Luxury China Tours

Introduction to China
(7 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Shanghai

Discover China
(11 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai

Highlights of China & Hong Kong
(12 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai, Hong Kong

China: Three Cities
(11 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Family Tour of China
(12 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Luxuries of China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong

Hong Kong in Depth
(6 Days)
Hong Kong & environs

China in Depth
(19 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Hangzhou, Shanghai & Suzhou, Lijiang, Hong Kong

Exclusive China
(14 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Lijiang, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Culinary Tour of China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Treasures of Yunnan
(10 Days)
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

Active China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Huangshan, Yangshuo, Longsheng, Guilin, Hong Kong

Spa & Wellness Tour of China
(10 Days)
Shanghai & environs, Suzhou, Hangzhou

Journey Through China & Tibet
(18 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Shanghai, Guilin & Yangshuo, Xian, Chengdu, Lhasa, Hong Kong

Luxury Tibet Tours

Introduction to Tibet
(4 Days)
Lhasa and environs

Chengdu & Tibet
(7 days)
Chengdu, Lhasa

Multi-country Tours

Southeast Asia in Style
(19 Days)
Hong Kong, Hanoi, Hoi An, Saigon, Siem Reap (Angkor), Chiang Mai

Family Tour of Southeast Asia
(13 Days)
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Siem Reap (Angkor), Hong Kong

Best of the Himalayas: Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet
(13 Days)
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Kathmandu, Lhasa

Best of Japan & China
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai

Three Capitals: Beijing, Seoul & Tokyo
(11 days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Seoul, Tokyo

Best of the Himalayas: Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley, Lhasa

Enjoy personalized touring and luxury hotels in Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet on this ultimate private tour of the Himalayas.

Begin in Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan and one of the best places to experience Bhutanese heritage. During private touring, visit important Buddhist sites, local markets, crafts workshops (Buddhist thangkas, sculptures, weavings and more) and museums to learn about Bhutanese traditions and history. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that’s the seat of the Bhutanese government, and, if desired, a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life. Depending on your interests, touring can also include privately guided hikes to temples and monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas, visiting a handmade paper factory, a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home, a visit to the takin preserve to see Bhutan’s unusual national animal, watching an archery competition and private meditation sessions with monks.

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochu La Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, banana plants and rice paddies. During private touring, visit Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple, enjoy peaceful walks through farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local Buddhist temple, tour stunning Punakha Dzong, visit a Buddhist nunnery in the hills and take a short hike to a hillside chorten with panoramic views. Depending on your interests, touring can also include hikes to mountain monasteries, blessings by monks, private river rafting, a tour of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and other top activities around Punakha.

Continue to Paro, a picture-perfect Bhutanese town in a verdant river valley and the base for visiting iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. During private touring, see Bhutanese cultural treasures in the National Museum, admire the views from Paro Dzong, and browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items in the traditional wooden storefronts on Paro’s charming main street. One day, enjoy a privately guided excursion to Tiger's Nest, a breathtaking cliffside Buddhist monastery (also known as Taktsang Goemba) that’s a highlight of Bhutan. Depending on your interests, touring can also include a biking excursion and a private Bhutanese archery lesson. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange yoga sessions and a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath—the perfect way to relax after the hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in Bhutan, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking excursions and more.

Fly to Kathmandu, the endlessly fascinating capital of Nepal. During private touring with your expert guide and driver, walk through the lively backstreets of Old Kathmandu to see artisans' workshops, traditional markets, and active Buddhist and Hindu temples. Explore the cultural highlights in the numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument zones around the city and in the surrounding Kathmandu Valley. Tour the beautiful courtyards, palaces and historic monuments of Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Circumambulate the mammoth white stupa at Boudhanath, the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet, with throngs of pilgrims and worshippers, and perhaps duck into one of the smaller temple buildings to light a candle or spin a giant prayer wheel among the faithful. Venture to the hilltop Swayambhunath, another important and photogenic Buddhist temple with an iconic white stupa, flapping prayer flags, and panoramic views of Kathmandu and the foothills of the Himalayas. Observe ceremonies at Pashupatinath, a sprawling Hindu temple complex that's the oldest and most revered Hindu site in Kathmandu. Other highlights include seeing Kumari Devi—a living goddess—and relaxing in the Garden of Dreams, a soothing green oasis.

In the Kathmandu Valley, tour the extensive palace districts in the former royal capitals of Patan and Bhaktapur. See beautiful traditional brick buildings with finely carved wooden windows. Visit the Patan Museum, a former palace and one of the best museums of traditional Nepalese art in the country. Peruse fine metal crafts such as singing bowls, brass tableware and gold-leafed religious icons produced in the small workshops of Patan. Browse for woodwork and ceramics created by artisans in Bhaktapur. Find the perfect shawl made of the finest Nepalese pashmina (cashmere). Learn about the iconography in Buddhist thangka paintings, and perhaps select one to take home. You will have ample time to shop for these and other typical Nepalese products, such as handmade paper and prayer wheels during your tour. Also sample local foods such as juju dhau, Bhaktapur's unique "king yogurt."

Finally, journey to Lhasa, Tibet, a high-altitude city steeped in Tibetan Buddhism. With your private guide and driver, enjoy flexible touring of the city's most compelling sights. Tour iconic Potala Palace, the 17th-century fortified palace that was the home of the Dalai Lama for more than 300 years and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit ancient Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism, to be immersed in Buddhist traditions. Walk along the Barkhor, a wide pedestrian street encircling Jokhang Temple, where pilgrims circumambulate, and small shops sell Buddhist items and household goods. Also enjoy an excursion to important monasteries on the outskirts of Lhasa, such as Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, where monks study and engage in lively debates. Another option is Drak Yerpa Caves, a Buddhist hermitage built into cliffs.

A highlight of this tour is staying at incredible luxury lodges and hotels that offer the opportunity to experience traditional Himalayan hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding nature.

Itinerary Overview
Day 1

Arrive Paro, Bhutan

Business-class flight from Bangkok or Delhi to Paro, Bhutan. VIP arrival assistance and private transfer to Thimphu luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 2

Thimphu

Full-day private cultural touring and option for hiking

Day 3

Thimphu – Punakha

Private transfer to Punakha luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 4

Punakha

Full-day private cultural touring and customized hiking and activities

Day 5

Punakha – Paro

Private transfer to Paro luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 6

Paro & Tiger’s Nest

Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Day 7

Paro – Kathmandu, Nepal

Private airport transfer for business-class flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. VIP arrival assistance and transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Private afternoon tour

Day 8

Kathmandu

Full-day private cultural touring

Day 9

Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley

Full-day private tour of Patan and Bhaktapur

Day 10

Kathmandu – Lhasa, Tibet

Private airport transfer and business-class flight to Lhasa, Tibet. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights

Day 11

Lhasa

Full-day private cultural touring

Day 12

Lhasa

Full-day private cultural touring or full-day excursion and hike to Drak Yerpa caves

Day 13 Depart Lhasa

Private airport transfer


Hotels

Thimphu:

Amankora Thimphu or Six Senses Thimphu

Punakha: Six Senses Punakha, Amankora Punakha or Pemako Punakha
Paro: Amankora Paro or COMO Uma Paro
Kathmandu: Dwarika’s Hotel
Lhasa: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

Cost
$30,325 Per person (double occupancy)

Luxury China Tours

Introduction to China
(7 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Shanghai

Discover China
(11 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai

Highlights of China & Hong Kong
(12 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai, Hong Kong

China: Three Cities
(11 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Family Tour of China
(12 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Luxuries of China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong

Hong Kong in Depth
(6 Days)
Hong Kong & environs

China in Depth
(19 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Hangzhou, Shanghai & Suzhou, Lijiang, Hong Kong

Exclusive China
(14 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Lijiang, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Culinary Tour of China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Treasures of Yunnan
(10 Days)
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

Active China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Huangshan, Yangshuo, Longsheng, Guilin, Hong Kong

Spa & Wellness Tour of China
(10 Days)
Shanghai & environs, Suzhou, Hangzhou

Journey Through China & Tibet
(18 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Shanghai, Guilin & Yangshuo, Xian, Chengdu, Lhasa, Hong Kong

Luxury Tibet Tours

Introduction to Tibet
(4 Days)
Lhasa and environs

Chengdu & Tibet
(7 days)
Chengdu, Lhasa

Multi-country Tours

Southeast Asia in Style
(19 Days)
Hong Kong, Hanoi, Hoi An, Saigon, Siem Reap (Angkor), Chiang Mai

Family Tour of Southeast Asia
(13 Days)
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Siem Reap (Angkor), Hong Kong

Best of the Himalayas: Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet
(13 Days)
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Kathmandu, Lhasa

Best of Japan & China
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai

Three Capitals: Beijing, Seoul & Tokyo
(11 days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Seoul, Tokyo

Testimonials

You put together the most amazing China trip. It was the best trip we’ve ever taken and we travel well!
~ L.R., Short Hills, NJ

We wanted to tell you how absolutely superb our China trip was.  Really, the trip of a lifetime and everything you promised.
~ E.G., Los Angeles, CA

Thanks, thanks and more thanks for a spectacular China trip. We were catered to hand and foot and it could not have been better. The guides were great and really enhanced the trip for us.
~ H.R., Englewood, NJ

The trip was fantastic. The guides were all very helpful, friendly, informative, high quality, and very worthwhile. China was phenomenal, beautiful, and everything we wanted it to be. Thank you for everything.
~ P.W., Chappaqua, New York

I had the most marvelous experience with Artisans of Leisure, and I would recommend you to anyone and everyone wanting an in-depth cultural tour of China. Our tour was flawless in every way. We are most appreciative of the personalized touring and high level of service that you provide.
~ D.W., Washington D.C.

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