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Orient Odyssey – Journeys beyond the ordinary™

14 Day

Ultimate Tibet and Panda Reserve With train ride from Lhasa to Beijing on worlds’ highest track

From the surprisingly verdant forests of the southeast, to the vast, high-altitude desert and remote slopes

We explore the birthplace of the Tibetan nation and the tombs of the early Religious Kings

Marvel at sacred grounds, spiritual ceremonies, turquoise lakes and sparkling Himalayan giants

Visit the fresco and sculpture filled monasteries few westerners ever set foot in

The icing on the cake is the UN sponsored Giant Panda Preservation & Breeding Center in Chengdu

And a magnificent train ride between Lhasa and Beijing

Chengdu – Giant Panda Reserve and Breeding Center, the only place where one can observe Panda cubs

Tsetang – Home of the mystic Trandruk Monastery, and the formidable Yumbulakhang, Tibet’s first temple

Yarlong Valley – The birth place and cradle of the Tibetan culture and civilization

Shigatze – The seat of Panchan Lama, the second most important Living Buddha, the Tashilumpo Monastery

Gyangtze – The Pelkor Chode (Baiju Monastery), the Kum Bum Stupa and the lavish sculptures and murals

Yamdrok Lake, Karo La Pass, Kampa La Pass – Magnificently serene and breathtakingly beautiful

Lhasa – Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace, Tibet’s holiest grounds - Jokhang, Sera, Drepung and Norbulinka…

Train Lhasa - Beijing – World’s highest train track crossing amazing sceneries, a once a life time experience!

Special Highlights- We cut no corners!

Visits to multi UNESCO World Heritage and Culture Sites

In-depth exploration on one of the most comprehensive, and extensive itineraries of Tibet

Unique “People to People Contacts©” features throughout the journey

Local interaction opportunities to obtain true insight of local life, talking to peasants, students and monks

Enjoy our signature True All Inclusive© value

There are no last minute surprises, and hidden costs….. This tour is all inclusive - all listed sightseeing, shows, and daily meals are included

Tour Cost Includes: 1. Guided comprehensive sightseeing, admission and culture shows as per specified

2. Foreigner Entering Tibet Permit

3. Luxury accommodations - luxurious 5 star, and local best 4 star hotel room and surcharges

4. Carefully selected experienced, professional government certified English speaking guide in each city

5. Daily meals, special local flavor dishes, and banquets as per specified

6. China domestic transportation via air, bus, train and cruise as per specified

7. Round trip transfers and luggage handling

Tour Cost Does Not Include: 1. International airfare between USA and China

2. Tipping, Travel Insurance, China single entry visa fee and handling

3. Any misc. charge with personal natures that are not mentioned in the itinerary

Call ORIENT ODYSSEY 1-800-637-5778 1385 Gulf Road, Suite 203, Point Roberts, WA 98281, E-mail: info@orientodyssey.com Web: www.orientodyssey.com

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Orient Odyssey – Journeys beyond the ordinary™

Tour Name: Ultimate Tibet and Panda Reserve

Tour Code: UTP – 2015

Unsurpassed Flexibility…… Join the following suggested departures or choose your own date – prices are the same!

Personalize Your Journey…… Add another town, cut the tour short, book a special excursion, or delete meals so you can dine on own

pace and budget……we work with our guests to customize each and every departures!

Premium Quality and Optimum Personal Attentions…… All Orient Odyssey journeys feature optimum personal attentions with an English guide, a driver and a

vehicle serving you (yes, you only!) exclusively throughout the trip. No more waiting around for others!

Travel with Friends and Family Together and Save BIG…… Additional generous discounts are available for as little as 3 passengers traveling together…….

Tour Code Arrival Date Day 2 - Arrive Shanghai

Exit Date Day 14 - Exit Beijing

Land Cost (not include int’l air)

Day 2-14 Shanghai-Beijing

Single Supplement

0316UTP Mar 17, 2015 Mar 29, 2015 $3990 $822

0413UTP Apr 14, 2015 Apr 26, 2015 $3990 $822

0518UTP May 19, 2015 May 31, 2015 $3990 $822

0629UTP Jun 30, 2015 Jul 12, 2015 $3990 $822

0727UTP Jul 28, 2015 Aug 9, 2015 $3990 $822

0831UTP Sep 1, 2015 Sep 13, 2015 $3990 $822

0914UTP Sep 15, 2015 Sep 27, 2015 $3990 $822

1012UTP Oct 13, 2015 Oct 25, 2015 $3990 $822

1019UTP Oct 20, 2015 Nov 1, 2015 $3990 $822

1102UTP Nov 3, 2015 Nov 15, 2015 $3990 $822 Important Remarks:

1. China domestic air ticket tax and fees of $88 per person is extra.

2. Sample special low season fares for your round trip international flight USA – Shanghai, open jaw, Beijing – USA are as

follows:

From Los Angeles: $359 + tax / fuel surcharge / fees $435.20 = total about $794.20 per person

From San Francisco: $410 + tax / fuel surcharge / fees $435.20 = total about $845.20 per person From New York: $494 + tax / fuel surcharge / fees $443.10 = total about $937.10 per person

Fares are subject to availability and seasonality. Prices may change without notice. Lower rates might be available due to

local sales.

3. Prices quoted are in US currency, based on per person double occupancy. Payment can be made by check, money order,

or credit cards – we accept Visa, Master, and Discover card.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Orient Odyssey 1385 Gulf Road, Suite 203 Point Roberts, WA 98281 Phone: 1.800.637.5778

E-mail address: info@orientodyssey.com Web: www.orientodyssey.com

Suggested Guaranteed Departures

Or choose your own departure date – “Foreigner Entering Tibet Permit” is already included in price!

Save up to

$660 per person

When traveling with friends and families together!

Save up to $460 per person

If you have 6 – 9 travelers

Save up to $660 per person

If you have 10 travelers or more

Save up to $730 per person

If you have 6 – 9 travelers

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Orient Odyssey – Journeys beyond the ordinary™

14 Day

Ultimate Tibet and Panda Reserve With train ride from Lhasa to Beijing on worlds’ highest track

Tour Code: UTP - 2015

Operated by Orient Odyssey

B-Breakfast, L–Lunch, D–Dinner, F–In flight snacks & meals,

SL / SD-Special local flavor meal or banquet

Day 01 USA – Shanghai

Depart from Los Angeles, New York, or any

other major US gateways. Enjoy in-flight meals

and services. Move your watch one day ahead as

you fly cross the international dateline. F

Day 02 Arrive in Shanghai

Your flight will land in Shanghai Pudong

International Airport. After immigration and

customs, VIP private transfer service will greet

and take you to the 5 star, luxurious, newly

renovated, Ocean Hotel Shanghai. F

Day 03 Shanghai – Chengdu

This morning we depart via China Eastern

Airlines’ flight MU5401 at 8:55 a.m., reaching

Chengdu at 12:30 p.m.. The guide will greet and

accompany us to the 4 star, deluxe, Yinhe

Dynasty Hotel Chengdu with a central location.

Despite the recent booming economy and the fast

urban development, the 2,000-years-old city still

retains some unusual relaxing and serene

atmosphere. We start our sightseeing at the

United Nation sponsored Giant Panda Research

and Breeding Center for an interesting insightful

look at China’s nation-wide conservation effort

to save the world’s most famous endangered

species – the Giant Panda. Eighty percent of the

1,000 remaining giant pandas reside in this

province. We first attend a movie presentation

on the evolution, habits, habitats and

conservation of Pandas. Then we will observe in

close range about dozens of pandas wandering

through a semi-natural domain of bamboo groves

and forest. If the timing is right, we might also

be able to observe

baby Pandas and

cubs up close - it is

the only place in the

world where one

can view the

activities of young

Pandas. Next, through Orient Odyssey’s unique

“People to People Contact© ”, we will visit one of

many traditional teahouses scattered across the

city, sample Chinese green tea while mingling

with local residents, observing their daily life.

Many seniors spend the

afternoon here playing

cards, reading

newspapers, practicing

Sichuan Opera, playing

Chinese chess and

Mahjong. We will

complete today’s tour at Wangjianglou – the

Park of Riverview Pavilion. Also called

“Chongli Pavilion”, it features striking

ornaments, green glazed tiles and red lacquered

columns, surrounded by more than a hundred

varieties of bamboo. A leisurely walk in the

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serene bamboo forest is certainly an experience

not to be missed! B/F/D

Day 04 Chengdu – Tsetang / Yarlong Valley

After an early breakfast the guide will

accompany us to the airport and assist our check-

in for Sichuan Airlines’ flight 3U8697, leaving

at 8:10 a.m., reaching Lhasa, the spiritual

heartland of Tibet at 10:35 a.m.. The flying

journey itself is an unforgettable experience with

breathtaking scenes of snowcapped mountains

over the Tibetan Plateau, the earth’s highest

ecosystem, and the source of many of Asia’s

greatest rivers. During the incredible flying

journeys, one can have a peek of the formidable

Mt. Gongga at 24,783 feet, over the deep valleys

of Hengduan Range. Shortly the easternmost

rampart of Himalaya appears before us. Photo

journalist Galen Rowell wrote in his 1983 book

of Mountains of the Middle Kingdom:

Exploring the high peaks of China and Tibet,

describing his first journey flying into Tibet

“……hundreds of snow peaks in all directions, a

vision off the scale of my experience…… I saw

distant peaks that looked Everest-sized. They

rose on the horizon behind an ocean of lesser

whitecaps…… more

miles of more jagged

peaks, with a greater

feeling of height, than

anything I knew

existed on the planet”.

Our air craft will land

at Gongkar

International Airport at

a lofty 12,129 feet. To

ensure the success of

our journey to Tibet, Orient Odyssey had exert

special effort to secure the best, knowledgeable,

ethnic Tibetan guide, who will accompany us in

the next few days to roam from sacred temples to

magnificent palaces to grand monasteries. The

Tibetan

guide will

greet and

accompany

us on a

scenic drive

along the

mighty

Lhasa river to Tsetang. Upon arrival, we check-

in at the local best, superior 3.5 star, Tsetang

Hotel. We will rest for couple of hours - it is

important not overexert ourselves on the first day

in Tibet and a good rest is necessary to acclimate

to the high altitude (11,811 feet). Should the

need arise, oxygen and Chinese herbal medicines

are available at the hotel, which can help easing

symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

Yarlong Valley is the birth place of the Tibetan

culture and civilization, and Tsetang served as

the first capital of the powerful King Songsten

Gampo after he united the Tibet, until later he

moved to Lhasa in 7th

century. The mighty

Yarlong Tsangpo River flows through the city.

After the rest, we set out to explore the Trandruk

or “Changzhu” Monastery. Established in 7th

century, in Tibetan mythology it was one of the

twelve temples built at twelve strategic locations

(some in now-a-day

Bhutan, India and

Sikkim) to subdue

demons against the

spread of Buddhism,

thus was considered

a sacred Tibetan

pilgrimage site. Another highlight of today will

be a visit to the magnificent Yumbulakang

Dzong. We hike on a trail, passing numerous

prayer flags on the adjacent mountain side to this

striking, fortress like complex sits precariously

on the tip of the ridge. It is Tibet’s first palace

and the first monastic complex, also built by

King Songsten Gampo. Let us take in the

magnificent birds’ eye views of the vast Yarlong

Valley below. On a clear day, one can see the

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verdant slope of Mount Gonpori and the dense

forest at its foot, where local believe is the

mythical birthplace of the Tibetan people.

Legend has it that Avalokiteshvara, or Pha

Trelgen Changchup Sempa in Tibetan

language, descended from heaven in the form of

an old monkey, and meditated in a cave on a

slope of Mt. Gonpori. Pha means “father”,

Trelgen “old monkey”, Changchub “compassion”,

Sempa “heart”, thus the name Avalokiteshvara

means “Bodhisattva of Compassion”. A female

demon, the rock ogress Ma Drag Sinmo came to

seduce him. Their union in the forest at foot of

the Gonpori mountain produced six children,

which became the beginning of the Tibetan race.

The female demon later became Bodhisattva

Tara, or “Jetsun Dolma” in Tibetan language, a

symbol of the energy of the compassion, and the

protector of the merchants and travelers. B/L/D

Day 05 Tsetang

After breakfast, we head out to the Yarlong

Tsangpo River, embark on a wooden ferry boat

to the North shore (in dry season we will take a

de-tour via driving). Our destination is the

sacred Samye Compa, Tibet’s first monastery.

Samye was built around 779 A.D. by

Padmasambhava, who is also called Guru

Rinpoche, or Padum in Tibetan, meaning

“Precious Teacher”. He was invited to come to

Tibet from North India by the 38th

king of the

Yarlung Dynasty – Trigsong Detsen, to practice

tantric powers to subdue evil deities. The

building of Samye marked the foundation of the

original Nyingma

School of the

Varjayana (Tibetan)

Buddhism, whose

believer also

reverently refer to

Padum as

Buddha Amitabha or the Second Buddha. At

its hey days, Samye was a colossal complex of

more than 100 temples. It was built on a

mandala foundation, reflecting the cosmic view

of the Tibetan Buddhism. The main temple

stands in the centre, symbolizes Mount Meru -

the mythical Buddhist peak. Four smaller

chapels are located on the four cardinal points of

the compass, said to have the power to prevent

demonic forces from entering the sacred grounds.

The most

precious artifacts

here are the lotus

footprints of

Lord Buddha

himself and the

earliest Buddhist

scripture, many

written in gold

powders, brought to Tibet 1,300 years ago.

Today it still is one of the most sacred grounds in

Tibet. Important annual religious ceremonies

with mask dances and elaborate rituals are still

performed here. B/L/D

Day 06 Tsetang – Yamdrok Lake – Shigatze

Leaving Tsetang in the morning, we set out for a

spectacular drive through the Yarlong Valley,

alongside the Yarlong Tsangpo River. Shortly

we begin a sharp ascent to the Kampa La Pass

(La means pass), which is at 15,700 ft, followed

by a quick one thousand foot descent. The blue

green color of the famous, tranquil Yamdrok

Yumtso (tso means lake) suddenly appears

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before us. Yamdrok, literarily means “The Lake

of the Swans”, apparently named after the lake’s

shape. Tibetan people believe lakes are the

dwelling places of protective deities, thus have

special spiritual powers. Yamdrok Yumtso is

one of the four most scared lakes that believed to

be divinatory. Every one – from Dalai Lama to

local villagers – makes the pilgrimage here. It is

revered as a talisman, and is said to be part of the

life-spirit of the Tibetan nation. Today we will

drive along the lake shore and stop for a

waterfront picnic.

Savor the beauty of

Tibet in solitude,

and marvel at the

spectacular

sceneries of clear

sky, majestic blue

water and snow

capped mountains. Enjoy Orient Odyssey’s

exclusive “People to People Contact© ” we will

stop at a nearby village to visit a family, chat

with the household members, observe the true,

authentic, local life. Then we continue our

journey with so call the “southern route” (based

on logistics and local road conditions – there are

numerous highway projects underway which can

significantly

reduce the

traveling time

once complete).

After crossing

the spectacular

Karo La Pass at

16,432 ft, we

can see Ningdzingzonka, a lovely snow capped

peak of 23,000-foot. Our driving journey is a

breathtaking experience as we pass small

villages, fertile valleys, cattle herds and yaks

towards the west, through grand treeless

landscapes, reaching in Shigatze in the late

afternoon. We check-in at the local best,

superior 3.5 star, just renovated Shigatze Hotel.

B/L/D

Day 07 Shigatze

After breakfast, we head to the immense

Tashilunpo Monastery on the slope of the Neseri

Mountains. The name Tashilunpo means “all

fortune and happiness gathered here”, or “heap

of glory”. Built in 1447, it is the seat of the

successive Panchen Lama, one of Tibet’s

highest incarnation. While the Dalai Lama is

the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the

Panchen Lama is worshipped as the incarnation

of the Buddha Amithaba, and thus considered

to be higher up in the heavenly hierarchy.

Traditionally, the Panchen Lama bears the key

responsibility and acts as the regent for finding

the incarnation of Dalai Lama. Vice versa,

Dalai Lama also involves in the final selection

process to locate the incarnation of Panchen

Lama. In Tashilunpo’s hey days, 5,000 monks

lived in this walled monastery complex. Today

we will check-out chapels after shrines after halls

after dark and evocative chambers, linked by

side altars, mysterious alleyways and steep

staircases. Just off the Chuajing Duogang, “The

Great Courtyard” with walls covered by over

1,000 Sakyamuni, is the main hall that contains

the Throne of the Panchan Lama. We might be

in time to observe the monk chanting, just as the

famous Swedish explorer Sven Hedin did during

his stay in Shigatze in 1907. He wrote in Trans-

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Himalayas: Discoveries and Adventures in

Tibet, “the monks……intone a chant……

enthralling, mystical, full of yearning……

soothing as a cradle, intoxicating as wine, and

sedative as morphia”. We then turn to the Jamba

Chyenmu, the

tallest building

in the

monastery,

housing a

gigantic yet

lyrical 86-ft

tall statue of

Maitreya, “the

Future Buddha”. The statue, (a single finger is

almost 4 feet in length) sitting on a splendid

lotus throne, is enshrined with 9,824 ounces of

gold and 330,000 lb of copper and brass, and is

considered the largest copper statue in the world.

Gudong, the living quarter of the Panchan

Lama is no

longer open to

the public.

But a narrow

courtyard

gives us the

access to the

memorial of

the 4th Panchen Lama. Erected in 1662, it is

lavishly decorated with 3,000 ounces of gold,

30,000 lbs of silver and innumerable precious

stones. Take our time to marvel at the splendors

of the craftsmanship, and the impressive views

of the gilded roofs towering over the entire

compound, where on festival days, magnificent

Thangkas are revealed. B/L/D

Day 08 Shigatze – Gyantze – Lhasa

In the morning we enjoy a scenic drive along the

Nyang Chu, “chu” means river, to Gyantze,

once the third largest town in Tibet.

Strategically located on the ancient trading route

from the Chumbi Valley (in Yatung, Tibet) to

India, Sikkim and

Bhutan, it was

one of the most

important and

busiest trading

centers. In 1910,

an English

diplomat even

compared the market here with Oxford Street in

London, as he can find almost everything here

from Scotch whisky to Swiss watches. The

Formidable Gyantze Dzong, perched on a hilltop

can be seen from the street of the quiet Tibetan

quarters of the city. Today we will whirl through

the Pelkor Chode, or “Baiju Monastery”, home

of the magnificent, tiered Kum Bum Stupa. The

layout of the Kum Bum, literarily means

“100,000 images”, is in the shape of a three

dimensional mandala, with the central structure

at the tip as a chapel for the Buddha. The stupa

was initially commissioned by a Gyantze Prince

in 1427 and took over 10 years to complete.

Amazingly it survived centuries of historical and

political turbulence since. It contains 77 chapels

in its six floors, and is illustrated with tens of

thousands of strikingly beautiful murals and

scriptures, many with unique artistic features

combining the traditional art style of Tibet, India

and Nepal. Explorer, writer and photographer

Fosco Maraini wrote about Kum Bum in his

1952’s Secret Tibet, “a sanctuary not only for

the faithful, but for the whole of humanity, for

the men of all times and all countries who

believe in beauty and bow before the mystery of

inspiration”. He said the Kum Bum “is striking,

even from a distance. The whole of the upper

part is gilded, and glitters in the sun, and the rest

of the building is white or painted in vivid colors.

When you go closer, you see that two big,

enigmatic eyes are painted on the dome; these

give it personality and presence. The Kum Bum

is essentially a chorten, a pagoda. As a piece of

architecture it certainly lacks the slender, lyrical

quality of Japanese pagodas, which are delicate

timber traceries, rhythmical poems of roofs and

spirals. The Kum Bum is Tibetan; that is to say,

it is static and massive, like a mountain or the

pyramids. It could be Egyptian or Aztec; solid

rock, carved and painted by the hand of man.

Like the Potala, it marvelously expresses the

final, immutable, hierarchical feeling of Tibetan

civilization”. Shortly after our lunch, we begin

to venture on the “northern route” or the “middle

route” to return to Lhasa. (Again the exact route

we take will depend on the road condition, and

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the ongoing

highway

projects. We

shall take the

shortest and

the most

comfortable

way possible!)

This is an even more breathtaking experience as

we drive through vast, breathtaking Tibetan

landscape rarely seen by foreigners. One can see

groups of nomads crossing virgin pastures, and

glacier covered summits under the clear blue sky

at the highest mountain pass of 17,388 ft. where

the glacier covered summit is visible under clear

sky. We will marvel at Tibet, a destination

hidden from the rest of the world and was once

regarded as unreachable dream for explorers. As

we approach

closer to the

capital of Tibet,

the scenic road

now winds along

the banks of the

mighty Yarlong

Tsangpo River,

to Kyichu, also called the “Lhasa River”. We

will arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon and check-in

at the deluxe, 5 star, Jardin Secret Hotel Lhasa,

one of the newest luxury properties in the region.

Lhasa rose to prominence in the 7th century AD

when Songtsen Gampo, the first Tibetan king

who united Tibet, decided to establish his capital

here and began to construct the spectacular

Potala Palace. His Chinese and Nepali wives

brought many precious Buddhist relics, carvings

and paintings to

Tibet as dowries.

The name Lhasa,

literarily means

“country of the

gods”. It is the

home for the

Dalai Lama, the

re-incarnation of

Avalokiteshvara, the essence of compassion for

all sentient beings. In the evening, we head out

for a leisurely stroll on the bustling street of

Lhasa to our restaurant for dinner. B/L/D

Day 09 Lhasa and Surrounding Area

The unforgettable day begins with a visit of the

majestic Potala Palace, the most imposing

structure in the city. The 13-story building was

Tibet’s spiritual and governmental heartland.

Built in the 7th century, the Potala Palace

contains over 1,000 rooms. Its ceilings are

supported by more than 15,000 columns. It has

numerous ceremonial halls, small chapels and

meditation halls; each contains priceless

centuries-old wall paintings, striking statues, and

ancient Buddhist scriptures written in 24 karat

gold. We will be awed by eight vaults of

deceased Dalai Lamas, all were lavishly

decorated with gold, diamonds, turquoise, corals,

and pearls. French missionary traveler Abbé

Huc, wrote in Travels in Tartary, Tibet, and

China 1844-46,

“The palace of the

Tale (Dalai) Lama

merits, in every

respect, the

celebrity which it

enjoys through the world”. Dr. Robert

Alexander Thurman, professor of the Columbia

University, also wrote about the Potala Palace,

“……the Potala

expresses to the

beholder that it

is the residence

of the

bodhisattva of

compassion: It

is powerful yet inviting, secure and stabile, yet

fantastic and delightful”. At the rooftop of the

Palace, we visit the 14th

Dalai Lama’s apartment.

Exiting the palace, we head to Jokhang, Tibet’s

holiest temple. Built by King Songsten Gampo

in 647 A.D., it is

home to the most

precious statues and

carvings. The most

holy piece is a 7th

century statue of

Jobo Buddha,

which is said to be

one of the only three

in the world blessed

by Lord Buddha

himself. It is said

that during the brutal

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Communist Culture Revolution, one of the

monks risked his life and hid the statue in a

secret cave. Now every day from dawn to dust,

Tibetan pilgrims come in the number of

thousands, many have walked days, weeks or

even months, just to pay homage to this sacred

statue. Circling Jokhang is the famous Barkhor

Street where we will be strolling. It is a sacred

ritual path where pilgrims and traders gather. To

gain merit, the pilgrims prostrate themselves in

the dust and circle around the Jokhang while

others turn their prayer wheels. The air of a

medieval bazaar filled the sky, and the street is

full of actions from dawn to dusk. One can

observe Tibetans in colorful traditional robes

chanting with their prayer wheel in hand;

vendors selling their wares from religious crafts

to daily needs; monks meditating at the side of

the road; housewives and store keepers doing the

cleaning; kids on their way to school….. It is

also a good place to bargain for almost anything

from Thangkas, Tibetan hats and boots to

turquoise jewelry…… We will take our time to

browse this area to experience the heartbeat of

Tibet! B/L/D

Day 10 Lhasa and Surrounding Area

After breakfast, it is time for our excursion to

two of the most sacred grounds of central Tibet;

Drepung Temple and Sera Monastery. Both of

them were once home to over ten thousand

Lamas, and were served as the primary religious

educational centers and pillars of the theocratic

state. If we are

lucky, we might

arrive during their

prayer session

during when

hundreds of monks

chanting the sutras

in a booming lilting

sound. We will even go behind the scenes to the

temple kitchen to learn how 5,000 dishes were

prepared at every meal. Enjoy the magnificent

collection of priceless murals, carvings, and

crafts inside the

hall. Feel free to

chat with monks,

who are always

friendly to answer

our questions.

Orient Odyssey

had carefully

planned the logistics so our travelers on each trip

can reach the site on the right time to observe the

rarely seen theatrical monk debate. In the back

yard of the monastery, we observe hundreds of

monks engage in their debate about Buddhist

philosophy, using interesting ritualistic body and

arm movements to present their points. In the

afternoon we head to the Norbulinka, meaning

“Precious Stone Garden”, the Dalai Lama’s

exquisite, beloved summer palace. It is from

here his

holiness went

into exile in

1959 and was

never able to

return. We will

explore his

living quarter,

where we take

in the magnificent wall paintings in the audience

hall, describing in great detail the stories of the

10 | P a g e

14th

Dalai Lama, along with legends from the

lives of the Buddha and the holy Tsongkhapa.

We visit his holiness’ meditation room, the

bedroom, and the reception hall with the striking

God King’s throne. The furniture has been

untouched from the moment his holiness left the

building in 1959. The clock on the wall was

stopped and pointed at the very minute of his

departure. The big radio in the living room was

set on the station his holiness listened to at the

very night before he left his homeland…….

Tonight, through special arrangement of Orient

Odyssey’s unique “People to People Contact© ”,

we will have our dinner at a Tibetan home. Sip

the yak butter tea, chat with the family members

– feel free to ask any questions, and explore the

authentic local life. B/L/SD

Day 11 Lhasa – Beijing via Train

After breakfast, we still have some time to do

some last minute exploration or pack at our own

pace. The guide will accompany us to the train

station, and we will board our special express

train T28, leaving at 1:20 p.m.. The highest

available class – deluxe soft sleeper class – are

secured. The unique train journey brings us the

unspoiled, breathtakingly beautiful scenery of a

vast area hardly touched by man while traveling

along the world’s highest tracks. The

spectacular trip of 4,064 kilometers (2,524 miles)

takes 43 hours and is like no other train rides in

the world. At the formidable Tanggula Pass

(16,640 ft above sea level), we will ride on the

world’s highest rail track. Next we pass the

4,390 ft long Fenghuoshan Tunnel at an altitude

of 16,093 ft, the highest rail tunnel in the world.

80 kilometers northwest of Lhasa, at 13,990 ft

above sea level, our train enters the seemingly

endless Yangbajing Tunnel - with a length of

3,345 meter (10,975 ft)! This railway was

inaugurated on

July 1, 2006.

Within the Tibet

Autonomous

Region, 80% of

the track is at an

altitude of 13,124

ft of higher.

There are 675

bridges. 550 km

(342 miles) of the

tracks are laid on

permafrost – soil at or below freezing point of

water permanently. Engineers encountered

numerous technical difficulties for operating

such a railway on permafrost soil. In the

summer the uppermost layer thaws, and the

ground becomes muddy. Chinese engineers

dealt with this problem by building elevated

tracks with foundation sunk deep into the ground,

putting hollow concrete pipes beneath the track

to keep the rail bed frozen and using metal sun

shades. Similar to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline

System, portions of the track are also passively

cooled with ammonia based heat exchangers.

The carriages for this railway are specially

designed and built

by Bombardier, a

Montreal based

aerospace company.

The carriages are

pressurized, with

individual oxygen

supply for each

passenger onboard. Meals are not included in

your train tickets. While onboard, passengers

can order Chinese culinary delights in the

comfort of the dining car, attended by several

master chefs who will cook on order at meal time.

B

We will be traveling in the comfort of Deluxe Soft Sleeper Class, the highest class available. Each air conditioned compartment has four beds (two upper, two lower) with a large picture window. Outside the compartment there is a lounge, also with picture windows, where passengers can stroll, sit and mingle with fellow travelers.

Day 12 Onboard the train Tibet / Beijing

We continue this scenic train odyssey,

considered one of the most spectacular in the

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world, passing majestic landscapes from snow

capped highlands to Gorbi deserts…… The air

in Tibet is much thinner, having 35% to 40% less

oxygen than at sea level. Not only the train

carriages have to be specially designed, several

oxygen factories were also built along the

railway. At this altitude in this latitude, water in

toilets must be heated to prevent freezing. The

environmental impact of the new railway

remains to be an ongoing concern as the increase

in passenger traffic will sure result in greater

tourism and economic activity on the Tibetan

Plateau. On your train, garbage and junks are

collected into two sealed containers in every car

and not chucked on the tracks. They are taken

out after arriving at the terminus. The effects of

this railway on wild animals such as Tibetan

antelope and plants are put into serious

consideration during every stages of the project.

Thirty three overpasses were constructed

specifically to

allow continued

animal migration.

Our train journey

stops in Golmud,

Xining, Lanzhou,

and Xian. Sit

back and relax,

enjoy views of mountains, grasslands, villages,

farms, small towns, markets, and majestic,

unspoiled and breathtaking sceneries.

While onboard the train, meals are not included. Clients can dine in the dining car or purchase box meals at own cost.

Tickets for the deluxe soft sleeper class with four beds per compartment are secured. This is the highest available class for this route. There is an possibility for party of two to purchase two extra tickets so they can enjoy a private cabin – please inquire at time of booking! Please understand this option is not always available as it is largely depend on the passenger loading factor and the discretion of the Chinese rail authority.

Day 13 Arriving in Beijing

Our train reaches Beijing West Railway Station

at 8:19 a.m.. The

guide will greet us on

the platform and

accompany us to

check-in at the 5 star,

luxurious, Beijing

International Hotel,

primly located on the same street of the Tian An

Men Square and Forbidden City. Within a short

walking distance one can reach the subway

system, or the famous Silk Market. Remaining

of the day is free to rest, or explore at own pace.

Day 14 Beijing – USA

After breakfast, there is still some free time to

explore, pack or savor the memory of the

thrilling ultimate Tibet odyssey. Enjoy VIP

private transfer service to the airport and check-

in for the homebound transpacific flight. We

will arrive back to USA on the same day

depends on the international flight schedule. B/F

Kindly refer to General Terms & Conditions

Featured deluxe hotels:

1. Ocean Hotel Shanghai *****

2. Yinhe Dynasty Hotel Chengdu ****

3. Tsetang Hotel ***+local best

4. Shigatze Hotel ***+local best

5. Jardin Secret Hotel Lhasa *****

6. Beijing International Hotel *****

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Sample int’l flight schedule from Los Angeles:

AC1897 Los Angeles – Vancouver 0745 / 1042 AC25 Vancouver – Shanghai 1310 / 1620 + 1 AC30 Beijing – Vancouver 1800 / 1150 AC1882 Vancouver – Los Angeles 1340 / 1633 Sample int’l flight schedule from San Francisco:

AC1843 San Francisco – Vancouver 0725 / 0945 AC25 Vancouver – Shanghai 1310 / 1620 + 1 AC30 Beijing – Vancouver 1800 / 1150 AC1844 Vancouver – San Francisco 1410 / 1632 Sample int’l flight itinerary from New York LGA:

AC707 New York LaGuardia – Toronto 1030 / 1214 AC87 Toronto – Shanghai 1330 / 1600 + 1 AC32 Beijing – Toronto 1805 / 1850 AC726 Toronto – New York LaGuardia 2020 / 2153

Special contract fares from other major US cities are available upon request.

International and domestic flight schedules are subject to change without notice.

Important Notice Itinerary is subject to change due to local condition

and weather. Kindly refer to attached General Terms and Conditions. Living conditions and culture in China and Tibet are different from those in North America and passengers should be aware and prepared.

Never pack your passport, international air tickets, insurance documents, and medication into the check-in luggage. Please always keep those important documents with you.

Domestic flight schedule might involve minor changes. Guides in each city will advise the most updated schedule and assist the group to check-in for each segment.

Any questions for logistics and sightseeing details, please feel free to call Orient Odyssey at

1-800-637-5778

The program is operated by

Orient Odyssey 1385 Gulf Road, Suite 203 Point Roberts, WA 98281

Tel: 1-800-637-5778, Fax: 1-800-564-8893 E-mail: info@orientodyssey.com

www.orientodyssey.com

Orient Odyssey

Journeys beyond the ordinary™