Chengdu to Lhasa Overland Epic 11 Days Adventure via G318

Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

Upon arrival, our colleague will pick you up at the airport/train station and transfer you back to your hotel. The rest day is for you to relax and hang around on your own. At about 19:00 in the afternoon, we will have a welcome dinner at a local Sichuan restaurant. Afterwards, our guide and driver will give a briefing about this tour.
  

Day 2: Chengdu-Ya'an-Luding-Kangding-Xinduqiao

Today we will drive about 410km and it takes around 10 hours. In the morning at about 7:00, we will depart from Chengdu and drive all the way to Xinduqiao via Zheduo Mountain. On the way, we will see lots of Tibetan villages, grasslands, and yaks. It's hard to move your eyes away from the windows. In the afternoon, we will finally reach , the paradise for photography.

Day 3: Xinduqiao-Yajiang-Litang-Haishan Mountain-Batang

Today we will drive from Xinduqiao to Batang for about 400km. Known as the "paradise for photography", Xinduqiao is famous for its picturesque sceneries, peaceful villages and local Tibetan villages. After having breakfast, we will continue to head westwards and pass the Yalong River. On the way to Litang, we will see natural grasslands, grazing yaks and sheep, local nomad tents scattering around. Ke'er Monastery in Litang is also worth visiting. It is a prestigious Gelugpa Monastery built along the mountain. Afterwards we will head to Batang County via Haizishan Mountain (4700m).

Day 4: Batang-Jinsha River-Maerkam-Lawu Mountain-Dongda Mountain-Zogong

Today we will drive about 260km and officially enter the Tibet Autonomous Region. As wide as 300 sq km, our tour vehicle will move in regions where Jinsha River, Lancang River and Nu River flow paralleled. The three renowned rivers share the same source originating from rivers of Tanggula Mountains on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Then we will proceed Zogong via Lawu Mountain (4358m) and Dongda Mountain (5008m).

Day 5: Zogong-Bangda Grassland-Yela Mountain-72 Bends-Ranwutso

Today we will drive from Zogong to Ranwutso for about 200 km. After having breakfast, we will start the trip to Bangda Grassland, the most important natural pasture in eastern Tibet. It's home to many wild animals like yaks, horses, birds, etc. thanks to it's rich grasslands and abundant water resources. Later we will cross the Yela Mountain (4839m) to the famous 72 Bends. Going deep west, we will reach Rawutso Lake, where you can feel significant temperature drop (up to 20℃) as the altitude drops to 2500m.

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Day 6: Ranwutso-Midui Glacier-Parlung Tsangpo-Bomi

Today we will drive about 250km. Serving as the source of Parlung Tsangpo Lake, Rakwutso is a typical seasonal glacial lake in Chamdo. The lake has an area of 22,000 square km, with an elevation of 3,850 meters. People always say that Ranwutso Lake, together with Lhegu Glacier is a perfect combination of Alps of Swiss and Jiuzaigou. After the arrival, the picturesque view will definitely drive away your fatigues, the upright high peaks, white glaciers, blue lake, green grassland, floating clouds and lush forests. Later on, we will proceed to Bomi via Midui Glacier, 1 of the most beautiful glaciers in China.

Day 7:Bomi-Tongmai-Lulang Forest-Sejila Mountain-Nyingtri

Today we will drive about 230km. Following an open and wide valley (2km wide, 5km long), we move into the canyon of Parlung Tsangpo. You can see raging torrent, notorious rapids and gushing waterfalls one after another. It's the scenery you can never see at other places. Later on, we will proceed to Lulang Forest. Known as the "Switerland in East", this region is covered by shrubs, spruces and pine trees. On the way to Nyingtri, we will have a panorama of Mt. NamchaBarwa (7782m) at Sejila Mountain Pass (4728m), one of the most amazing mountains in China. Finally, we will reach Nyingtri, the biggest city in eastern Tibet.

Day 8: Nyingtri-Lhasa

Today we will drive about 420km to Lhasa city following the Nyang River, a tributary of Yarlung Tsangpo River. After pass Mila Pass (5013m), we finally reach Lhasa city, the capital of Tibet. We will transfer you back to hotel and take good rest. The rest time is for your to hang around on your own.

Optional: If time is enough, pay a visit the Basumtso, which is a beautiful small holy lake of Tibetan Buddhism. Entrance fee around 30 USD is not included in price quotation. Please pay on site by tourists. 

Day 9: Lhasa City Tour

Today we will visit the famous Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.
Drepung Monastery is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries that housed for more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the Great Fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala. It was known for the high standards of its academic study, and was called the Nalanda of Tibet. And then you also can visit the biggest monastery kitchen in the monastery and enjoy Buddhist sculpture carving workshop near Drepung.

Sera Monastery is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. We will watch the Monks Debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour  the Tibetan religious scripture printing house and see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha inside the Monastery.

Optional: If you want to, we can arrange the Wencheng Princess Show at night. Price starting from 60 USD.

Day 10: Lhasa city tour

Today we will visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.

Potala Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Jokhang Temple is known as the center of the Tibetan Buddhism, features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, golden sutra streamers. Around the temple, you can see a great many of pilgrims praying in front of the temple. If you want to, we can do kora with local pilgrims.

We will stroll in the old alleys of Barkhor Street where you can drink the sweet tea, chat with locals and even bargain with the street vendors to understand the real life in Lhasa.

Day 11: Lhasa Departure

Our guide will drop you to the airport/train station based on your departure time. Tour ends.

Optional: It is possible to extend your tour in Tibet to add visit to Everest base camp, Namtso lake etc.