Day 1London
You fly overnight to Beijing, arriving the same day.
You will be met at Beijing Airport and be driven to your centrally located hotel, close to Beijing's major attractions. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and recover from your flight.
This morning you visit Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City with your guide. This afternoon you drive out to the ancient Summer Palace, on the outskirts of the city, the retreat of emperors in Imperial China.
Today you will visit the Great Wall at Jinshanling, with its spectacular views and mountain scenery. This is one of the quietest and most attractive parts of the wall and should prove to be one of the highlights of your trip.
This morning you'll visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven and perhaps see some locals performing T'ai-chi. Afterwards you'll see the Hutongs of Beijing and the traditional way of life that remains within this network of lanes before driving to the station this evening where you board the Lhasa Express.
Today is spent onboard the train as it travels westwards.
You awake high up on the Tibetan plateau this morning as the train continues on through breathtaking scenery, arriving in Lhasa this evening.
This morning your guide will take you to visit the stunning Potala Palace. Afterwards you'll see the debating monks at Sera Monastery.
This morning you'll visit the sacred Jokhang Temple before continuing on the the monasteries of Drepung and Nechung.
You drive to Gyantse today along the scenic Northern Friendship Highway. On arrival you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Today you visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum with your guide. Later you can make your way up to the fort that overlooks the town.
You take the Southern Friendship Highway to Tsetang today. You'll reach a 5000m pass which affords stunning views of the surrounding lakes.
Your guide will accompany you to Samye Monastery, Tibet's oldest, today before a visit to remote Yambulagang Palace.
You drive to Gongkar Airport today for your flight back to Beijing. On arrival you'll be met by your guide and taken to your hotel for an overnight stay.
This morning you return to the airport for your flight back to London, arriving home the same day.