14D Losar Tibetan New Year 2009; Dates To Be Advised,
Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet
Beijing, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Trans Tibetan Rail, Lhasa, Potala Palace, Gyantse, Shigatse
USD $**** per person; local payment of USD $*** per person
Tour prices DO NOT include International airfare & airport taxes
In Tibet, there are many festivals throughout the year that attract the faithful as well as curious onlookers. Most important are Losar - Tibetan New Year and Monlam Prayer Festivals which are colourful, traditional and exotic for everyone - whether you’ve been to Tibet before or are visiting for the first time.
Highlights
- Lhasa & environs: Tibetan New Year - Losar, 2009 Dates To Be Advised
- Beijing: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall of China
Day 01 / Arrive Beijing
Arrive in Beijing at any time.
Days 02-03 / Beijing
The vast expanses of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall of China beckon. Beijing is a city of incredible sights, shopping, food and entertainment - as an introduction to China it cannot be surpassed.
Days 04-05 / Trans Tibetan Rail Journey
Traverse the Tibetan Plateau on the famous high-altitude Beijing-Qinghai-Tibet railway and enjoy the amazing scenery.
Days 06-10 / Losar and Monlam Prayer Festival
Although Losar is the celebration of the Buddhist New Year, there is plenty of drinking and eating at this three day party. After morning symbolic rituals performed by the yellow-hatted Tibetan lamas, the festivities kick off with massive parades and fireworks meant to chase off last year’s devils. The Great Prayer Festival of Lhasa is the grandest religious festival in Tibet. Thousands of monks from far and near will gather for prayers, theological debates and examination for Geshe, a doctoral degree in Buddhist theology, at the temple. Pilgrims will come from everywhere to listen to sermons.
Day 11 / Gyantse
Follow the pilgrim circuit up the 15th century stupa of Kumbum. Wind your way up increasingly narrow passages stepping into endless series of tiny chapels full of techni-coloured Buddhist images.
Day 12 / Shigatse
Shigatse is Tibet’s second most important city with one of the country’s most richly spectacular and extensive monastic complexes. Visit Tashilumpo, one of the six great Gelugpa or Yellow Hat monasteries. First built in 1447, Tashilumpo is the home of the Panchen Lama, the spiritual tutor to the Dalai Lama.
Day 13 / Beijing
Return to Beijing for last minute shopping and sightseeing.
Day 14 / Depart Beijing
2009 Dates
- To Be Advised (TBA)
Group Size
- Minimum 04, Maximum 14
Group Leader
- Tour Leader, local guides
Accommodation
- Hotels (13 nights), overnight train (2 nights)
Transport
- Train, local bus, cycle-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, taxis
Meals Included
- No meals are included
Meal Budget
- Allow USD $*** for meals not included
