13 Days Chengdu to Lhasa Overland

From

$0.00

Duration

13 days

Tour Type

Adventure, City Tours, Historical

Best Months To Travel

June, July, Aug, Sept

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Terms & conditions How to pay Reviews

Overview

The splendid Chengdu to Lhasa overland Tour route is one of the best Tibet overland tours to Tibet with a total distance of 2,412km long, it starts from Chengdu in the east and ends at Lhasa in Tibet on the west. It is one of the ways to travel from Chengdu to Tibet. The road stretches into Lhasa passing a few prominent Khampa culture centers like Kangding, and Lithang, fabulous views of mighty mountains within the alpine fertile valley of Pasho and Lulang, and stunning views of Ranwu Lake and Basum Lake.

The Sichuan-Tibet highway traverses 14 high mountains with an average altitude of 4500m, spans dozens of famous rivers, and crosses primeval forests and photogenic villages. The crisscrossing route over the narrow and rocky with steep slopes and sharp ridges gives spectacular views of nomad communities on the vast plateau grassland, picturesque sceneries of lakes and snow-capped peaks within the beautiful fertile valleys, extending the way further to the west to Lhasa and a couple of days visit to the world heritages and mystical temples within the city will end the trip with full of astonishment and appreciation.

Generally, the eastern part is enjoying a mild climate due to the penetration of monsoon winds and precipitation from Southeast Asia, so this adventurous journey is accessible from April to Mid June and then Sept to Nov, since monsoon(from the end of June to August) rainfall brings road damages.

Included/Exclude

Tour Cost Includes:

- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canisters for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;

Tour Cost Excludes:

- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation (recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:

Tour Amenities

Accepts Credit Cards

Car Parking

Free Coupons

Laundry service

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Restaurant

Smoking Allowed

Wireless Internet

Tour Plan

DAY 01. ARRIVAL AT CHENGDU EITHER BY AIR OR TRAIN;

Today you will be greeted by our representatives at the Chengdu International Airport and a short drive of 30 minutes get you to hotel in the Chengdu downtown, rest in the hotel and alleviate jet-lag. Overnight in Chengdu.

DAY 02. HALF DAY GIANT PANDA BREEDING CENTRE ESCORTED TOUR.

Attraction: Giant Panda Breeding Centre, cute giant Pandas and Red Pandas. This morning our guide and driver meet you at the hotel lobby about 8 am and start the beautiful day with a visit the Panda breeding centre, the cute pandas are very active in the morning and there you will see them rolling, climbing and eating bamboos, Chengdu Giant Panda breeding centre was founded in 1987 with 6 rescued Pandas from the wild and now there are about 83 Pandas rearing in it. You will enjoy the time by seeing both Giant Pandas and red Pandas, you will definitely impress by seeing the newly born Panda cubs in the nursery. After lunch, you have time to pack and prepare for your long overland journey through the Tibet plateau, you will meet your Tibetan guide and drive this afternoon and confirm your departure time of the trip. Overnight in Chengdu

DAY 03. CHENGDU - YA’AN -LUDING - KANGDING, 380km, 7 to 8 hours’ drive

Attractions; Chengdu country side view, Kangding Tibetan town situated in the narrow valley. Today we will drive to Kangding via Ya’an and Luding, the well paved highway ends at Ya’an, then the twisted and narrow road within the gorge sometimes take longer than expected, continues drive through the Mt.Erlang(3437m) tunnel and following river upstream to Kangding. Kangding is the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Prefecture, but in these days more and more Chinese merchants trading in the town and settled there, the river passing in the middle of the town plays and important role during the sunny summer days. You may have a short walk around the street after dinner. Overnight in Kangding.

DAY 04. KANGDING(2395m) - LITHANG(4041m), 300km, 6 hours’ drive.

Attractions; Mt. Zheduo(4270m), vast nomadic pastures, blooming wild flowers, mighty snowcapped peaks. Today we will drive across the Zheduo pass(4270m) and it is remarked by a heap of prayer flags and a stupa, Tibetan pilgrims put prayer flags up on the passes which is considered as most clean spot, further driving into the valley pass by the recently opened Kangding airport, before we get to XinduQiao, you will be impressed by the colorfully designed triangular prayer flags and well carved mantras over the hillside along the road, among Chinese tourist, XinduQiao is well known as heaven for photographers, especially in spring, when the trees along the road shed its leaves with yellowish color, the whole surrounding looks like a great painting and crowds of Chinese tourist occupies the whole region. After hours of drive through ranges of mountain we will enjoy natural lakes and lone nomadic family tents with herds of sheep and yaks on the peaceful pastures. Way to Lithang we will cross over the Jainzi Wan pass(4659m) and by following the route over the ridge experience the distinction of driving on the roof of the world. Sooner, we will get to the days destination Lithang which is located in a high valley, it is famed as the birthplace of the 7th and 10th Dalai Lamas. At your arrival in the town, check in the hotel and explore the local street rest of day. Overnight in Lithang.

DAY 05. LITHANG - BATHANG(2580m) - MARKHAM(3875m), 293km, 6hours drive.

Attractions; Plateau nomads and snowcapped mountains, Yangzi river(Drichu) and beautiful valleys. Today we drive continues toward west to Markham via Bathang, wide grassland of the region is home of hundreds of nomads and herds of animals, wild blossoms end of July and August is like huge garden than a pasture. After a short drive from Bathang county, we will cross the Yangzi river bridge and it is borderline to the Tibet Autonomous Region, the check point at the end of bridge will check the documents and permits to enter TAR, then the road goes within a deep gorge and endless mountain views and valleys stop you for photos, the road meet with Yunnan-Tibet highway at Markham and we will spend the night there and you have time to explore around the local bazaar in the town after the dinner. Overnight in Markham.

DAY 06. MARKHAM - ZUGONG(3877m) - PAMDA(4120m) - BASHO(3280m), 365km, 8 hours’ drive.

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.

DAY 07. BASHO - RANWU(3960m) - POMI(2725m), 222km, 6 hours’ drive.

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.

DAY 08. POMI - TONGMI(2070m) – LULANG(3285m) – NYINTRI(BAYI)(2930m), 234km, 6 hours’ drive.

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.

DAY 09. NYINTRI (2930m)– BASUM TSO – LHASA(3650m), 480km, 8 hours’ drive.

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.

DAY 10. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR.

Attractions; Potala palace, Jokhang temple and bustling Bakhor street. 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 important. 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 the most scared temple in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit inside the temple 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 since from long time, in the early days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to tourist gift shopping centre. In the afternoon 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. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 11. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR.

Attractions; Drepung monastery and Sera monastery. Today we will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, 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, destructions were taken place in different time but still you have lots things to see, walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane through the monks’ apartments is more like a typical village. 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.

DAY 12 NAMTSO LAKE(4700m) DAY TRIP, 8.5hrs,500km

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.

DAY 13. LHASA AIRPOR/TRAIN STATION SEND OFF.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Cristian Pumarino Jun,11 2019 01:29:35
We are 3 people that will travel from Chengdu to Lahsa by train, arriving around August 5th. We want to take 4 days tour in Lhasa. We need to know how to book the tour with you, the price, how to pay it and what are the documents we need to go there. We will get our tourist visa to visit China after we book the tour. Two of us will travel form Chile in South America and our son -also chilean- will do it form South Africa. Stay tuned to reply

Admin(06-12,2019): Dear Cristian pumarino, Thanks for your inquiry, this is Mia from Explore Tibet, I am very happy to be your personal trip advisor, I am confident that I can answer all the questions you may have based on my own experience and help you plan a memorable tour in Tibet.
Explore Tibet is one of the few Tibetan owned agencies based in Lhasa, we practice Responsible travel by using local services and employ locals as much as possible. We use Tibetan drivers and tour guides for their strong Tibetan Cultural and religious background to make your travel unique and authentic.
We are an agency based in Lhasa, not anywhere in mainland China. Since if something happened or you need anything during the tour, we local agency will be more convenient.
Tour information: Yes, you can join our group tour 4 Days Lhasa Highlight group tour departure on July 9th it will end on July 12th, For group tour, there will be at most 12 group members in one group, and the starting and ending dates are fixed, price will be cheaper. http://www.exploretibet.com/tibet-group-tours/4-Days-Lhasa-Highlight.html
The cost of the Group tour 4 Days Lhasa Highlight costs USD532 per person based on maximum 12 people in the group& triple-bed rooms
Best Regards
Mia (Trip Advisor)

Lakshmi May,23 2019 15:20:14
Hi, I am interested in this tour. But I cannot exert myself much and was wondering if I can skip the Kailash Kora and use other forms of transportation. I do however want to see Mt. Kailash. Also are you able to provide oxygen?

Admin(06-12,2019): Dear Lakshmi, Thanks for your inquiry, this is Rex from Explore Tibet, I am very happy to be your personal trip advisor, I am confident that I can answer all the questions you may have based on my own experience and help you plan a memorable tour in Tibet. Explore Tibet is one of the few Tibetan owned agencies based in Lhasa, we practice Responsible travel by using local services and employ locals as much as possible. We use Tibetan drivers and tour guides for their strong Tibetan Cultural and religious background to make your travel unique and authentic.
Permit application：
Tibet travel permit process takes around 22 days and we need 3 days to send you the permit in mainland China . We also need your passport and China visa copy for the permit application. Please send me clear photos or scan copies. If your China Visa is not an “L” visa, then you must also provide additional documents such as student certificates, work permits, residence permits and so on. If you enter Tibet by plane, you need original permit which we will mail it to your last hotel in mainland China, if you by train, only need copy of the permit, which we will send you by email. Tour Information:
Here I recommend you 15 days Kailash group tour below, sorry, since this is group tour, basically everything is fixed, so, we cannot find other transportation for you to avoid the trekking. What’s more, there is no public bus.
Please check the details below. Also, please let me know if your nationality is India, thank you!
Have a wonderful day!
Best Regards,
Rex(Your personal trip advisor)

matteo May,18 2019 16:19:11
Hello! we would kindly like to know what’s the cheapest offer you have for this guided tour. We’re two people thank you!!

Sdmin(06-12,2019): Dear matteo, Thanks for your inquiry, this is Sherry from Explore Tibet, I am very happy to be your personal trip advisor and I hope me and my team can offer you a memorable tour in Tibet.
Explore Tibet is one of the few Tibetan owned agencies based in Lhasa, we practice Responsible travel by using local services and employ locals as much as possible. We use Tibetan drivers and tour guides for their strong Tibetan Cultural and religious background to make your travel unique and authentic.
As you have 2 pax, the cheapest way for this tour must be joining our group tour, in June, it’s still not high season, cost is USD900 per person. Max. 10 pax.
We have fixed dates starting on June 11th, 14th, 21st, 25th, and 28th. Which date is suitable for you?
In July, cost is USD1020 per person.
Best Regards
Sherry (Your Trip Advisor)