Holding the torch

The Olympic flame reached the final destination of its long and sometimes contentious global tour greeted by rapturous crowds in Beijing this week, two days before it officially launches the 2008 Summer Games. From Olympia to Beijing, the torch has crossed 137,000 km (85,000 miles) - the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay, passing through every continent except Antarctica and carried by 21,880 world-wide torchbearers including Dragoman Overland’s Chinese local guide organiser Jason Huang through his home city of Chendu.

Dragoman can’t guarantee gold medals or a torch-bearing reception but they do offer a high performing ‘PB’ and a winning combination of full-on adventure and cultural exploration during an off-the-beaten-track journey through the China that few outsiders ever see.

China & Inner Mongolia - 16-nights, next departing Xi'an 15th June 2009

An adventure holiday visiting tourist highlights and lesser-known areas of China in a short space of time. Enjoy a guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors and explore the stunning Mt. Kongtong and its temples before crossing the Yellow River into the deserts and semi-deserts of the north. Discover modern provincial Chinese urban life in the fun city of Yinchuan then overland via Hohhot through China's Inner Mongolia. Explore Datong's Hanging Monastery, the Yungang Caves and the Imperial city of Chengde, summer home to the Emperor's family and visit the Great Wall at Jinshanling, Simatai and at Mutianyu, before continuing to the Summer Palace & Forbidden City in Beijing.

The overland costs £695 p/p plus kitty US$390 (~£200) including hotel and guesthouse accommodation, transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s customised Mercedes Benz expedition truck and guidance from an experienced two-person crew and local guide.

The Pilgrims Trail – 6 ½ weeks, next departing Beijing 16th July 2009

A full-on combination trip beginning with China & Inner Mongolia itinerary. From Beijing, experience modern provincial cities, rural backwaters and mountain wilderness, as well as some of China's more famous sites. Visit the vast Buddha and cave at Bingling Si, then stay in the Tibetan town of Xiahe, one of the main pilgrimage sites for Tibetan Buddhists. From Lhasa, head off on the ultimate overland, crossing the high passes of the Tibetan Plateau to Golmud, visiting Rhongphuk Monastery en route to Everest Base Camp.

The overland costs £1,950 p/p plus kitty US$930 (~£478) hotel, guesthouse and camp accommodation (80%/20%), all camp meals, transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s customised Mercedes Benz expedition truck and guidance from an experienced two-person crew and two local guides.

For more information, log on to Dragoman.com.