Escorted Tours 2022-23 Brochure - Mercury Holidays

East Asia Departures & from prices 14 Apr 22 £2,049 1 Jun 23 £1,979 15 Sep 22 £2,349 14 Sep 23 £2,369 13 Apr 23 £2,069 5 Oct 23 £2,269 27 Apr 23 £1,849 • Upgrade to a Private Tour from £749 Potala Palace, Lhasa P R I V A T E T O U R U P G R A D E S F R O M £749 Day 1: UK to Chengdu Depart the UK on your overnight flight, via Shanghai. Day 2: Chengdu On arrival in Chengdu, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Day 3: Chengdu to Lhasa B/L/D Today, you will fly to Lhasa in Tibet. On arrival into Lhasa, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure in order to acclimatise to the altitude. Day 4: Lhasa B/L/D After breakfast, visit the Norbulingka, which translates as ‘Treasure Garden’ and is also known as the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace is where the Dalai Lama would have lived and spent most of his time until he reached the age of eighteen and was ready to take on greater responsibilities. After lunch, a short ride will take you to the 600-year-old Sera Monastery. Day 5: Lhasa B/L/D After breakfast, you will visit the spectacular Potala Palace, the spiritual and symbolic heart of the Tibetan nation. After lunch, visit the Jokhang temple, Lhasa’s other main attraction. Day 6: Lhasa to Shigatse B/L/D Today, you will be leaving Lhasa and travelling by train to Tibet’s second city, Shigatse, passing by rural villages, mountain peaks and rivers. After lunch on arrival, you will have a chance to explore the Tashilhunpo monastery. Now home to Tibet’s largest number of monks, this vast complex of buildings, temples and prayer halls is essentially a walled town in its own right. The temple of Jampa — the future Buddha — housing the world’s largest gilded statue and the Monastery’s assembly hall. Day 7: Shigatse to Gyantse B/L/D This morning you will be travelling to Gyantse with an opportunity to visit a traditional Tibetan family’s house on the way, providing great insight into Tibetan culture and the central role religion plays in their lives. After lunch, visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum, a chorten 35 metres high, filled with thousands of exquisite, original paintings. The monastery, founded in 1418, is surrounded by ancient red-bricked battlements and still receives a steady influx of wondering pilgrims. Day 8: Gyantse to Lhasa B/L/D Today, leave Gyantse to embark on a journey that will take you through some of the most stunning scenery in the world, Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier. Make sure you bring your camera to capture some truly mesmerising photo opportunities. Day 9: Lhasa to Chengdu B/L/D After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. On arrival, take a tour of the city, including the People’s Park and the Wide and Narrow alleys. Day 10: Chengdu B/L/D Today takes you to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, home to one of China’s largest habitat of pandas. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Sichuan hot pot meal. Day 11: Chengdu to the UK B After breakfast, transfer for your return flight, via Shanghai, or continue on to your chosen extension. Treasures of Tibet Tour highlights ✔ Marvel at the Summer Palace, built by the Dalai Lama ✔ Explore the spectacular Potala Palace and Tashilhunpo Monastery ✔ Tour People’s Park and the Wide and Narrow Alleys ✔ Visit the residents of Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre Tour includes • All meal daily • 4 H accommodation: Chengdu-Chengdu Express Hotel, Lhasa- Fourpoints by Sheraton Hotel, Shigatse- Tashi Choeta Boutique Hotel, Gyangtse-Yeti Garden Hotel, Chengdu-Tibet Hotel • Flights from London Heathrow with China Eastern (via Shanghai) Tour pace: Intermediate This once-in-a-lifetime journey takes you into Tibet, a mystical land which boasts stunning Himalayan alpine scenery, sacred Buddhist monasteries, and one of the most unique, spiritual and traditional cultures in the world. < Chengdu Lhasa Shigatse Gyantse < Tibet China      Coach Air Rail Extend your tour Hong Kong city stay, 3 nights, 4 H B&B from £469 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £379 Gyantse Monastery 80 Visit our website or call 0800 954 9329 for further details