Tours of China

Lhasa to Kashgar via Mt Kailash

Tour Map of Lhasa to Kashgar via Mt Kailash

For centuries Tibet remained the inaccessible goal of numerous intrepid, determined and hardy explorers. While Lhasa is no longer a secret city, it remains mystical, and the ancient route west along the top of the Himalayas to the desert oasis of Kashgar is hardly ever travelled beyond the sacred Mountain of Kailash - the source of four great holy rivers, and an opportunity for us to join local pilgrims in a stunning 4-day circumambulation. It is remote and wild with some fascinating sights and truly spectacular scenery.The long forbidden and desolate Aksai Chin, a corner of the high plateau annexed by China from India, almost without them noticing, has remained a political barrier for years. It is now traversable, and this land of ancient kingdoms where herds of wild ass (Kiang) roam and eagles soar high above the immense landscape is waiting to be explored.

Across the Tibetan Steppe

Tour Map of Across the Tibetan Steppe

Tibet has long been a mysterious and magical land separated by its rugged and inhospitable terrain in splendid isolation from the developing world. While there is no denying that recent times have seen some big changes come to Tibet, there is still much of this traditional and ancient world to experience. Our unique tour begins in Qinghai province, in the very north of what is often termed 'Greater Tibet', and en route to Lhasa takes in some lesser known gems of the region such as the expansive grasslands of Amdo, home to yaks and nomads. This landscape then gives way to rolling hills turning into snowy mountains and passes festooned with prayer flags, and rivers plunging into deep gorges. Our travels take us through some stunning scenery with vast panoramas that few foreign visitors ever get to see. We will explore some of Tibet's most precious cultural treasures in the ancient monasteries with monks chanting texts from the teachings of Buddha, marvel at the colours of the turquoise lakes, take in the splendour of Mount Everest and end our time in the prized city of Lhasa, one of the last bastions in the era of the 'Great Game'.