Trip Overview:
Start your trip from Chongqing, visiting famous Hongya Cave, going to Three Gorge Museum to learn about the history of Three Gorges and Chongqing, tasting palatable hot pot, etc., we will bring you to fully experience the beauty of Chongqing. Next, fly to Tibet to take an adventure journey. Lhasa, EBC, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are the popular destinations in Tibet tour. After sightseeing the essence of Lhasa like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, you will trek to EBC where you can clearly enjoy the stunning view of Mount Everest. Then, do Karo around the Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. This 18-day epic tour will be the best journey of your lifetime.
Highlights:
- Visit Hongya Cave to enjoy distinctive buildings of Chongqing and taste hot pot.
- Tour the world-famous Dazu Rock Carving.
- Get impressed by the brilliant Potala Palace, revered Jokhang Temple, and more important monasteries in holy Lhasa.
- Marvel at the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s most sacred lakes.
- Climb the dazzling Gyantse Kumbum, a monumental chorten with mural-filled chapels.
- Worship before a 26m gold Buddha at Tashilhunpo Monastery, a walled complex the size of a village.
- Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp and enjoy superb scenery of the north face of Mt. Everest and the Rongbuk monastery.
- Join the pilgrims looking to erase the sins of a lifetime on the three-day trek around holy Mt. Kailash.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Chongqing
As you arrive in Chongqing, our local guide will be expecting you at the airport or railway station. Later, the guide will escort you to your hotel. After you check in, the rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or explore the surroundings yourself.
Stay overnight in Chongqing.
Day 2: Chongqing Sightseeing: Three Gorges Museum, Ciqi Kou (Porcelain Village), Hongya Cave
In the morning, you will visit Three Gorge Museum, Local in the Yuzhong District of Chongqing, which is a museum about the Three Gorges and Chongqing. You can view many statues, ceramics and bronze relics here. And you can also see a lot of photographs which give you a chance to learn about the historical of Chongqing.
In the afternoon, head to Ciqi Kou. Here, you can stroll in traditional cobbled streets, buy some souvenirs, taste delicious foods, and enjoy the river view at the end of streets.
In the evening, you will go to Hongya Cave. Hongya Cave is a witness of Chongqing's history and a symbol of Chongqing's spirit. You can taste hot pot and local snacks and enjoy the stunning night view of Jialing River here.
Stay overnight in Chongqing.
Day 3: Chongqing Sightseeing: Dazu Rock Carving
Dazu Rock Carving located in Dazu district, Chongqing. It is one of the world's eight grottoes and inscribed on World Heritage List. The carvings date back as far as the 7th century AD. It integrates the essence of the sculpture art of the three religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, and becomes a bright pearl of Chinese grotto with its distinctive nationalization.
Stay overnight in Chongqing.
Day 4: Fly from Chongqing to Lhasa
Today, you will go to Lhasa by flight. After arrive in Lhasa, tour guide will pick you up at airport and escort you to your hotel. Then, you can have a good rest to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 5: Lhasa Sightseeing - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. It is visible from any distance, with the golden roof shinning in the sun, spend one hour wondering around the inside of this magnificent building exploring the rooms previously used by the Dalai Lama and the many Buddhist icons within.
In the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures have numerous individual temples within it dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.
Then stroll around the back alleys of the Barkhor Street of Old Lhasa. The streets smelled of yak butter and incense while hordes of pilgrims shuffled along the main Kora (circumambulations) around Jokhang Temple. If someone just walked at a normal pace, one kora would take about 15-20 minutes.
Stay Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 6: Lhasa Sightseeing - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
In the morning, you will have a tour for Drepung Monastery, the ever-largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, Buddhist debates often occur there. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given its name which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks there.
In the afternoon, you are going to visit Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there. Sera monastery was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You may have the chance to watch the famous Monks Debate (usually from 15:00 to 17:00) before returning to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7: Lhasa to Shigatse
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and tourists will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance, clients can have spectacular views of Holy Mount NyenchenKhangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa. Gyantse was historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, tourists will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet.
Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 8: Shigatse - Sakya - Tingri
In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. It is the largest temple in Shigatse, and you can see the world’s largest gold gilded bronze statue of future Buddha in there.Then, head for Sakya county to sightsee Sakya monastery. It is surrounded by high black colored walls with watch towers on all four corners. Finally, diver to Tingri.
Stay overnight in Tingri.
Day 9: Tingri to Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp
Today you will drive from Tingri to Rongbuk Monastery. On the way from Tingri to EBC, you will pass through the grassland, torrent, and mountains. If the weather is clear, you can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which are 8000m high or more, such as: Mount Lhotse (8516m), Mount Everest (8848m), Mount Qowowuyag (8201m), Mount Mayalu (8463m).
Stay overnight in Ronbuk Guest House or local Tibetan Tent.
Day 10: Rongphu Monastery - Everest Base Camp – Saga
In the morning, you may see the sunrise appearing on the summit of Mount Everest and you can get to Everest Base Camp by local bus or trekking.
After visiting EBC, we need to drive to Saga County via the old Tingri road, which passes through the desolate plain of Digur Tang. You can see the snow peaks of mount Everest and Mout Shishapangma (8012m) en route. Then descending into the depression of Peikhu-tso Lake (4600m).
Finally, we will drive to Saga, a small town that is 69 km away from Pelkhu tso Lake.
Stay overnight in Saga.
Day 11: Saga to Darchen via Lake Manasarovar
In the morning, we will first be driving about 167 km from Saga town to Drongpa County, which is at the sources of Brahmaputra River.
Next, we will make a small detour to the Lake Manasarovar, the holy lake of both Tibetan and Hinduism. You can a relaxing trip around the lake shore and experience the natural beauty of the Lake Manasarova with snowcapped mountains on the background. You may also see many pilgrims praying and circling around the lake shore. In late afternoon, we will reach Darchen, a small town at the foot of Mount Kailash.
Stay overnight in Darchen.
Day 12: Trek day one: Darchen to Drirapuk
Today, you will firstly take the environment-friendly bus from Darchen to Sarshung village, where your porters are waiting for you. The 8 kilometers’ journey takes about 40 minutes by bus. Then we start to trek.
After two hours, we come upon a grassy plain populated by nomads. For this turn in the valley it is another two hours at least before reaching Drirapuk (4920m).
Stay overnight in Guest House.
Day 13: Trek day two: Drirapuk to Dzultripuk
Today, start the hardest and most tough circuit with the Dolma-la pass, which is lying 6.4km ahead but 762m above Drirapuk.
It is better to set off early in the morning as the sun rays break over the ridges above the peak of Dolma-la pass at 5630m above the sea level.
After taking a rest at the peak of Dolma-la pass, you will take about one hour from the pass down to Lhachu valley floor, from which there is still four hours trekking to today’s final destination with no shelters on the way. It is better to walk on the right side of the river and finally get to Dzultripuk (with miracle cave of milarepa).
Take a good rest in the guest room and prepare for next morning's departure.
Stay overnight in Guest House.
Day 14: Trek day three: Dzultripuk to Darchen
The last trekking day starts from a trip to Milarepa’s Cave, where the temple and shrines have been built around. Then we walk back to Darchen is easy and the exit from the valley can be reached within three hours.
At the ending point of the valley, the driver will come to pick you and take you back to Darchen.
Stay overnight in Darchen.
Day 15: Darchen to Saga
Drive back to Saga from Darchen. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Saga at your leisure.
Stay overnight in Saga.
Day 16-17: Saga to Lhasa
The two days, you will drive back from Saga to Lhasa along the incoming road.
Day 18: Depart from Lhasa
Our guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.
What’s included?
1.Tibet Entry Permit
2. Comfortable, clean and safe vehicle depending on your group size with reliable local driver;
3. Admission fees of tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
4. Professional English speaking tour guide;
5. Accommodations depend on your preference. Please tell us your preferred accommodation class when submitting the enquiry, and we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
6.All measl listed in the itinerary;
7.Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
What’s not included?
1. International flight to and out of China;
2. Chinese Visa
3. Domestic flight / train not listed in the itinerary (If you need ticket booking service, please leave your requirements in the Online Inruiry form.)
4.Meals not specified in the itinerary;
5.Tips to driver and tour guide, Tip as you wish
6.Personal expenses, such as laundry, phone call, optional tour activities and so on.
Trip Notes:
1. Tibet Travel Permit
Tibet Travel Permit is a must for Tibet tour. Its cost is included in the tour quotation. Send your passport and China visa copies to us 20 days in advance, and we will apply for the permit after you book a Tibetan tour with us. Shortly after we get your permit from Tibet Tourism Bureau, we will inform you and mail it to your hotel in China via express.
In some extreme cases, our staff will hand it over to you at the airport or railway station. In our experience, we can virtually guarantee to get your permit during times when Tibet is open to foreign travelers.
2. Accommodation
Tibet is never known for its 5-star luxury resorts, though you can find some like Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise, St.Regis Lhasa Resort, Sheraton hotel, etc in Lhasa. Overall, the accommodation facilities and services are not as good as those in coastal and central parts of China. However, from cheap and clean youth hotel, to distinct Tibetan style 3-star and international 5-star luxury hotel, you will find one that suits your interest and pocket in Lhasa.
We’ve handpicked cozy and safe hotels in the central area of Lhasa, where you will find Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street are just steps away from you. You can easily experience more of the local life and culture. Normally, as you travel to remote areas in some parts of Shigatse like Tingri, or EBC, Ngari, Nagqu, etc. the accommodation would be much poorer. Some may have air-conditioning in the hotel;others may only have electric blanket in the guesthouses. And the food is also very basic.
3.Guiding and Tipping
Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. Most are trained to offer Western-standard service. Throughout your stay in Tibet, we will minor your health and provide prompt help to you. If you run into any trouble, please do not hesitate to reach them or our customer service manager.
Travelers’s tipping to Tibetan guide and driver is taken as an extra gratitude to their good service, just like what you do in the west. Normally, a tipping of 7 USD/day is acceptable. The basic rule is good service for good pay.
4. Toilet
Admittedly, to many western tourists, using toilets in Tibet is the most dreadful experience. So, please down play your expectation. If you take Tibet train to Lhasa, both western toilet and squat toilet are available in the train. If you stay in hotel above 3-star hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse, etc. you will have no complaining using standard western flash toilet.
However, if you visit some of the attractions like Yamdrok or Namtso, EBC outdoor, mostly you will see the smelly and filthy pit toilet.It's better to carry enough toilet paper.
5. Tibet Weather
One of the biggest features of weather on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the dramatic temperature change between day and night. The annual temperature in Lhasa is -2℃-- 12℃(spring), 9℃-- 22℃(summer), 7℃-- 19℃(fall), -7℃-- 9℃(winter). Do wear clothes properly such as thermal tops, fleece jacket, breathable underwear, down jacket, jeans, beanie, etc.
Of course, sun screen, lip balm, sun glasses are essential to shield you from powerful blinding sunlight on the plateau. Do drink more water and eat more vegetable as you travel in Tibet. It can prevent you from dehydration.
6. Acclimatization to the High Altitude
For the first timer to Tibet, either by flight or train, a good rest is a must for quick acclimation to the high altitude in Lhasa. Never rush to tour the street or attractions on your own. Walk slower and do not exert yourself like running or jumping. Spending at least two days in Lhasa is a good way to get acclimatized before heading to Shigatse or Namtso. If you have any discomfort, do tell it to your guide,and he will help you out.
7. Other Dos and Don'ts
Normally, taking photos is forbidden in the monastery. If you want to take photos of Tibetan pilgrims, a gentle ask of permission would be appreciated or you can do it from a long distance. Swimming and fishing are not allowed in holy lakes in Tibet; Do not talk about sensitive topics like politics; International tourists are not allowed to travel alone in Tibet according to the policy; Walk clockwise around Barkhor Street; Never venture into the unknown trails; do as much as you can to protect the fragile eco-system in Tibet, etc.
As Tibetan Buddhism is deeply-rooted in every facet of Tibetans' life, always follow and respect the unique customs in Tibet. If you are uncertain about something, it’s advisable to ask your guide before you do it at will.
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
