17 Days Yunnan-Tibet Overland Tour from Kunming to Lhasa

Day 1: Kunming Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: Flower Market, Western Hill and Dragon Gate
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Lunch

Upon your arrival, picked up by tour guide and escorted to your hotel for a short rest. Then transferred to Flower Market to enjoy the colorful and fragrant flowers. After that, head to Western Hill and Dragon Gate, close to Dianchi Lake, which is called “Sleeping Beauty” due to its shape like a giant sleeping lady from afar.

Day 2: Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities: Stone Forest, Sani village visit
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, drive about 80km to the world-famous Stone Forest, which is reputed as “The First Wonder of the World”.

Afterwards visit a Sani village in this area of Stone Forest where the Sani people has lived for generations. Explore their lifestyle and custom here.

Then drive back to Kunming for overnight.

Day 3: Kunming – Dali

Sightseeing and Activities: Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, drive about 4 hours to Dali. Visit Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery, which are the most popular attractions in Dali. It is the Autonomous prefecture of Bai ethnic people, where we can learn their profound and colorful cultures.

In the evening, have a cup of drink and enjoy the songs at the bar street of Dali old city(optional).

Day 4: Dali – Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Dali Ancient Town, Shaxi Ancient Town
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, stroll at the ancient town to experience its artistic atmosphere. Then drive to visit Shaxi Ancient Town, which is more primitive and serene than Dali Ancient Town.

After the visit, continue drive to Lijiang Ancient Town.

Day 5: Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village and Murals, Dongba Culture Museum
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning enjoy the sunrise of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town. Then visit the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

After than, stroll through an enchanting traditional Yunnan village – Baisha Village and visit Baisha Mural – one part of Lijiang World Cultural Heritage. Move on to visit Dongba Ethnic Museum to explore the culture of Naxi ethnic people.

Day 6: Lijiang – Shangri-La

Sightseeing and Activities: the First Bend of Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge
Accommodation: Shangri-La
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, drive to Shangri-La. On route, stop to visit the First Bend of Yangtze River and the deepest gorge in the world – Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Day 7: Shangri-La

Sightseeing and Activities: Songzanlin Lamasery, Pudacuo National Park, Tibetan family visit
Accommodation: Shangri-La
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, visit the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan – Songzanlin Monastery. Afterwards visit Bita Lake & Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park, which is located in one of the most biologically-diverse regions of the world.

Finally, visit a Tibetan’s family to experience their local life. Try some Tibetan home-made yak and cheese.

Day 8: Shangrila – Deqen – Feilaisi

Sightseeing and Activities: Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, the first bend of Jinsha River, Dongzhulin Monastery
Accommodation: Feilaisi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive to Feilaisi via Benzilan Town, Along the way, enjoy the stunning scenery of Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve. View the first bend of Jinsha River and Dongzhulin Monastery.

Day 9: Feilaisi – Markam

Sightseeing and Activities: Lancang River, Yanjing
Accommodation: Markam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive northward to Markam. Along the Lancang River first and then cross the provincial border – Yanjing.

Day 10: Markam – Zogang

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

Today, head to Zogong. Drive through Dongda Pass – the highest mountain pass along the way.

Day 11: Zogang – Baxoi

Sightseeing and Activities: Bangda
Accommodation: Baxoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today drive to Baxoi. On route, stop at Bangda for a short rest.

Day 12: Baxoi – Bome

Sightseeing and Activities: Ranwu Lake
Accommodation: Bome
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will drive about 220km to Bome. On route, stop to visit Ranwu Lake, which is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and forests.

Day 13: Bome – Bayi

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Bayi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today drive about 220km to Bayi via Tongmai and Lulang.

Day 14: Bayi – Draksum – Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Draksum Tso Lake, Tsodzong Monastery
Accommodation: Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive to Draksum Tso Lake(also called Basum-tso) to enjoy the beautiful scenery and explore the Tsodzong Monastery.

Then drive to Lhasa directly. After arrival, have a good rest.

Day 15: Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple
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. Then move on to Jokhang Monastery and walk along the Barkhor Street nearby. Enjoy the local Tibetan culture here.

Day 16: Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities: Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka, Sera Monastery
Accommodation:
Meals:

After breakfast at hotel, drive to visit Drepung Monastery – one of the three great monasteries in Tibet. Then move on to the largest garden in Tibet – Norbulingka and the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries in Lhasa – Sera Monastery.

After all the visit, transfer back to your hotel.

Day 17: Lhasa Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Explore the city at leisure until being transferred to the airport for your next destination.