Day One You will arrive in the beautiful Tibetan valley of Shangri-la in the afternoon. The altitude at the idyllic Banyan Tree Ringha is approximately 3,400 meters or 11,000 feet, so your first priority will be to take it easy to acclimatize to the thin air. Pinch yourself! The view from your bedroom balcony over the Tibetan valley, taking in the many facets of village farm life, will lead you to wonder if you have suddenly landed, like the literary character Conway , in the romantic utopia of Shangri-la. (Banyan Tree - Suite*) (D) Day Two This morning has been left free for you to enjoy the hotel property. Those who have the inclination, however, are invited to join a guide for a gentle trek . Please clarify to your China Host if you are interested in riding a horse to this afternoon's activity. (The horse will be held by a handler.) This afternoon, we walk (or ride) to the untouched village below. For many, simply stepping into an ordinary Tibetan home will be one of their most authentic experiences. A village is always active and, depending on the season, we will view the local activities from butter making to yogurt making to textile weaving. On occasion, the village will lay on a horse-racing show for us. The day's activities will be topped with a visit to the exquisite local temple. (B, L, D) Day Three Today, we leave our utopian valley to investigate the surrounding area. Our tour begins at the bustling Ganden Sumtseling Monastery , where we will meet a Tibetan lama who will introduce a religious ceremony to be performed for our group. Travelers will be free to ask questions about the way of life of the monk. After lunch, we will stroll through the old town of Shangri-la and visit the galleries and NGOs that have made this town their base. Following this, depending on availability, we will enjoy a private lecture/performance demonstrating the various schools of Tibetan music. (B, L, D) Day Four Today you leave this wonderful retreat. We hope your interest has been whetted by Tibetan culture and that you will consider returning or perhaps visiting Lhasa , the ancient capital of Tibet . Please note that B, L, D denotes Breakfast, Lunch Dinner.