11 Days Xining to Lhasa Overland Tour

Welcome to Xining! Upon your arrival, your personal local guide will meet you with a sign with your name on it to take you to your comfortable, private vehicle with an experienced driver who will transfer you to your Xining hotel and help you get safely checked in.

This morning, as you begin your journey to Lhasa, you will have the opportunity to visit the Ta’er Monastery, which serves as the religious activity center for monks and followers of the Gelugpa Sect. After the monastery, we will continue driving to Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in all of China, located 150 kilometers west of Xining. After lunch, we will have time along the way to explore the Chaka Salt Lake with its stunning and unique vistas. We will spend the night in Chaka tonight.

After breakfast, we will drive directly from Chaka to Golmud, which is the starting point of the Qinghai and Tibetan Railway.

Today we will drive through the Gobi Desert and enjoy the magnificent views on the way to our destination of Nagqu. We will see the Tongtian River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River. En route, we will visit the Geladangdong Mountain, where the Yangtze River originates, before driving on through the Tanggula Pass and finally arriving at Nagqu.

Today’s first stop is Namtso Lake, the bright pearl of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Known as one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, Namtso is endowed with pure clean water and stunning landscapes. It is recognized as the holy land of the Tibetan Buddhists and a must-see destination for hiking enthusiasts from all over the world. We will enjoy a picnic by the late and then drive on to Yangbajing for a visit before driving on to Lhasa to spend the night.

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly;

Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD)

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .

Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch.

After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gazt at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

In the morning, you can see the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then we will visit the Rongbu Monastery - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together and later trek from lodging place to EBC (4kms, or take Eco bus). You can visit the Everest Base Camp and take the close-up shot of Mt. Everest. Finally, we will drive back to Shigatse.

Today, we will drive back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley. You can stand on the viewing platform and view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally the guide will transfer you back to your hotels in Lhasa.

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you to the airport for your departure.