Splendid 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.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Sirin is the BEST!
My recent trip to Chiang Mai was nothing short of magical, and our tour guide played a huge part in making it so memorable. From the moment we met, Sirin welcomed us with warm hospitality and an infectious passion for sharing the beauty, history, and culture of northern Thailand. More
Jenny Tse, Oct 2024
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Excellent Trip Planning by Alisa Liu at Asia Highlights
Alisa did a wonderful job! She was very detail oriented, extremely responsive and answered my questions very promptly. She incorporated all of the places we wanted to visit and was able to book hotels, airline tickets and special event tickets (to the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival which was sold out when I tried booking on my own.) Alisa was great to work with and I recommend that others use her for their trip planning. More
Effie, Sep 2024
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Excellent experience in Bangkok
Ying was our guide in Bangkok. She was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. She knew exactly how to move us through crowds quickly so that we could see all we wanted to say and made good recommendations for other things we were interested in. I would not hesitate to recommend Ying or anyone that helped us at Asia highlights More
Dr. Meshagae Hunte-Brown, Aug 2024
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Tour Highlights
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Asia Highlights (AH Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Asia Highlights (Only With AH) 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.
Your journey begins when your flight lands in Beijing. Transfer to hotel and free at leisure for the rest of today.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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 Asia Highlights, 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.
- 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".
- 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.
Take a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. In the afternoon, Enjoy your free time to explore the Thamel Street.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
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.
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A Romantic Dinner in Amber Fort
For couples |
Cooking Class in Jaipur
For foodies |
Heena Painting on Hands and Feet
For culture fans |
Appreciate Himalayas in a Hidden Resort
For couples |
White Water Rafting
For adventurers |
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we'll find your ideal hotel.
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Hotel in the center of Beijing
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Apartment hotel in Xi'an
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Hotel with Tibetan style
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Heritage hotel in old Delhi
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Hotel with the river view
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Heritage hotel in Jaipur
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Hotel with Nepalese pagodas
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Our Service Includes:
- Private transfers and English-speaking tour guide
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation for 19 nights
- Flights and trains mentioned in the itinerary
- Breakfasts at hotels and lunches mentioned in the itinerary
- Governmental taxes
Tour code: ah-17
Inquire now! Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
