Day 1
| Arrival to Chengdu
We will pick you up from the airport and arrange your accommodation at the hotel.
Day 2
| Chengdu
Chengdu is a city with a rich history and unique charm. As one of the most important cities in western China, it is known for its pleasant climate, abundant historical and cultural heritage, and excellent cuisine. The city boasts numerous landmarks and tourist attractions, such as Kuanzhai Alley, Wuhou Temple, and the old streets of Jinli, which showcase its long history and traditional culture. Chengdu is also the homeland of pandas and hosts the world’s largest panda breeding and conservation center. The city is equally famous for its cuisine, particularly hot pot and Sichuan dishes, offering tourists an unforgettable experience of bold and distinctive flavors.
We won’t be able to see everything, as the city has 20 million residents, and we still need to obtain our Chinese driving licenses.
Day 3
| Chendu to Danba, 360 km
On the way, we will see Balangshan Mountain and Siguniang, one of the most beautiful mountains in China. In the afternoon, we will arrive at the Danba Valley. The old Tibetan village here was recognized by National Geographic as the most atmospheric in China. We’ll see for ourselves.
Day 4
| Danba - Garze 330 km
That day, we will drive through the Yak Valley, and in the morning, we should get a view of the snow-covered Yala Mountain. On the way, we will visit the Tagong Monastery. Around Longdeng, we will admire the flower-filled meadows neighboring the 5,820-meter Yala snow mountain.
Day 5
| Gerze - Derge 320 km
It wasn’t an easy night. Tibet shows no mercy, and the mountains rise quickly. However, at 3,200 meters, we should handle the acclimatization relatively well. After a morning headache, we will head to the town of Manigange, located at nearly 4,000 meters. We will also visit the Chola Glacier and the beautiful lake beneath it. If the weather is good, we will drive over a 4,920-meter pass. If not, we’ll use one of the highest tunnels in the world.
Day 6
| Derge - Chamdo 325 km
On this day, we will officially enter Tibet. In reality, we’ve already been in Tibetan lands for several days, but the administrative reform carried out by the People’s Republic of China has resulted in a reduced territory of Tibet. Our day will begin with a visit to the Derge Scripture Printing Monastery, a national cultural heritage monument. The temple was founded in 1729 by Denba Tsering, the 40th king of Derge. Afterward, we will head to the Jinsha River and enter Tibet.
Day 7
| Chamdo - Dengqen 265 km
We will be climbing higher and higher. The end of our day will be at an altitude of 3,900 meters, but on the way, we will visit the Zhizhou Monastery, one of the highest monasteries in all of Tibet. It is located at an altitude equal to Mont Blanc—4,807 meters. The monastery is a pre-Buddhist site and one of the most important locations for the Bon religion.
Day 8
| Dengqen - Sog 245 km
Only 245 km, but still uphill. The highlight of today’s journey will be the glaciers flowing down from Bujia Mountain. It is the highest mountain in eastern Tibet and remains a sacred peak for followers of Buddhism. The glaciers descending from the mountain create wetlands, which are a favorite habitat for birds. Bujia is also one of the places where snow leopards and bears can be found.
Day 9
| Sog - Damxung 400 km
Today, we will finish our journey on Road 317 and, after reaching Namqu, we will turn south onto G6 and head down to Damxung. We will spend the night at 4,350 meters, but with the oxygen system, we’ll manage just fine.
Day 10
| Damxung - Shenzha 410 km
Lake Nam is a true Tibetan wonder of the world. Of course, for Buddhists, it remains sacred, but it has also been transformed into a tourist attraction. The lake lies at an altitude of 4,700 meters and is one of the highest in the world. On this day, we will travel through the Tibetan Plateau, along the famous northern route, which passes through beautiful, though completely uninhabited, areas. Along the way, we will also see Seling Tso, the largest lake in Tibet, surrounded by meadows used for yak grazing.
We will spend the night at 4,700 meters, and on the way, we will cross a pass at 5,276 meters, which will be our highest point on the journey.
Day 11
| Shenzha - Shigatse 410 km
Finally, we will descend to a lower altitude and reach Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. Civilization awaits, and we will spend the night at 3,900 meters. It’s a great place for souvenir shopping.
Day 12
| Shigatse - Tashizong 340 km
- Drive to Tashizong via Sagya County. Visit Sagya Monastery on the road. Tashizong is a village which is next to the tourist center of the EBC national park.
- Sakya Monastery, located in Tibet, is renowned for its over 900-year history, countless treasures, and cultural relics, including murals, statues, and scriptures. It is the main monastery of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is often referred to as “the Dunhuang(The most famous Buddhist Grottoes in China) of the Snowy Region. Entrance ticket: 50 CNY/person
- Visit EBC and Rongbuk Monastery either in the afternoon or the next day morning depending on the weather and time, Rongbuk Monastery is not just the highest monastery in the world, but also one of the best locations to overlook the Mt. Everest. Entering the Everest Base Camp from the park gate involves driving nearly 100 kilometers on a well-paved road with excellent conditions. Along the way, you will pass through green waves of barley fields, Tibetan villages, cross rivers, and climb over dozens of winding mountain passes. The driving experience is exceptional. The journey to the Everest Base Camp is even more enjoyable than the destination itself. Note: Since the end of 2018, local authorities have decided to close the Mt. Everest base camp to tourists in order to protect the environment, now tourists can only overlook the Mt Everest from Rongbuk monastery which is about 8km from the Base Camp. Furthermore, all tourists are required to take the local shuttle bus at the tourist center to get to Rongbuk monastery, this is to say that we have to leave our cars/bikes at the bus terminal(tourist center) which is about 35km from Rongbuk monastery and transfer to local shuttle bus.
Day 13
| Tashizong - Shiatse 340 km
On this day, we will head back to Shigatze, but along the way, we will witness one of the most beautiful views in the entire Himalayas. From the Gawula Pass, we will have a clear view of the eight-thousanders: Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. It’s a sight that will stay in your memory forever.
Day 14
| Tashizong - Lhasa 295 km
Today, the main attractions will be the Karola Glacier, which descends directly to the road, and the final sacred Buddhist lake—Yamdrok.
Day 15
| Lhasa
This is the day to visit the Potala Palace and the most important Tibetan temple, Jokhang Temple. It’s also a great opportunity to buy gifts and souvenirs.
Day 16
| Lhasa - home
On this day, we will fly out of Tibet. If it’s someone’s first time in China, we recommend considering a stop in Beijing for at least one day to visit the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. This is outside the scope of the tour, but we’ll be happy to offer suggestions and assist with the organization.
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