16 Days Sichuan-Yunnan-Tibet Overland Tour from Chengdu to Lhasa via Daocheng Yading

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 via Daocheng Yading, this tour offers you the chance to appreciate the breathtaking landscapes along the way and also visit the highlights of Lhasa city.

Highlights:

  • Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Daocheng Yading in western Sichuan.
  • Appreciate the most breathtaking landscapes from Chengdu to Lhasa.
  • Have a view of Meili Snow Mountain at Feilai Temple.
  • Visit the highlights of Lhasa city.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Chengdu Arrival
  • Day 2: Chengdu – Kangding
  • Day 3: Kangding – Litang
  • Day 4: Litang – Daocheng – Yading
  • Day 5: Yading Nature Reserve – Daocheng
  • Day 6: Daocheng – Benzilan
  • Day 7: Benzilan – Feilaisi
  • Day 8: Feilaisi – Markham
  • Day 9: Markham – Dzogong
  • Day 10: Dzogong – Pasho
  • Day 11: Pasho – Pomi
  • Day 12: Pomi – Bayi
  • Day 13: Bayi – Lhasa
  • Day 14: Lhasa
  • Day 15: Lhasa
  • Day 16: 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 – 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 3 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 4 Litang – Daocheng – Yading

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: tent hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will continue the trip to Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. Yading Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful places on the Tibetan plateau in western Sichuan. On the way we will pass the Jianziwan & Kazila mountain. Then across the Rabbit Mountain and Haizi Mountain Natural Reserve.

Day 5 Yading Nature Reserve – Daocheng

Sightseeing and Activities: Chonggu Temple, Pearl Lake
Accommodation: Daocheng
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today ride a horse to visit Chonggu Temple(horse riding paid by yourself). After that, trekking about 30-40 minutes up to Pearl Lake. Pearl Lake is the best place to view the holy peak Xiannairi. Late afternoon drive back to Daocheng for overnight.

Day 6 Daocheng – Benzilan

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Beizilan (dorm bed)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today drive about 270km to Benzilan, a small town in extreme northwestern Yunnan Province, which will take 7-8 hours.

Day 7 Benzilan – Feilaisi

Sightseeing and Activities: Jinsha River bend, Feilai Temple
Accommodation: local hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will visit the Jinsha River bend and continue the tour to Feilai Temple by pass Snow mountains. Feilai Temple, a Buddhist temple built in 1614 during Ming Dynasty, is the best place to see holy Mt. Meili.

Day 8 Feilaisi – Markham

Sightseeing and Activities: Lang Cang Jiang River Valley
Accommodation: Markham
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive northward to Markam. Along the Lancang River first and then cross the provincial border – Yanjing. Then join the Southern route of Sichuan – Tibet highway.

Day 9 Markham – Dzogong

Sightseeing and Activities: Dongda Pass
Accommodation: Dzogong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will cross over the highest mountain pass – Dongda Pass and then continue the drive to Dzogong for overnight.

Day 10 Dzogong – Pasho

Sightseeing and Activities: pomba pasture
Accommodation: Pasho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive from Dzogong to Pasho via pomba pasture.

Day 11 Pasho – 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 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 16 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.