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

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Shanghai:  JC Mandarin Hotel  (1 night)

Lijiang:  Hotel Treasure Harbour International  (2 nights)

Chengdu:  Hotel Sofitel Wanda  (2 nights)

Tsetang:  Hotel Tsetang  (1 night)

Shigatse:  Hotel Shigatse  (2 nights)

Lhasa:  Hotel Tibet  (3 nights)

Lhasa to Xining:  Qinghai-Tibet Railway  (1 night in soft bed sleeper compartments, four sleepers per compartment)

Beijing:  Capital Hotel  (1 night, with options to extend)

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—For citizens of the United States, both a passport (valid for 6 months past tour dates) and a China Visa are required. Visas may be obtained through a Chinese consulate here in the U.S. prior to departure. Consulates are located in New York, NY; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and Houston, TX. The China Embassy is located in Washington, DC. If you live in any of these cities it will be relatively easy for you to obtain your visa. Please follow the instructions at the China Embassy Website. If you do not live in any of these cities, you will need to use a visa processing service. Here is a link to one in Washington, DC, that specializes in obtaining visas for entry to China: http://china.visahq.com/   Many previous tour participants have used this service and were very satisfied. The process can take some time, so please don’t wait until the last minute to get started. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not mention that you are going into Tibet when applying for your China visa. This could add complications. We will send participants detailed instructions about how to fill out the visa application when it is time to apply.
     It is also necessary for us to obtain a Tibetan Tourism Bureau (TTB) permit to enter Tibet. This process will be handled by our suppliers in China. You will need to send us a copy of your passport detail page and your China Visa to facilitate obtaining this permit. We will provide more details about this procedure prior to departure.

Immunizations—No immunizations are required, but it is wise to have your inoculations up to date. Please check with a travel clinic or your own personal physician, and follow recommended protections. Is your tetanus booster current? You must have your own health insurance and not have any physical problems or conditions that would be adversely affected by being at a high altitude in Lijiang (7,800 feet) and Tibet (12,000 feet in Lhasa). You must be in very good physical condition to participate in this trip.

Exit Requirements—As of this writing, no taxes or fees are being collected at the domestic or international airports. These regulations are subject to change, however, so it is good to always have some ready cash available during airport check-in.

SUGGESTED VIEWING

• Kundun (1997). Martin Scorsese’s bio-pic about the Dalai Lama.
• Seven Years in Tibet (1997). Scenes filmed in Lhasa
• Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (2002). Documentary about Tibet.

WHAT TO BRING

During this extensive two-week tour we will be traveling to many far-flung destinations. In order to avoid having to lug around several huge pieces of heavy luggage, try to pack clothing which can be worn repeatedly or put together in mix-’n’-match fashion. Laundry service is available at all our hotels.
     Gay culture is still mostly underground in China’s largest cities and non-existent in Tibet. Please be conservative in your choice of attire. Shanghai temperatures will be between 69 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As we climb in altitude, the weather will be cooler. In Lijiang, temperatures will range from 55 – 68 degrees. Once in Tibet, we can expect a range from 30 to 60 degrees, but be prepared for colder. Our final stop, Beijing, will see temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Extreme variations are always a possibility, so please pack accordingly!

Suggested Packing List:

____ Proof of citizenship. Passport and Visa required.

____ Comfy walking shoes for day tours and walks in urban environments and good weather.

____ Waterproof hiking boots that are well broken in to use in inclement weather.

____ Polo shirts / T-shirts / Undershirts (8 - 10).

____ Shorts (1 or 2 pairs).

____ Long pants (3 - 4 pairs) plus belt.

____ Sleepwear (for the train).

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses / sun hat.

____ Sweaters / polar fleece with good insulating capacity. Think layers!

____ Windbreaker or water proof jacket.

____ Down coat / gloves / scarf / winter hat.

____ Long underwear, top and bottom, in case of frigid temperatures.

____ Personal toiletries (Bring an anti-diarrheal remedy just in case!)

____ Swimsuit.

____ Camera & plenty of film or digital memory plus extra batteries.

____ Ziploc Bags (sandwich size for documents, gallon size for wet items or toiletries).

____ A good book for the long flights.

MONEY MATTERS

The currency unit in both China and Tibet is the Yuan (CNY). All notes and coins have Western numerals, so they are easy to identify. The largest note is 100 Yuan; other notes are Y50, Y20, Y10, Y5, Y2, Y1, Y.50, Y.20, and Y.10. Coins are called fen and there are 5f, 2f and 1f dominations. Major credit cards are accepted throughout China and may be used at most hotels, restaurants and major shops, but you will need cash at local markets. Your passport is always required for currency exchanges at banks. ATM's that accept foreign cards are available in Beijing and Shanghai, but might be hard to locate in other destinations during this tour. Do not rely on ATMs as your only way to obtain cash in China. American dollars are accepted in Lhasa, but as you venture into other Tibetan towns, they will prefer the Yuan. Travelers checks and credit cards are rarely accepted in Tibet. As of October 21, 2007, the interbank exchange rate was 7.5183 CNY to the U.S. $1.00.

Tipping—We need to do a lot of group tipping to drivers and guides in each city along the way. To make this easier for the group we will collect a suggested tip amount during the Welcome Dinner, which will be disbursed throughout the tour by the tour leader and an “auditor” selected from the group. Suggested tipping guidelines will be provided prior to departure so you can come prepared to participate.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by June 21, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or credit card authorization.
     Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES & DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in China! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants.
     Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

• fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
• good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
• undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
• willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
• eager to try new things & test limits;
• punctual;
• not whiners!

Join us for this exciting adventure at the “Top of the World” in the Yunnan Province of China and in the Mystic Mountains of Tibet. If you have any questions, please call us toll-free at:  800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Price:  $4,995 double occupancy (hotels only, quad-occupancy on train)

Private Room:  $1,000 extra (hotels only, quad-occupancy on train). We have booked only twin and double rooms for this tour, so paying single supplement will guaranteed you a Twin Room for Sole Use (TSU).
(Paying the single supplement is not required of men traveling on their own. Toto Tours will make every effort to match you with a roommate if you prefer to share a room.)

Deposit:  $500  (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance:  $4,495 double / $5,495 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)

Remaining Balance Due:  June 21, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included:  All meals as indicated in the tour itinerary; twelve nights accommodations in specified hotels (or comparable properties); one night accommodation in a soft sleeper train compartment (quad-occupancy) from Lhasa to Xining; four flights within China (Shanghai-Lijiang, Lijiang-Chengdu, Chengdu-Lhasa, Xining-Beijing); all guided excursions described in the itinerary (except those listed as “optional”); touring in a private vehicle; one group transfer to the Beijing airport at the conclusion of the tour. This is a fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included:  Round-trip air transportation to Shanghai and returning from Beijing; China tourist visa and TTB permit; airport taxes and fees; arrival transfer from PVG airport to hotel in Shanghai; items not specifically covered in the itinerary; insurance; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides are not included.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.