China and Tibet: The Roof of the World

br />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: Arrive Beijing, China - Tour Begins
Embark on your journey through China and Tibet – beginning in China’s vibrant capital city – Beijing.

Day 3: Relive Ancient history
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 • Enjoy free time this afternoon • This evening, savor a Peking duck dinner!

Day 4: All aboard
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: See China's beauty by water
Cruise the mighty Yangtze River today en route to the city of Fengdu.

Day 6: One day, three historic gorges
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: A relaxing, wonderful day
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: Discover the site of warriors
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: Tibet-bound
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: Discover Tibet's spiritual history
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: The world of the Dalai Lama
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: Meet the locals
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 • Next, spend time with a local Tibetan family, gaining insight into their lifestyle.

Day 14: Stroll the markets
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: At home with the Pandas
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 later this afternoon to Beijing.

Day 16: Walk through History
Interact with history when you walk along a portion of the Great Wall of China – a 3,700-mile marvel – at its Juyongguan section • Enjoy a walking tour inside the Olympic Green for insight into these impressive structures built for the 2008 summer Olympics • Learn about the importance of tea to the local people during a traditional ceremony • Next, browse a local market to learn about traditional ingredients • Then roll up your sleeves for an interactive cooking lesson.

Day 17: The world by rickshaw
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 tour, 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 • Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner.

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

Don't miss our current specials: FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/14/2010 - 10/1/2010	$3,499
10/12/2010 - 10/29/2010	$3,499
3/15/2011 - 4/1/2011	$3,399
3/29/2011 - 4/15/2011	$3,499
5/10/2011 - 5/27/2011	$3,599
6/7/2011 - 6/24/2011	$3,599
7/5/2011 - 7/22/2011	$3,599
8/16/2011 - 9/2/2011	$3,599
8/30/2011 - 9/16/2011	$3,599
9/13/2011 - 9/30/2011	$3,699
10/11/2011 - 10/28/2011	$3,699
10/25/2011 - 11/11/2011	$3,499
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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