Once your flight lands in Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, our professional guide and driver will meet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel. There is no sightseeing arranged today so you can rest to recover from jet lag or do some expedition on your own.
Morning, you will have a tour in this UNESCO Lijiang Ancient Town, home to Naxi ethnic minority groups. You'll visit the Old MarketSquare-the core area of the town and once the haunt of local traders, and walk into the maze of cobbled alleys featured with plenty of arterylike canals and small stone bridges. Then you'll pay a visit to Mu Family Mansion-the “Forbidden City” of Lijiang with abundant fine arts inside. Afterwards, climb up to the top of Lion Hill & Wangu Tower where you can overlook the entire old town with panoramic view. You'll also have a chance to enjoy night life at delicate cafes and bars, and appreciate street artists, local snacks, etc. Overnight in Lijiang.
Old Market Square
Wanggu Tower
In the morning, you'll have a climbing tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain about 35km from downtown. Cable cars are available that ascend the mountain to an elevation of 4506m, from where you can walk uphill to view the glacier peak. Prepare warm clothes for the temperature can be cold up there. Afterwards, we head to the northern edge of town to visit the picturesque Black Dragon Pool Park, built in 1737. This lovely park also houses a Naxi Dongba Culture Museum, which is a good introduction to traditional Naxi lifestyle and religion. Overnight in Lijiang.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Black Dragon Pool Park
Today, travel from Lijiang to Shangri-La. En route, you'll visit the marvelous Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is one of the world's deepest gorges and also famous as a classic trekking trail. The rushing water from the imposing Jinsha River flows into the narrow valley with a stone in the center. There is an old saying that the gorge is so narrow that a tiger was able to jump over to the other side of the river, so there the name came. Afterwards, continue another 2-hour drive to Shangri-La. Have a good rest after check in hotel to acclimatize the high elevation of 3200 meters.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Jinsha River
Today, first visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, which was built in 17th century with around 600 monks residing inside and is notable as the “Little Potala Palace”. And then you'll go and visit Pudacuo National Park. It's the first national park in China, which consists of alpine Bita Lake and Shudu Scenic Area with intriguing view of three parallel rivers and the well preserved virgin forests. Afterwards, drive back to the Old Town of Shangri La and have a tour to Guishan Temple. Stay overnight in Shangri-la.
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
Pudacuo National Park
Today, arrive in Lhasa, and welcome the roof of the world! Our guide will meet you at airport or train station. Then drive to downtown of Lhasa and transfer to your hotel. Have a good rest for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy and drink enough water for the day of your arrival. Be noted the first day's acclimation is extremely to ensure you a good health status for the following tour. Overnight in Lhasa.Overnight in Lhasa.
Lhasa Railway Station
Barkhor Street
Today, you'll have a tour to Lhasa's cardinal landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site-Potala Palace. Renowned as one of the great wonders on earth for its elaborate architecture built at an elevation of 3700m, this awe-inspiring palace will not disappoint you. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Jokhang Temple, the most respected shrine in Tibet. Thick with the smell of incense and yak butter, you'll witness a throng of prostrating pilgrims cramming out there. The temple is the masterpiece of Tibetan, Chinese and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then take a stroll around the Barkhor Street, the oldest bazaar in the city. You'll also enjoy a welcome dinner gathering with all travel mates in the group after the sightseeing activities. Overnight in Lhasa.
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Morning, you'll visit Drepung Monastery, whichlocates about 8km west of central Lhasa and was once one of the world's largest monasteries with the population of around 10,000 monks in its heyday. Climb uphill through the whitewashed intersecting alleyways as well as the medieval chapels, and enjoy the panoramic view of the city on top of the mountain. In the afternoon, you'll have a chance to witness the famous 'Scriptures Debating' session at Sera Monastery, spectating their featured way of Buddhist dialectics and hand slapping in a landscaped courtyard with lush trees. Overnight in Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery
Sera Monastery
Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4794m], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Tso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass are the wonders of the day. Far in the distance you'll spot the towering massif Mt. Nojin Kangtsang [7191m], and the staggering Karo-la Glacier [5045m].Then along the Friendship southern High way drive to Gyantse, you will be arranged to visit the Pelkhor Monastery and the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon, drive to Shigatse. Overnight in Shigatse.
Yamdrok Lake
Pelkhor Monastery
In the morning, we will visit the largest monastery in west Tibet, the Tashilhunpo Monastery, which is also the home of Panchen Lama. Then drive westwards the Friendship way to New Tingri via Gyatso La pass [5248m], which gives you distance view of Himalayan range. When we reach E.B.C (Everest Base Camp), If it is in clear weather, we can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which are 8000m high or more. Overnight in Rongbuk Monastery Tent or Guest House.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Rongbuk Monastery
Get up early this morning, and if you are lucky enough, you will have a chance to see the sunrise at Base Camp. It's hard to take your eyes away from the stunning view of the magnificent north face of the world's tallest peak-Mt. Everest (Qomolangma as its Tibetan name, meaning "Goddess Mother of Mountains"). There's a monument locating about 1 kilometer beyond the tent guesthouses. Late morning or early afternoon, we will drive forward to Gyirong Town. You will pass by Peikutso Lake and enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Shishapangma [8012m]. Overnight at Gyirong Town.
Everest Sunrise
Everest Base Camp
Today, we see you off from the Gyirong Town to the port. Our guide will assist tourists to clear the China Customs and you will cross the border and check in Nepal side on your own. There are about 130km from Gyirong to Kathmandu city which takes about 9 hours by local jeeps at the Nepalese border. All our services in Tibet end at Chinese border of Gyirong.
※What is a Private Tour?
A Private Tour Package means you will have your own private guide, driver, and vehicle for your own disposal. You don't have to share the vehicle with others even if you are a single traveler. You would have full attention of your guide and driver. Our professional guide would love to share local culture, knowledge and stories.
Your private guide would also help you make an easier, comfortable, flexible and enjoyable tour. You can stop on the road to get a rest or take pictures during the drive. You have the flexibility of changing the visiting order of attractions or extending the visiting time at some tourist sites.
We will arrange the private airport or train station pick-up and see-off for you. Upon your arrival, you can find our guide waiting at the pick-up area, holding a name sign, welcome you with a warm smile. You will be transferred to hotel.
When traveling with your family or friends, a private tour would be your first choice.
※Accommodation Choices
For private tour, we can arrange hotels according to your requirements. There are options of budget guesthouse, 3 star hotel, 4 star hotel, high-end luxury hotel or bouquet heritage hotel. If you have your own preferred hotel, just let us know, we will help you with the booking, everything would be arranged as per your interests.
※Meal Choices
Our tour packages generally include breakfasts. Meanwhile, lunches and dinners are optional to be arranged either by yourself or by us.
It's easy to find nice restaurants in China, and you could also ask for suggestions from your guide. They always know where you can find something tasty.
The price would be different according to different food:
1. If you choose noodles, around RMB 15-30 per person.
2. If you like some fast food like KFC, around RMB 25-40 per person.
3. If you prefer some food at a decent restaurant, around RMB 70-150 per person.
