Days 1-2: UK - Beijing

Fly overnight to Beijing and transfer to the hotel before our welcome dinner of local cuisine.

Day 3: Beijing – Urumqi

Fly to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Region.

Day 4: Urumqi – Kashgar

Fly to Kashgar, an ancient market town and once the flourishing centre of the Silk Road. This fabled city embraces a rich mix of people and cultures which create a truly central Asian atmosphere.

Days 5-6: Kashgar

Sightseeing today includes visits to the Abakh Hoja Tomb and the Id Kah Mosque. We also explore the old alleys that intertwine around Id Kah Square. The next day, enjoy an excursion to Lake Karakul and return to Kashgar later in the day.

Day 7: Kashgar

Explore the world’s largest Sunday Bazaar. We also visit the livestock market, where huge crowds of donkey carts, horse carriages, animals and people of many races and cultures gather to haggle and trade.

Day 8: Kashgar – Yecheng

We travel by coach to Yecheng and pass through the towns of Yengisar, where the traditional Uyghur dagger is made and Yarkand, a name that still resonates with Silk Road romance. We arrive in Yecheng and visit the markets around the Jama Mosque, which dates back to the 15th century.

Days 9-11: Tibet Highway

We spend the next three days travelling to Ali County by four-wheel-drive as we begin our ascent of the Xinjiang/Tibet Highway, the highest road in the world. You may even see K2 across the border in Pakistan! This region is known as the Aksai Chin Plateau, a starkly beautiful land rarely visited by tourists. From here to New Tingri, basic accommodation with primitive facilities will be used.

Day 12: Shiquanhe (Ali County)

The town of Shiquanhe emerges like a bizarre mirage and brings us back to civilization. We stay here overnight and re-stock essentials.

Days 13-14: Shiquanhe – Zanda

Travel to Zanda. The next day, we explore the Guge Kingdom, which thrived between the 9th and 17th centuries and explore the ruins of Tsaparang and the old monastery of Tholing.

Days 15-16: Zanda – Mt Kailash

From Zanda we journey along a river valley and climb a gentle rise scattered with prayer flags, where we can view the holy mountain of Kailash, Tibet’s ‘Jewel in the Snow’. We explore this magnificent mountain and Lake Manasarovar – two of the world’s most remote and revered places for travellers and pilgrims alike.

Days 17-18: Mt Kailash – Parayang – Saga

Enjoy a scenic drive to Parayang, where panoramic views of the mountains and yak herders’ camps can be seen. The next day, we travel to the town of Saga via the old village of Zhongba.

Days 19-20: Saga – Old Tingri – Mt Everest

We start our journey to the roof of the world to see the magnificent Everest region, passing the picturesque Baiku Co Lake to the township of Old Tingri, where we will stay overnight. The next day, we arrive at one of the greatest highlights of the tour – Mount Everest Base Camp, where we will have the opportunity to gaze at the stunning north face of the world's tallest peak, Mt Everest (8848m).

Day 21: Mt Everest – New Tingri

Return to Mt Everest Base Camp and take time to explore this magical area. Take a photo at the base camp marker, mingle with climbers making an attempt to the summit, send a postcard from the world’s highest postbox or walk to the Rhongpu Glacier. We then drive to New Tingri.

Day 22-23: New Tingri – Shigatse

Travel to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet where our four-wheel drive expedition ends. Here we explore the busy cobbled lanes which meander around the ancient buildings. The next day, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama.

Day 24: Shigatse – Gyantse

Travel by coach to the smaller town of Gyantse and visit the unique Pelkor Monastery, the famous Gyantse Kumbum, the largest shrine in Tibet and the magnificent ruins of the Old Fort.

Days 25-27: Gyantse – Lhasa

Travel to Lhasa where we will explore the ‘crown jewel’ of Tibet – the Potala Palace. The palace is an architectural wonder that towers over the city with thousands of rooms filled with treasures such as intricate shrines and beautiful frescoes. The dominance of the Potala Palace over the Lhasa skyline reflects the Dalai Lama's former position as the centre of the Tibetan faith and politics. We stroll around the Barkhor circuit where traditional dress, market stalls selling religious trinkets and the sound of chanted prayers create the atmosphere of a medieval carnival. We also visit the 7th century Jokhang Temple, which is the most sacred in Tibet. Other highlights include the Drepung Monastery, the Sera Monastery, which has about 600 monks in residence and Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, containing several palaces and chapels.

Day 28: Lhasa – Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see these adorable animals being reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Enjoy a delicious Sichuan meal in the evening.

Day 29: Chengdu – UK

Transfer to Chengdu Airport and fly to the UK via Beijing, arriving home later the same day filled with many happy memories.