Overview
Panorama for Western Tibet along Northern & Southern Routes
This is a truly intrepid tour that takes the circuit routes along northern part of Tibet on Changtang plateau and the far western Tibet of Ngari, which will explore the unspoiled natures, hidden valleys and lakes, historical and cultural wonders, many are unknown, and experience the most isolated but the most beautiful corners of Tibet. Starts from Lhasa, the tour will drive ahead to the northwest direction, and then enter into the huge areas of the northern Tibet Plateau, where is known as the “Changtang”, meaning the northern Tibet in Tibetan language. Changtang Plateau, surrounded by Mt. Tanglha, Gangdise Ranges and Nyainchen Tanglha Ranges, is almost covers the entire Nachu prefecture and the northeastern part of Ngari. The average altitude here is above 4,000 meters, nomads are the main habitants for generations. Continue driving to the west, the tour will be in the far western highland of Ngari, where is often rarely see any signs of human habitations. Moreover, the part of northern highland of Changtang Plateau is even the depopulated regions.
With the average altitude of 4,500 meters, this wide and broad area stretches from Gangdise Ranges to Nyainchen Tanglha Ranges at the north and extends to Kunlun Ranges at the south, where still retains the primitive eco-systems that gives the best natural protections for the rare wild animals. You will have great chances to see the wild yaks, Tibetan antelopes, Tibetan gazelles, white-lipped deers and Equus kiangs along the Gobi and grasslands, and to take a look of turtledoves, ruddy shelducks, black-necked cranes continually appearing on the marshlands or the lake sides. The highlights of the tour are no doubt included all the three scared lakes of Lake Manasarovar (Mambum Yumtso in Tibetan), Namtso Lake and Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, furthermore, you will have many spectacular lake views along the way, the bigger ones are Serling Tso Lake, Tangra Yumtso Lake and Zhari Namtso Lake. You will get close touch of the complete Tibetan nomads, and surely will visit the ancient wonders, the 1,300 years history Guge Kingdom ruins, the pilgrim holy land of Mt. Kailash and other valuable sights. People described Changtang and Ngari as the “roof of the world’s roof”, it is said if you’ve never visit Ngari, you don’t visit real Tibet. Let’s now explore this vast virgin land!
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Lhasa
Day 02 Lhasa Sightseeing
Day 03 Lhasa Sightseeing
Day 04 Excursion at Namtso Lake
Day 05 Namtso Sunrise & Drive to Baingon
Day 06 Nyima & Dazzling Serling Tso Lake
Day 07 Tsochen via Tangra Yumtso & Zhari Namtso
Day 08 Tsochen to Gaitse
Day 09 Gaitse to Gegye
Day 10 Arrive Gar (Shiquanhe Town)
Day 11 Zanda through the Mound Forest
Day 12 Explore in Guge Kingdom Ruins
Day 13 Zanda to Tarchen
Day 14 Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar (or optional Kora)
Day 15 Tarchen to Paryung
Day 16 Paryung to Saga
Day 17 Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Sunset
Day 18 Everest Base Camp & Drive to Shegar
Day 19 Shigatse & Tashilumpo Monastery
Day 20 Drive back to Lhasa via Gyantse & Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Day 21 Lhasa Departure
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Lhasa
Upon arrived at Lhasa Gongga Airport or the Lhasa Train Station, our local guide and driver will pick you up there and then drive to Lhasa downtown and check in the hotel located at Barkhor quarter. Rest time is free for altitude acclimation. Dinner will be served as the welcome dinner, with Tibetan food during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing
Morning visit the Potala Palace, the world's highest construction. With the 13 stories and 119 meters in height, Potala Palace is composed by the two parts of the White Palace and the Red Palace with the different functions. The White one is used for Dalai Lamas’ living, working and studying. The Red one consists mainly of various chapels and stupas. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Monastery, which is located in the heart of Lhasa’s old section of Barkhor. Built in seventh century, Jokhang Monastery is the oldest monastery and is the earliest timber construction in Tibet. It is also the spiritual focus for the Tibetans, where you can see the most devotional pilgrims and worships from morning till dark. Encircling of the Jokhang, here is Barkhor Street, the pilgrims are walking around the temple for centuries already. Leisure walk around this crowding medieval street to witness the local lifestyle.
Day 03: Lhasa Sightseeing
Morning visit Norbulingka, literally means “Jewel Garden”, was the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. The palaces are shaded by the flourish and green trees, the murals on the main hall’s walls show a long history here. Later visit Drepung Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Gelugpa sect. in Tibet. Built in 1416, Drepung Monastery gains the name of “Heap of Rice” due to its white structure appearance. Then visit Sera Monastery, one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. Except the treasures and well-preserved original murals in the monastery, you will also have a great chance to view the heated scriptural debates of the monks.
Day 04: Excursion at Namtso Lake
Take about 4 hours and 252km drive to Namtso Lake through Yampachen grassland with the landscapes of the terrestrial heat and hot springs. Means the ‘Heavenly Lake’ in Tibetan language, Namtso Lake is the largest lake in Tibet and also the highest saltwater lake on the earth. Excursion at the lake side, step on Tashi peninsula for a small monastery, enjoy the beautiful crystal-clear blue lake and backdrop of magnificent Nyainchen Tanglha range. Overnight at Namtso Lake, the simple guest house at the lake side (dorm bed).
Day 05: Namtso Sunrise & Drive to Baingon
In the early morning, have the breathtaking view of the sunrise over Namtso Lake. Then take the road ahead to the hinterland of Changtang Plateau with many uphill and downhill trails through Baingon Grassland, countless lesser lakes and rivers dotted at road sides, include a bigger lake, Bam Tso Lake, bar-headed Gooses often appear there. Overnight in Baingon, an ancient Bon sites.
Day 06: Nyima & Dazzling Serling Tso Lake
Hit the road northward to see a small Baingon Tso Lake at the road side, and then a much bigger salt lake, Serling Tso Lake will come to view shortly later, which is the second largest lake in Tibet and is also a big sanctuary for black-necked crane. Serling Tso and Baingon Tso are jointly known as the “Twin Lakes”, where is one of the most important nature reserves on Changtang Plateau. Continue to pass a few lesser lakes, arrive at Nyima, where spend a night.
Day 07: Tsochen via Tangra Yumtso & Zhari Namtso
Today is an eye-catching day for a few breathtaking lakes. As the road ascends southward to over 5,000m, you will have a view of sacred Bon worship Tangra Yumtso Lake with backdrop of Mt. Tangori (6,450m) at Ombu Village, the birthplace of Bon Sect. Continue the way to Tsochen, you will encounter another big lake, Zhari Namtso Lake, the third largest lake in Tibet. There are a number of small hamlets scattered in the nomadic pastureland around and some smaller lakes interspersed too. Overnight in Tsochen.
Day 08: Tsochen to Gaitse
Take a backward looking to the east for the vista of Zhari Namtso at Gyangung Pass (5,200m) on the way driving to Gaitse that seems the lake water and the sky consisted into a vast one. Pass a few lesser lakes, include Dawa Tso Lake and Dongtso Lake, you would see the throngs of Kiangs, gazelles, and possibly foxes or Tibetan antelopes. Overnight in Gaitse, a desolate town, is the foremost administrative center in northern Tibet plateau.
Day 09: Gaitse to Gegye
The west Tibet is depopulated while it becomes the paradise for the wildlife, the various wild animals live here comfortably without too much disturbing from human beings. Today you have great chances to view hundreds of Kiangs, black-necked cranes, Tibetan gazelles, marmots, owls and other wild animals which are easy appear in this region. Overnight in Gegye.
Day 10: Arrive Gar (Shiquanhe Town)
Today take the scenic drive ahead to Gar (Shiquanhe town) along Shiquanhe River (Sengge Zangpo), the capital town of Ngari prefecture. The town is larger than other townships along the trip, the accommodation facilities here is the best available on the way, so you could take the good washing. Explore the town or take good rest.
Day 11: Zanda through the Mound Forest
Arrive Zanda through the stunning valley, marshland, wadi-like basin, the stretches of barren desert canyons and amazing eroded mountains. The extraterrestrial landscape with the shapes of hills is the famous Mound Forest nearer Zanda. Stands on a hillside and can have the magnificent panorama of the Mound Forest, their numerous and regularly shaped tiers. Dusk is believed as the best time for sight and photograph, the sunlight is shining the mounds, that provides the bright, splendent and impressive wonders. Overnight at Zanda.
Day 12: Explore in Guge Kingdom Ruins
Full day visit Guge Kingdom Ruins and Toling Monastery, two ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom. Guge ruins is a grand historical site started to build around tenth century and was constantly expanding till seventh century when the Tupo dynasty collapsed. It is best to visit there before the sunrise. More than 400 chambers ruins and 800 caves still could be found here, give us the grand image about the past resplendence of the ancient kingdoms. Toling Monastery, 26km east from Guge ruins, the architectures and Buddha statues in this monastery mixed with the Kashmir, Ladakh and Nepali styles.
Day 13: Zanda to Tarchen
The trail passes through the Sutlej Valley and ascending to the winding road by passing series of gorges to Tarchen. Overlook majestic Mt. Kailash (6,714 meters) and the massive Gandise Ranges and its 105 peaks, each of them has the beautiful legendary names. We will overnight at Tarchen, a tiny town at the foot of Mt. Kailash, is the place that the pilgrims must pass through, and also the starting and ending point for mountain Kora (circumambulate).
Day 14: Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar (or optional Kora)
oday you will have a full day paced time for sightseeing at Tarchen, to appreciate the legendary Mt. Kailash (6,714 meters) to the north and Mt. Namnani (7,728 meters) to the south, possibly view the sunrise, golden sunglows and sunset. Mt. Kailash is often gathered clouds above the peak, so the clear days are thought to be a kind of blessing by the believers. Seen it from the south, you could view the great symbol of Mt. Kailash, a huge Bhuddhist sign “卐” formed with the horizontal rock and the vertical ice down from the summit. Excursion at Lake Manasarovar, one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet, and also the highest freshwater lake in the world.
Optional Kora:
It need extra three days if you are fond of Kora (circumambulate) around Mt. Kailash. Please contact our trip advisor for more details.
Day 15: Tarchen to Paryung
Today drive to Paryung. You may see the wild animals of Kiangs or black-necked cranes at the road side marshland. You will pass by some high mountain passes, small or big dazzling blue alpine lakes, across the basin meadows where the authentic Tibetan nomads widespread set their black yak tents. Later we will drive into the Paryung Grassland, you will see the yaks and sheep dotted on the grassland. Paryung is a typical town at the west of Tibet. Enjoy the dusk beauties of this small town and nearby grassland scenery.
Day 16: Paryung to Saga
Today the scenery is presenting a picture of primitive, desolate but more spectacular after Saga. The continuous and winding Himalayas unfold at the south. En the route, the wide Maquanhe River (Damchu Zangpo in Tibetan) will come to your eyesight, which is believed as the source of grand Yarlung Zangpo River. You will see Ropo Kangri Peak (7,095m), one of peaks of Gangdise Ranges at the north. Overnight in the guesthouse of Saga, a two-streets small town, but an important transport hub into west Tibet.
Day 17: Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Sunset
Today drive to Rongbuk Monastery passing by Peigu Tso Lake. Stop at Peigu Tso Lake for sightseeing, which is surrounded by hills in the three sides with a vast terrain. Excursion at the lake side and overlook majestic Xishiabungma Peak (8,027m). Roads to Everest Base Camp become zigzags, while is full of challenging and fun. Rongbuk Monastery is the world’s highest monastery. Gains the favorable distance to Mt. Everest, Rongbuk is the best and closest view for the Everest and becomes the base camp for the mountaineers who will climb the Qomolangma Peak at its north face. Enjoy the sunset of Mt. Everest. Overnight at Rongbuk simple guest house (dorm bed).
Day 18: Everest Base Camp & Drive to Shegar
Wake up early morning, enjoy the spectacular sunrise of Mt. Everest and possibly the wonder of “Banner Clouds”, the thick clouds and fog, waving like the flags. You can get a view for the records of those past mountaineers at Rongbuk; trek (about 2 hours) or take the cable car (about 15 minutes) to E.B.C, where you would possible view the sunset that the peak looks like a white pyramid miraculously shined by the sunglows; have a look for shapes of Rongbuk glaciers, the ones as bridges or pagoda. After visiting, we drive to Shegar. Rest time is free explore at this tiny town.
Day 19: Shigatse & Tashilumpo Monastery
Today arrive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. At Gyatso La Pass and Pang-La Pass, if the weather permits, you can overlook the Himalayan mountain ranges stretching endlessly. In Shigatse, visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lhama. It has an impressive scale and retains the highest gilded bronze statue of Champa Buddha in the world. Explore the town and the interesting local market.
Day 20: Drive back to Lhasa via Gyantse & Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Drive back to Lhasa via Gyantse and Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. With about 1.5 hours driving to arrive at Gyantse, visit Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda, a remarkable monastery coexisting three Tibetan Buddhism sects of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa. Later we leave Gyantse and pass through Karola Glaciers (5,030m) and the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, one of three sacred lakes in Tibet. Take the good rest in Lhasa after the long and tough journey.
Day 21: Lhasa Departure
Transfer to the airport or the train station according to the schedule.
Experiences & Activities
- Get into Northern Changtang Plateau & Nyari in far-western highland in Tibet
- Majestic view of Mt. Kailash, Mt. Everest and many huge snow mountains
- Explore many historical & cultural sites, the wonders of Guge Kingdom ruins
- Visit three largest scared lakes, Namtso, Yamdrok Yumtso & Lake Manasarovar
- Get insight into remote villages, nomads, wild animals and spectacular landscapes
