Mystic Mountains
Shangri-La & Lofty Tibet
September 10 – 24, 2008

FEELING ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Even wondered what it would feel like to be on top of the world? The saying typically relates to a feeling of euphoria because everything is flowing smoothly in every area of life, but no matter what is going on with you personally, this tour is guaranteed to enable you to experience what it is like at the top!
     Tibet is known as “the roof of the world.” Located in Central Asia on the world’s highest and largest plateau, encompassing the majestic Himalaya Mountains, the average height here is a whopping 13,000 feet above sea level! We have to work our way up to the top gradually.
     We start at sea level in Shanghai, rest for a night, then fly to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Lijiang in the Yunnan province along China’s border with Tibet. The elevation here is almost 8,000 feet and will give us our first tast of what it feels like to be on top of the world.
     The Yunnan province is home to China’s most stunning scenery and picturesque ethnic peoples. Here we visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and important monasteries. The region is so beautiful and dramatic that many believe Yunnan served as the inspiration for author James Hilton’s creation of the mountainous paradise, Shangri-La, in the novel “Lost Horizon.”
     Next stop is Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province and gateway to Tibet. It is at the relatively low elevation of 1,700 feet, and will give us a chance to catch our breath. Chengdu is the home of China’s Giant Panda Breeding Center. We see these beautiful creatures and also a cultural show.
     Fly to Lhasa, Tibet to explore outstanding monasteries and the Tibetan Buddhist capital at the “top of the world” for one week. A vast, mysterious land of high plateaus surrounded by massive mountain ranges, Tibet has long intrigued the West. Once isolated, with little communication to the outside world, Tibet exists today as an autonomous region of China and modern influences are encroaching, especially since the launching of luxury rail service between Beijing and Lhasa. It is important to see it now, before this spiritual culture is forever changed.
      Travel in Tibet can be daunting. Although it is usually sunny and dry at this time of year, we must come prepared to experience all four seasons in one day! The dramatic mountain scenery, rich Buddhist culture, and fascinating history make a journey to this mountain kingdom an unforgettable experience—totally worth any discomforts from the high altitude.
     At the conclusion of our stay, we enjoy an overnight journey from Lhasa to Xining, China, on the newly-opened Qinghai-Tibet railway. An engineering feat that rises to 16,600 feet (oxygen included at no extra charge), the railroad traverses some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain on earth. From Xining we fly to Beijing for our final farewell to the Mystic Mountains.
     For 17 years, Toto Tours has been taking our “family” members to the most beautiful and exotic places in the remote corners of the globe. Join us as we now take you to the “Roof of the World” to see the Mystic Mountains in China’s Yunnan province and exotic Tibet.

ITINERARY

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Leave Home

Plan your international flight to depart the United States today, arriving in Shanghai (PVG is the airport code) as early as possible tomorrow. We have a lot of sightseeing planned for tomorrow afternoon, so you might consider arriving a day early to rest and get adjusted to the new time zone. We will be happy to arrange an additional night at our Shanghai hotel for you.

Thursday, September 11, 2008
Arrival in Shanghai

Your overnight flight will arrive in Shanghai at some point today. Because everyone arrives at different times and on different flights, it is impossible to schedule one group transfer from the airport to the hotel. We suggest you take a taxi for the best price, or if you prefer we can schedule a private transfer for you.
     Meet in the lobby of the hotel at 2:00pm to begin a city sightseeing tour, including the Bund, Nanjing Road and the old French Town. If you are unable to arrive in time for this city tour, meet in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm to join the group for our Welcome Dinner. We proceed to the fabulous Jade on 36 Restaurant, with some of the best views in Shanghai.     (Welcome Dinner included)

Friday, September 12, 2008
Fly to Lijiang

After an early breakfast, we tranfer to the Hongqiao Airport for our morning flight to the Yunnan province of western China. Upon landing in Lijiang, our guide greets us and takes us on a sightseeing tour of the city, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
     Lijiang is considered the best preserved old town in China. It is home to the ancient Naxi people, and one of the last places in China where a visitor can experience an historic and traditional urban Chinese culture. Our tour this afternoon includes the ancient city, Wangu Tower, the Dongba Cultural Museum, Black Dragon Pool Park, and Shuhe Naxi Village. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tiger Leaping Gorge

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day excursion to Tiger Leaping Gorge, said to be the deepest river gorge on the surface of the planet, to see the mighty Yangtze River as it roars 10,000 feet below. Drive through magnificent mountain scenery and through valleys of Naxi farmlands and villages, with a stop to visit the village of Stone Drum, or Shigu, at the First Great Bend in the Yangtze River. This evening, enjoy dinner and a performance of Naxi fire dance and ancient music.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, September 14, 2008
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain / Fly to Chengdu

After breakfast, we pack and check-out of our hotel before leaving on our day’s excursion. Leaving the city behind, we enjoy a day of adventures at the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Our first stop is at Ganhaizi, a pastoral grassland area with stunning views of the mountain, with an additional stop at the Baishuihe River.
     Our prime destination is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which at its highest point rises to 18,355 feet. Weather permitting, we take a chairlift/cable car up the mountain for fantastic views of the valleys below. Our cultural understanding is enhanced by a visit to a local herbalist, and shoppers will enjoy a visit to a jade shop. After a dinner break (on your own), we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Chengdu. Arriving at our hotel, the remainder of the evening is free.     (Breakfast)

Monday, September 15, 2008
Chengdu / Giant Panda Center

After breakfast, enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of the city’s main sites, followed by a stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, learning about and observing the extremely endangered and elusive animals in a semi-natural environment. There are more than a dozen pandas living here, and the facility has excellent exhibits and a museum.
     We return to our hotel in late afternoon, and we will have some time to freshen up before heading out for dinner. After dinner enjoy a performance of Sichuan opera at Shufeng Yayun Theatre. Known for its humor and dynamism, an integral part of every performance is bianlian or “changing faces.” The character is often a villain who changes his face to escape recognition. The reputed record is 14 changes in 24 seconds.     (All Meals)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Flight to Lhasa / Transfer to Tsetang

After an early breakfast, we transfer to the local airport for our morning flight to Tibet. Landing in Lhasa, we meet our local guide and take care of any immigration formalities. We collect our luggage and board a motorcoach for the roughly 3-hour drive to Tsetang, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by hotel check-in.
     An afternoon sightseeing tour includes Yumbu Lakang, the oldest-known palace in Tibet and home to the legendary Yarlong kings, forefathers of all Tibetan tribes. The Cultural Revolution reduced the citadel, already changed to a chapel in earlier times, to a ruin, but the structures were rebuilt in 1982. Returning to the hotel, enjoy free time until we gather again for dinner at a local restaurant.     (All Meals)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Samye Monastery / Transfer to Shigatse

This morning, we check out of our hotel and cross the Yarlung Zangbo River in a ferry to visit the Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist temple and monastery in Tibet. Built in the year 775, the monastery is surrounded by sandy dunes and rugged mountains often covered in snow. The construction of the monastery conforms to a cosmic view of the Tibetan religion. Returning to Tsetang for lunch, we continue on to Shigatse in the afternoon. Upon arrival at the hotel, enjoy free time to rest and explore before joining the group for dinner at a local restuarant.     (All Meals)

Thursday, September 18, 2008
Shigatse Sightseeing

After breakfast, we depart our hotel for a full day sightseeing excursion in Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city, to see the Tashilumpo Monastery, considered to be one of the largest and most important in Tibet. Constructed in the 15th Century, it is now home to approximately 800 monks and is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas (the second highest religious authority in Tibet). It is here that many of the oldest and most sacred religious traditions were saved from destruction and preserved for the future generations. Within its walls exists an entire world unto itself. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon to relax before dinner at a local restaurant.     (All Meals)

Friday, September 19, 2008
Return to Lhasa via Kampa La Pass

After breakfast this morning, we spend about five hours experiencing the breathtaking drive back to Lhasa. The route winds along the Yarlung Zangbo River and over the 15,748 foot pass of Kampa La. In late afternoon we arrive in Lhasa (11,800 feet), the majestic and holy capital of Tibet. Check in at our hotel and take some free time to enjoy its amenities before gathering to go out to dinner at a local restaurant.     (All Meals)

Saturday, September 20, 2008
Lhasa Sightseeing

Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Lhasa. Visit the Drepung Monastery, one of the three most important Monasteries in Tibet. Explore the Tibet Museum and Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. We continue on to the Jokhang Temple, the holiest Buddhist temple in all of Tibet, and visit the nearby Barkhor Market, a holy place of perambulation, around which pilgrims circle in a clockwise direction. It is also a focus for market stalls and a crush of hawkers and traders from other parts of Tibet. We visit a Tibetan family in their home before returning to our hotel. Dinner is included at a local restaurant.     (All Meals)

Sunday, September 21, 2008
Potala Palace

On our final day of sightseeing in Lhasa, we spend most of it exploring one of the world’s architectural wonders—the Potala Palace. It rises thirteen stories high over the city’s plain, with more than 1,000 rooms including the Dalai Lama’s residence, tombs, and numerous prayer halls.
     After a lunch stop, we travel to the Sera Monastery, considered one of 3 great monasteries near Lhasa that is home to the Yellow Hat sect of Buddhist monks. We’ll have a chance to observe Tibetan monks chanting prayers. This evening, enjoy a special Tibetan dinner with a dance performance.     (All Meals)

Monday, September 22, 2008
World’s Highest Train / Lhasa to Xining

We depart Lhasa early this morning on the new Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and see the most dramatic scenery during the first 12 hours of the ride. Hailed in China as one of the world’s great engineering marvels, it is the longest high-altitude railway in the world. The train is sealed like an airplane, and oxygen masks are given out at high altitude.
     We have a pajama party on the train tonight, sleeping in soft bed sleeper cars holding four persons in each compartment. The double-occupancy and single-occupancy tour prices apply to hotels only. For this one night we need to bunk with our traveling companions, so bring your iPods and / or earplugs!
     We have booked quite a few compartments, however, and it might be possible to upgrade to a compartment with fewer occupants. Each soft sleeper berth costs $150. Therefore, a couple who wishes to occupy a compartment privately would need to purchase two additional sleeper beds, for a total cost of $300. An individual who wishes to have a compartment all to himself would need to purchase three additional sleeper beds at a cost of $450. We will offer this upgrade closer to departure, once we know exactly how many people are on the tour and how many empty beds are available in our reserved compartments.     (Breakfast)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Xining / Beijing / Farewell Dinner

After a full 25-hours on board the train, we arrive in Xining, China in the morning. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Beijing, which arrives in late afternoon. Our whirlwind day continues as we check in to our hotel rooms, drop off luggage, shower and change, then depart for our evening repast. Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner at Le Lan, the fabulous new Philippe Starck-designed restaurant, to celebrate the end of our sky high adventures.     (Farewell Dinner)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Departure

BEIJING TOUR EXTENSION