Overland Tour from Sichuan to Tibet
The overland tour from Sichuan to Tibet can be viewed as the most adventurous one, while the scenery along the way is the most stunning beautiful. For successfully accomplishing this trip, a comparatively long time for preparation will be necessary, at least 15-20 days.
Itinerary day by day
Day1 Chengdu / 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 Sightseeing in Kangding
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/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/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/ 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 /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/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/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 Sightseeing 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/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
Fully sightseeing of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barchor street.
Day13 Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastey
Full day visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.
Day14 Leave Lhasa
Take flight to leave Lhasa, tour ends.
Some tips for this trip:
- 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)
- The restaurants along the way can provide simple Chinese and Tibetan food, but you’d better bring some solid food.
- 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.
- The driving hour will be long for this tour, and most of visiting will be stay in the vehicle.
- 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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