Duration:15 Days
Accommodation:Hotels and guesthouses.
Activities:Sights Seeing, 4WD Adventures, Birding, Monastery Visits
Trip Grading: Moderate
Trip Type: Non-Touristic
Group Size:2-10 pax
Start From:Kunming, Yunnan
Finish In:Lhasa
Highest Altitude:Dungda La , 5008m
Best Season: March to June, September and October

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kunming
Meet our local representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. Accommodation in Harbour Plaza Hotel (5*)

Day 02: Kunming Sightseeing
Full day sightseeing of Stone Forest, Minority Village, Golden Temple, Flower & birds Market. In the evening, enjoy the typical Yunnan Cuisine with local cultural performance in tourist restaurant. Overnight Harbour Plaza Hotel (5*)

Day 03: Flight to Zhongdian
Morning flight to Zhongdian (Shangri-La), airport pick up and transfer to hotel. Visit Somtsang Lin Monastery, and Tibetan family. Overnight in Zhongdian Holy Palace Hotel (4*)

Day 04: Zhongdian to Deqin (190km)
Drive through parts of the Hengduan Range along the Jinsha Jiang River. Have a break in a beautiful small town named Benzilan. Finally arrive at Dechen, enjoy a far view Mt. Meili, the highest peak in Yunnan Province, with an altitude of 6740m above sea level. Overnight in Meili Hotel (2*) in Deqin

Day 05 Deqin to Yanjing (115km)
Drive along the unpaved road following the Mekong River, till the small town of Yanjing (3109m)-the first town of Tibet Autonomous Region. Yanjing means salt well; it was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan areas, which ranged from NW Sichuan down into Yunnan. We'll visit the Natural hot springs Qu Zi Ka in Tibetan located on west bank of Mekong. And Cizong Catholic Church which has been reconstructed in 2003, the original was built start of 20c by French priest. Nowadays it is Lu, a friendly Naxi priest. Overnight in Yanjing Guesthouse. (Very basic!!)

Day 06 Yanjing to Markham (111km)
Today we drive from Yanjing towards northwest to Markham. It is the only region to meet traditional horse caravans on the way. This section is so-call 126 bents or 99 bents. Markham is the intersection town where Yunnan-Tibet highway joins the Sichuan-Tibet highway. Will visit Gartok Gompa（Weise Si in chi, 10km before reach Markham (Gelukpa), affiliated to Drayub sub-branch. Overnight in Markham Guesthouse. (Very basic!!)

Day 07 Markham to Zuogong (173km)
Drive to Zuogong (3780m), the condition of this section of road is unbelievable good for 40km. Zuogong , the town Overlooks Yu-chu river (major tributary of Salween), amid forests. Overnight in Hotel - Liangshiju Guesthouse in Zuogong which Offers room with private bathroom.

Day 08 Zuogong to Bamda (107km)
Today will drive passes Denpa, ascend to Dungda La (5008m). Road continues through grassland along Yu-chu river valley. Visit Gelukpa monastery Tiantuo Si in chi.founded as branch of Drepung, Stupas along roadside. The Monks are extremely hospitable. (Watch out for the dogs!) and Bamda (3780m) airport, 50km from intersection, there are flights to Lhasa & Chengdu. Overnight in Bamda guesthouse

Day 09-10 Bamda To Rawok Lake (190km)
Today drive ascend to Game La (4618m), Alpine forests, road follows Ling-chu valley after its confluence Salween up to Pasho. Note: No photos on Salween Bridge for military reason. Both Bamda & Pasho are good place for dinner stop. Here are Watershed of Salween and Brahmaputra rivers. Rawok-tso (3950m) on North shore of Ngan-tso, shores nice for camping. Take one day off for photos and rest. Overnight in Peace Guesthouse.

Day 11 Rawok Lake to Bomi to Tongmai (197km)
After breakfast, you have some time to stroll by the lakeside. Then 130km to Bomi, with lunch stop in Songzong. At Bomi, visit a temple and continue to Tongmai. Accommodation guesthouse.

Day 12 Tongmai to Bayi (Nyingchi) (116km)
Driev to Bayi, the capital of the old county Nyingchi. Nyingtri & Lulang landscape is extremely magnificent, characterized by dense primeval forest, Plateau Lake, high mountains and deep fertile valleys. Taktse Yungdrungling Bon, road into Nyingtri passes through Takste town, approached via turnoff on left below. There is a 2000+years old juniper tree, sacred to Bon religion followers. Overnight in Nyingchi Hotel (3*)

Day 13 Nyingchi to Basum Tso (Lake) (160km)
Leave hotel early morning for Basum Tso Lake. The he snow mountain, the crystal lake, the lush trees and the monastery make the area so beautiful that if paradise exists anywhere on earth, it should be at Basum Tso. Overnight at the Lakeside Lodge.

Day 14 Pasum Tso to Lhasa via Medrok Gongkar and Ganden Monastery.
Turn-off at Lamo, about 7 km detour to Ganden Monastery. Ganden monastery (3200m) was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa-the founder of Gelugpa sect of Buddhism, on the Gokpori ridge of Mount Wangkur, overlooking the south bank of the river. Ganden was the first and foremost Gelukpa monastery, constructed by Tsongkhaoa himself. Overnight Dhood Gu or similar hotel.

Day 15: 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 - Barkhor street. Overnight Dhood Gu or similar hotel.

Day 16: Lhasa sightseeing
Visit Drepung 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. Accommodation hotel.

Day 17 Depart Lhasa

Trips Highlights

• Stone Forest of ancient limestone cliffs and peaks in Kunming.
• Tiger Leaping Gorge and Gedan Sumaling Monastery Monastery in Zhongdian
• Views of Mount Meili and Nyenchentangla Shan Range.
• Gartok Gompa at Markham
• Rawok Lake
Nyingchi and Basum Tso Lake
• Potala Palace, Drepung and Sera Moansteries, Jorkhang Temple and Norbulingkha Palace in Lhasa

Dates and Prices
Start and End dates - Flexible
Tour Cost : US$ 2590 per person

Trip Cost Includes
• Mid range hotels in the cities and best available in other stops.
• Daily Breakfast.
• All transportation by a 4WD Toyota Landcruiser Jeep.
• English speaking Local Guides
• Tibet permits
• Sightseeing Admission Fees.
• Kunming-Lijiang airfare

Trip Cost Does Not Includes
• International airfare to Kunming and return from Lhasa.
• Lunch and dinner
• Drinks and tips and other expenses of personal nature such laundry, phone etc.
• Extra expenses due to nature and unforeseen events.
• Travel Insurance.

Equipment
The following basic equipments check lists should help you with your packing. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. At the start of the trek your packed trek bag should not weigh more than 33 pounds or 15 kg.

Head:
- Sun hat or scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection

Lower Body:
- Under Garments
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight cotton long pants
- Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool pants
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

Feet:
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals) Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp

Upper Body:
- T-shirts
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket *

Hands:
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer

Accessories:
- Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F *
- Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
- Small pad or combination lock-to-lock
- Trekking Bags *
- Basic First Aid Kit *
- Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry insidetrekbag
- Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
- Thermarest sleeping pad
- Water bottles
- Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet papers etc)

Toiletries:
- 1 medium sized quick drying towel
- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small mirror

Personal Hygiene:
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue /toilet roll

Extras/Luxuries:
- Binoculars
- Reading book
- Trail Map/Guide book
- Journal & Pen
- Walkman
- Pencils and small notebooks
- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble

Travel Notes

ACCESS (GETTING IN & OUT)
By Air
The Capital city Lhasa, is connected with Kathmandu by China Southwest Airlines. There are flights on Tuesdays from April 1st week to November last week, the flight of Saturdays are in operation from April First week to the last one of October and the flight of Thursdays is in operation from the first week of August to the last one of October. (However this flight operation schedule might be changed, please contact us for further information) Besides these, there are daily flight to Chengdu from Lhasa and twice a week flights to Beijing and through Chengdu Lhasa is connected with other major cities in China and Hong Kong.

By Road
The Friendship high way connects Lhasa with Kathmandu, the only overland route now in operation as the route from Golmud or Chengdu is very often prohibited for travelers.

VISA & PROCESS
All foreigners are required to have a valid China Visa with the permit for Tibet to enter Tibet. However, it is not as easy as it seems to travel and get the visa to Tibet. Entry point must have been mentioned at the visa and clients are not allowed to enter Tibet from other than the point mentioned in visa. So we recommend you to leave all these visa tension to your travel agent as there are lots of process to do to get the visa.

If you are traveling through Nepal Visa must be obtained in Kathmandu or if any travel operator is organizing the tour the local operator (We) can send the visa authorization to Chinese Embassy/ Consulate in their respective country through our counterpart in Lhasa. The authorization is the paper issued by the TIBET TOURISM BUREAU addressing the concerned Embassy to issue visa for the clients mentioned in the list. But min. no of PAX must be 5 on the list. PLEASE NOTE it is not possible to get the visa without joining the trip and the trip must have been organized by the travel agency.
 

VISA FEE
Visa fee is changed every now and then by the authorities. Sometimes the fee is charged according to the Nationality of the clients and sometimes a flat rate is charged. However, expect to pay US$ 40-45 per person for the visa. Please contact us for further information, latest visa fee and regulation.

ENTRANCE & PERMITS
Entrance fees are charged in Each Monasteries in Tibet. Usually the fees is charged to your organizer and your organizer included this fee in their package cost. Normally travel agencies buy the entrance coupons from the monastery and distribute it to the clients return it back to the Monasteries while on sightseeing. The fee vary according to the monastery and the importance of the place (from US$ 4. (30 Yuan ) to US$ 8 (60 Yuan). Our prices include such fees.

There are entrance fees to Everest Areas and Kailash areas as well. Boating fee is charged while on a trip to Samye or road permit fee is charged for traveling outside Lhasa. You need to have Alien Travel Permit (ATP), Tibet permit and special permits to travel to Tibet except your visa. Tibet permit is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau and Alien Travel Permit (ATP) or road permit is issued by Public Security Bureau (PSB). We arrange all these permits by ourselves leaving you free to travel. Except these army and culture permit is required to travel to Mt. Kailash area.

CURRENCY
Chinese Yuan is used in Tibet. Big hotels accept major credit cards or you can exchange your money in any branch of Bank of China, located in Zhangmo, Shigatse, Lhasa and in Tsedang only. Currently the exchange rate is 01 US$ = 8 Yuan but the rate gates changed very often.

TIME
Chinese Standard Time (Beijing) is used in Tibet which is is 8 hours ahead (+) of GMT and 2 hours 15 minutes ahead of Nepal.

CLOTHING
Warm clothing are always a must for the trip. For regular tours, light warm traveling clothing are required from June to October. Warm clothing are required for other months (including dusk mask) April, May and November. If you are going for trekking all trekking gears such as, down jacket, sleeping bags,  shirts, comfortable walking shoes, long johns, trousers and skirts, sweaters, jackets, dust masks, shocks, sun hats, sun glasses, suntan lotion, utility knife, water bottles/ thermos, flashlights, water purifying tablets, first aid kit, toilet & tissue papers etc. are important through out the trip. 

HEALTH
Traveling in Tibet involves high altitude & can be strenuous. Person having blood, lungs & heart problems should consult their doctor before taking any decision regarding trip though very few cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorder can happen before acclimatization. For your safety there will be oxygen bottles in or each vehicle. 

SEASON
The best time to visit Tibet is from June to October. Even though monsoon touches some part of Tibet in July and August it is next to nothing if compared to Nepal. If you wish to skip this period then September, October, and the first half of the November is perfect time to visit. This does not mean that in other season you can or visit Tibet. In fact You can visit Tibet from March Last week to November last week. The flight connection to & from Lhasa is started from April the first week to the last one of November and it is closed from December to March due to extreme low temperature which goes below -13 degree centigrade. So plan your journey from April to November last to have the perfect view and sightseeing.   

ACCOMMODATION
In Lhasa various choices if hotels are available from 4 star Lhasa Hotel (Former Holiday Inn) to the local budget hotels But in other towns like Tsedang, Gyantse, Shigatse, Shegar, Zhangmo etc. there are 2-3 star hotel one at each towns charging US$ 45 to 65 per night for double room per night on room only basis. If you wish to skip these hotels there are no other choices but to stay in local BUDGET guest house, local lodges etc which you may not find as to your expectation. While traveling in Tibet please keep in mind that you are traveling in a very remote part of the world where you will have to cross more than 500mtr of passes on a dusty roads. So if possible it is suggested not to compromise on accommodation etc.

TRANSPORTATION
Different type of transportation in Tibet are provided for separate purpose. For instance for Government employee, local perople, domestic traveler (Chinese) and International travelers.
In normal condition foreign traveler must travel on the vehicles specified for them. Mustly for this purpose 90`s model of Landcruisers of Japan made and Jeeps of China Made are used and there are quite good Hino buses for group travel and Nissan/Toyata Coasters for smaller groups Places where the buses and coasters can not reach 4WD jeeps/Landcruisers are used.

While planning your trip you have to keep in mind that the infrastructure in Tibet is limited to some extent and during the month of July, August, September & October Tibet sees quite a big no of tourist and it seems difficult to handle all the people with the limited infrastructure. So if planning the trip for this period you may have to book the trip much more in advance to get the best you want. If the booking came late you may have to compromise with something you may not like to.

FAQ for Tibet

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