9-Day Tibet Graceful Westbound: Nyingchi to Lhasa
From the “Switzerland of Tibet” to the holy city.
Overview
This route begins in Chengdu and flies into Nyingchi (2900m), where oxygen-rich forests help you acclimatize comfortably. You then travel west to Lhasa and beyond, including the sacred lakes Yamdrok and Namtso, and the monastic treasures of Gyantse and Shigatse.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu and check-in the hotel. Overnight in Chengdu
Day 2: Chengdu - Nyingchi
You will take the flight in the morning from Chengdu (about 2 hours’ flight). After arriving at Nyingchi airport, your guide will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is for free acclimatization. Overnight in Nyingchi (2900m)
Day 3: Nyingchi → Sejila Pass → Lulang Forest Sea → Niyang River Scenery →
Nyingchi (200km, about 4.5hours' driving) Sejila Pass (4728m) is an iconic pass where colourful prayer flags wave against a clear blue sky. On a clear day, you enjoy a stunning view of Namcha Barwa (7782m), Tibet’s famous “Snow Dragon Peak”. Afterwards, you continue for about an hour to Lulang Forest Sea, a misty primitive forest at around 3300m. Dense spruce and fir forests create a peaceful, fairy-tale landscape. You stop at the viewing platform to admire the sea of green trees and the scattered Tibetan villages below. You then enjoy a tasty halal lunch featuring Lulang stone pot chicken in Lulang Town. The return drive follows the scenic Niyang River for approximately 2 hours, with clear blue water winding through green mountains and farmland. Overnight in Nyingchi (2900m)
Day 4: Nyingchi → Basongcuo Lake → Lhasa
(400km, about 6hours' driving) Basongcuo Lake (3480m), a sparkling alpine lake in eastern Tibet, is famed for its crystal-clear turquoise waters reflecting snow-capped mountains and primitive forests. You drive along the Linla Expressway for about 1.5 hours to reach the lake, where you take the scenic shuttle to the heart of the area and stroll the lakeside plank road, with a stop at the ancient Cuozong Temple on the middle lake islet for a glimpse of local Tibetan culture. After enjoying lunch, you could savor the tranquil mountain and lake scenery. In the afternoon, you continue westbound to Lhasa, passing through the Mila Mountain Tunnel (4750m) with stunning alpine scenery along the way. The altitude rises gently from 3480m to 3650m, making it easy to acclimatize to the elevation of Lhasa in the evening. Overnight in Lhasa (3650m)
Day 5: Lhasa Highlights
The first day of sightseeing starts with Lhasa’s most famous landmark, the Potala Palace. This towering structure is a national icon and takes hours to fully explore on foot. Some 2 km to the east of the Potala is Jokhang Monastery, the most revered religious structure in Tibet. Bustling with worshippers, a tour of the monastery is a truly memorable experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the monastery is known as the Barkhor, and is considered both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. Overnight in Lhasa (3650m)
Day 6: Lhasa-Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Gyantse- Shigatse.
(380km, about 7hours’ driving) Yamdrok Tso (4441m), one of Tibet’s three holy lakes, is located 110km outside of Lhasa. In the fresh morning air, you set off on your journey to the lake. The road is mostly mountainous, winding and bumpy, and somewhat thrilling. After about 3 1/2 hours’ driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(5030m). The dazzling turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake appear hundreds of meters below the mountain pass, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang(7191m). After descending from the mountain, there’s about 30km road along lakeside, with barley fields on the other side of the road. A nice walk by the lakeside can be a great joy. Leaving Yamdroktso is as spectacular as arriving, since you’ll cross the 5045m Karola, with its awesome roadside views of the Nojin Kangtsang Glacier. With the Glacier scene still exciting you, after about 90km, you get to Gyantse Kumbum. There stands the 35m-high famous Kumbum, packed with exquisite Tibetan sculpture and paintings, a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. Overnight in Shigatse (3847m)
Day 7: Shigatse – Lhasa
(245km, highway, about 3hours’ driving) In the morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery which is the seat of Panchen Lama, the equally important religious figure in Tibet as Dalai Lama. The monastery was built by the first Dalai Lama in 1447, and inside the Monastery placed the highest statue of Buddha in Tibet which is 26.8 meters high. In the afternoon, drive back to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa (3650m)
Day 8: Lhasa –Namtso Lake–-Lhasa
(480 km, about 7hours’ driving) Today, we will drive to Namsto Lake, the second largest saltwater lake in China. Measuring over 70 km in length, it reaches a width of 30 km. On a clear day, the water takes on a stunning shade of turquoise, and the nearby mountains provide magnificent views. The wide open spaces, dotted with the tents of local nomads are intoxicating. Overnight in Lhasa(3650m)
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, the guide will take you to the airport for your return flight. Tour ends.