Home - Tours - Drive to Lhasa - 15 days Sichuan/Tibet highway tour
15 days adventure travel to Tibet from Sichuan
First take the south route of Sichuan-Tibet highway before Bangda and then switch to take north route in Tibet after Bangda
Day01: Arriving in Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu from your home. Upon arriving, met and transferred to hotel.
Day02: Chengdu to Khamding (360KM)
Drive through the Erlangshan tunnel (4.17km long) to arrive at Khamding. On the way, passing by the famous scenery - Hailuogou glaciers which is at the eastern side of Mt. Gongha (7556m). In Khamding city, visit Anjue monastery.
Day03: Khamding to Yajiang tp Litang (285KM)
On the way, drive over 3 mountain passes - all over 4000m. Litang is 4014m above sea level, located in the huge and wide Maoyar prairie. Litang monastery is the famous visit of this tour. Every year, a grand festival will start at August 01. The 7th and 10th Dalai Lama were born here. The 7th, 8th, 9th and 11th Pabhara living buddha also were born here. In history of Tibet, Pabhara living Buddha is the top religious leader of Chamdo monastery. 80km to the south of Litang is the 3rd highest mountain Mt. Gernhie and a famous Kagyulpa monastery.
Day04: Litang to Mangkang (300KM)
Drive through several tunnels to get to Batang, Batang is the westmost town of Sichuan province; after Batang, drive further 36 kilometers to cross Jingshajiang river to get into Tibet A.R. Jingshajiang river is the natural bundary between Sichuan and Tibet A.R.
Day05: Mangkham to Chamdo (430KM)
Early departure from Mangkang, drive whole day to Chamdo city, the biggest city in eastern Tibet A.R. between Mangkang and Zuogong town is zigzagging road which is so frightening to most tourists, but you can enjoy amazing landscape.
Day06: Chamdo touring
Whole day touring in Chamdo city, Chamdo city is the biggest city in eastern Tibet A.R., built by the river of Lanchangjiang river (Mekhong river); while touring in Chamdo city, visit Chamdo monastery (Qiangbalin monastery) which is the biggest Gelupa monastery and the biggest one in the eastern Tibet, enjoys a high reputation among believers.
Day07: Chamdo to Riwuqi (100KM)
Visit the Chajiema grand hall of Riwuqi monastery which belongs to Kagyulpa order, famous for its special structure and outlooking. The local Khamba people thought it as important as the Jokhang temple in Lhasa. By Tibetan Calendar, the 6th month will see the hosting of a grand festival.
Day08: Riwuqi to Dingchen (190KM)
Leaving Riwuqi for Dingchen, visit Zizhu monastery 35 kilometers befor arriving in Dingchen county town , which is the famous Bon religeon monastery
Day09: Dingchen to Bachen to Suoxian county (255KM)
Drive to Suoxian county, on the way enjoy mountains with strange shape and bare rocks on the top. This place has long been thought to be the holy center of Bon religion in history. In Dingchen are many Bon religion monasteries.
Day10: Suoxian county to Nakchu (230KM)
Nakchu is the most important and biggest town in the Northern grassland of Tibet highland. Four roads meet here (taking Nakchu as the center, to south is Lhasa, to the north is to Golmud, to the west is to Gar and to the east is to Chamdo). From 1st to 10th day of every August, there is a grandest horse racing festival at Nakchu. Visit Xiaoden monastery at Nakchu (of Bon religion).
Day11: Nakchu to Dangxiong to Namtso lake
Namtso lake is the biggest lake in Tibet, and the second holiest lake in the pilgrims' hearts, its elevation is 4718m, beside which is grand Nyianchen Tanghula mountains, whose peak (of 7162m) can be clearly viewed from the lakeside. Around the lake is huge and vast prairie. It is a worth place to visit and stay overnight.
Day12: Namtso lake to Lhasa
Passing Yangbajing geothermos fields and the Duilong river to Lhasa. On the way (60km before Lhasa), go and visit Tsupu monastery (of Kagyulpa). Tsupu monastery is the home monastery of Kagyulpa order. (if the visit is restricted for some reason, cancel it)
Day13: Lhasa sightseeing
In the morning, visit the grand - looking Potala Palace, which was built in the 7th century for the King. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang temple and stroll in the famous local bazaar - Parkhor street.
Day14: Lhasa sightseeing
Visit Tsepung monastery which is the biggest monastery in Tibet. Then visit Sera monastery and Norbulingka which can give you deep impression of Tibet arts and civilization.
Day15: Lhasa to your destination by air/ or by rail
Take morning flight to your next stop; or send you to Lhas railway station, you take train to leave Tibet
There are 4 routes which start from Chengdu and winds its way to Lhasa, the other three are as below:
- Chengdu - Bamei - Luhuo - Ganzi - Baiyu - Dege - Chamdo - Riwoche - Sok - Nakchu - Dangxiong - Lhasa
- Chengdu - Litang - Batang - Mangkang - Bangda - Basu - lake Ranwok - Bomi - Lintse - Bayi - Lhasa
- Chengdu - Bamei - Luhuo - Ganzi - Baiyu - Dege - Chamdo (turn southward) - Bangda - Basu - lake Ranwok - Bomi - Lintse - Bayi - Lhasa