Sacred Tibet & Yangtze River Cultural Tour
September 15 – 26  Cost: $2980.00 (plus Visa Fee & Travel Insurance)
(12 Day Land ONLY ~ See Below for 6 Extra Days in Bejing & Xi’an)

Includes:  
Luxury Hotels, All Transfers, All Intra-China Transportation, English-
Speaking Local & National Guides, All Major Sightseeing plus Partaking of 
the Buddhist Holy Yogurt or Shoton Festival in Lhasa, Most Meals & More!

                                                        

Stand on the Roof of the World & envelope yourself in a Major Buddhist Festival
                Cruise the Yangtze River & Explore the Wonder that IS China

Day:      Date:                       Itinerary:     
                       
Tues.    Sept 15         Depart USA for China & cross the int'l dateline
Wed.     Sept 16         Arrive in Beijing this evening and transfer to a 4* airport hotel.
Thurs.   Sept 17         We depart Beijing this morning and fly to Llasa. We are met and 
transferred by bus to Llasa city. Upon arrival, we are will enjoy a traditional lunch and 
rest at the 5 * Brahmaputra Hotel. For those who are adventurists, join our guides as 
they spend the evening at a famous local meeting place for the Tibetan people. (B,L,D)
Fri.        Sept 18          Our first full day of Sightseeing will include Lhasa's Cardinal landmark,
the sacred, Potala Palace. We then explore the most revered religious structure in Tibet, the
JokhangTemple. The streets surrounding the Jokhang Temple is known as the Barkhor and 
is Lhasa's most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual 
heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. Your evening is free tonight (B,L,D)
Sat.       Sept 19          Today we drive to Namtso, the Sky Lake, which is like a crystal gem inlaid 
on the vast Qiangtang Plain. The waters of Sky Lake are a miraculous shade of turquoise blue, 
and there are magnificent views of the nearby mountains. The wild open spaces are intoxicating 
and dotted with the tents of local nomad herders. (B.L,D)
Sun.    Sept 20            We have the wonder of seeing the Sera monastery today and gain access to 
the Yogurt Festival. It will be alive with the energy of the Sacred Ceremonies performed. (B,L,D)
Mon.     Sept 21          We depart Llasa with the excitement of the Yogurt Festival still with us and 
fly to Chengdu. We will then be bussed to Chongqing where we will board the 5* Victoria Cruise 
Ship for the beginning of our trip down the famous Yangtze River. Along the way, visit some old 
towns and mountain cities that have remained the same after many centuries. (B,L,D)
Tues.   Sept 22          All will delight at the magnificent views from the balcony suites. We will visit 
the famous Ghost City and then return to the ship to enjoy the wonder of the scenery or learn to 
play the traditional Chinese game, Mahjong, this evening. (B,L,D)
Wed.     Sept 23         This morning we relax and meditate on the beauty of this great country.  
We will visit the Shenlong Stream as well as the historic Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping. (B,L,D)
Thurs.   Sept 24        We depart the Victoria Cruise Ship and sightsee along the way to our airport 
by bus. Wuhan or Yichang may be two old cities we will explore before boarding our plane back to  
Beijing. We will be met and transferred back to the Park Plaza Hotel with the rest of the day free (B)
Fri.        Sept 25         Everyone has a free day to explore the city and visit the temple, tea streets or 
any of the many famous sites found in Beijing before we leave this exotic country tomorrow. (B)
Sat.       Sept 26         After breakfast, we transfer to the airport and depart Beijing for USA (B)

                                      Significance of the Shoton or Yogurt Festival
The Shoton Festival (also known as the Yogurt Festival) begins on the thirtieth day of the sixth 
Tibetan month. The origin of the festival started in the 17th century when pilgrims served yoghurt 
to  the monks who stopped for their summer retreat after being in meditation in caves for months. 
Years later, Tibetan opera performances were added to the event to amuse monks in monasteries. 
During the festival, giant Thangkas of the Buddha are unveiled in Drepung Monastery while Tibetan 
opera troupes perform at Norbulingka. It is a very lively and sacred ceremony to Buddha.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                         September 10 -15 * Pre-Trip Experience
                      6 Day Optional Beijing ~ Xi’an Tour
        (You will have 16 Days in China & Explore Many of the Country's Treasures)  
                                                    Cost: $885.00
Day:       Date:          Itinerary:

Thurs  Sept. 10      Depart USA for China & cross the int'l dateline
(You must provide your airfare to and from the USA )
 Fri.     Sept. 11      Arrive in Beijing and transfer to Park Plaza Hotel
Sat     Sept. 12      Enjoy a Full-day tour to the Great Wall, and the 
Sacred Ming Tombs w/lunch. This evening enjoy the Peking Opera & Duck Dinner (B, L, D)
Sun.    Sept. 13    Prepare to be astounded by the Forbidden City & Tian'An Men Square.
After a lovely Chinese Lunch, transfer to the airport for Xi'an and stay at the Sofitel Hotel tonight. 
On our way we tour the Old City Wall & Wild Goose Pagoda. (B, L)
Mon.   Sept 14.   Today, we Behold the Terra Cotta Soldiers, Explore the Muslim Quarter 
& Enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner before transferring to an overnight sleeper train 
(much like the Oriental Express) arriving Beijing Tues. morning. (B,L,D)
Tues.   Sept 15    We will transfer to Park Plaza Hotel . Our free day in Beijing will 
allow us to shop and explore this city. Our Guides will help us make the most of this day. (B)
Wed.   Sept. 16   This is a free day and you will be joined by theTibet Travelers this eve. (B)

Please Call the school to get further information on this once Sacred Tour!!!

Connecticut School of Herbal Studies
900 Wells Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109-2417
(860) 666-5064 
or email

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