Others

1. All necessary travel permits for Tibet (excluding the Chinese visa) 2. All admission fee of tourists sites listed in the itinerary 3. Oxygen bottles/Oxygen tank cylinder provided during the tour days in Tibet

Guide

Experienced Local Tibetan private guide

Accommodation

Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin-bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast.

Insurance

Travel Agency Liability insurance

Transport

- Tourist bus/minibus transportation with experienced local driver during tour - Tourist bus/minibus transportation between airport/train statin and Hotel at designated period of time

Not included:

Meals

Lunches and Dinners，Breakfast at Namtso Lake

Others

1. Chinese visa 2. Tips to driver and tour guide 3. Single room supplement if clients request a private room in hotel

Flights

International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (Altitude: 3,670M) (D, By Air)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (Altitude: 3,670M) (D, By Air)

Take the flight into Tibet. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by your guide and warmly welcomed with a pure white katak scarf (prayer scarf). Then drive to Lhasa, 100km away from the airport. On the way, you may enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Lhasa River and stop occasionally for pictures of local villages. As you have just made a sudden ascent to 3,670 meters, transfer to the hotel for a good rest. The rest time is free for relax and adjustment. We suggest taking it easy, drinking lots of water, and avoiding heavy foods. Tonight you will enjoy a local characteristics welcome dinner.
Day 2 Day 2: Lhasa (3,670M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Lhasa (3,670M) (B)

Since we have just made a sudden ascent from lowland to an altitude of over 3,700 meters (12,139 ft), today’s itinerary is not so tight. Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka. Drepung is about 8km west of central Lhasa, once world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day’s sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains. Sera Monastery sits at the foot of the mountains. One of the three main Gelupka monasteries in Lhasa, Sera is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. If we are lucky enough, we could watch the Lamas in their traditional theological exercise of lively debating. is recognized by “the summer palace of dalai lamas”. "Norbu Linka" means beautiful gardens. This garden covers an area of 36 hectares and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama, who would move here from the Potala Palace to this summer palace and spend most of their summer here.
Day 3 Day 3: Lhasa (3,670M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Lhasa (3,670M) (B)

We will visit the Potala Palace, landmark of Lhasa and spiritual symbol of Tibet - you will join many pilgrims on your way to the top of a hill where this 13-storey architectural wonder is perched upon. The approach to the Potala is not easy, and requires climbing many steep steps, so we take it slowly and allow ourselves to leisurely enjoy the Palace and its surroundings. We enjoy strolling through its winding corridors and peaking in some of its thousand rooms, and can only imagine what life here was once like. In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Lhasa. As we make the inner circuit around the courtyard, spinning numerous prayer wheels as we go, we are swept up in the energy of the devout. From the rooftop, we get stunning views of the Potala, and the snow capped peaks off in the distance. Around the Temple runs the Barkhor, a holy circuit which pilgrims undertake and a bustling commercial market. The rest of the time is left free for you to venture around Bakhor market, where you will feel you are right at the heart of Tibet.
Day 4 Day 4: Lhasa / Gyangtse (3,900M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Lhasa / Gyangtse (3,900M) (B)

Lhasa/Gyangtse/Shigatse 435km driving;

Morning drive up to Kampala pass (5,030m), you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok Tso Lake on the way and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Tanglha in the distance, which are wonders of the day. Lying at the south foot of the uninterrupted snow-capped Himalayas, the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Tso appears like a holy sapphire and evokes solemnity. In clear weather, the reflection of sunshine in different depths lends the lake gorgeous and mysterious colors. Tibetans here believe that it is a dwelling place of the spirits that protect the people. Every year, many devotional followers would come here for pilgrimage.Then along the highway drive to Gyantse, visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum. Gyangtse is very famous for its giant architectural stupa in Tibet.
Day 5 Day 5: Gyangtse / Shigatse (Altitude 3836M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Gyangtse / Shigatse (Altitude 3836M) (B)

Gyangtse/Shigatse 95km/1.5hrs driving;

At Gyantse, in the morning, go to visit the Pelkor Monastery and Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Pelkor Monastery was built when different religious sectors conflicted neck and neck in Tibet. So it occupies a stunning position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and features a mixture of pagoda and monastery. The most symbolic architecture in the monastery is the Kumbum Stupa, which is composed of nine layers of nearly 77 temple halls with numerous Buddha statues in halls and murals. The mural paintings are the wonders of the stupa that mostly date back to its original time, there are around 108 cells all around the stupa and every cell has different paintings and statues inside.

Tashilhunpo Monastery. Built in 1447 and the seat of the Panchen Lama, the monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama, which contains masses of jewels and gold. Just close Tashilhunpo is the Old Town of Shigatse, a great place to wander around: Nicely decorated Tibetan houses and interesting market and bazaar give you a vivid picture of local people’s life.
Day 6 Day 6: Shigatse / Sakya (Altitude 4316M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Shigatse / Sakya (Altitude 4316M) (B)

Shigatse/ Sakya 153km/ 3hrs driving;

Tibet has a serious rule about speed-limit. Though from Shigatse to Sakya is only abt 150km or so, the no-more-than-40km/hr regulation, and the many road checks dotted on the way, really slow us down. So today, you will take nearly 3hrs drive to Sakya. And you will also visit Sakya Monastery and see Mt. Everest far away. Located in Sakya County southwest of Shigatse, the Sakya Monastery is the principal monastery of the Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tingri or rather Lao Tingri is the last stop before Everest Base Camp Tour.
Day 7 Day 7: Sakya / Mt. Everest Base Camp(5,150M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Sakya / Mt. Everest Base Camp(5,150M) (B)

It takes about 4.5 hours since the cracked winding roads demand much caution. But the views are stupendous on a clear day, and feature a huge sweep of the Himalaya range including peaks over 8,000km, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung and Cho Oyu. Arrive at Rongbuk monastery, but on the way there, clients will pass Pang la Pass, one of the highest passes in Tibet at 5050m. From that pass, enjoy view all of the five highest peaks in the world.
Day 8 Day 8: Mt. Everest Base Camp(5,150M)-Tingri
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Mt. Everest Base Camp(5,150M)-Tingri

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 to Tingri.
Day 9 Day 9: Tingri/ Saga (4,640M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Tingri/ Saga (4,640M) (B)

Tingri /Lhatse/Saga 375km/6.5hrs driving;

This day can make you tired as you basically spend the whole day on the road driving (about seven hours on the way). Pass by Lhatse which is located in the valley of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. From Lhatse onwards, we will be driving on rugged roads. Saga, meaning ’Happy Land’, is a town situated along the Tsangpo River in a region crisscrossed by the upper Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The land becomes rugged, the air thinner and the sky endless and impossibly blue. Tonight, we will stay at Saga in a tent or a local guest house.
Day 10 Day 10: Saga / Zhongba / Lake Manasarovar / Darchen (4,560M) (B, By Jeep)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Saga / Zhongba / Lake Manasarovar / Darchen (4,560M) (B, By Jeep)

Saga/Darchen 492km/ 8hrs driving;

From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good and the trip can be completed in 3 hours. There is also a small monastery at the western end of town on a hill. From Zhongba onwards the southern road deteriorates. There is also danger of vehicles getting stuck. But this section of the road has the typical plateau scenery and landscape, and you could enjoy the panoramic views of the snow covered mountain peaks on either side of the road.

The sightseeing today will focus on another famous holy lake of Tibet, the Manasarovara Lake. From Zhongba to Lake Mansorovar is a long drive of 4.5 hours or more. There will be several river crossings and when drive past the Mayum La Pass (4,600m), the scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Then drive to the hotel in Darchen. the main gateway and the village, and stay overnight there, which is located at the foot of the majestic sacred Mt. Kailash.
Day 11 Day 11: Darchen/ Ngari Prefecture (Shiquanhe Town) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Darchen/ Ngari Prefecture (Shiquanhe Town) (B)

Darchen/ Ali 248km / 3.5hrs driving;

Take 3.5-4hrs drive from Darchen to Ali. Free in the afternoon, you could have a time to visit Shiquanhe Town.
Day 12 Day 12: Ngari Prefecture/ Gertse (4,300M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Ngari Prefecture/ Gertse (4,300M) (B)

Ali/ Gertse 490km / 7-7.5hrs driving;

Take 7-7.5hrs drive from Ali to Gertse.
Day 13 Day 13: Gertse/ Tsochen (4,760M) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Gertse/ Tsochen (4,760M) (B)

Gertse/ Tsochen 251km / 4hrs driving;

Take 4hrs drive from Gertse to Tsochen.
Day 14 Day 14: Tsochen/ Wenbu (4,700M), Via Tangra Yumco (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Tsochen/ Wenbu (4,700M), Via Tangra Yumco (B)

Tsochen/ Wenbu 270km / 7-8hrs driving;

It is a hard driving day on the road, with Gobi and broken road most of the time. Pass by Tangri Yumco. Lake Tangra Yumco is considered as a holy lake in Bon Religion followers, which was a place where the most respected Goddess Gangzhuoma of the Bon stayed according to a legend. It lies in the deep lake basin bottom, with 4,530 meters above sea level. It is said that water of the lake may change into three different colors a day.
Day 15 Day 15: Wenbu/ Nyima (4,700) (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Wenbu/ Nyima (4,700) (B)

Wenbu/ Nyima 124km / 3.5hrs driving;

Take 4hrs drive from Wenbu to Nyima.
Day 16 Day 16: Nyima To Banga (4,900), Via Serling Tso (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Nyima To Banga (4,900), Via Serling Tso (B)

Nyima/ Banga 335km / 5hrs driving;

Today, we will take a 5hrs drive to Banga by pass the Serling Tso which is the second largest saltwater lake in Tibet, the lake is 4,530 meters above sea level, 72 kilometers long from east to west, 22.8 kilometers wide from south to north, and 40 kilometers wide at its widest point in the east. With an area of 1,640 square kilometers and a depth of more than 33 meters, Serling Tso is the largest inland lake system in Tibet. Here you will also have a chance to see Tibetan antelope.
Day 17 Day 17: Banga –Lhasa, Via Namtso (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Banga –Lhasa, Via Namtso (B)

Banga/ Lhasa 556km / 9.5hrs driving;

Today will be a long driving day. Today’s highlight is Namtso Lake. In Tibetan, Namtso means ’Heavenly Lake.’ Namtso Lake, considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, is the second-largest saltwater lake in China and the highest lake in the world. As the sun rises, cloud lifts from the mountains and the scene is bathed in golden sunshine. When the weather is clear, the water is a stunning shade of turquoise and we will be surrounded by magnificent views of the nearby Mount Nyenchen Tanglha range with peaks of more than 7,000m. The wide open spaces, dotted with tents of local nomads, are breathtaking. We may also walk along the lake or climb up the hill near the lake to explore the area. After visiting the lake, we will drive back to Lhasa.
Day 18 Day 18: Lhasa Departure (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Lhasa Departure (B)

In the morning, transfer to the airport, see off.

+15

18 days tour

4Wd Plateau In-Depth Exploration

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 4Wd Plateau In-Depth Exploration

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (Altitude: 3,670M) (D, By Air)

Day 2: Lhasa (3,670M) (B)

Day 3: Lhasa (3,670M) (B)

Day 4: Lhasa / Gyangtse (3,900M) (B)

Day 5: Gyangtse / Shigatse (Altitude 3836M) (B)

Day 6: Shigatse / Sakya (Altitude 4316M) (B)

Day 7: Sakya / Mt. Everest Base Camp(5,150M) (B)

Day 8: Mt. Everest Base Camp(5,150M)-Tingri

Day 9: Tingri/ Saga (4,640M) (B)

Day 10: Saga / Zhongba / Lake Manasarovar / Darchen (4,560M) (B, By Jeep)

Day 11: Darchen/ Ngari Prefecture (Shiquanhe Town) (B)

Day 12: Ngari Prefecture/ Gertse (4,300M) (B)

Day 13: Gertse/ Tsochen (4,760M) (B)

Day 14: Tsochen/ Wenbu (4,700M), Via Tangra Yumco (B)

Day 15: Wenbu/ Nyima (4,700) (B)

Day 16: Nyima To Banga (4,900), Via Serling Tso (B)

Day 17: Banga –Lhasa, Via Namtso (B)

Day 18: Lhasa Departure (B)

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