Yunnan to Tibet Overland 11 Days Tour

Tour Briefing:
Tour Code: TTO-005
Tour Catalog: Private Tour
Trip Length: 11 days
Starting City: Kunming
Ending City: Lhasa
Route feature:The overland tour from Yunnan to Lhasa (starting from Kunming) is less difficult than driving from Yunnan to Lhasa, but the scenery along the way is also stunning beautiful. During this trip, You will visit the lovely Lijiang old city which is one of the four old cities in China, and the deepest gorges in the world - Tiger Leaping Gorges before arriving at Zhongdian, we still call it Shangri-la. In Zhongdian, visit the Songzanlin Temple which is like a smaller Patala. After arriving at Deqin, see the holy Mt. Meili. Cross the Tibetan border from Yanjing, then another 111km to Markham join the Sichuan Southern route to Lhasa.

The tour itinerary:
Day 01 Lijiang Arrival (D)
Arrive in Lijiang.
Walk around Lijiang Old Town, Black Dragon Pool and Dongba Museum.
Night enjoy Naxi Orchestral Music and Dance.

Day 02 Lijiang-Tiger Leaping Gorge (B.L,D)
Get up early in the morning, after having your breakfast, we will drive 2 hours to our first stop-Qiaotou town, and start the hiking of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Walk from the high path (2 hours) to get to the Naxi family guesthouse, eat lunch out there. Walk from Naxi family guesthouse to Halfway guesthouse and stay overnight (about 3-5 hours). On the way to Halfway guesthouse, you will have to ascent over the most difficult part of the Tiger Leaping Gorge-28 Bends so called, enjoying the snow-capped mountains Jade Dragon and Haba. You can rent a mule or horse to carry your backpacks, or for you to ride.

Day 03 Tiger Leaping Gorge-Shangri La(Former Zhongdian) (B.L,D)
Walk from Halfway guesthouse to Tina’s (around 1-2 hours), stop for lunch then drive to Songzanlin, a monastery was first built here in 1679 and has been rebuilt many times. The architectural style of the building is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. After that, free time for you to stroll around Sifang square and to explore some Tibetan custom, overnight at Zhongdian.
 
Day04 Zhongdian/ Deqin / Mt.Meili
 Early morning driving from Zhongdian to Deqin, it takes about 5 to 6 hours, along the way with beautiful landscapes. In the afternoon, see the holy mountain Meili from the view platform. If time is allowed, drive to see the beautiful Mingyong Glacier at the foot of Kawagebo - the main peak of Mt. Meili. Overnight at Deqin.
 
Day05 Deqin / Yanjing/Markham 200KM
 Go on northwards along the Lang cang jiang river valley, the upper reaches of Mekong River. Pass the border between Tibet and Yunnan at Yanjing, arrive at Markham after another 111km to join the Sichuan Southern route to Lhasa.

Departing Deqin, we travel along the north of Mekong River valley into Tibet. Along the way, we may be able to see the peaks of Kawagebo mountain range on a good day. Mt. Meili (6,740 m/22,113 ft), which straddles the border of Yunnan and Tibet, is the highest peak in the province. Once into Tibet, our first stop will be in the town of Yanjing, which was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan area, which ranged from northwestern Sichuan down into Yunnan. We will visit to the salt fields and visit the only one catholic church in Tibet. followed by a stop at the hot springs, where each of us could pick our own natural hot bath overlooking the Mekong. Certainly the best way to relax our body for the adventure ahead!
 
Day06  Markham / Dzogong ( 158km )
Crossing Lancang river, pass over the highest pass- Dongda which is 5008m. Overnight at Dzogong.
We cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around 3,900 m(12,795 ft), the other at 5,008 m(16,430 ft). Driving past local Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks, the expressions on innocent Tibetan girls would make you realize that you are one of the first foreign visitors to this isolated region.
 
Day07 Dzogong / Pasho/ Rawok-tso Lake (285km)                                          
Driving from Dzogong to Pasho via pomba pasture, overnight at Pasho.

We will drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River (the Salween River), which is a long and tough journey, but our destination, the Ranwu Lake, a spectacularly crystal blue lake cupped by snow peaks.

Day08 Rawok-tso Lake /Pomi (219Km)
The way from Pasho to Pomi, you will see glaciers, snow-capped mountains, forests, local villages and also the beautiful lake Rawok-tso. Overnight at Pomi.
We will wander along the Poto-chu Valley at Tramog (2,743 m/8999 ft), located deep in the thickly forested gorge of Parlung Tsangpo with glacial waterfalls streaming from the mountainsides. We will go down several hundred meters in altitude as we reach the lowland jungle settlement of Tang-me where the Tsangpo and Parlung Tsangpo rivers meet.

Day09 Pomi / Bayi (220Km)
Driving from Pomi to Bayi, pass by the gorgeous alpine valleys lined with rhododendron bushes, cross over the Serkhym-la, airrives at Bayi town. Overnight at Bayi.

Waking up to the birds' singing, you will have an unobstructed view of the majestic NamJiabawa peak. After a long 9 hours drive, we will arrive in Bayi, the largest Tibetan town we will have reached at this point.

Day10 Bayi / Cypresses Park /Draksum Tso
 In the morning driving to visit Draksum Tso ( also known as Basum-tso).The lake and its surrounding views are beautiful and the site is also connected to the semi-mythical ruler of the Kham region and Guru Rinpoche. Take a ferry ride off the southern shore of the lake to visit the Tsodzong Monatery, most probably the highest attraction of this site. Afternoon back to Bayi visit Cypresses Park. Overnight at Bayi.

Day11 Bayi / Lhasa (400km)
 Driving from Bayi to Lhasa along Niyang River, Cross the Mila pass. Overnight at Lhasa.
 First we will drive 30 kms to visit the Lamaling monastery which an important monastery in Ningchi. And then drive to Basong lake. The crystal clear water of the Basong Lake will seem like an oasis to you -- another place you would be reluctant to leave.
Drive to Lhase.
Service ends.

The tour service includes:
  1. Transport: Landcruiser
  2. Accommodation: 14N hotels/guesthouses
  3. Guide: Chinese, English speaking guide available
  4. Entrance tickets
  5. Tibet entry permit
  6. Tibet Travel Permit
  7. Tibet Minitary Permit 

The tour service excludes:
  1. Your flight tickets
  2. Your own expense
  3. Tips for the guide and driver
  4. Meals

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