| Tibet enjoys fame as "The Roof top of the World" - and the road from Yunnan to Lhasa is the toughest road in the world, offering surprising views and varied ethnic cultures along the way. This trip covers all 'must-sees' in Northwest Yunnan and southeast Tibet. This road was saturated with different cultures and religions. The ancient Tea Horse Road of this area was once busy in transporting goods. Discover and experience the fabulous culture diversity and real Shangri-La. No doubt it is the most fascinating journey of all. If Tibet is the untouched area of the world, the eastern part of Tibet, bordering Yunnan Province, is the untouched area of Tibet. Decorated with virgin forests and crystal blue lakes, this formerly inaccessible route offers spectacular scenery as well as an opportunity to come in contact with primary village cultures of Yunnan and Tibet. This journey is one of those least traveled routes into Tibet, starting with rich cultural encounters in the non-Tibetan Himalayas, driving through the breathtaking eastern region of Tibet, finally ending the trip with the ultimate Tibetan experience in Lhasa, its holy capital. The long drive on unpaved roads is very challenging and sometimes dangerous, but the reward is equally high and unforgettable. | | DAY .1 | Arrive at Kunming | |
| Arrive in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide. Kunming, called the City of Eternal Spring, is more than 2200 years old. The Nationality Museum in Kunming provides an insightful introduction to 26 ethnic groups from all over Yunnan. | | DAY .2 | Kunming - Dali | | | We will depart Kunming early in the morning. We will take a 5-hour drive into the old town of Dali, the former capital of Nanzhao Kingdom. Dali has been inhabited mainly by the Bai ethnic people for nearly 1,200 years. Set beside a lake and against a backdrop of mountains, you will see the local agriculture, observe small temples and visit local markets. In the afternoon, visit to the Three Pagodas, or sip a cup of Yunnan coffee in one of those cafes on the foreigners' street. | | DAY .3 | Dali - Lijiang | | | Ride to Lijiang with stops including a visit in a typical Bai village where people usually have their tie-dye clothes housed in the courtyard. After arriving in Lijiang, we will visit the Black Dragon Pool in the northern edge of the town, and explore the old town maze of Naxi houses. A classic Naxi music concert in the evening will be the highlight of the day. | | DAY .4 | Lijiang - Zhongdian | | | After breakfast, we will drive to Zhongdian, This is an extraordinarily scenic mountain drive and there will be many opportunities to stop and observe both the natural beauty and traditional cultural practices. Zhongdian is the first Tibetan town in Yunnan with a sprinkling of Bai, Muslim and Naxi cultural influences. We will stop on the way to visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, which was one of the deepest gorges in the world. | | DAY .5 | Zhongdian - Deqen | | | The drive to Deqen 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 and visit the Ganden Dongzhulin Monastery. The highest pass of Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve., at 3,924 meters(12,876 ft), would stand as an altitude test for those visiting the Himalayan mountains for the first time. Deqen, the gateway town to Tibet, a wild west frontier town but has some decent hotels. | | DAY .6 | Deqen - Yanjing | | | Departing Deqen early in the morning, we travel along the north of Mekong River valley into Tibet. Along the way, we may be able to see the sunrise above Mt. Meilixue (6,740 m/22,113 ft), the highest peaks of Yunnan. which straddles the border of Yunnan and 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 a big church which was built 100 years ago, then go to see the salt fields, If you like, we can have a hot spring bath in a place overlooking the Mekong. Certainly the best way to relax our body for the adventure ahead! | | DAY .7 | Yanjing - Zugong | | | 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. Overnight in Zugong. | | DAY .8 | Zugong - Ranwu | | | 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, is another place where you will totally fall in love with. | | DAY .9 | Ranwu | | | A rare day which involves no driving! You have two options available: for those interested in a day hike, our photographer/guide would take you onto a scenic day hike; while those who'd rather opt for a day of retreat would find this place ideal for relaxing, writing your travel notes and washing off the dust accumulated in the journey so far. | | DAY .10 | Ranwu - Bomi | | | Drive to Bomi, where some of the best Tibetan tea are made. Visit a local tea factory and get a comfortable southern feeling in the Tibet. | | DAY .11 | Bomi - Bayi | | | Waking up to the birds' singing, you will have an unobstructed view of the majestic NanJiabawa peak. After a long 9 hours drive, we will arrive in Bayi, the largest Tibetan town we will have reached at this point which is the capital town of Linzhi Prefecture. | | DAY .12 | Bayi - Bosang | | | Drive to Basong Lake. The crystal clear water of the lake will seem like an oasis to you -- another place you would be reluctant to leave. Some short hikes or a boat trip will be arranged. | | DAY .13 | Bosang - Gongbujiangda | | | Leaving the lake after breakfast, we arrive at Gongbujiangda in time for lunch. The afternoon will be left open for you to take a gentle walk or explore the nearby glacier. | | DAY .14 | Gongbujiangda - Lhasa | | | Drive to Lhasa. After the 13-day-long challenging overland trip, you will understand why Tibetans regard the journey to Lhasa as one of the most sacred of pilgrimages. And some of them even sacrifice their lives on this pilgrim trip. | | DAY .15-17 | Lhasa, Lhasa - Shigatse | | | We will have three full days in Lhasa to make excursions to the following places:
The Jokhang Temple - The Jokhang, originally built in the 7th century and known for its large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha, is the principal Buddhist temple in Lhasa.
The Norbulingka Palace - A richly decorated complex located in a beautiful garden setting, it has been the traditional summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. This is the very place from which the Dalai Lama fled to exile in 1959.
Sera and Drepung Monasteries - The Sera, founded in 1419, is a monastery of the Gelugpa order. Its many white buildings, which sit at the base of a rocky hill, have roofs graced with gilded, bell-shaped gyamtschens. The Drepung was once home to 8,000 monks, who were taught in the traditions of Vajrayana, Mahayana and Sutrayana, the three vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism. We will also visit the lively Barkor bazaar in Lhasa, a colorful congregating place for Tibetan merchants.
The 13-story Potala Palace, reputed to contain 1,000 rooms, is one of the world's most remarkable buildings. The palace, which covers the mountain it sits upon, contains hundreds upon hundreds of magnificent thangkas, frescoes and images built in an era when religious art was created anonymously as a means of gaining merit for future lives.
In he afternoon of the D17, we will drive to Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city. | | DAY .18 | Shigatse - Lhasa | | | In the morning we will visit the Tashilumpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama which dates back to the 15th century. Important art works are stored here and pilgrims from the far corners of Tibet come to pay their homage. After lunch, we drive back to Lhasa. | | DAY .19 | Daparture from Lhasa | | | After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure. | | |
