Our journey across the heart of Kham to Lhasa, the “ Holy City” follows ancient mule caravan trade routes. Starting at Dartsedo, our gateway & border post with China, we skirt our way along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway through mountainous terrain & river valleys to the historical towns of Tawu, Kanze, Dege & Chamdo. From Chamdo we follow the southern route via Kongpo region & the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley to Lhasa, the Forbidden City. We visit all the important monasteries in Kham belonging to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism including the sacred Katok Monastery of Nyingmapa School believed to have been miraculously built by Guru Rinpoche in early 8th century.

The journey is rugged & the facilities en route basic.

DAY 1: CHENGDU
Arrive in Chengdu. You will be met at the airport and transferred to a 4 star hotel, where we will have a short briefing over spicy Sichuan food ringing with spices.

DAY 2:KANGDING (368 KMS), 2500M
Drive from Chengdu to Kangding (Dartsedo). Once outside the Sichuan basin, we will begin to climb the mountain roads of the Erlang Mountains. Kangding (Dartsedo) is a fairly large city tucked within a river valley & was the traditional Tibet’s border post with China. Visit Dorjee Drak Monastery (a branch of the Dorjee Drak Monastery in Lhasa), Lhamo Tshering Monastery & Naqchu Gompa (a branch of the Drepung Loseling Monastery).

DAY 3: TAWU (8 HRS,3040 M)
Daofu or Tawu(in Tibetan) is a small town situated in a narrow basin along the Zhe-chu river. As you approach the town you will see a huge chorten & an immense 10 m-sq pile of mani prayer stones nearby. Nyitso Gompa, is an important Gelukpa Monastery. At an abservation point beyond the gompa you can see the 3 sacred mountains (Rigsum Gompo), to the south over the river.

Day 4: LITHANG
Heading South then west, the road climbs into the mountains and valleys to the dryer grasslands of Lithang. At 4100m Litang is one of the highest towns in the world, set on a broad grassland with Lithang Gompa overlooking the town which attests to the powerful sway of Buddhism in the region. Litang itself has played a central part in the region, from its days as an independent Kingdom, allied with Kagyu rulers of the Kingdom of Dêge, through its absorption by the great Gelukpa expansion east in the 16th, 17th & 18th centuries. As with Ganzi further north, it’s a market town and administrative centre, heavily coloured by its roots as a trading post for the Khampa nomads that populate the high plains.

Drive 6: XINLUNG (NYARONG)
After breakfast a day’s drive in a northerly direction through forested valleys of Yalung river before we get to Xinlung a historical stronghold of the Nyingma sect and the pre-buddhist Bon tradition. It’s also known for the Kham chieftan Gompo Namgyal who rebelled against Lhasa to form his own empire in Eastern Tibet in the 19th century.

DAY 7: GANZE (KANZE) (3310 M), 180 KMS
Kanze is a small riverside trading town & the largest in the area. On the northern side of the town is the Kanze Gompa spread over a hill commanding a fine view of the Snow Mountains & the Kanze town.

DAY 8:BAIYU (PELYUL), 190 KMS
Pelyul, situated on the eastern side of the Dri-chu that flows between Sichuan Province & the TAR, is the power base of the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism in Kham region. Important monasteries to visit here are - Pelyul Gompa built in the 17t century by the king of Derge & Katok Gompa. Also popularly known as Katok Dorjeden Gompa, the seat of this original monastery has been miraculously laid by Guru Rinpoche in the early 8th century at the time of the construction of Samye Monastery.

DAY 9: DEGE(3220 M), 190 KMS
Dege, is the cultural center of Eastern Tibet. Here we visit Dege Gonchen Monastery founded in 1448 & belongs to the Sakyapa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Also visit the famous Dege Parkhang where Tibetan Buddhist sutras are printed.

DAY 10: JOMDA, (120 KMS)
After exploring the town of Dege in the morning we continue our journey. We stop at the small town of Jomda.

DAY 12: CHAMDO
Relax in Chamdo. Straddling the Mekong river, Chamdo possesses a rich history as one of the earliest centers of the Tibetan plateau and home to Kalden Jampaling, the great monastery founded between 1436-44 and developed through the centuries by successive incarnations. While the original monastery was destroyed in 1912 by the Chinese, it was rebuilt when the Tibetan army seized Chamdo in 1917. We will spend the day stretching our legs, exploring the monastery and shopping in Tromzikhang, an open-air market where colorfully dressed Tibetans pawn their wares and antique goods.

DAY 13: RANWU (3850M) ,98 KMS
The drive to Ranwu is through alpine forest landscapes. You cross the Salween River on the way, before arriving at Ranwu, located on the shore of the blue Ngom Tso (lake), dramatically girded by snow peaks. After ascending the Anjula pass, we explore the lake and overnight at guest house.

DAY 15: BAYI (3000M), 16O KMS
Wake up with an unobstructed view of the majestic Namche Barwa peak. After a long drive, you arrive in Bayi, the capital town of Linzhi Prefecture.

DAY 16: NAMSHAN (3150M), 260 KMS
Today you will drive along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Stay in a local guesthouse.

DAY 17: TSEDANG (3500M), 240 KMS
Visit Yumbulakhang, the earliest palace of Tibet, which was built on the top of a hill beside Tsedang.

DAY 18: LHASA (3650 M)
En route visit Mindroling Monastery.

DAY 19 & 20: LHASA
We will have two full days in the holy city of Lhasa to make excursions to the following places: The Jokhang Temple, the principal Buddhist temple in Lhasa. The temple, known for its large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha, was first constructed in the 7th century. The Norbulinka, a richly decorated complex located in a beautiful garden setting, is the traditional summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Drepung Monastery, is one of the largest Tibetan monastic universities. The Monastery used to have 8,000 monks who were taught in the traditions of Vajrayana, Mahayana and Sutrayana, the three vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism. We will also visit the Barkhor bazaar, the bustling market in Lhasa, a colorful congregating place for Tibetan merchants. Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, is reputed to contain 1,000 rooms, & is considered as one of the world’s most remarkable buildings. Sitting at top of a mountain overlooking Lhasa, the Potala contains hundreds upon hundreds of magnificent thangkas, frescoes, and images.

DAY 22: LHASA-GYANGTSE (3990 M), 350 KMS
Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across Kampa la pass 5050 m & Karo la (5045 m) passes. Visit Kubum stupa & Palkhor Chode Monastery.

DAY 23: GYANGTSE-SHALU-SHIGATSE (3860 M),90 KMS
Drive to Shigatse. En route visit Shalu Monastery. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of Link Exchange Panchen Lama who is the 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierarchy & Shigatse Market.

DAY 24: SHIGATSE-SAKYA-SHEGAR/DINGRI (4350 M)
Drive to Xegar across Tsou la pass (4500 M) &Gyatso la pass (5220 M). En route visit Sakya Monastery.

DAY 25: SHEGAR-RONGBUK (5050 M)
Drive via Pang la pass (5200 M) to Rongbuk Monastery, world’s highest monastery situated Search at 5200 M. 0/N Rongbuk Guest House.

DAY 26: EVEREST BASE CAMP
We have the option to hike or drive to Everest Base Camp.

DAY 27: NYLAM
After watching sunrise over Everest, we drive on to Nyalam.

DAY 28: NYLAM-ZHANGMU-KATHMANDU
Drive to Zhangmu & on to Kathmandu. En route visit Milarepa Cave. We descend from the high arid Tibetan plateau into the lush greenery of Nepal.

Cost Includes:

1. Tibet permits
2. Monument entrance fees as per itinerary
3. Twin share accommodation
4. Daily breakfasts
5. Guided tours and transfers as per given itinerary

Note:
Ask for our ‘Nepal extensions’ or ‘Mainland China extension’ packages.

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