13 Days Sichuan-Tibet Overland Tour from Chengdu to Lhasa via Sichuan Tibet Highway
Tour Overview
Starting from Chengdu, you will have the change to get close contact with cute pandas, then experience the ethnic culture in the west Sichuan province, appreciate the most breathtaking...
Code of Tour: CDT0000000935
Length of Travel: 13 Day
Destinations of Tour: Chengdu (1N) - Kangding (1N) - Litang (1N) - Markam (1N) - Zogang (1N) - Baxoi (1N) - Bome (1N) - Bayi (2N) - Lhasa (3N)
Departure City: Chengdu
Price of Tour: Request
Type of Tour: Private
Features of Tour: Photo Nature Panda Minority Landscape
Sichuan Tibet Highway is one of the four highways from China mainland to Tibet. Along the way, there are stunning scenery of mountains and canyons. Starting from Chengdu, you will have the change to get close contact with cute pandas, then experience the ethnic culture in the west Sichuan province, appreciate the most breathtaking landscapes along the way, and explore the highlights of Lhasa city and Lake Namtso.
Highlights:
- Get close contact with cute pandas in Chengdu.
- Experience the ethnic culture in the west Sichuan province.
- Appreciate the most breathtaking landscapes from Chengdu to Lhasa.
- Explore the highlights of Lhasa city and Lake Namtso.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Chengdu Arrival
- Day 2: Chengdu
- Day 3: Chengdu – Kangding
- Day 4: Kangding – Litang
- Day 5: Litang – Markham
- Day 6: Markham – Basho
- Day 7: Basho – Pomi
- Day 8: Pomi – Nyintri
- Day 9: Nyintri – Lhasa
- Day 10: Lhasa
- Day 11: Lhasa
- Day 12: Lhasa – Namtso Lake – Lhasa
- Day 13: Lhasa Departure
Google Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Chengdu Arrival
Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Chengdu
Meals:
Upon your arrival, met by the tour guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Day 2 Chengdu
Sightseeing and Activities: Chengdu Panda Base
Accommodation: Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will head to Chengdu Panda Base in the suburb, where we can take a close look at the lovely pandas of different ages eating bamboos, playing with each other, tumbling, climbing trees, etc.
Also we can take pictures for them. Don’t miss the chance to watch female pandas nursing their cubs in the nursery rooms. There is also an informative Panda Museum that lets us learn more about the scientific facts about Giant Pandas. In addition, it is very pleasant to walk in the wide garden of bamboo.
In the afternoon, prepare for the long overland journey to Tibet.
Day 3 Chengdu – Kangding
Sightseeing and Activities: Kangding city
Accommodation: Kangding
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, we will drive through Yaan, Luding and Mt. Erlangshan, then arrive at Kangding city, which is known as the hometown of love song. Kangding is the first jump stone to plateau for tourists who are travelling to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region.
Day 4 Kangding – Litang
Sightseeing and Activities: Litang
Accommodation: Litang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
We will drive higher and higher towards Litang, on the way we will conquer several mountains which are all over 4000 meters, Mt. Gaoersi, Mt. Jianziwan, Mt. Kazila etc. Then arrive at the World High City – Litang. Litang is the town with strong nomadic features and strong atmosphere of traditional Tibetan life; strolling in the streets can give us time to see local lives, feel modern namadic life, and compare to those ideas in our mind about Tibetans in this region.
Day 5 Litang – Markham
Sightseeing and Activities: Cuopu Lake
Accommodation: Markham
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Continue the journey to Markham. First we will drive through some tunnels to the westmost town of Sichuan province – Batang, then keep driving, crossing Jinsha River and climbing over Mt. Haizi (4685m) to visit Cuopu Lake.
After driving 36km, we will enter Tibet region and continue the trip to Markham. Explore around the local bazaar in the town after the dinner.
Day 6 Markham – Basho
Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Basho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will cross over the highest mountain pass – Dongda Pass and then continue the drive to Basho.
Day 7 Basho – Pomi
Sightseeing and Activities: Ranwu Lake
Accommodation: Pomi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will drive to enjoy the view of Ranwu Lake and then move on to Pomi for overnight. Ranwu Lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and forests, which is said to be Eastern Tibet’s largest lake and attracts many tourists.
Day 8 Pomi – Nyintri
Sightseeing and Activities: the canyon of Parlung Tsangpo, Lulang forest, Serkym la pass
Accommodation: Nyintri
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will move into the canyon of Parlung Tsangpo, which is an earthly paradise with lush forests, jagged glaciers, steamy mist, etc.
After that, continue to Lulang forest, with vibrant shrubs, spruces and pine trees. Then move on to the Serkym la pass where we will stop to enjoy a perfect view of Rongchu valley and Mt. Namcha Barwa(7787m) and Mt.Gyala Palri(7151m).
Keep driving about 60km and we will arrive at Nyintri – the biggest city in eastern Tibet.
Day 9 Nyintri – Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: Basum lake
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Continue the drive westwards along the Nyanchu river and head to visit Basum Lake – a beautiful small holy lake of Tibetan Buddhism.
After the visit, drive back to the main road and cross over the Mila pass(5000m) – the last mountain pass on the road. Keep driving and finally arrive at Lhasa city. Check in hotel and have a good rest.
Day 10 Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, Barkhor Street
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast at hotel, the Lhasa tour begins with the must-see attraction – Potala Palace, the largest monastery of its type in the world and official home to Dalai Lama.
In the afternoon, move on to Jokhang Monastery and walk along the Barkhor Street nearby. Enjoy the local Tibetan culture here.
Day 11 Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: Drepung monastery, Sera Monastery
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast at hotel, drive to visit Drepung Monastery – one of the three great monasteries in Tibet. Visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.
In the afternoon, move on to another one of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet – Sera Monastery. Visit Monks debate, Tibetan religious scripture printing house, three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.
Day 12 Lhasa – Namtso Lake – Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities: Lake Namtso, Tashi Island, nomad family visit
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, drive about 250km to Lake Namtso, the biggest lake in Tibet and second largest saltwater lake in China. On the way, enjoy the views of snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges, the nomads and their grazing yak and sheep(in summer), Sky-Road Railway, etc. We can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake while standing at the Lagenla Mountain Pass(5190m).
In the afternoon, trek around Tashi Island. After the tour, drive back to Lhasa and visit a nomad family on the way.
Day 13 Lhasa Departure
Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast
Today your wonderful tour will complete. Be escorted to the airport for your flight and service ends.
Service Included:
- Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
- Meals as listed in the itinerary;
- Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
- Private English-speaking tour guide;
- Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
- Service charge & government taxes;
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
- Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.
Service Excluded:
- Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
- Chinese visa fees;
- Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
- Single room supplement;
- Tips to guides and drivers;
- Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
- Personal travel accident insurance;
- All optional programs.
