Day 1: 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.
Day 2: 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.
Day 3: 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 .
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: 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.
Day 9: 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.
Day 10: Bayi-Basomtso Lake
TToday 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.
Day 11: 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.
Day 12: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Fully sightseeing of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barchor street.
Day 13: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastey
Full day visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.
Day 14: Leave Lhasa or extend to Mt. Everest Base Camp
Take flight to leave Lhasa, tour ends.
Option A: one more day to Namsto Lake
Namsto Lake: Namsto, approximately 190km north-west of Lhasa, is the second-largest saltwater lake in China. It is over 70km long and reaches a width of 30km. They Nyenchen Tangula range, with peaks of more than 7000m, towers over the lake to the south. Namtso is a tidal lake and the ring marks of earlier lake levels are clearly visible by the shoreline. In clear weather the water is a miraculous shade of turquoise and there are magnificent views of the nearby mountains. The wide open spaces, dotted with tents of local nomads, are intoxicating.
Option B: one more day to Gandan Monastery or Tsurphu Monastery
Gandan Monastery: Gandan, just 40km north-east of Lhasa, was the first Gelugpa monastery. If you only have time for one monastery excursion outside Lhasa, Ganden would probably be the best choice. With its stupendous views of the surrounding Kyi-chu Valley and fascinating kora, Ganden is an experience unlike the other major Gelugpa monasteries in the Lhasa area. Tsurphu Monastery: Tsurphu Monastery around 70km west of Lhasa, is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The Karmapa are also known as the Black Hats, a title that dates back to 1256.
Dear Janet, I would like to thank you and your team for a wonderful tour setup. Begging with your professionalism, warm support and willingness to make our group tour successful one.And great thanks to Dhargye our tour guide who took care of whole group and especially myself during a night of vomiting. He and Mr. Namla- the driver were superb. I will send you some photos separately. Feel free to use them on your company's website. Am happy to give references as required.
Dear Janet,We are safe and sound home and are looking back at a very impressive trip to Tibet and Zhangye. We have between us some 3000 pictures – some quite stunning. Yesterday the four of us expressed what an unforgettable trip this has been. We want to share our appreciation for the way the trip has been organised. Like clockwork. All guides appearing at the right time and place. Everything was very well organised. It was a bit double for us when we were in Lanzhou hearing about the earthquake creating havoc in Nepal, but not leaving Tibet unaffected either. Thank you again for a trip to be remembered for a long time.
Dear Nancy,I feel embarrased that I am answering only now but another couple of weeks of travelling and the beginning of the next semester at the university made me really busy. However, me and Olaf wanted to thank you for the amazing trip we had in Tibet! The organization was simply excellent, thank you for a very quick and informative communication from your side. Many thanks go also to our guide, Danluo as well as to our driver; both of them acted very professionally and kindly towards us. It was really great that our guide was of the Tibetan origin, providing us with a unique cultural insight and first-hand information. His English language skills were just perfect and the communication with him very pleasant.