Escorted Tours 2022-23 Brochure - Mercury Holidays

East Asia Departures & from prices 5 May 22 £2,499 4 May 23 £2,499 9 Jun 22 £2,369 8 Jun 23 £2,379 15 Sep 22 £2,599 14 Sep 23 £2,629 13 Oct 22 £2,729 12 Oct 23 £2,739 3 Nov 22 £2,289 2 Nov 23 £2,299 Jokhang Temple, Lhasa Day 1: UK to Beijing Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Beijing. Day 2: Beijing D On arrival in Beijing, meet your local guide before transferring to tonight’s hotel. Day 3: Beijing B/L/D Today, travel to the Great Wall of China, built over 2,000 years ago as a final defence against marauding Mongol invaders. Return to Beijing and explore the traditional gardens and exquisite architecture of the Summer Palace. Day 4: Beijing B/L/D Visit expansive Tiananmen Square, before passing through the Gate of Supreme Harmony into the Forbidden City. In the afternoon explore the 15th century Temple of Heaven before a delicious Peking duck dinner this evening. Later tonight, board your overnight train to Xi’an. Day 5: Beijing to Xi’an B/L/D Starting point of the Silk Route and birthplace of ancient China, contemporary Xi’an is a fascinating city to explore. Wander along the walls before visiting the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Day 6: Xi’an B/L/D Begin by witnessing Xi’an’s 8,000 strong Terracotta Warriors. Continue onwards to Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter and enjoy an evening of traditional music and dance at a dynamic Tang Dynasty show. Day 7: Xi’an to Lhasa B/Lunchbox/D Transfer to Xi’an’s railway station for an early train to Xining. Visit the Thangka Museum and in the evening board the overnight train. Day 8: Lhasa On the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, cross the highest point at Tangula Pass early in the morning. On arrival into Lhasa, transfer to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Day 9: Lhasa B/L/D After breakfast, visit Norbulingka, regal summer residence of the Dalai Lama. Stroll around the luscious gardens before seeing the Sera Monastery. Day 10: Lhasa B/L/D After breakfast, marvel at the Potala Palace. After a short walk, gaze in awe at the Jokhang Temple. Snake the pathways of Borkhar Bazarre, a buzzing market square. Day 11: Lhasa to Shigatse B/L/D This morning, take the train to Shigatse. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of Tashilhunpo monastery. Continue to Gang Gyen carpet workshop. Day 12: Shigatse to Gyantse B/L/D Experience an authentic taste of Tibetan life with a visit to an orthodox family home. This afternoon, discover the charm of Pelkor Chode Monastery. Day 13: Gyantse to Lhasa B/L/D Surrounded by mountaintops, pause at the peaceful lake of Yamdrok. Next, see the imposing Karola Glacier, before returning to Lhasa this evening. Day 14: Lhasa to Chengdu B/L/D Following your morning flight to diverse Chengdu, incorporate a visit to People’s Park, then a pleasant meander leads to the quaint streets of Wide and Narrow Alleys. Day 15: Chengdu B/L/D Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, home to one of China’s largest panda habitats. Look out for pandas peeping out of treetop enclosures built to imitate their natural habitat. Conclude your adventure tonight with a succulent Sichuan meal. Day 16: Chengdu to the UK B After breakfast, transfer for your return flight to the UK via Beijing. China and Tibet Rail Adventure Tour highlights ✔ Visit the famed Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace ✔ Marvel at the Terracotta Army and Giant Pandas of Chengdu ✔ Visit the Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace and Tashilhunpo monastery in Shigatse ✔ Explore Lake of Yamdrok and the towering Karola Glacier Tour includes • 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 13 dinners • 4 H accommodation: Beijing-Landmark Hotel, Xi’an-Titan Times Hotel, Xi’an to Lhasa-Overnight train, Lhasa-Four Points by Sheraton, Shigatse- Shigatse Hotel, Gyantse-Yeti Garden Hotel, Chengdu-Tibet Hotel • Flights from London Heathrow with Air China Tour pace: Challenging Embark on an epic train journey across the Roof of the World from the heart of China to the Himalayan Kingdom of Tibet. Stroll along the Great Wall of China, discover the Terracotta Warriors and meet the Giant Pandas of Chengdu. No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £549 Rail Tour Upgrade to a private cabin on overnight train from £99 < • Beijing Chengdu Xi’an Xining Lhasa Shigatse Gyantse <  Tibet       Coach Air Rail China Giant Panda, Chengdu 79 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk