Extension

3 days extension tour to Gyantse and Shigatse

 Introduction

To stay only in Lhasa can only give you an impression of Tibet which is not enough for you to experience the highlights of Tibet's unique culture, landscape and people. 3-day driving tour to Gyantse and Shigatse will be a great experience for your heart and soul.

Tour Itinerary

Day +1:

Today's drive is from Lhasa to Gyantse (about 256km, 5.5-hour drive). Along the way you will visit YamdrokLake and a Tibetan family. After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Palcho Monastery.

* YamdrokLake: one of the three largest lakes of Tibet and one of the three holy lakes, it covers an area of 638 square kilometers with a coastal line of 250 kilometers. The deepest point is 60 meters. The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture, where you can enjoy the intoxicating picturesque natural scenery.

* Tibetan Family: where you will be greeted and warmly welcomed by common Tibetan people in their traditional way and entertained with their typical food.

* Gyantse: was an important wool trading post between Tibet and India in mediaeval times.

* Palcho Monastery: built in 1414 AD, it is unique because three Sects of Buddhism-Sakya, Gedan and Gelug are living harmoniously under one roof. The Palcho Pagoda beside the Monastery has 9 stories, 108 doors and 77 rooms housing some 100,000 statues of Buddha, so it is famed as the "100,000-Buddha Pagoda." The frescoes, statues and sculptures in the monastery are exquisite, succinct and life-like.

Day +2:
After breakfast, drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (about 90km, 1.5-hour drive). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery and free market.

* Tashilumpo Monastery: built in 1447 AD, the oldest and largest Gelugpa monastery in Tibet, the seat of Banchen Lama, painted in red and white, the buildings in the monastery stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view. The most amazing image in this monastery is the statue of giant Maitreya (Future Buddha)--the largest one in the world, erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914, it stands 26 meters in height and 275 kg in weight with solid gold, great quantity of precious things such as pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. The image of the Buddha is kind, generous and vivid.

Day +3:
Today, drive back to Lhasa (280km, about 6 hours driving) along the YaluzangbuRiver, and enjoy the beautiful view of the valley en route. After a rest in Lhasa, the farewell dinner will be arranged at the Typical Tibetan restaurant for you to enjoy the local food with Tibetan dances and songs.

* Yaluzangbu River: with 2,051 km long, the YaluzangbuRiver turns and twists like a silver dragon from the west to the east into the valleys of South Tibet. It runs through MuotuoCounty. After a 90-degree turn, it empties into the Indian Ocean. "

 

Go further to the third pole of the earth: Mount Everest (Base Camp )

3 more days start from Shygatse

 Introduction

This is your lifetime trip! It is an adventure of both nature and your heart. You need to be very healthy to take this tour. After the Everest Base Camp, you may drive back to Lhasa and then go to other places in China, or drive overland to Zhangmu then exit to Nepal.

Tour Itinerary

Day ++1: Shigatse - Shegar
Today drive from Shigatse to New Ting-ri (Shegar). Refresh here to get ready for an adventure to the Everest Base Camp (EBC).

Day ++2: Shegar - Base Camp
It's only about 100km from Shegar to Base Camp(5200m), but it takes about 4 hours since the road is very cracked and bumping. But the views are stupendous on a clear day, and feature a huge sweep of the Himalaya range including peaks over 8000, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung and Cho Oyu. When you finally get to Base Camp, the first sight of the mighty Everest simply leaves you speechless. All the hardship you bear along the way makes sense at this while. Overnight in Rongphu Monastery guesthouse. (Remember, we can not guarantee that you can see the "real face" of Mount Everest because the weather of that area is always changing. You have to count on your luck! We wish you good luck!)

Day ++3: Base Camp-Tingri-Zhangmu
Today is a long driving day. Drive from Rongbu Monastery to Tingri and have lunch there. Then drive from Tingri back to Shygatse (250km).

Extension

2 days extension from Lhasa to Namco Lake

 Introduction

Another highlight of Tibet tour is the NamcoLake, located between Damxung and Baingoin counties in Tibet. With an elevation of 4,718 meters and an area of 1,920 square kilometers, it is the largest lake in Tibet and the second largest saltwater lake in China, noted for its beautiful and changeable view.

Tour Itinerary

Day +1: Lhasa - Namco
Leave Lhasa and drive through the northern plateau of Changtang Plain. The grassland stretches boundlessly until the snow mountain Nyenchen Tanglha (7117m) standing at the end of your eye sight. The most exciting point on the road is to climb over the Largenla (5150m), the highest point of the Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range. After we arrive at Namco lake, you can firstly have some nice walks around Namco. The pilgrimage circuit round the lake takes less than an hour. Or hike up to the top of the hill around for good views. When night falls, the crystal-clear sky is sparkling with millions of stars, so close that you feel like the stars are just within a touch. Stay in the simple guesthouse at night.

* Namco Lake: (4718m)

Namco, the SkyLake, is like a crystal gem inlaid on the vast Qiangtang Plain. The Nyaiqen Tanglha mountain range, with peaks over 7000m, towers over the lake to the south. Thawed snow from this range makes the body of the lake, so the water is a miraculous shade of turquoise blue, and there are magnificent views of the nearby mountains. The wild open spaces are intoxicating and dotted with the tents of local nomad herders.

Day +2: Namco - Lhasa.
In the morning you may rise up early and go to see the fabulous sunrise on the lake. Then drive back to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.