In just 18 days you can explore and compare these three incredible cultures which have played such important roles in the history of Asia. From the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Terra Cotta Soldiers of China to the Potala Palace and Serra Monastery of Tibet to the ErDenn Zuu Monastery the 80 foot tall Buddha statue (made of copper, silver, gold and precious stones) and the Khan portable gers of Mongolia, your tour will be filled with amazing sites. There is also an abundance of the beauty of nature from the high mountains of Tibet to the countryside in China and the Steppe in Mongolia.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Beijing. Leave USA for Beijing. The adventure begins!
Day 2: Arrive in Beijing in the evening. Your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Day 3: Beijing
Today we will walk on the incredible Great Wall and visit the Ming Tombs. The Great Wall is one of the 7 Wonders of the World! As you walk on a portion of this amazing structure, which is over 3,900 miles long and with some of the wall being built 300 B.C., you will remember this day for the rest of your life! Includes: (B), (L).
Day 4: Beijing
Today we will take you on a tour of a Hutong. This is the traditional Chinese residence in old Beijing. The Hutongs are disappearing in modern China. We will take you on a bicycle-driven rickshaw into the neighborhood and then into one of the residences. After lunch you will be taken to the Second Hand Street Market. After lunch we will take you to TianAnmen Square and the Forbidden City (including the Emperor's Clock Collection, the Jewelry and Relic collection which are not included on most tours). Evening option: The Beijing Opera.
Day 5: Today you will take the Trans-Mongolian railway to UlaanBaatar. This 30-hour train ride passes the Great Wall in three places, some interesting ruins in Inner Mongolia and through the scrub brush part of the Gobi desert in Mongolia.
Day 6: Ulaanbaatar
You will arrive in UlaanBaatar mid-afternoon where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. On the way you will be given a brief tour of the city, including SukhBaatar Square and the surrounding buildings. Evening option: Tumen Ekh National Performers (concert which includes the Tsam dance, traditional Mongolian singers, dancers, Tuvan throat singing and contortionists). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 7: Ulaanbaatar. You will visit the Gandan Monastery and the Choijin Lama Monastery. After lunch, we will take you to the National History Museum which has many wonderful exhibits, including the Mongol tribal costumes, jewelry, etc... Includes: (B), (L).
Day 8: Karakhorum
You leave in the morning to go on a jeep trek to Karakhorum, the ancient capital of Chinggis Khan. Driving through the beautiful Mongolian Steppe (and the Shoestring Gobi patch), we will stop and visit Nomads along the way and enjoy Nomad hospitality. You will arrive at the ger camp late in the day. You will stay in a quality ger camp where you can have dinner and enjoy the area. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Hustai
You will be taken to the 9th Century stone tortoises. Then you will visit the active Buddhist Erdene Zuu Monastery. There are several interesting buildings, Buddhist artwork to view and possibly an opportunity of viewing a Buddhist service. Then we drive back east and visit the Dutch Horse Ranch, the Hustai Natural Reserve. We will spend the night there at their ger camp. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Hustai
After breakfast you will get another chance to see the horses (around sunrise). After lunch you will return to UB. Along the way we will stop at the Chingiis Khan campground. This interesting ger hotel has replicas of the old platform gers, heroes totems, ancient weapons and costumes. We will check you back into the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 11: Ulaanbaatar. We will take you to the Natural History Museum. Then we will take you to the Zanabazar Art Museum. After lunch, we will take you to the wonderful, Bogd Khan Summer and Winter Palace. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 12: Ulaanbaatar. Fly back from UlaanBaatar to Beijing. That evening you will continue for your flight to Lhasa, Tibet where your guide will meet you and transferred to your hotel. Due to most people's need to adjust to the high altitude, you will have a free evening. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 13: Lhasa. Today we will take you to the Jokhang Temple, Bharkhuo Street and the Tibetan Quarter of the town. Dinner at the Crazy Yak Restaurant. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 14: Lhasa
We will visit the incredible Potala Palace in the morning. It was the government headquarters, the center of the religion and the residence of the Dali Lamas all in one. This is one of the most impressive structures ever built. It is literally a "city set on a hill". After lunch we will take you to the Sera Monastery and if we are fortunate, we can see the Monks "debate". Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 15: Lhasa. Today you will fly to Xi'an. When you arrive your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Once you are settled, you will be given a tour of the city, including the City Wall, the Bell and Drum tower. Then you will be taken to incredible Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 16: Xi'an. Today you will go to the Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum. This amazing archaeological discovery has been called the 8th Wonder of the World! After lunch you will be taken to the Hua Qing Hot Springs. Then you will return to the hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 17: Xi'an. The day begins with a visit to the Wild Goose Pagoda. After lunch you will visit the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque. The Great Mosque is one of the few mosques which has both Chinese and Arabic architecture. Then we will fly you back to Beijing. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 18: Beijing. Today your guide will take you to the airport for your return flight with incredible memories. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Domestic Chinese flights
- omestic Mongolian flights
- Buses, jeeps, private transportation, transfers
- All tours
- Guides, drivers
- 4-star hotels (double occupancy) in China
- Hotels in Mongolia
- Meals as listed.
Price Excludes:
- International air flight round trip USA-China
- Items listed as "optional"
- Airport tax *(Chinese visa, next-day air, service and handling)
- Dinners in UlaanBaatar (this is to allow those who want to rest in UB to go back to the hotel and rest)
- Tips.
Note: We do provide visa service for China. We can provide international flights at excellent rates.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Mongolia
Tibet
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
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