CONTACT USSplendid History and Culture on Both Sides of the Himalayas
This tour is designed for travelers who would like to tick off bucket-list places in China, not forgetting Tibet, as well as Nepal and India — all in under 3 weeks. You would experience the highlights of each country comfortably, while encountering lifestyles and faiths seen nowhere else!.
Starting with China would simplify entering Tibet. However, it is also possible to start with India and end with China, getting to Tibet overland from Nepal. You could even add Bhutan. With us, your personal travel advisor would work out your best itinerary according to your interests and schedule.
- Days:20±
- Best For:bucket list trip
- Departure date: up to you
- Highest altitude:4,500m/14,760ft
- Sample price:US$5,689 each (2 per room)
- Flights:the ones mentioned are included
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Highlights Travel (HT Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Highlights Travel (Only With HT) included in this tour:
Listen to stories of the royal family in a hidden hall of the Forbidden City.
Make a mini terracotta warrior yourself after witnessing the unbelievable Terracotta Amy.
Unlock stories of the mysterious Dalai Lamas in the Potala Palace
Discover the loneliest lamasery on a Lake Yamdrok Island
Sip a cup of sweet tea at a hidden nunnery behind Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
Feel the strength of belief as you touch exquisite sculptures and flying prayer flags.
Enlighten your own life with a deep conversation with a local Sadhu in Kathmandu.
Take an early morning flight over Mt. Everest — a flight of a lifetime!
Enter the locals’ spiritual world with a Ganges boat ride, witnessing their riverfront rituals.
Have a picture in front of the Taj Mahal in Indian traditional dress.
Make accommodation part of the experience by staying in heritage hotels
Suggested Itinerary for Inspiration
Your preferences design the real journey. We’re ready to create a wonderful tour for you.
Day1
Beijing Arrival
Your journey begins when your flight lands in Beijing. Transfer to hotel and free at leisure for the rest of today.
Day2
Beijing | The City Highlights
breakfast & lunch
- Start with the Tian’anmen Square, the biggest city square in the world.
- Explore the Forbidden City with your knowledgeble guide. listen to the stories in a hidden hall which is ingored by most of the tourists.
- Experience the traditional Beijing lifesyle in hutongs in the afternoon.
Explore the amazing Forbidden City
Day3
Beijing | The Great Wall of China
breakfast & lunch
- Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morming. Learn about how the royal ceremonies have been hold here.
- Walk on the Mutianyu Great Wall which is a less-crowded yet more-picturesque section.
Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Beijing
Day4
Beijing to Xi’an | The Summer Palace
breakfast & lunch
- Appreciate the famous imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace. It is where the emperors used to retreat when fleeing the summer heat.
- Experience the high-speed train of China from Beijing to Xi’an.
Experience the bullet train from Beijing to Xi’an
Day5
Xi’an | Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses
breakfast & lunch
- Unlock the secrets of the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses with your local expert guide.Travel back in time and put yourself in the Emperor’s shoes.
- After the visit, you will have a chance to learn how the terracottas were made with a side-trip to a workshop and make a mini one by yourself.
The Terracotta Army
Day6
Xi’an to Lhasa
breakfast
Take a morning flight to Lhasa, high on the roof of the world. Check in and give yourself some time to adjust to the altitude.
Potala Palace
Day7
Lhasa | The Holy City and Its People
breakfast & lunch
- Pilgrimage to the Potala Palace in the morning. Discover the exquisite murals, decorated statues, and antiques. Listen to stories of the famous King of the Tubo Kingdom and the Dalai Lamas.
- View the palace from four angles selected by Highlights Travel, which will allow you to fully enjoy the beauties of the palace.
- Have a walking tour in the afternoon. Visit Jokhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street
- Take afternoon tea in peaceful Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery. See Tibetan nuns’ daily hand work and peaceful life.
Nuns are making amulets with pieces of Buddhism scripts
Day8
Lhasa | The Essence of Tibetan Buddhism
breakfast & lunch
- Visit Norbulingka (“Lhasa’s Summer Palace”) in the morning. Stroll in the park with the local Tibetans
- Enjoy a visit to Drepung Monastery. Learn about the biggest school of Tibetan Buddhism: the Gelug School.
- In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery. Watch a monks’debate and enjoy their special “debating dance”.
Watch monks’debate
Day9
Lhasa | Holy Lake Yamdrok (elevation 4,500 m)
breakfast & lunch
- Drive about 2 hours from Lhasa to Lake Yamdrok. View the lake from the popular platform.
- Get off the beaten path with a drive along the lake to a small lamasery on a small island with only one monk. Enjoy an exclusive view of the lake and a picnic there.
Enjoy the breathtaking view of the lake
Day10
Lhasa to Kathmandu
breakfast
Take a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. In the afternoon, Enjoy your free time to explore the Thamel Street.
Thamel Street
Day11
Kathmandu | The City Highlights
breakfast
- Start your tour from Kathmandu Durbar Square. Observe the spectacular art and architecture of the medieval and modern Malla and Shah dynasties.
- Visit the sacred Hindu shrine Pashupatinath. It is also a crematorium. Have a meaningful conversation with a Sadhu at Pashupatinath Temple.
- Continue to Boudhanath Stupa to feel the piety of Tibetan Buddhism. The eyes on the golden pagoda might impress you a lot.
- Visit the “Monkey Temple” at the end. You will find out how well Hinduism and Buddhism combine there.
Feel the spirit of the Hiduism
Day12
Kathmandu | Great Kathmandu Valley
breakfast
- Take a flight over Mt.Everest in the early monring and return to hotel for breakfast.
- Go to Patan to see the most magnificent Durbar Square in the Kathmandu Valley.
- In the afternoon, explore Bhaktapur. Visit the Golden Gate, Palace of 55 Windows, Taleju Temple, Datratra Square, and Pottery Square.
The Pottery Square in Bhaktapur
Day13
Kathmandu to Delhi
breakfast
- Fly from Kathmandu to Dheli in the morning.
- See the Qutub Minar, where Qutbuddin Aibak announced the advent of the Muslim sultan.
- Visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first great example of a Mughal garden tomb and also the inspiration for the incredible Taj Mahal.
Appreciate the architectures of Humayun’s Tomb
Day14
Delhi to Agra | Explore the Old Delhi
breakfast
- Start your day by exploring Jama Masjid, a historic and large mosque crowned with three imposing black-and-white marble domes.
- Walk down the sandstone steps into the bustling streets where you will take a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk market
- Drive from Delhi to Agra in the afternoon
Explore Chandni Chowk by a rickshaw
Day15
Agra | The Amazing Taj Mahal
breakfast
- The day begins with an early-morning visit to the perfectly proportioned Taj Mahal which was built as a mausoleum for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife.
- Visit the Agra Fort, a red sandstone rampart situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River.
- Enjoy a sunset tea/coffee with cookies at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Taj Mahal.
Enjoy a sunset tea and the view of Taj
Day16
Agra to Jaipur
breakfast
- Enjoy the colorful mosaics and stone inlays of Itmad-ud-Daula’s Tomb, which is often called the ‘Baby Taj’.
- Drive from Agra to Jaipur in the afternoon.
The lovely ‘Baby Taj’
Day17
Jaipur | The Pink City
breakfast
- Start your tour with Amber Fort on a hilltop. Appreciate its ornately-carved silver doors, elegant alabaster relief work, and glass inlay. Admire the Sheesh Mahal and its gardens.
- Explore the central area of the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur. Stop at lovely Hawa Mahal (‘Winds Palace’). The arch-shaped windows and colorful glass make people think of a fairytale castle.
- Visit nearby Jantar Mantar Observatory. Marvel at the wisdom of medieval Indian astronomy
- And then head to the City Palace, where you will have a splendid introduction to Jaipur’s princely past and its rich history through local art.
The pink Hawa Mahal
Day18
Jaipur to Delhi and then fly to Varanasi
breakfast
- Drive from Jaipur to Delhi aiport and then catch a flight to Varanasi
- Meet the local representitive at the airport and transfer to the hotel
Day19
Varanasi | The Holy Ganges
breakfast
- Take a boat ride at sunrise, when the temples along the river are bathed in soft morning light. See local people going about their daily activities, washing clothes, performing yoga, and giving offerings of flowers.
- Explore Varanasi Old City and visit the Sarnath in the afternoon.
- In the late afternoon, take a boat ride on the Ganges to witness pilgrims performing ancient rituals. When the sun sets, experience the highly choreographed Ganga Aarti ceremony.
Winess the Ganga Aarti ceremony
Day20
Varanasi Departure
breakfast
Say goodbye to India. Transfer to Varanasi Airport for your flight back home or to the next destination.
Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours
Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.
 A Romantic Dinner in Amber FortFor couples |  Cooking Class in JaipurFor foodies |  Heena Painting on Hands and FeetFor culture fans |  Appreciate Himalayas in a Hidden ResortFor couples |  White Water RaftingFor adventurers |
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we’ll find your ideal hotel.
 Hotel in the center of Beijing |  Apartment hotel in Xi’an |  Hotel with Tibetan style |  Heritage hotel in old Delhi |  Hotel with the river view |  Heritage hotel in Jaipur |  Hotel with Nepalese pagodas |
