Overland from Sichuan to Tibet

Itinerary day by day

Day1 Chengdu to Kangding (Dartse)
Depart from Chengdu, we will drive 150km in express way then we will drive in the green valley along the Qingyijiang River. Of course, the best always the hardest, we have to get over the first natural barriers-Erlang mountain, for the high altitude and bad road conditions, this mountain was called the first barriers between Sichuan and Tibet in the past. But now, with the opening of Erlangshan tunnel the natural barriers become the smooth way. When we get through the Erlang Mountain and pass by Luding. In the afternoon we will arrive at the world wide famous ancient city-Kangding.

Day2 Kangding tour
As far as we know, Kangding city is a very famous city all over the world. It used to be the most important market of Tea-horse trade in the past .The nomadic Tibetan come here to exchanges their animals or animal products with Chinese Han people . And the Erdaoqiao hot spring will rush away all the dust of our travel.

Day3 Kangding to Litang
Today we will drive to Litang. Litang gained reputation of the highest city in all over the world for its sea level of 4200meter .

Day4 Litang to Batang
Depart from Litang we will get into the Haizi Mountains. It was called as Haizi Mountain but the road condition from east to the west is good. And you will get up to the summit without conscious of. And then we will go down to the Batang which is located in the bank of Jinshajiang River. Here produce many good fruit and they enjoined very high honor in east Tibet. It was said that the apple had been planted by a foreign preacher firstly. And the Christian churches here are still well protected now.

Day5 Batang to Markham
When we get over the Jinshajiang River, we will be in Tibetan Autonomous Administration District, and the Markham County is the first county we meet since we enter in Tibet.

Day6 Markham to Paksho
From Markham to Paksho, we have to get over the Lancangjiang River first. And then the Dongda Mountains (6000meters), via Zuogong to Bangda, we will pass the high land grassland which is located in more than 4000 meters above sea level. Farewell to the grassland, via the famous ninety-nine bending and down to the Nujiang River, this day's trip will be full of challenge. We have to be accustomed to the temperature up and down and the altitude changes at the same time.

Day7 Paksho to Pome
We will pass Ranwugou ditch, which is an enormous ice glacier. The car have to get through from the glaciers very carefully, it will give us the most exciting impetus but without danger. The Ranwu Lake is the famous high land glacier lake; there is dense forest near the bank accompanied with the clean and clear water in the lake. The shadow of the forest in the lake, the birds play and fly freely near the water. What a fairy land displayed in front of us. The Pome county which located in the dense forest, will take our great attention. The famous Himalaya Mountain is located near this county, so we can easily see the Snow Mountains around the county. The most famous two are Nanjiabawa summit and Jialabei summit.

Day8 Pome to Bayi
We will drive in the dense forest, and then we will get over one mountains which clad with snow and ice, we arrive another destination. Here lives the primeval Menba and Luoba nationality. Their ways of living are much similar with the Tibetans, but they still keep their primitive way of life and the dwellings. Nyingchi is the most attractive place in Tibet.

Day9 Tour in Bayi
In the morning, visit the giant cypress tree (also called the king of cypress) and Bujhork Lamalin monastery(belonging to Ningma-pa). In the afternoon, you can stroll in the modern city by yourself.

Day10 Bayi-Basomtso Lake
Today we will drive to visit Basomtso Lake, it is said to be the copy of Switzerland: stiff peaks, snow mountains, Crystal Lake, green vegetation, island in the small lake. Today you will stay overnight at the bank of Basomtso lake.

Day11 Basomtso to Lhasa
Depart from Basomtso Lake, via the Mila Mountains to valley of Lhasa, the grand Potala palace present in the front of you, and you understand that you have entry into the sacred place, Lhasa.

Day12 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Today, we go for a visit of the highest palace in the world¡ªPotala Palace. It is the winter palace of Dalai Lama where Dalai Lama lived and ruled. And Jokhang Temple, the oldest and scarcest Temple in Tibet.

Day13 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Morning visit the Drephung monastery. Drephung once housed 10,000 monks, If we're lucky, we'll quietly ease into a dark columned hall to see and hear the lilting, booming chanting or the sutras, or perhaps sit under a willow tree and watch as the monks engage in theatrical debate
Afternoon go for the tour of Sera monastery, enjoy the interesting lection debate of Lamas.

Day14 Leave Lhasa
Take flight or Train and tour ends.

Some tips for this trip:

1. Do not be afraid of the AMS. This route starts from Chengdu of Sichuan basin, then heading west to higher altitude. Although there are several passes beyond 4000m, there will be no problem due to the short passing time. (More about the Altitude Illness)
2. The restaurants along the way can provide simple Chinese and Tibetan food, but you’d better bring some solid food.
3. The best travel season for this route is May, June, September and October. Avoiding taking this route in July and August, landslide may occur during the rainy season.
4. The driving hour will be long for this tour, and most of visiting will be stay in the vehicle.
5. You'd better not go outside of the hotel in the night in the small towns or villages, for the sake of security.

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