Arrive to Chengdu today. This afternoon meet up with your guide and group and enjoy an afternoon stroll into China's past as you visit the oldest and best preserved Buddhist temple in the city. Finish up the day with evening entertainment at the Sichuan Opera.

*For those arriving early, an optional visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Center may be arranged

Fly to Lhasa today where you are met by your guide. Lhasa is considered the roof of the world, located at just over 12,000 ft (3700m), it is still one of the lower altitude cities in the Tibetan plateau. Check-in to your hotel and freshen up before setting out to explore the ancient city. Walk through the Barkhor Bazaar surrounding the Jokhang Temple, which for many is the most sacred temple in all of Tibet. Here you can observe Tibetan nomads, local residents, and pilgrims from afar all intermingling and offering prayers in front of the temple.

Settle back into your hotel this evening.

This morning set out on a leisurely stroll through the World heritage Site of Norbulingka, or "Treasure Park". The walk helps you acclimatize to the thinner air at this elevation. This 89 acre park and gardens holds the Norbulingka Palace, the former summer residence for generations of Dalai Lamas. Walk around the grounds before enjoying lunch nearby. This afternoon you take a short drive in the foothills to the north and the site of Sera Monastery. Here you can witness the monks engaging in their daily practice of religious debate. After your visit here, return to Lhasa for an afternoon rest and late dinner accompanied with traditional Tibetan music and dance.

After breakfast at your hotel this morning you set out on a morning walk to tour some cultural highlights of the city. Visit the 17th century Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama for generations until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959. Now a museum and a World Heritage Site, this historic engineering wonder is an impressive structure that has narrowly escaped destruction on a few momentous occasions. Its walls are as thick as 5 meters in some places and the palace contains over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues. Tour the palace all morning before taking a rest for lunch. Next you visit one of Lhasa's Tibetan rug factories for an introduction to this traditional trade. This evening enjoy a large 800 actor live performance on the mountains of Lhasa. The show enacts Princess Wencheng's impact on the history of Buddhism in Tibet. Settle in for the evening.

Today start the overland trip by private vehicle towards Mount Everest. Take the Friendship highway past the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake where you can view Karola Glacier. This lake rivals the grandeur of Canada's Lake Louise. En route visit also Gyantse, the home of the Gyantse Fortress and also the largest stupa in Tibet. Stop briefly to see this city before continuing on to your final destination today, Shigatse (also known as Xigaze). Shigatse is home to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, considered the seat of the Panchen Lama, the highest ranking Tibetan Buddhist Lama in the People's Republic of China.

Total Driving Distance: 215 miles

Spend another day on the Friendship Highway driving past breathtaking scenery as you wind through high-altitude valleys toward Tingri. This small town has grown up around a Tibetan village, and serves as a starting point for those wishing to hike or drive to Everest Base camp. Upon arrival take an optional short hike to stretch your legs and see nice views of the area below. Settle in to your basic accommodations early this evening in anticipation of the early morning tomorrow.

Total Driving Distance: 180 miles

This morning rise early to head to Everest Base Camp before the sunrise. As you drive up, you encounter a few other noteworthy mountains along the way including Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu, all of whom are higher than 8,000m as well. Stop first at Rongbuk Monastery where you'll enjoy the best views of Everest. At 16,340 ft, Rongbuk is said to be the highest monastery in the world. Witness here the sunrise and the changing face of Everest in the varying shades of sunlight. Make your way further up to the tent hotels for a hot drink and food before a park bus takes you the rest of the way to Everest Base Camp (17,060 ft). Enjoy the views of Everest here in the shadows of its north face before the group decides to return to Tingri in the afternoon.

Driving Distance: 120 miles

Enjoy your last sweeping views of the Tibetan Plateau before descending and returning back to Shigatse today.

Driving Distance: 180 miles

Arrive back to Lhasa Airport today where a late afternoon flight is possible back to the lowlands of Chengdu in the Sichuan basin. Enjoy an international buffet dinner and some optional shopping this evening.

Driving Distance: 140 miles

Spend more time in Chengdu or take a flight on to your next destination.