12 Days Hongkong to Tibet Tour with Chengdu City Highlights

Tour Overview

This 12-day Tibet and Chengdu trip connects Chengdu in southwest and Tibet, is the best itinerary recommend for tourists fromSoutheast Asia. Chengdu is the bestgateway city to Tibet with...

Code of Tour: YCT0000003554

Length of Travel: 12 Day

Destinations of Tour: Hongkong - Chengdu - Leshan - Pomi - Ranwo - Basumtso - Lhasa (Namtso) - Hongkong

Departure City: Chengdu

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour:

Features of Tour:

More Map & Picture

This 12-day Tibet and Chengdu trip connects Chengdu in southwest and Tibet, is the best itinerary recommend for tourists fromSoutheast Asia. Chengdu is the bestgateway city to Tibet with a large number of international flights connect to southeast Asia at perfect discounted price and more than 10 flights to Lhasa everyday.

To pay a visit to Chengdu is also an amazing ideabecause this gateway city has much to explore, besides several UNESCO recognized culture and natural heritage sites, like Giant Panda, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mt. Emei,… Chengdu boasts thecrown of Chinese food, it deserves your stay.

The trip starts in Chengdu and includes a short visit surrounding Chengdu, then goes to Tibet by Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Highlights

• Explore authentic Tibetan culture and history by visiting the grand palaces, temples, streets in the holy city Lhasa, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery Buddhism Debating, etc;
• Go to take a pleasant adventure to the holy lake Namtso which is the most beautiful lake on the Tibet Plateau;
• Enjoy the budget price and great service of our well-arranged group tour packages；
• Visit highlighs of Chengdu such as: Leshan Giant Buddha and Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1 Hongkong to Chengdu
• Day 2 Chengdu-Leshan-Chengdu
• Day 3 Chengdu to Nyingtri by Flight and Drive to Pomi
• Day 4 Pomi to Rawok Lake
• Day 5 Rawok Lake to Pomi
• Day 6 Pomi to Niyang River to Bayi
• Day 7 Bayi Town to Darksum-tso to Lhasa
• Day 8 Lhasa
• Day 9 Lhasa
• Day 10 Lhasa to Namtso Lake
• Day 11 Namtso to Yangpachen Hotspring and back to Lhasa
• Day 12 Lhasa Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Hongkong-Chengdu by Flight

Sightseeing and Activities:None
Accommodation: Chengdu
Meals: none

Take a flight from Hongkong to Chengdu.

Upon you arrival in Chengdu, local Chengdu tour guide will welcome you at the airport, transfer to hotel by private car.

Stay overnight in Chengdu.

Day 2 Chengdu-Leshan-Chengdu

Sightseeing and Activities:Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, Leshan Giant Buddha
Accommodation:
Meals:

In morning, drive about half an hour to Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, the home to giant pandas, where you will catch pandas’ feeding time, they are at their most active, both Adults and Babies. There’s a wealth of information and a panda museum in this 230-hectare park 10 km (6 miles) north of Chengdu. It takes about 2.5 hours to visit this site.

Then, drive about 2 hours to visit Leshan Giant Buddha. The Giant Buddha (aka Dafo) is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. It was carved out of a cliff face the river by an 8th- century monk. You can take a little walk on the hill which will lead you very close to the Giant Buddha, you can also take the boat to enjoy the breathtaking whole view of Buddha.

In late afternoon, drive back to your hotel in Chengdu.

Stay overnight in Chengdu.

Day 3 Chengdu to Nyingtri by Flight and Drive to Pomi

Sightseeing and Activities:Nyingtri Cypress Forest
Accommodation:
Meals:

Take a flight from Chengdu to Nyingtri at 07:30am and getting there around 09:15am, arrange the credential, head forward to the Nyingtri Cypress Forest which has 2600 years long, pass through the Sela area then head for the aboriginal forest-Lulang Forests. Under the perennial un-thawed snow mountain, there are illimitable forests.

In autumn when the green leaves turn red, it looks like xanadu which will make you linger and be not willing to go and do not know whether you are on the earth or in the sky.

Stay overnight at Pomi.

Day 4 Pomi to Rawok Lake (163km, 2hrs driving, asphalt road, 2600m)

Sightseeing and Activities:Rawok Lake
Accommodation:
Meals:

After getting up, head for the Rawok Lake which is situated at the southwest 89km Basu County. Rawok Lake is the main headstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River confluent.

On the north of it is the famous Laigu Glacier which extends to the lakeside. When the ice and snow melt, the grue will inpour into the lake, which is the plenty wellspring of Ranwu Lake.

At the side of the lake, there are grassy land and plant. It is the same with the middle of the mountain. On the top of the mountain, there is unthawed cascaded snow.

Stay overnight at Ranwu.

Day 5 Rawok Lake to Pomi

Sightseeing and Activities:Midui Glacier
Accommodation:
Meals:

Get up early, you can take the photo of the sunrise in Ranwu River, then head for Midui Glacier which is combined by two world-class waterfalls.

In the middle of the two waterfalls, there is a boundless aboriginal forest. During this trip, there are boundless forests, spiral lanneret, snow mountains, lakes, farmland, hamlet, especially the beautiful rurality of the Midui Village which make you linger in it ever want to get out.

Stay overnight at Pomi.

Day 6 Pomi to Niyang River to Bayi

Sightseeing and Activities:Niyang River, Yarlung Tsangpo River, Qujiaowu Temple, Fozhang dene, the lake pine tree, Yarlun Tsangpu Valley
Accommodation:
Meals:

After breakfast, head for the conjunction of Niyang River and Yarlung Tsangpo River, visit the spectacular of the flowing water which you may see the plaint the majesty, grandness and superb of the nature.

After seeing, pass through the charming and gentle Niyang Riverside, head for the dock to ride the barge. On the both sides, there are the thickly dotted aboriginal forests, continuous snow mountain with the fabulous scenery, and you also can overlook the cradle of the Benjiao—Benri Holy Mountain.

During the way, enjoy Qujiaowu Temple, Fozhang dene, the lake pine tree, at last get to the Yarlun Tsangpu Valley Rukoupai Town. We have arranged the special trekking tour for you which heads for one of the best touring sites in Mt. Nanjiabawa —Daduka. If it is a nice day, you will have a chance to have a look of the famous Mt. Nanjiabawa (buy the Niyang touring site entrance by yourself).

Stay overnight at Bayi.

Day 7 Bayi Town to Darksum-tso to Lhasa (470km, 7hrs driving, asphalt road, 2600m)

Sightseeing and Activities:Guangdong -Tibet Aided Base, Southeast Pontlevis Valley, Darksum-tso
Accommodation:
Meals:

In the morning, visit the Guangdong -Tibet Aided Base, enjoy the Southeast Pontlevis Valley and the Small Switzerland in Tibet—Darksum-tso which looks like one crescent inlayed in the valley, 12km long, hundreds of kilometers wide, with an area of 6000mu. With the yellow duck, white crane, fish, water with the beautiful inverted image which make the lake fabulous.

After enjoying the beauty, drive to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 8 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
Accommodation:
Meals:

In the morning section, you are going to visit the famous Potala Palace, which is the land mark of Lhasa and is recently considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple which is built mainly for the “Jowoe” brought along with princess Wencheng from Xi’an during Tang dynasty and grouped into world cultural heritage list by the UNESCO. Then explore the famous old Barkhor Street, enjoying shopping traditional Tibetan things around the street.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 9 Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery
Accommodation:
Meals:

Drepung Monastery is situated at the foothill of a mountain and was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. The monastery is divided into two different colleges that is Drepung loselling and Drepung Gomang College.

In the afternoon, explore the Sera Monastery which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje. The whole monastery is divided into two colleges and there are Sera ‘jhe’ and Sera’may’ respectively. You can also see monks debaiting there in the courtyard at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 10 Lhasa to Namtso Lake (220km, 4 hrs driving, asphalt road in good condition)

Sightseeing and Activities:Namtso Lake,
Accommodation:
Meals:

At around 08:00am, our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel, and then drive to Namtso Lake. Nyenchen Thanglha snow mountain ranges appear in front of you all the way.

In summer (May to August), the sheepherders and their family move to grassland and set up their tents. You could see green grassland, groups of sheep and yaks, nomad tents by the road.

Namtso Lake is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest salt lake. You can do a very relax trekking around the lake side and Tashi Island.

To spend a night at lake shore is fantastic. The night sky is so clean that you could see all the stars twinkling in the sky, so close to you as if you could stretch your hands to pick the stars. Situated at about 5000m high, Namtso Lake is actually the lake in the sky, lying on the highest plateau in the world.

Stay overnight at Lake Shore (Tent Guest House, dorm bed).

Day 11 Namtso to Yangpachen Hotspring and back to Lhasa (220km, 4hours driving)

Sightseeing and Activities:Namtso Lake, Tashi Dor Island, Yangpachen hot spring
Accommodation:
Meals:

Enjoy the clear morning at the lake shore, and you can trek along the lake shore to Tashi Dor Island to explore the meditation caves. Then drive to Dumxung to have lunch.

In the afternoon, you will visit Yangpachen hot spring on the way back to Lhasa. Yangpachen is an ‘electricity town’ built around a thermal power plant 87 kilometers ( 54 miles) north of Lhasa, halfway to Damxung. The altitude is 4,300 meters (14,100 feet). Yangpachen borders on a flat area of hot springs covering 16 square kilometers (six square miles). Steam and geysers can be seen rising from the plain.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 12 Depart from Lhasa

Sightseeing and Activities:None
Accommodation:
Meals:

You will be trnasfered to Lhasa airport and help you to check in the airport for your next destination.

Recommended Hotels

Quotations

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.

Tips:

1. Tibet Permits

There are several permits required to visit Tibet. Tibet Entry Permit, issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, is the most important one which has to be obtained before your trip because you must have it to take your flight/train to Tibet. To get the permit, you have to book a Tibet tour with us, and send us your passport and Chinese visa about 20 days in advance, and then let us apply for the permit (all Tibet permits can only be applied by travel agency). If you travel to other prefectures like Shigatse, Nyingchi, Shannan, etc, you also have to obtain an Alien Travel Permit. If you travel to Mount Everest, you have to obtain a Border Permit. (Tibet Discovery, with office in Lhasa, has always kept up with the latest news on Tibet Permits. Traveling with us, all your permits are guaranteed as long as you are qualified to the requirements.)

2. Available Months to Visit Tibet

Generally speaking, you can travel to Lhasa all year around. But months from April to October are more recommended. If you want to extend your trip to other regions, such as Shigatse, Mount Everest, Namtso, Ngari, etc, you are suggested to visit during April to October. Other months are usually very cold, and possible have heavy snow, especially in regions like Mount Everest, Mount Kailash, Namtso Lake, etc.

3. High Altitude Sickness

The average altitude of Tibet is about 4000 meters above the sea level (Lhasa: 3700m; EBC: 5200m; Namtso: 4718m). You may suffer a bit from High Altitude Sickness in the beginning days of your Tibet trip if you haven’t had rich high plateau travel experience. But don’t worry too much, the high altitude can be acclimatized usually in 2~3 days. Our suggestion is to take a physical examination and get suggestions from your doctor, and also bring some medicines to prevent from High Altitude Sickness before your trip. While in Tibet, you should keep warm all the time, avoid strenuous activities, drink more water and eat more vegetables and carbohydrates. You’d better not take showers during the first two days after your arrival at Tibet. If you don’t feel well, get help from your tour guide or go to the hospital without any delay.

4. How to Go to Tibet

Basically you have two options – flight and train. Currently, you can take a flight to Lhasa from Beijing(4.5hrs), Xian(3.7hrs), Chengdu(2.5hrs), Chongqing(3hrs), Kuming(3hrs), etc. Among all these cities, Chengdu and Xian have more frequent flights to Lhasa. You can also fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu(1.5hrs) .Xian(32hrs), Chengdu(43hrs), Shanghai(47hrs), Chongqing(42hrs), Lanzhou(25hrs), Xining(22hrs), Guangzhou(54hrs).

5. Packing and Wearing Ideas

Firstly you can’t forget your passport and Chinese Visa. A large backpack and a smaller one are recommended (the smaller one can be used for daily activities). Also bring the necessary medicine you need. Other stuffs like sunglasses, snow glasses, hats, lip balm, sun block are recommended.

As for wearing, you are suggested to dress in layers (both thin and thick jackets). Down jacket is necessary in Spring and Autumn. A pair of durable and comfortable shoes is necessary.