4 departures :
12 October 2006 & 09 November 2006
01 April 2007 &
27 May 2007
15 days tours from $ 4499.00 (CAD) per person
Featuring the 5-Star Royal Orient Cruises East King and the mystical Buddhist kingdom of Tibet
Day 1 HOME CITY – SHANGHAI
The mysterious dragon beckons as you board your transpacific flight to Shanghai. Move your watch one day ahead as you cross the international dateline.
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Day 2 SHANGHAI
Welcome to Shanghai.
Day 3 SHANGHAI
A free day to explore and find your bargains. Both Nanking road and Huai Hai road are within a short distance from your hotel .
Overnight at 4 star Ocean hotel or similar (B)________________________________
Day 4 SHANGHAI – YICHANG – YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Transfer to the airport and take an afternoon flight to Yichang
After arrival , transfer to cruise ship terminal and pre-board 5-Star Yangtze River Cruiser East King . (B)
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Day 5 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Departing Yichang Pier in the morning, passing east part of Xiling Gorge. Arrive Yangjiawan Pier; enjoy a shore excursion to Three Gorges Project. Depart Yangjiawan Pier; pass the Ship Locks of the Three Gorges Dam . (B/L/D)
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Day 6 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
You will enjoy the spectacular sights while passing through the west part of Xiling Gorge and Wu Gorge. Shennong Stream Drifting shore excursion into the more scenic Small Three Gorges, which is a natural habitat of mandarin ducks and golden-hair monkeys. In the afternoon, admire breathtaking sights of the narrow cliff walls and dramatic vistas in the Qutang Gorge. (B/L/D)
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Day 7 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Shore excursions to the local bazaar in Wanzhou. Wanzhou district spreads out on both banks of the river and known as the Gateway to the Eastern Sichuan. The district is guarded by two nine-storied pagodas for good fortune. (B/L/D)
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Day 8 YANGTZE
RIVER CRUISE –
Cruise ship will arrive Chongqing at 0900. Transfer to the airport and leaving for Lhasa , capital of Tibet , on an altitude of 3,800 meters ( about 11,600 feet ) above sea level .
Upon arrival , you are transferred to the hotel. Be sure to slow down your pace and get a good rest. It takes some time for most people to adjust to the thin air on the high plateau . Overnight at 4-Star Lhasa Hotel or similar . (B/D)
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Day 9 LHASA
Visit the wonders of the eastern architecture and the landmark of Tibet, Potala Palace. Built in the 640’s during the reign of King Songtsan Gampo , this 13-storey palace has 1,000 rooms .
Afternoon visit Jokhang Monastery which was built around in 639-647 by the Princesses of Tang Dynasty – Wencheng and constructed this temple to house images of Buddha .
Later you may have leisure time for shopping inside circular Barkhor Street Bazaar where countless shops and roadside peddlers intermingle with religious devotees .
Overnight at 4-Star Lhasa hotel or similar . (B/L/D)
Day 10 LHASA
Drive along Qinghai Tibet Highway to northern region of Tibet. You will enjoy the beautiful natural view of the grand grassland and arrive Yangpachen ground heated area. Back to Lhasa in the late afternoon.
Overnight at 4 star Lhasa hotel or similar. (B/L/D)
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Day 11 LHASA – GYANTSE –SHIGATSE
After breakfast, drive to visit one of the three greatest holy lakes, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. Then continue to ancient town, Gyantse , altitude of over 4,000 metres.
Visit Palcho
Monastery and continue drive to the second largest city of Tibet, Shigatse.
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Day 12 SHIGATSE – LHASA
Shigatse, a city that is more than 5 centuries old. Formerly called Tsang , this remarkable city even rivaled the capital city Lhasa.
Visit the largest and principal monastery of Tsang Province, Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the most influential monasteries in Tibet, founded in 1477 by Gendun Drubpa, the first Dalai Lama who was a devoted disciple of Tsong Khapa.
Also visit the
Palace of the Panchen Lama.
Overnight at 4-Star Lhasa Hotel or similar . (B/L/D)
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Day 13 LHASA – BEIJING
Fly to Beijing , the capital of China .
Transfer to 4 star Beijing International hotel which is conveniently located in the heart of Beijing. Just 5 minutes driving to the Forbidden City and 10 minutes walk distance to the Wangfujing shopping area .
Overnight at 4 star Beijing International hotel or similar (B)
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Day 14 BEIJING
Today is the free day for you to explore and shop on your own .
Overnight at 4 star Beijing International hotel or similar (B)
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Day 15 BEIJING- HOME CITY
Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight .
Arrive in North America on the same day . (B)
Voyages Polar Bear Travels Inc.
Tel:
(514) 932-9990