Chengdu to Lhasa overland Tour

Attraction: Giant Panda Breeding Centre, featuring adorable giant pandas and red pandas.

This morning, our guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby at around 8 am to begin a delightful day with a visit to the Panda Breeding Centre. The morning hours are particularly lively, as you will witness the cute pandas rolling, climbing, and enjoying their bamboo meals. Established in 1987 with 6 rescued pandas, the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centre now houses around 83 pandas. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to observe both giant pandas and red pandas. The nursery area will surely leave a lasting impression with its newly born panda cubs. After lunch, you can take the time to pack and prepare for your long overland journey across the Tibetan plateau. This afternoon, you will meet your Tibetan guide and driver to confirm the departure time for your trip. Overnight in Chengdu.

Attractions: Chengdu countryside view, Kangding Tibetan town nestled in a narrow valley.

Today, we will drive to Kangding via Ya’an and Luding. The well-paved highway extends until Ya’an, after which the road becomes winding and narrow within the gorge, occasionally taking longer than expected. Continuing through the Mt. Erlang (3437m) tunnel, you will follow the upstream river to Kangding. Kangding serves as the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Prefecture, but in recent years, more Chinese merchants have settled there, adding to the town’s cultural diversity. The river flowing through the town plays a significant role during sunny summer days. After dinner, you can take a short stroll around the streets. Overnight in Kangding

Attractions: Mt. Zheduo (4270m), vast nomadic pastures, blooming wildflowers, mighty snow-capped peaks.

Today, we will drive across the Zheduo Pass (4270m), marked by a heap of prayer flags and a stupa. Tibetan pilgrims consider these passes as sacred spots and adorn them with prayer flags. Driving further into the valley, you will pass by the recently opened Kangding Airport. Before reaching XinduQiao, you will be enchanted by the colorful triangular prayer flags and intricately carved mantras adorning the hillsides along the road. Among Chinese tourists, XinduQiao is renowned as a photographer’s paradise, especially in spring when the yellowish leaves of the roadside trees create a picturesque scenery resembling a great painting. As we continue driving through mountain ranges, we will encounter natural lakes and solitary nomadic family tents surrounded by herds of sheep and yaks grazing on peaceful pastures. On the way to Lithang, we will cross the Jainzi Wan Pass (4659m) and experience the unique sensation of driving on the roof of the world as we follow the ridge. Eventually, we will arrive at our destination for the day, Lithang, located in a high valley and famous as the birthplace of the 7th and 10th Dalai Lamas. Upon arrival, you can check in at the hotel and explore the local streets for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Lithang.

Attractions: Plateau nomads and snow-capped mountains, Yangzi River (Drichu), and beautiful valleys.

Continuing our westward journey, we drive towards Markham via Bathang. The wide grasslands of this region are home to hundreds of nomads and their herds. During the end of July and August, wild blossoms transform the pasture into a vast garden. After a short drive from Bathang County, we will cross the Yangzi River bridge, which marks the border of the Tibet Autonomous Region. At the end of the bridge, the checkpoint will inspect your documents and permits to enter TAR. The road then winds through deep gorges, offering endless views of mountains and valleys that beg for photographic stops. As we reach Markham, the road intersects with the Yunnan-Tibet Highway. You will spend the night in Markham and have the opportunity to explore the local bazaar after dinner. Overnight in Markham.

Today, we will embark on a scenic drive from Markham to Basho, passing through picturesque Tibetan villages and enjoying stunning views of mountains and the Mekong River. Our route will take us over the Dongdo-la, the highest point of the entire journey, standing at an altitude of 5,108 meters. As we continue along the road, we will follow the Yachu River, a tributary of the Salween River, until we reach Pamda. Here, we will encounter a spur road that leads to Chamdo. From Pamda, we will traverse the unpaved road over the Nujiang Mountain, situated at 4,658 meters. This stretch of the journey includes a section with 72 bends, which can be challenging due to the dusty conditions. However, the breathtaking scenery of villages nestled along the stream and the surrounding mountains makes the drive worthwhile. Finally, we will arrive in the small town of Basho, conveniently located by the roadside, offering a comfortable place to spend the night. Overnight in Basho

Today’s drive will take us from Basho to Pomi, with a stop at the stunning Ranwu Lake along the way. As we descend in altitude, the climate transitions from dry to moist, resulting in lush green valleys and dense forests lining the road. When we reach Ranwu, we will pause for a while to admire the breathtaking beauty of Ranwu Lake. The pristine lake offers a captivating reflection of the snow-capped mountains, providing ample opportunities for stunning photographs. Continuing our journey, we will drive for a few kilometers alongside the lake before proceeding to Pomi. Overnight in Pomi.

Today’s drive will lead us through the picturesque green valleys as we make our way from Pomi to Nyintri (Bayi). Along the way, we will pass through Tongmi and Lulang, where we will be treated to the sight of alpine forests and majestic snow-capped mountains, including the imposing Mt. Namcha Barwa (7,787m) and Mt. Gyala Palri (7,151m). The road traces the upstream paths of the Parlung River and Rongchu River, allowing us to witness the unique beauty of the region. We will cross the Yigong Tsangpo on a photogenic suspension bridge before ascending through a series of switchbacks to the Serkym La Pass (4,582m). At the pass, we will stop at the Serkym La scenic spot, offering panoramic views of the Rongchu Valley and the towering mountains in the background. Afterward, we will drive approximately 60km to reach Nyintri town. Overnight in Nyintri.

Today, we will drive alongside the Nyanchu River, passing through charming alpine valleys and typical Tibetan villages on our way to Lhasa. Along the route, we will have the opportunity to visit Basum Tso, a beautiful alpine lake located approximately 50km from the main road. The lake is not only known for its sheer beauty but also for its connections to semi-mythical figures such as the Kham-King Gesar and the Indian abbot Guru Rinpoche. Stories and legends surrounding the surrounding snow-capped peaks add to the mystical atmosphere of the area. We will walk across a floating bridge to visit the historical Nyinmapa Monastery on the island in the lake. In the afternoon, we will continue driving west, crossing over the Mila Pass (5,000m) and experiencing a gradual increase in altitude. As we approach Lhasa, the landscape will transform into the characteristic dry plateau climate, with bare mountains dominating the scenery. Along the Lhasa River, we will catch glimpses of the majestic Potala Palace, an iconic landmark perched above the rest of the city. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today marks your first day on the high plateau, and it is common for some travelers to experience a mild headache due to the altitude. To acclimatize, it is essential to stay hydrated and engage in light activities during the initial days. In the morning, our guide will meet you at the hotel, and we will embark on an easy visit to the Jokhang Temple, located in the heart of the Old Lhasa city. The Jokhang Temple holds great significance and is always bustling with devoted local pilgrims. After exploring the temple, you will have time to wander around the Bakhor Street, a renowned devotional circuit and a bustling market in Lhasa. While it was once a famous local market, it has now transformed into a center for tourist gift shopping. In the afternoon, we will visit the world-famous Potala Palace, a magnificent architectural masterpiece and a symbol of Tibetan culture. Originally built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo and later restored by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century, the Potala Palace served as the residence of the Dalai Lama and his government. Take the rest of the day to further acclimatize and alleviate jet lag. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today, we will embark on an escorted tour of Lhasa, visiting two prominent monasteries: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. In the morning, we will explore Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest monastery in the world, accommodating over 10,000 monks. Despite experiencing some destruction over time, the monastery still offers a captivating glimpse into its rich history. As we walk through the narrow and winding lanes that weave through the monks’ living quarters, it feels like stepping into a traditional village. The day continues with a visit to Sera Monastery, founded in the fifteenth century by Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Sera Monastery houses several monastic colleges and is home to hundreds of monks from various parts of Tibet. One of the monastery’s highlights is the famous Buddhist philosophical debates, which take place in the afternoon (except on Sundays). After the day’s exploration, take the remainder of the day to acclimatize and rest. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today, we will embark on a day trip to Namtso Lake, located northwest of Lhasa. Our journey follows the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, tracing the Tibet train track until Damshong, and then continuing westward to Namtso Lake. This region, known as Jiangthang or the Northern Nomads’ Land, features vast pastures that have served as the grazing grounds for plateau nomads for generations. As we cross the Lagen La Pass (5190m), we will be rewarded with a breathtaking vista of Namtso Lake. Driving along the paved road, we will pass through the nomad grasslands, where during the summer season, black tents belonging to nomad families can be spotted along the roadside. Our destination is the Tashi Do Peninsula, where you will have ample time in the afternoon to explore the surroundings and soak in the natural beauty of Namtso Lake. Considered one of Tibet’s three holiest lakes, Namtso Lake holds great spiritual significance for Tibetans, who undertake month-long pilgrimages to circumambulate its shores. With a length of 70km and a breadth of 30km, it is the world’s highest saltwater lake and the second largest in China. Before returning to Lhasa in the late afternoon, we will visit a nomad family, giving you a firsthand experience of their yak wool tents and an opportunity to gain insight into their unique lifestyle. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today, our guide and driver will accompany you to the airport or train station in Lhasa, marking the end of our journey together. It is time to bid farewell and embark on your onward journey. We sincerely hope you had a memorable experience exploring Tibet.