11 Day Yunnan-Tibet Overland Tour

Attractions; Yangtze River, Great perspective of Mt. Karwa Karpo; Today we drive along the Jinsha Jiang River or Yangtze river, the road twisting within the fertile valley and stop at Feilaisi, which is the view point of Mt. Karwa karpo, it is the highest peak in Yunnan with altitude 6740m, the breathtaking view of the pinnacle peak is one of the holy mountain for Tibet Buddhism and every year hundreds of Buddhism pilgrims circumambulating around it. Then it is only about 10km to the day’s destination Dechen, from there you can also view the holy Mt. Karwa Karpo too. Overnight at Dechen.

Attractions; Barren sandstones and Mekong river. Today we will cross some high passes like Dungala pass(5008m), the highway passing over the ridges offers spectacular views of Mt. Dungri Karpo(6090m) to the south, then quickly cross the Joba la pass (3908m), the zigzag road down through the barren sandstone vista to Druk bridge that spans the Mekong river. Finally, a gradual ascent on the east bank leads across Laoshan passs(4060m) into the alpine meadows of Markham, there we will meet the southern Sichuan-Tibet highway. Overnight at Markham.

Attractions; Typical Tibetan villages, stunning views of mountains and Mekong river. Today we will cross over the highest point of the whole journey, the Dongdo-la with altitude of 5108m, then we follow the road along Yachu river which is a tributary of the Salween river and meet spurroad to Chamdo at Pamda, from there the unpaved road cross over the Nujiang mountain(4658m), the dusty road climbing down into the valley with 72 bends could be the worst part of the road, then the road pass through numbers of villages along the stream lead to the small town of Basho which is located right on the road side, it is best place to spend the night in the region. Overnight at Basho.

Attractions; Green valleys and snow mountains, Ranwu lake. Today we drive to Pomi via Ranwu lake, the gradual descending in the altitude bring climate changes from dry to moist, forest get thicker along the road, once we get at Ranwu, we stop for a while to view the stunning Ranwu lake that gives you beautiful shots with reflections of the snow mountains in the lake, then for few kilometers along the lake and drive further to Pomi. Overnight in Pomi.

Attractions; Alpine forest valley of Lulang, Mt.Namcha Barwa(7787m), Mt, Gyala Palri(7151m). Today the paved road goes through the beautiful green valleys, but snow mountains appearing far behind the forested mountains and colorful wild blossoms are known as Tibetan Switzerland, the road trace upstream of the Parlung river and Rongchu river, we will cross over the photogenic suspension bridge over the Yigong Tsangpo and then further up to Rongchu valley, the virgin forests and subtropical climate of the area is unique on the Tibetan plateau, then a short drive get us to the gorgeous alpine valley with abundant rhododendron and cypress forest is known as Lulang forest sea and then ascent through a series of switchbacks from picturesque Rongchu valley to the Serkym la pass(4582m), we will stop at the Serkym la scenic spot that give you a perfect view of thorough Rongchu valley and Mt. Namcha Barwa(7787m) and Mt.Gyala Palri(7151m) in the background, then it is only about 60km to Nyintri town. Overnight in Nyintri.

Attractions; Alpine Basum lake, green valleys and typical villages, glimpse of giant Potala Palace. Today we will drive along the Nyanchu river upstream, within the alpine valley we will pass by numbers of villages, en route we will drive to Basum lake which is about 50km turn-off from the main road, apart from the sheer beauty of the lake it is connected with semi-mythical king of the Kham-King Gesar and Indian abbot Guru Rinpoche, there are also several folk stories about the surrounding snowcapped peaks, walk across the board floating bridge to visit the historical Nyinmapa monastery amid the island. Afternoon we will trace back to the main road and continues drive toward west, cross over the Mila pass(5000m) and it will gain several hundred meters in altitude, gradually you will feel the dry plateau climate and the bare mountains are the real feature of the central and western Tibet. Further drive along the Lhasa river, you will be impress by glimpse of Potala Palace from the distant that perching up from the rest of the city. Overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions; Jokhang temple and bustling Bakhor street and Sera monastery. Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have little head ach which is very common for travelers by the high altitude, so drinking enough water and mild activity on the first few days is recommendable. In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the centre of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is one of the most scared temple in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since from early days. After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is the one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa, during the old days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to tourist gift shopping centre. The amazing day will have ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery, it is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who is disciple of Tsongka pa, few different monastic colleges in Sera is home to several hundred monks from different part of Tibet, the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening every day in the afternoon except Sunday. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions; Potala palace and Drepung monastery. Today we will visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century and later in 17th century rebuilt by 5th Dalai Lama, since then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking though the long steps are quite challenging but it is worthwhile to leave your foot steps in the spiritual palace of God of compassion which listed in the world heritage in 1994. And in the afternoon, we will visit the Drepung monastery, once the world's largest monastery that housed for more than 10,000 monks, it was resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, but several destructions were taken place in different time but still you have lots of things to see by walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane through the monk’s apartments is thrilling. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions; Namtso lake, Mt. Nyechen Thangla, Lagen la pass(5190m), view of Thangula range and Nomad family. Today we drive to north-west of Lhasa via Qinghai-Tibet highway, tracing the Tibet train track till Damshong and then cross the Lagen la pass by driving further west to Namtso lake, north-western part of Tibet is vast pastures for the plateau nomads since from long time and we call it Jiangthang (Northern nomads land), from ridge of the Lagen la(5190m) it gives you the first view of the amazing Namtso lake vista, the paved road cut through the nomad grasslands and black tents of nomad families can be seen along the road side during summer season, Tashi peninsula is the final destination of the day, in the afternoon you have enough time to explore around the Tashi Do peninsula and surroundings. Namtso lake is one of the Tibet’s three most holy lake and Tibetans makes pilgrimage circumambulation around the lake on some ritual time which takes about a month or less to complete the whole circle, it is world highest salt water lake and second largest salt water lake in China with 70km in length and 30km in breadth (1st largest salt water lake in China is Kokorno lake in Qinghai province). Late afternoon, drive back to Lhasa, en route you will visit a nomad family to experience the yak wool tent from the inside and get you chance to understand little more about their lifestyle. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today our guide and driver will send you to the airport or train station and it is time to say your good bye and depart to your next destination. End the trip officially.