Itinerary       

Beijing 3 Day Pre-tour Extension - Our adventure begins in the capital city of Beijing, China's political and cultural heart for over 800 years. The bustling metropolis incorporates historical sights and relics along side modern architecture and conveniences. After being met by our guides we transfer to our hotel and rest from the flight.

Day 1 - Our first day begins with a short orientation and welcome then we board our private coach and depart for the treasure-laden Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty Emperors. After lunch we venture farther East into the Manchurian frontier to the coastal resort city of QinHuangDao. Tonight we enjoy a Manchurian Cultural Show and dine on traditional fare from the region.

Day 2 - After breakfast we'll visit China's most notable landmark, the Great Wall but not at the typical tourist locations. We will see it's very beginning, where it runs right into the sea. On our way back to Beijing we'll stop at the Cloisonné workshop to see how these ornate, traditional pieces of art are created. After dinner this evening we'll enjoy some Beijing night life and culture at a local tea house.

Day 3 - We'll start our day with a morning stroll through a bustling  local street market followed by a Hu Tong, the traditional Beijing-style home, now being razed to make way for modern buildings. Before lunch we'll wander around the largest square in the world, Tian An Men. Crossing under the busy Chang An Ave., Beijing's main street, we arrive at the remarkable Forbidden City, lavish residence of the Emperors of three dynasties. Next, shop after shop of wonderful teas and treasures await at the expansive Tea Supermarket. Tonight we'll celebrate with a special welcome banquet.

China Tea Tour 2011 - Base Tour - We continue our adventure with a full day of activities in Beijing.

Day 1 - We are up early today to take in the tranquility of the sprawling Temple of Heaven park and join in some tai chi, a popular morning exercise. After a tour of the ancient compound we visit a local family's home for a tasty lesson in dumpling making. Next we learn a little about China's spiritual legacy with a visit to White Cloud Taoist Temple. No tour of Beijing is complete without a chance to hunt for treasures in the old Liu Li Chang antique market street. Our evening and time in Beijing is topped when we take in the amazing performances at the Spectacular Martial Arts stage show.

Day 2 - Our destination today is the magnificent Huang Shan (Yellow Mtn.) one of the most naturally picturesque sights in China. It also happens to be famous for tea. Transfer directly from the airport to the architecturally preserved Tunxi street for a delicious lunch. We'll attend a lecture on and tasting of some of the region's noted teas and then have some free time to wander through the dozens of small shops. Tonight's dinner will be with representatives from the local tea industry.

Day 3 - This morning we'll take our coach to the foot of the inspiring mountain. Rather than the 7 hour arduous hike, we'll enjoy the scenic gondola ride up to the peak. A prized photo in every direction you look, we'll trek around the pathways and lookouts to see the unique formations. If mother nature so desires, we may be permitted to see the "Sea of Clouds" below us since the area is blanketed in clouds over 200 days a year. After lunch we'll dive head first into tea when we visit our first tea garden. Roll up your sleeves and find out what it is like to pick your own tea. Learn the manufacturing process during a guided tea factory tour and enjoy a comparative tea tasting. Before returning to the city for dinner we'll stop at a tea market offering dozens of local teas and learn a bit about the history of the area at the culture museum.

Day 4 - All aboard! Today we'll take the train to Changsha, capital of Hunan province. After lunch we'll have a very informative meeting at the offices of a local tea company and have a chance to learn about the rare Yellow teas in a special lecture.

Day 5 - It's time to put theory into practice so we'll coach to placid Dong Ting lake and take a boat ride to the island tea garden. Here we'll really get a chance to see the production of the famous Jun Shan Silver Needle tea. Full of new knowledge, we'll make our way back to Changsha for the night.

Day 6 - If you thought Beijing's history was long, wait until you see the treasures of our next destination, Xian. The ancient walled city was the capital of China over 2000 years ago. We'll take a walk along one section of the wall and then visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda temple.

Day 7 - Today we'll visit the resting place of Qin Shi Huang Di, the first emperor who unified China over 2 millennia ago. It is also the site of his spiritual guardians, the Terra Cotta Warriors. This remarkable discovered was unearthed only in the 1970 and is now one of the major historical exhibits of the world. After lunch we'll learn more about this ancient culture with a visit to the National Ancient History Museum. Our dinner this evening as a very special banquet and show consisting of different kinds of dumplings and a colorful Tang Dynasty cultural stage performance.

Day 8 - We'll be flying today to Dali in remote Western Yunnan province. Once a kingdom with it's own unique traditions and customs, it is also one of the primary production centers for the fames Pu Er tea. We'll be staying the next two nights in a retreat that is a historically restored, Qing Dynasty estate - recognized by the Chinese government as one of the top places of it's kind.

Day 9 - We'll visit a village of the Bai minority people and enjoy their ritualistic 3 Course Tea and then take in the sights of the iconic Three Pagodas nestled in the protecting embrace of the snow-capped Cai mountain. Wander through a open air market with huge bags of locally made tea and then attend a lecture on the history of Pu Er tea and Dali's relation to the infamous Tea/Horse Road - the arduous route that carried tea into Tibet and onward. Make some new friends when we visit the home of a local story-teller and enjoy some enchanting folk tales from days gone by.

Day 10 - It's back to work this morning when we visit the Xia Guan tea factory. First we'll pick some fresh, tender leaves in the garden and then take them to the factory for processing. Also, see how the legendary Tuo Cha Pu Er tea bowls are made. In the afternoon we'll fly to the mountainous capital city of Lhasa, Tibet. The rest of the day is at rest to adjust to the altitude.

Day 11 - After the night to rest, our first stop today is the sacred Potala Palace, official residence of the exiled Dalai Lama. A spiritual experience in every way, walk up the path to the courtyard and the tour some of the endless corridors of ancient artifacts. Conveniently at the foot of the palace is the Tibetan rug factory and showroom. See some of the amazing examples of this traditional craft. After lunch we'll freely stroll (clock-wise) around the Barkor - the main square and trading center. Watch faith-filled Tibetan Buddhists perform their ritual prostrations at the most cherished Jokhong Monastery - traditional site of the Dalai Lamas' ordination. Tibetan Medicine is said to be the foundation of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Learn about its mystical yet practical techniques in a visit to the Tibetan Medicine Hospital.

Day 12 -  Our journey today is to the sprawling outlying areas of Lhasa; rugged hills, blue lakes and secluded monasteries. We'll get a taste of real Tibetan life with a horse ride across the plains and a visit to a local home for some yak butter tea, the traditional and ubiquitous refreshment. Drepung is one of the largest functioning monasteries and also houses many of the treasures of former Tibetan leaders. Perhaps you may witness the monks in one of their chanting sessions or share a lunch of some Tsampa - dry barley flour. While we enjoy a bountiful spread of local dishes for dinner, be entertained with the flamboyant cultural show.

Darjeeling 5 Day Post-tour Extension

Day 1 - Our adventure continues as we fly over the towering Himalaya's to the home of the "Champagne of Tea," Darjeeling. Before heading to the tea covered hills, we start in the business center of Siliguri. Mr. Rajiv Lochan, tea planter, trader and historian, will present an educational program on the topic of Darjeeling tea. Enjoy dinner with some other tea industry representatives.

Day 2 - Our mission this morning is to experience and learn how tea is evaluated and traded. Take a visit to a tea broker for some training in tea tasting and then sit in on the fast-paced tea auction. Don't make any sudden moved unless you want to make a big purchase. Our lunch will be at a scenic spot over-looking the hills of Kurseong. The nearby Makaibari estate is know for it's orgainic and biodynamic practices. After a chance to pick some tea leaves in the forested gardens, tour the factory, and taste some examples of these prized teas. We'll continue on to our home for the next two days, the picturesque Glenburn tea estate.

Day 3 - After a good night's rest in the comfort of the restored bungalow hotel, arise early for the breath-taking view as the first golden rays of the sun adorn Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest Himalayan peak. Refreshed by a hearty breakfast we'll head to the gardens to join the morning tea picking. Take your harvest back to the factory and see all the steps the leaves must undergo to create the world famous brew. After a sumptuous lunch, spend some time in the tasting room learning to compare and evaluate a number of wonderful teas. Another gourmet dinner awaits us at the end of the day.

Day 4 -  Before leaving Glenburn we'll visit their school to see the children at their studies and then it's off to Darjeeling town for some free time in the famous markets known for silk and Pashmina scarves. On our way back to Siliguri, we'll stop at Arya tea estate, for one last chance to see, learn and taste.

Day 5 - This morning we bid a fond farewell to the tea lands and fly to India's bustling capital of Delhi. The afternoon will include some sightseeing of famous landmarks, an antique and silver craft shop and then we'll enjoy our farewell banquet - sharing stories of favorite memories from the tour.