15 Days Chengdu Lhasa EBC via 318 National Highway Overland Tour

Pick up tourists at Chengdu International Airport and escort them to hotels. For the rest of the day, you may stroll leisurely yourself at Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, Broad and Narrow Alley, Jin Li Ancient Street, etc. At around 7pm, the whole tour group, including Tibetan guide, will enjoy a welcome dinner (traditional Sichuan Cuisine). After dinner, the guide will give a briefing about the tour itinerary and dos and don’ts during the tour.

At 7am, we are expected to take tour vehicle from Chengdu to Xinduqiao via Ya’an. As we travel against the flow of Dadu River, upper reaches of Yangtze River, you will pass the first soaring peak on Tibetan Plateau, i.e. Zheduo Mountain (mountain pass 4298m). Instantly, the entire scenery starts to invite you in. Upon seeing exotic Tibetan villages, lush pastures, and grazing yaks, bobbling brooks and fluffy clouds over deep blue sky, you find it hard to move your eyes away from the windows of tour vehicle. Keep heading west, after winding roads, we finally end up in Xinduqiao, known as a paradise for photography.

Xinduqiao wakes up in soft and tender sunlight in the early morning. And its big name as a heaven for photography will never let you down. Accompanied by picturesque small bridges, peaceful local villages and exotic Tibetan houses, and yellow poplar trees, we move westward towards to raging valley of Yalong River and exuberant forest.

On the way, we will pass famous Yajiang and finally reach Litang, a city on Qinghai-Tibetan plateau with an altitude of 4000m. Litang is a natural grassland on the plateau. Grazing yaks, sheep and nomad’s tents dotted across the massive pasture are the most common scene. If you come in summer, you will be greeted by the waves of blossoming flowers.

Besides, another star attraction in Litang is Ke’er monastery, a prestigious Gelugpa Monastery on this lively pasture also the biggest in Kham. The entire monastery is built along the mountain, with varied heights. Adorned with gilded frame, the highest temple of it is instantly recognizable at a great distance. Then after visiting Litang, the whole team travel through Haizishan Mountain (4700m) and venture into menacing valley regions and at night we should make it to Batang County.

Today, we 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. As the relentless torrent pounds jagged mountain in deep valley, you can hear the roaring sound of nature. Undoubtedly, this part of the road is also the most difficult one.

Without any hesitation, we keep travelling westward and pass Lawu Mountain (4358m) and Dongda Mountain (5008m). Standing atop of lofty mountain passes, covered with snow, you can enjoy the spectacular vista of zigzag Sichuan-Tibet highway and incredible Lancang River crawling through mountainous ranges. Surprisingly, hardly can you find vegetation at the lower part of the valley. Flanked by rugged mountains, the brown river flows afar like a blazing fire, which makes one of the highlights of entire road trip. At night, the whole team will reach the city of Zogong.

Stay overnight in Zogong

As we hit the road from Zogong, our next destination would be Bangda Grasssland, the most importantnatural pasture in eastern Tibet. The gentle river and boundless grassland are home to flocks of sturdy yaks, horses, and sheep and other wild life. The vibrant grass and other little known flowers and bushes rule this enchanting place. They provide ample food for animal husbandry and Tibetan nomads.

After a brief tour in enchanting Bangda Grassland, our team is expected to travel across Yela Mountain(4839m), the most dangerous natural barrier on Hengduan Mountain Range. Then we will move downward by following famous Seventy-two Bends till the shore of Nu River. The snow-blanketed mountains range stretches into infinite vista.

Further moving westward, we begin to be surrounded by soaring snow mountains, pristine forest and idyllic Tibetan villages. All of sudden, you realize we are now in a world of forest where the sheer drop of altitude would reach 2500m. And that leads to huge temperature change (up to 20℃) from mountain pass to the bottom of valley. You can experience 4 seasons in a single day. At night, we will arrive at Rakwa Tso.

Serving as the source of Parlung Tsangpo Lake, Rakwa Tso is a typical seasonal glacial lake in Chamdo. The narrow strip of river stretches westward for about 10km and slowly winds up in a giant canyon. In the foreground are the lovely Tibetan villages; as you look further, the shimmering light of Rakwa Tso displays irresistiblebeauty; while the glacial valley, and snow-capped peaks and primeval forests loom afar in the background. What a feast to your eyes!

As we continue our journey from Rakwa Tso, our team will follow the scenic road amid dense forest and turbulent Parlung Tsangpo till today’s final destination Bomi. On the way, tourists can tour spectacular Midui Glacier, widely believed to be the most beautiful glacier in China. The main peak of Midui Glacier has an altitude of 6800m. While its snowline stays at 4600m and the lowest end of glacier averaging an altitude of 2400m. For that, Midui Glacier is known the only glacier with the lowest altitude in the world. Tourists can closely enjoy the marvelous ice tongue, measuring 700-800m from the top to bottom.

Following an open and wide valley (2km wide, 5km long), we move into the canyon area of River Parlung Tsangpo. Flanked by lush forests, the canyon and its surroundings form an earthly paradise. The raging torrent, notorious rapids, and gushing waterfalls can be seen one after another. With jagged glaciers hanging on steep rock face and steamy mist floating over icy mountain peaks, you will get amazed by how truly incredible our planet can be.

After that, we will head to celebrated Lulang Forest. It is an enchanting forest covering an area of 15 sq km on the plateau. This region is blanketed with vibrant shrubs, spruces and pine trees. At the bottom of the mountain are steppes and local Tibetans living beside the brooks. We can visit the Zhaxigang Village, the iconic Tibetan village in Lulang and meet the locals and enjoy the local snacks, etc. At the viewing platform of Lulang, you could be enjoying the panorama of Mt. Namcha Barwa(7782m) if the weather is good, one of the most amazing mountains in China.

We will make a brief stop at Sejila Mountain Pass (4728m). You can view the colorful leaves on the mountain in autumn which look like a palette overturned by mountain deities. Of course, the seas of clouds, massive forests and lofty Mt. Namcha Barwa are within easy sight. After passing Seijila Mountain Pass, the tour group will keep moving westward and arrive in Nyingchi, the biggest city in eastern Tibet. In spring, the peach flowers in the foot of the forest are in full bloom, which makes Nyingchi the most beautiful peach flower scenery in China.

We will keep moving west to Lhasa by following Nyang River, a tributary of Yarlung Tsangpo River. Different from the awe-inspiring scenery in Hengduan Mountains, most of the view features idyllic pastoral scene along the valley. After passing Mila Pass(5013m), the last mountain pass during the road trip, we will finally arrive in Lhasa valley. Shortly after Dagzê County, the magnificent Potala Palace perched on Red Hill will appear in your sight. You long-expected holy Lhasa city is now only steps away. Checkin hotel for a good rest.

(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. )

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which 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.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly.

In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa. Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).

In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress. After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

We’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch. After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gazt at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at Rongbuk monastery guest house.

In the morning, you can see the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then we will visit the Rongbu Monastery - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. Finally, we will drive back to Shigatse.

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery; you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world. The monastery itself is abiding place for the successive Penchen Lamas. Then we are expected to follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa, and the guide will get you transferred to your hotels.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and see you off.