China & Tibet Rail Discovery

• Accommodations, as noted in the itinerary.
• All meals, from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final tour day, including a generous allowance of wine, local beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
• Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.
• All guided off-train tours, as outlined in the itinerary.
• Services of an experienced Train Tour Manager as well as local guides for scheduled off-train tours.
• Complimentary tea, coffee, and mineral water from your car attendant at all times while on board the train.
• All gratuities.
• Baggage handling.
• Complete pre-departure information, including detailed packing list, reading list, and Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
• Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements, on request. (Please note that international airfare is not included in the land tour cost).

• International airfare, including taxes/fuel surcharges, and surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour. MIR is able to assist with arrangements, as detailed in the itinerary.
• Meals and drinks not specified as included in the itinerary.
• Single supplement (difference between double rate and single occupancy rate) if requested or required.
• Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.
• Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification, or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR’s control.
• Visa fees, excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination, and other medical costs.
• Travel insurance, including cancellation, medical, and evacuation insurance.
• Items of a personal nature, such as phone calls, email, laundry, and alcohol.

Level 3: Medium

This rail journey by private train features touring at high elevations and significant touring on foot, throughout which travelers are expected to keep up with other group members. Walking during touring days will be on a variety of surfaces, with many streets and sidewalks being uneven, and elevators generally not available during touring excursions – leading to significant stair climbing. Challenges on board the train include long onboard distances with heavy doors as well as steep steps and gaps to navigate while embarking and disembarking. Only those willing to accept local standards of amenities and services should consider joining this program.

The elevation in Tibet is over 10,000 feet. The altitudes can cause difficulty even in healthy travelers, and potential problems can include headaches, shortness of breath, and other more serious complications. Those with a history of medical problems, particularly cardiac or respiratory, must consult a doctor before considering this trip.

Travelers must be able to walk two miles per day keeping up with other group members. Streets and sidewalks can be uneven or have unexpected surfaces, and handrails are not always present. Steps, which may be required due to lack of elevators, may be steep and/or uneven, and may also lack handrails. The distance on board the train between sleeping and dining carriages may be significant, and there are many heavy doors to navigate when moving throughout the train. Getting on and off the train involves navigating steep steps, low platforms, and possible gaps between the train and the platform. Navigating rail stations may also involve traveling up and over steep steps/footbridges to cross tracks, or steep steps and dark tunnels to cross under to/from the train station. Although porterage is provided where possible, you may have to carry your baggage for short distances.

General shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure may include problems with bureaucratic service and availability and quality of public restrooms when not on board the train.