Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: tibet, the roof of the world tour at Shanghai

Tibet has long tantalized the imaginations of travelers with visions of its majestic scenery, colorful and distinctive culture, glittering religious monuments, and the true devotion of its people to their own brand of Buddhism. Despite the control asserted by Beijing and a spreading veneer of Chinese culture, a visit to the "Roof of the World" is still an inspiration. In fact the Dalai Lama encourages travelers to visit and learn as much as they can about the country and its people.

04MIDSHA-T: Tibet, the Roof of the World

Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights

Departs from: Shanghai, April 9th 2024, EARLY DEPARTURE at 4.45am  

Re-join ship: Tianjin, April 13th, 2024, return at 5.00pm

Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT VISA INFORMATION: Guests must obtain their own visa for China prior to joining the cruise.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Land Adventure is a small group luxury tour, providing bespoke cultural and sightseeing experiences. We limit the tour to a small group in order to ensure your experience is a high-quality one. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. If the program fills up, you'll be accommodated on a space-available basis. Advanced booking is required at least 90 days prior to sailing date via Silversea Reservations. We suggest booking early to secure your spot(s).

Please be advised that a minimum number of participants is required for this program to run as described. In rare cases when the minimum number of participants is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at an increased rate based on private arrangements or to cancel your specific departure for a refund. The self-cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, is 90 days or sooner to initial sailing date at the rate of 100% program fare per person. The payment for your Land Adventure is due in full on the same date as your final payment due for your cruise. Per Silversea's general payment terms, bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner.

All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 120 days of sailing, with the exception of cancellation by Silversea. Our family-friendly land programs require adult accompaniment of any guests under the age of 18. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Silversea and our local operators make every effort to ensure your land program runs as described. Our local operators reserve the right to modify tour sequence, sites visited and venues mentioned due to operational reasons.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Chinese Renminbi; however, Euros and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).

Tibet has long tantalized the imaginations of travelers with visions of its majestic scenery, colorful and distinctive culture, glittering religious monuments, and the true devotion of its people to their own brand of Buddhism.

DAY ONE - Tuesday, April 9th - Shanghai / Lhasa via Xi'an with 1 hour 30 minutes layover in Xi'an

Depart the ship at 4.45am and transfer to the airport for your early morning flight to Lhasa (flight departure time 6.45am via Xi'an. Upon arrival in Lhasa around at around 2.25pm you are met by your local guide and assisted with your transfer to Lhasa Resort hotel and check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure as you adjust to an altitude of almost 12,000 feet.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel before retiring for the night.

DAY TWO - Wednesday, April 10th - Lhasa (Drepung Monastery - Jokhang Temple - Barkor Market)

Following breakfast, depart for your exciting visit to the Drepung Monastery. Once the world's largest monastery with more than ten thousand monks. Drepung still has the distinction of being the largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery's name, which means "Rice Heap," is appropriate, as its jumble of white buildings, reached via a steep, unpaved road, appear to be piled up on the hillside.

At the conclusion of your compelling introduction to the monastery, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

Afterwards, venture to Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Having proportions that are more intimate and human-scaled than famed Potala Palace, the temple's outer courtyard and porch are inviting places of worship. The innermost shrine contains the oldest, most precious object in Tibet: the original gold statue of Sakyamuni, the Buddha brought from Chang'an thirteen hundred years ago.

Next, explore the Barkor area and experience the local marketplace, where a fascinating combination of deep religiosity and push-and-shove market economics amicably co-exist.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, savor a Tibetan-style dinner at a local restaurant while enjoying a performance of Tibetan singing and dancing. Return to the hotel for the night.

DAY THREE - Thursday, April 11th - Lhasa (Potala Palace - Sera Monastery - Norbulingka Palace)

Your day begins with breakfast at your hotel, followed by a tour of Potala Palace, the awe-inspiring landmark of Lhasa and classic example of how Tibetan culture and religion are almost inseparably intertwined. Built in the seventh century on Marpori, or "Red Mountain," the palace can be seen from all directions and has functioned as both a fortress and monastery. It is an architectural wonder, boasting a collection of white and red ceremonial buildings with more than a thousand rooms.

After lunch, travel to Sera Monastery, the monastery famous for the monks who prepare for monastic exams by staging mock debates in the courtyard.

Finally, visit 18th-century Norbulingka Palace. Meaning "Jewel Park," Norbulingka once served as the Dalai Lama's summer palace.

Enjoy a special Nepalese cuisine at dinner at a local restaurant, before you make your way to the hotel for the night.

DAY FOUR - Friday, April 12th - Lhasa (Yamdrok Lake - Local Villages - Tibetan Family)

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a day trip to Yamdrok Lake.

Yamdrok Lake is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end. It is fan-shaped, spreading to the South but narrowing up to the North and has a dozen of islands. The mountainous lakeshore is highly crenellated, with numerous bays and inlets. Like mountains, lakes are considered sacrosanct by the Tibetan people, the principle being that they are the dwelling places of protective deities and therefore invested with special spiritual powers.

Today, both pilgrims and tourists can be seen walking along the lake's perimeter, enjoying the diversified fauna and flora, admiring the snow-capped mountains in the distance and visiting the villages scattered along its shores. One of the most newly popular pastimes for Tibetans is fishing, new because Tibetans are traditionally not allowed to eat fish.

After lunch, head to a Tibetan family's local home scattered in a golden valley dotted with sheep and yaks. The Tibetan people offer welcoming hospitality and are pleased to receive you, and offer you yak butter tea, which is produced on the Tibetan farms. After this heartwarming occasion, transfer back to your hotel to enjoy your farewell evening in Tibet.

DAY FIVE - Saturday, April 13th - Lhasa - Beijing - Tianjin

Enjoy breakfast and meet your guide in the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Beijing (flight departure time 9.30am). Arrive in Beijing in the afternoon at around 1.25pm and transfer by bus to Tianjin (approximately two hour drive) to embark your ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 9/10 miles (about 15/16 kilometres), at times over uneven, rocky, sandy, grassy, slippery, and natural surfaces and inclines, with some steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and about 500 steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and closed toe walking shoes. Guests must carry their passports with Cinese Visa and ship's ID at all times. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. The tour sequence and itinerary may vary. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Space on this tour is limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Programme Includes:

· Four-night stay at the St. Regis Lhasa Resort - Lhasa, Premium Deluxe Room

· Five breakfasts, Four lunches and Four dinners with drinks included during the meals.

· Scheduled flights: Shanghai/Lhasa and Lhasa/Beijing (Economy-Class). Business-Class is available upon request at an additional charge and subject to availability, as most aircraft do not offer business seating.

(Baggage allowance to approximately 44 pounds -about 20 kilograms- per person + one carry-on luggage with a maximum weight of approximately 11 pounds -about five kilograms-)

· All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.