11 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival Experience by Overland from Chengdu

Overview

The 21th Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival will open on March 25, 2023, and continue until early April. Taking the epic road trip from Chengdu to Lhasa via G318 National Highway in this early spring, you can go deep into the plateau and enjoy lovely peach trees with appreciating Tibetan culture with the locals in the villages.

Also, you will pass grotesque gores, lofty peaks, vast grassland, and chanting glaciers during the 2100-km legendary overland journey from Chengdu to Lhasa.

See why it is the most beautiful overland route to Tibet with us!

If you prefer, after you finish 3-day sightseeing in Lhasa, you can continue your overland tour from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash.

As a well-established local Tibet travel agency with offices based in Chengdu, Lhasa, and Kathmandu, we offer a one-stop service to deal with the Tibet Travel Permit and other travel formalities for traveling from Chengdu to Lhasa by overland.

We never use a third-party contractor to run the tour. All we provide are our own quality vehicles and experienced drivers with up to 5 years of driving experience on this route.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu, Guests gathered in Chengdu before departure (500m)

Pick up tourists at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and escort them to hotels. For the rest of the day, you may have a good rest at hotel or stroll leisurely yourself at Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, Broad and Narrow Alley, Jin Li Ancient Street, etc.

At around 7pm, the whole tour group, including Tibetan guide, will enjoy a welcome dinner (traditional Sichuan Cuisine). After dinner, the guide will give a briefing about the tour itinerary and dos and don’ts during the tour.

Stay overnight in Chengdu.

Day 2: Chengdu – Ya’an – Luding – Kangding – Xinduqiao Bridge (410km,10hrs)

At 7am, we are expected to take tour vehicle from Chengdu to Xinduqiao via Ya’an. As we travel against the flow of Dadu River, upper reaches of Yangtze River, you will pass the first soaring peak on Tibetan Plateau, i.e. Zheduo Mountain (mountain pass 4298m). Instantly, the entire scenery starts to invite you in. Upon seeing exotic Tibetan villages, lush pastures, and grazing yaks, bobbling brooks and fluffy clouds over deep blue sky, you find it hard to move your eyes away from the windows of tour vehicle. Keep heading west, after winding roads, we finally end up in Xinduqiao, known as a paradise for photography.

Stay overnight in Xinduqiao.

Day 3: Xinduqiao – Yajiang – Litang – Haizishan Mountain – Batang (400km,7hrs)

Xinduqiao wakes up in soft and tender sunlight in the early morning. And its big name as a heaven for photography will never let you down. Accompanied by picturesque small bridges, peaceful local villages, and exotic Tibetan houses, we move westward towards to raging valley of Yalong River and exuberant forest.

On the way, we will pass famous Yajiang and finally reach Litang, a city on Qinghai-Tibetan plateau with an altitude of 4000m. Litang is a natural grassland on the plateau. Grazing yaks, sheep and nomad’s tents dotted across the massive pasture are the most common scene. If you come in summer, you will be greeted by the waves of blossoming flowers.

Besides, another star attraction in Litang is Ke’er monastery, a prestigious Gelugpa Monastery on this lively pasture. The entire monastery is built along the mountain, with varied heights. Adorned with gilded frame, the highest temple of it is instantly recognizable at a great distance. Then after visiting Litang, the whole team travel through Haizishan Mountain (4700m) and venture into menacing valley regions and at night we should make it to Batang County.

Stay overnight in Batang.

Day 4: Batang – Jinsha River (upper reaches of Yangtze River) – Markam – Lawu Mountain – Dongda Mountain – Zogong (260km,8hrs)

Today, we officially enter the Tibet Autonomous Region. As wide as 300 sq km, our tour vehicle will move in regions where Jinsha RiverLancang River and Nu River flow paralleled. The three renowned rivers share the same source originating from rivers of Tanggula Mountains on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As the relentless torrent pounds jagged mountain in deep valley, you can hear the roaring sound of nature. Undoubtedly, this part of the road is also the most difficult one.

Without any hesitation, we keep travelling westward and pass Lawu Mountain (4358m) and Dongda Mountain (5008m). Standing atop of lofty mountainpasses, covered with snow, you can enjoy the spectacular vista of zigzag Sichuan-Tibet highway and incredible Lancang River crawling through mountainous ranges. Surprisingly, hardly can you find vegetation at the lower part of the valley. Flanked by rugged mountains, the brown river flows afar like a blazing fire, which makes one of the highlights of entire road trip. At night, the whole team will reach the city of Zogong.

Stay overnight in Zogong.

Day 5: Zogong – Bangda Grassland – Yela mountain (Nu River Mountain) – Seventy-two Bends – Baxoi – Rakwa Tso (295km,6hrs)

As we hit the road from Zogong, our next destination would be Bangda Grasssland, the most importantnatural pasture in eastern Tibet. The gentle river and boundless grassland are home to flocks of sturdy yaks, horses, and sheep and other wild life. The vibrant grass and other little known flowers and bushes rule this enchanting place. They provide ample food for animal husbandry and Tibetan nomads.

After a brief tour in enchanting Bangda Grassland, our team is expected to travel across Yela Mountain (4839m), the most dangerous natural barrieron Hengduan Mountain Range. Then we will move downward by following famous Seventy-two Bends till the shore of Nu River. The snow-blanketed mountains range stretches into infinite vista.

Further moving westward, we begin to be surrounded by soaring snow mountains, pristine forest and idyllic Tibetan villages. All of sudden, you realize we are now in a world of forest where the sheer drop of altitude would reach 2500m. And that leads to huge temperature change (up to 20℃) from mountain pass to the bottom of valley. You can experience 4 seasons in a single day. At night, we will arrive at Rakwa Tso.

Stay overnight in Rakwa Tso.

Day 6: Rakwa Tso – Midui Glacier – ParlungTsangpo – Bomi (137km,3hrs)

Serving as the source of Parlung Tsangpo Lake, Rakwa Tso is a typical seasonal glacial lake in Chamdo. The narrow strip of river stretches westward for about 10kmand slowly winds up in a giant canyon. In the foreground are the lovely Tibetan villages; as you look further, the shimmering light of Rakwa Tso displays irresistible beauty; while the glacial valley, and snow-capped peaks and primeval forests loom afar in the background. What a feast to your eyes!

As we continue our journey from Rakwa Tso, our team will follow the scenic road amid dense forest and turbulent Parlung Tsangpo till today’s final destination Bomi. On the way, tourists can tour spectacular Midui Glacier, widely believed to be the most beautiful glacier in China. The main peak of Midui Glacier has an altitude of 6800m. While its snowline stays at 4600m and the lowest end of glacier averaging an altitude of 2400m. For that, Midui Glacier is known the only glacier with the lowest altitude in the world. Tourists can closely enjoy the marvelous ice tongue, measuring 700-800m from the top to bottom.

Stay overnight in Bomi.

Day 7: Bomi – Tongmai – Lulang Forest – Sejila Mountain – Nyingchi

Starting from Bomi, we will enjoy the beautiful canyon scenery along the Yarlung Tsangpo River with peach blossoms. Flanked by lush forests, the valley and its surroundings form an earthly paradise. The raging torrent, notorious rapids, and gushing waterfalls can be seen one after another. With jagged glaciers hanging on steep rock face and steamy mist floating over icy mountain peaks, you will get amazed by how truly incredible our planet can be.

After that, we will head to celebrated Lulang Forest, which is an enchanting forest covering an area of 15 sq km on the plateau. This region is blanketed with vibrant shrubs, spruces and pine trees. At the bottom of the mountain are steppes and local Tibetans living beside the brooks. We can visit the Zhaxigang Village, the iconic Tibetan village in Lulang and meet the locals and enjoy the local snacks, etc.

On the way to Gala Peach Blossom Village, we will pass through Sejila Mountain Pass (4728m). Making a brief stop at Sejila Mountain Pass, you will enjoy the panoramic view of Mt. Namcha Barwa, one of the most amazing mountains in China.

Then, we will head to Gala Peach Blossom Village for a closer look at the annual peach blossom festival. Gara village is close to National Highway 318 and has hundreds of acres of wild peach blossoms. It is the main venue of the annual Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival.

From the end of March to be mid of April, the peach blossoms here bloom together, making this small Tibetan village seem to be in a sea of pink.

After visiting Gala village, the tour group will keep moving westward and arrive in Nyingchi, the biggest city in eastern Tibet.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi.

Day 8: Nyingchi – Lhasa (400km, 5hrs)

We will keep moving west to Lhasa by following Nyang River, a tributary of Yarlung Tsangpo River. Different from the awe-inspiring scenery in Hengduan Mountains, most of the view features idyllic pastoral scene along the valley. After passing Mila Pass(5013m), the last mountain pass during the road trip, we will finally arrive in Lhasa valley. Shortly after Dagzê County, the magnificent Potala Palace perched on Red Hill will appear in your sight. You long-expected holy Lhasa city is now only steps away. Check in hotel for a good rest.

(Optional, if time is enough, pay a visit the Basumtso, which is a beautiful small holy lake of Tibetan Buddhism. Entrance fee around 30 USD is not included in price quotation. Please pay on site by tourists. )

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 9: Lhasa Tour – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

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.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 10: Lhasa Tour – Drepung monastery, Sera monastery

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyangchoge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 11: Departure from Lhasa

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and see you off. You could use Tibet Vista’s Service continually travel westward along National Highway 318 to Mt. Everest or as far as to Mount Kailash.

Service Guide

Service Included:

  • Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
  • All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
  • Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
  • Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
  • Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
  • All meals listed in the above itinerary;
  • Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
  • First aid kit;

Service Excluded:

  • International flight to and out of China;
  • Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
  • Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
  • Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.