Tour Features: This tour is designed not only for the photography enthusiasts, but also for the visitors who want to look for the most beautiful sceneries in Tibet. By this tour, you will visit lots of magnificent sceneries and architectures with Chinese features, such as Ranwu Lake, Laigo Glacier, Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Namtso Lake, Rongbuk Monastery and Sagya Monastery and so on.
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival / Nyingchi / Bome (-/ L/ D)
Upon arrive in Nyingchi, you will be transferred to Bayi Town. Today you will visit the Giant Cypress Forest. Then leave Bayi Town and cross the Sejila Mountain. You will enjoy the fantastic view of Lulang Forest Sea. Finally you will arrive at Bome, reputed as ‘Switzerland in Tibet’. Bome is surrouned by dense forest. So you can enjoy the fresh air there. You can also see the Himalaya Mountains.
Day 2: Bome / Ranwu Lake / Bome (B/ L/ D)
Depart from Bome to Ranwu Lake. Today you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Ranwu Lake. The Ranwu Lake is a perfect blending of the Swiss Alps snow peaks and glaciers and the streams in Jiuzaigou (a famous area of northern Sichuan, named for the 9 Tibetan villages which are spread out amongst beautiful lakes and waterfalls). The lake, 3,800 meters above the sea level, has a water area of 22 square kilometers. The melted snow and ice supply the lake with sufficient water. The green grassland around the lake, the sky-blue lake water and the white snow mountains constitute a very pretty watercolor. Then you will go to see the Laigu Glacier and Midui Glacier. Stay overnight in Bome.
Tips: The distance between Bome to Ranwu is only more than 100km, but it's the prime area of East Tibet.
Day 3: Bome / Bayi Town (B/ L/ D)
In the morning, drive to the central pier of Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon Scenic Spot. Take the most advanced idyllic yacht at the Center Port. Have a Yaluzangbu River cruise to enjoy the fantastic view of Yaluzangbu River Grand Canyon. Go downstream towards the Pai Town. Then go ahead to Zhibai. On the way you can visit the Ganazhubu Monastery, Daduka Castle Relics. You can also have a hot spring bath if you like. You can enjoy the amazing scenery of Mt. Namjagbarwa and No.1 and No.2 Big Bend of Yaluzangbu River at Zhibai village. Finally go to Bayi Town.
Day 4: Bayi Town / Basomtso / Lhasa (B/ L/ D)
Drive to Lhasa along the Niyang River. On the way you will cross the Mila Mountain pass (Altitude-5,300m). Then you will admire the scenic beauty of Basomtso. Basomtso is 15 kilometers long, and the deepest parts of the lake reach 166 meters. The lake is a crescent covering 27 sq kilometers. Around the lake, there are both snow-capped mountains and mountains dotted with evergreen trees. It is viewed by the local Tibetan people as the holy lake of the Nyingmapa (Red) Sect. On the islet at the center of Baksum Tso Lake, there is an ancient monastery constructed in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Ferrying across the lake to the islet is a great fun. The snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear water and lush vegetation add much charm to this mysterious land. Indulged in such beautiful scenery, you will feel like living in a fairyland. Then head for Lhasa and You will reach there at night.
Day 5: Lhasa (B/ L/ D)
In the morning you will visit the Potala Palace. The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley, at an altitude of 3,700 m. The White Palace, comprising halls, temples and courtyards, serves as the living quarters of the Dalai Lama. The Red Palace includes various chambers for worshipping Buddha and chambers housing the eight stupa that contain the remains of fifth through thirteenth Dalai Lama. In the afternoon you will visit the Jokhang Monastery (also called the Tsulag Khang). Jokhang means the 'House of the Buddha in Tibetan. With the history of more than 1,350 years, it’s the oldest monatery in Lhasa. For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. The Hall of Sakyamuni is the most important in the monastery. It enshrines a statue of Sakyamuni, which Tang Dynasty Princess Wencheng brought to Lhasa. The Hall of the Prince of Dharma enshrines the statues of Tubo King Songtsan Gambo, Tang Dynasty Princess Wencheng, and Nepalese Princess Bhributi. Being a circular street, Barkhor is the road that pilgrims either walk or crawl around the Jokhang Temple since it was first constructed in the seventh century. Traditional Tibetan houses and narrow lanes in and around the street whisper the stories of old Lhasa. It’s not only a Circumanbulation but also the largest commercial street in Lhasa. Barkhor Street boasts various sorts of Tibetan folk crafts catering to tourists. The time after supper is free. To spend a night in a local bar is a good choice.
Day 6: Lhasa / Shigatse (B/ L/ D)
Set off from Lhasa in the morning. On the way the coach will pass the Gangbala Mountain. Drive to the Yamdrok-Tso Lake-one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. It is also the highest fresh water lake in the world. The Yamdrok-Tso Lake is blue and clear like a sapphire. The lake water tastes sweet, you can drink it. On the grassland near the lake, flocks of sheep, herds of cattle and droves of horses are browsing among the brilliant flowering shrubs with leisure, decorating the pastureland on the plateau into a beautiful painting of mountains and waters. Then go to see the Karola Glacier. It looks like an ice beauty. Later, visit the Palkhor Monastery. It has two features: there are three classes of Buddhismexisting harmoniously this monastery. Palkhor also features its "Bodhi stupa", or "Kumbum" in Tibetan. Deemed as the symbol of the monastery, the spectacular "stupa" consists of hundreds of chapels in layers, housing about a hundred thousand images of various icons. Then visit the Zongshan Ruins. The Gyantse Zongshan Anti-British Battle Ruins are located in the seat of Gyantse Country. In the 30th year of Emperor Guangxu or 1904 during the Qing Dynasty, patriotic armies, monks and secular people in Tibet constructed barbettes and other defense systems in front of the Zongshan Mountain to resist the British invaders. Next stop is Pala Manor. Pala family owned mass manors and serf carried a strong old Tibet feature. The most precious is that it's maintained in a good condition after the times vicissitude. Now it's open to the public and serves as the evidence of Tibetan Serf system. Stay overnight in the Shigatse local hotel.
Day 7: Shigatse / Rongbuk Monastery (350km, B/ L/ D)
Drive to Everest Base Camp in the morning. After handling the immigration procedures at the border check points, you will go to visit the Rongbuk Monastery. It is the highest monastery in the world, with an elevation of about 5,200 meters, almost the same height as the base camp of Mt. Everest. Although small, the Rongbuk Monastery has great significance for the pilgrims. It is the best place for watching and taking photos of Mt. Everest. Then proceed to the highest mountain in the world-Mt. Everest. You can see the amazing Rongbuk Glacier. Stay overnight at Rongbuk Monastery.
Day 8: Mt. Everest / Shigatse (B/ L/ D)
You will appreciate the splendid scenery of Mt. Everest at sunrise. Then cross over the Jiawula Mount (5,200m). You can see the other peaks such as Zhuoaoyou Peak (8,201m), Luozi Peak (8,516m) and Makalu Peak (8,516m). Mt. Shisha Pangma (8,012m) is also in your eyes. It's the only one mountain which completely stands in China above 8,000m. Finally return to Shigatse on the same road. Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 9: Shigatse / Namtso (B/ L/ D)
You will visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery. Experiencing five centuries, it still maintains the magnificent vigor. Tashilhunpo Monastery (meaning auspicious) is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in China and the biggest Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism monastery in back Tibet area. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery. One can find the biggest statue of a sitting Maitreya Buddha inside the chapel. The statue stands 26.2 meters (86 ft) high and is decorated with gold, copper, pearl, amber, coral, diamond and other precious stones. Then proceed to Namtso on the China Nepal Friendship Highway. You will reach there at dusk. Stay overnight in Namtso.
Day 10: Namtso / Lhasa (B/ L/ D)
Get up early to enjoy the fantastic view of Namtso Lake. Lying at the foot of Nyainqentanglha Mountain, Namtso Lake covers an area of 1,940 square kilometers at an elevation of 4,718 meters. Its purity and solemnness are symbols of Qinghai-Tibet Platean. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake'. It is considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. It is believed to be the second largest salt water lake in China and the salt water lake at the highest elevation in the world. Queer rocks, steep peaks, natural stone ladders and other landform wonders on Zhaxi byland present visitors a picture filled with mystery and enchantment. You can see the main peaks of Nyainqentanglha Range in the distance. The natural pastureland around the lake, the snow-topped peaks and the blue sky compose a fantastic picture. Go back to Lhasa. You will pass the Yangpachen on the way. If you like, you can have a hot spring bath. Lodge in the Lhasa hotel.
Day 11: Lhasa / Departure (B/ -/ -)
See off in the morning.
Tips: If this tour begins on August 25th, you will take part in the Shoton Festival on August 30th. Then the in itinerary will last one more day and added between Day 5 and Day 6. The detailed arrangement on August 30th is below.
Take Part in the Shoton Festival (B/ L/ D)
Get up early and then head for Drepung Monastery. Giant Thangkas of the Buddha are unveiled under the sun at the Drepung Monastery. The Drepung Monastery sits at the foot of the Gambo Utse Mountain in the western suburb of the Lhasa city and spreads over an area of 250,000 square meters. It is considered one of the 'Three Great Monasteries' (the other two are the Ganden Monastery and the Sera Monastery). Afterwards, visit Sera Monastery and then go back to the hotel for a rest.
Attention: Because get up so early in the morning and walk on mountain road almost for an hour, maybe you will feel very tired, so you can go back to the hotel immediately after visiting the monastery.
Itinerary: B: Breakfast AB: American Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner SD: Special Dinner
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