Day 1: Lijiang to Deqin via the Ganden Dongzhulin Monastery (389KM)
The drive to Deqin is simply the best way to view the great variety of landscape in the Great Rivers region. Descending to the Yangtze Basin, we stop at Benzilan for lunch, after which we will continue ascending the scenic mountain range of Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve. The highest pass, at 4,296meters(14,090 ft), would stand as an altitude test for those visiting the Himalayan mountains for the first time. You need not worry; you will soon be relieved to find yourself arriving at Deqin, the gateway town to Tibet Dongzhulin Lamasery;
Day 2: Deqin / Yanjing (110KM)
Departing Deqin, we travel along the north of Mekong River valley into Tibet. Along the way, we may be able to see the peaks of Kawagebo mountain range on a good day. Mt. Meili (6,740 m/22,113 ft), which straddles the border of Yunnan and Tibet, is the highest peak in the province. Once into Tibet, our first stop will be in the town of Yanjing, which was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan area, which ranged from northwestern Sichuan down into Yunnan. We will visit to the salt fields and visit the only one catholic church in Tibet. followed by a stop at the hot springs, where each of us could pick our own natural hot bath overlooking the Mekong. Certainly the best way to relax our body for the adventure ahead!
Day 3: Yanjing to Zuogong (258KM)
We cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around 3,900 m(12,795 ft), the other at 5,008 m(16,430 ft). Driving past local Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks, the expressions on innocent Tibetan girls would make you realize that you are one of the first foreign visitors to this isolated region.
Day 4: Zugong to Ranwu (295KM)
We will drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River (the Salween River), which is a long and tough journey, but our destination, the Ranwu Lake, a spectacularly crystal blue lake cupped by snow peaks.
Day 5: Rawok(Ranwu) to Bomi(Tramog) 129KM
We will wander along the Poto-chu Valley at Tramog (2,743 m/8999 ft), located deep in the thickly forested gorge of Parlung Tsangpo with glacial waterfalls streaming from the mountainsides. We will go down several hundred meters in altitude as we reach the lowland jungle settlement of Tang-me where the Tsangpo and Parlung Tsangpo rivers meet.
Day 6: Tang-me(Bomi) to Bayi (219KM)
Waking up to the birds' singing, you will have an unobstructed view of the majestic NamJiabawa peak. After a long 9 hours drive, we will arrive in Bayi, the largest Tibetan town we will have reached at this point.
Day 7: Bayi to Lhase (355KM)
First we will drive 30 kms to visit the Lamaling monastery which an important monastery in Ningchi. And then drive to Basong lake. The crystal clear water of the Basong Lake will seem like an oasis to you -- another place you would be reluctant to leave. Drive to Lhase.
Day 8: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Full day visit Potala palace, Jokhang temple and Barchor street.
Day 9: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Full day visit Drepung monastery and Sera Monastery.
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.