Overland tour along the Sichuan Tibet Highway Northern Rout

Brief Overview

The journey begins at the Tibetan areas of Western Sichuan, traverses the eastern Tibet via the northern route and meets Qinghai-Tibet Highway in Changthang area that leads you to Lhasa-the capital of Tibet. The journey offers a range of scenery from forested alpine country to the high plateau of the Changthang and passes many large monasteries near Ganzi and the timeless printing press of Derge. From Derge, you cross into Tibet proper over some wild passes to Chamdo-the largest town in Eastern Tibet, From Chamdo, you will continue westwards along the northern route, gradually climbing to high-altitude pasturelands of Chanthang and reach Nagchu in 4 days. Enroute, you will visit the very impressive Riwoche Temple and several other Buddhist and Bon Monasteries. Nagchu hosts famous horse racing festival from Aug 10 every year and continues about a week. From Nagchu, visit Namtso Lake-the second largest salt water lake of China and famous as the heavenly lake and very much venerated by Tibetan Buddhists. Lhasa-the heart and soul of Tibet is accessible by 4 hours drive from Namtso Lkae. Lhasa has still a lot to offer, despite heavy Chinese influence. This is a very challenging trip that requires good physical fitness level and a spirit of adventures. Road conditions and facilities en route are very poor. You will have to be flexible, hang loose and be prepared for the unexpected. But the journey is fascinatingly beautiful. You will enjoy the views of overwhelming nature, mountains, interact with the locals and understand their culture, conditions and religions.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive in Chengdu.
Upon arrival at Chengdu, you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.
Free afternoon to explore the city on your own or take optional tours on advice of our local managers or guide.
Overnight Tibet Hotel**** or similar

Day 02: Chengdu to Khamding(360km)
Drive through the Erlangshan tunnel (4.17km long) to arrive at the beautiful scenery of Hailuogou glaciers which is at the eastern side of Mt.Gongkha(7,556m). In Khamding city, visit Anjue monastery. Overnight at Kalakaer Hotel***

Day 03:Khamding to Daofu to Luhuo(255km)
Drive over the Zheduoshan pass(4.298m)to Xinduqiao with the views Mt.Gongkha. The beautiful local houses are also the attraction of this journey. At Targong, visit Targong monastery and Muyha pagoda temple, and enjoy the impressive snow peaks of Mt.Yalha(5,820m) and Paojiashan(5,400m). Continue to Luhuo and overnight Luhuo Kasa Hotel

Day 04:Luhuo to Ganzi(100m)
Before proceeding to Ganzi, visit Luhuo Lingque monastery. Ganzi is an important city on the northern Sichuan - Tibet road, visit Ganzi monastery which was once the ruling center of Gongsha family over this land. The Shangshen Renpoche(3rd) is now the religious top leader of Ganzi monastery and Litang monastery. Overnight Ganzi Hotel

Day 05: Ganzi to Payul(Baiyu)(230km)
Drive through the Haizi mountain to Payul which is located by a river in deep valley. En route, enjoy the beauty of lush forests and peaceful village that makes this trip memorable. You will visit Mengyi monastery at Changtai, and Payul monastery, upon arrival at Payul. Overnight Payul Hotel

Day 06: Payul to Derge(140km)
On the way to Derge, visit Palpun monastery which is the largest and most important Kagyulpa monastery in Kham area of Sichuan Province. You will follow upstream of Jinshajiang river to Gato bridge, and then swift east to Derge town which is famous for collection of Buddhist scriptures and literatures. Overnight Quola Hotel

Day 07: Derge sightseeing
Visit the Derge printing house, which is famous for tranditional Tibetan printing boards, made of wood. Also visit Gengqing monastery(Sakyapa order ). Quela Hotel
Day 08: Derge to Chamdo(340km)
Another tough day! Cross Garto Bridge over Jinshajiang River-which is the natural bounday between Sichuan and Tibet and enjoy the view of the spectacular holy mountain of Shengchenlangtsa. At Tonpu, turn to the south to enjoy the unmatchable view along the Tsaqu vally. Overnight Chamdo Hotel

Day 09:Chamdo sightseeing
Chamdo city, situated in the eastern part of Tibet proper, is the political, economic, cultural, and transprotation center of the entire Chamdo Region. Chamdo has a glorious and long history as well as miraculous culture. This area is mainly inhabited by Tibetans. Today, you will visit the famous Chamdo monastery which is the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the eastern Tibet. Overnight Chamdo Hotel

Day 10:Chamdo to Riwoche(100km)
Drive to Riwoche and visit its monastery which belongs to Kagyulpa order, famous for its special structure and grand outlook. The local Khamba people regard the monastery as high as the Jokhang temple in Lhasa. Overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 11:Riwoche to Dingchen(190km)
Drive to Dingchen. Visit Zizhu monastery which lies about 35km before arriving in Dingchen county town. Accommodation in a primitive guesthouse.

Day 12: Dingchen to Suoxian county(255km)
Drive to Suoxian county, on the way enjoy mountains with strange shpae and bare rocks on the top. This place has long been thought to be the holy center of Bon religion in histery. There are quite a few Bon monasteries in Dingchen. Overnight guesthouse.

Day 13: Suoxian county to Nagchu(230km)
Nagchu is the most important and the biggest town in the high northern grassland of Tibet Four roads meet here ( Taking Nagchu as the center, to south is Lhasa, to the north is Golmud, to the west is to Gar and to the east is Chamdo). Every year, the grandest horse racing festival is held at Nagchu, that begins on 10th August and continues for a week. Accommodation in Nagchu Hotel

Day 14:Nagchu to Namtso lake(260km)
Namtso-which means the heavenly lake is the second largest salt water lake of China and one of the 4 holliest lakes of Tibet. Manasarovoara in western Tibet, Yamdrok Tso lake in central Tibet and Kokonor Lake in Qinghai are other three holliest lakes of Tibet. It's situated at 4718m and crowned by the grand Nyanchen Tanghula mountain range. Accommodation in primitive tented guesthouse or drive down to Damxung for a comfortable hotel.

Day 15: Namtso Lake or Damxung to Lhasa(240km)
Drive to Lhasa, en route stpping by Yangbajing geothermal spring. Chech in hotel and take rest today. Accommodation in Xizang Hotel****

Day 16-17: Lhasa sightseeing
Explore the highlights of Lhasa that includes Potala Palace of Dalai Lama, Drepung and Sera monasteries of Gelupa order, ancient Jorkhang Temple, Barkhor Street etc.

Day 18: Depart Lhasa
Transfer to airport for next destination. From Lhasa, you can fly to Kathmandu or Beijing and via Chengdu to Bangkok or Hongkong and other major Chinese cities.

Cost includes
Accommodation 3-4 star hotels in Chengdu and Lhasa, best available hotels or guesthouses in other places. Few places have very basic guesthouses only.
All transportation by a Toyota Landcruiser Jeep 4WD.
Breakfast only in Chengdu and Lhasa and rest of the places 3 meals in local restaurants or guesthouse as available.
Travel insurance
Sightseeing admission fees and Tibet entry permit.
Cost does not include
Drinks, tip and other expenses of personal nature such as phone, laundry etc
Extra expenses due to nature and unforeseen events such as landslide, flight cancellation, illness or any other envents beyond the control of our management.