arrive in Tibet – the “roof of the world” – at approximately 10:30 this evening and head to your hotel.

Day 11: Lhasa
Enjoy your free morning • Set off for a tour of the Jokhang Temple – built in 647 A. D. – Tibet’s spiritual center and holiest shrine for Tibetan pilgrims.

Day 12: Lhasa
Visit the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered the greatest monumental structure in Tibet; it was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India • Enjoy a leisurely tour of the Tibetan Museum • This afternoon, visit the Jatson Chumig School, founded to provide a positive environment for orphans and underprivileged children • Meet the local children as you learn about the organization and Collette Foundation's active involvement.

Day 13: Lhasa
Tour the Norbilinka Palace – the Dalai Lama’s “summer palace” • It was from here that the present Dalai Lama (XIV) escaped from Chinese troops to India in 1959 • Spend time with a local Tibetan family, gaining insight into their lifestyle.

Day 14: Lhasa - Chengdu
This morning, fly to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan Province • After lunch, stroll through a local market • Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 15: Chengdu - Beijing
Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Sanctuary to learn how China’s national treasure is being protected from extinction • Your guided tour of the sanctuary – a simulated habitat – allows you the rare opportunity to see the Giant Panda in its natural environment • Return to Beijing.

Day 16: Beijing
Interact with history when you walk along a portion of the Great Wall of China – a 3,700-mile marvel – at its Juyongguan section • Travel through the valley of the Ming Tombs, burial sites of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors • Your route takes you for a scenic walk along an avenue called the Sacred Way • Feel the excitement of the 2008 Summer Olympics when you view the Olympic Green where you have the opportunity to take photos of two famous structures - the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube!

Day 17: Beijing
Explore the world-famous Temple of Heaven • See locals enjoying morning exercises • Try your skill at Tai Chi ball if you’d like • Tour old Beijing by rickshaw, exploring its narrow streets • Stop to have lunch with a local family and learn the art of dumpling making • Afterwards, a kite master teaches you about the art of this ancient Chinese pastime • Learn about the importance of tea to the local people during a traditional ceremony • Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner.

Day 18: Beijing - Tour Ends
Your tour ends in Beijing.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/15/2012 - 6/1/2012	$3,849
6/19/2012 - 7/6/2012	$3,849
7/10/2012 - 7/27/2012	$3,849
8/14/2012 - 8/31/2012	$3,849
9/11/2012 - 9/28/2012	$3,999
10/16/2012 - 11/2/2012	$3,999
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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