PACIFIC DELIGHT TOURS INTRODUCES 15-DAY ‘SHANGRI-LA & TIBET’ PACKAGES

New York, NY, October 2007 -- Pacific Delight Tours has announced a new 15-day “Shangri La & Tibet” Escapade Tour, an air-inclusive escorted journey that takes adventurous travelers deep into the Yunnan Province, home to Zhongdian (Shangri-La) and the inspiration for James Hilton’s Utopia in “Lost Horizon,” as well as Tibet’s capital city of Lhasa.  Extensive time is spent in some of Asia’s most mysterious regions, with six days in the Yunnan Province, home to 25 different minorities, and three in Lhasa, dotted with majestic Tibetan monasteries and palaces.  Prices from $4,088 to $4,308 per person, double include pre-confirmed stays in deluxe and superior first-class hotels.  A six-day pre- or five-day post-tour to China’s Huangshan region can be added for $968.  Government-imposed taxes and fees, including the Sept. 11 Security Fee of up to $155, are additional.  Prices are subject to change.

        The tour kicks off with three days in Shanghai and Suzhou, visiting the cities’ multitude of museums, ancient attractions and shopping streets, followed by Kunming’s 400-year-old Golden Palace Temple and legendary Stone Forest, with its with its labyrinth of jagged limestone crags statues created by nature.  Highlights in the province of Lijiang, home to Naxi minorities, include the 800-year-old Dayan old town, a World Heritage site; and visits to Yuhu Village, site of the well-preserved former residence of botanist and journalist Dr. Joseph Rock.  En route to Shangri-La, guests see the “First Bend” of the Yangtze River at Shigu, and while in Shangri-La, explore its Old Town and market and the 17th-century Songzanlin Monastery, Yunnan’s largest Tibetan monastery complex.  In the 1,300-year-old city of Lhasa, nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, guests explore the many monasteries and palaces, including Norbulingkha, Sera and the greatest architectural structure in Tibet, the 1,000-room Potala Palace.  A Tibetan dinner and show includes the traditional Yak Dance.

        Four of the six May-through-October, 2008 departures are guaranteed.  The tour includes round-trip transpacific flights from the west coast, professional tour manager escort, all transport in Asia, most meals, excursions and sightseeing, transfers, fuel surcharges, hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling.  Add-on airfares from dozens of North American cities and land-only fares are available.  Travelers receive $100,000 flight insurance and frequent flyer credit when PDT tickets the air-inclusive tours.  Reservations, brochures and information can be obtained from travel agents or Pacific Delight, telephone (800) 221-7179 or (212) 818-1781; www.PacificDelightTours.com.