22 days tour

Sichuan & Tibet Overland

Sichuan & Tibet Overland

This tour includes:

Transport

all transfers, bus trips and guided tours according to the itinerary

Meals

Catering according to the travel program (19xF, 9xM, 11xA)

Others

small language course Tibetan for those interested farewell dinners in Lhasa entry permit for Tibet Autonomous Region Entrance fees

Accommodation

Accommodation according to the program in typical middle-class hotels and basic guesthouses (sometimes shared rooms), 1 hour stay in homestay (single room not possible in the homestay)

Guide

Continuously German-speaking mosquito guide Tibetan team

Flights

international flights Frankfurt-Chengdu, Lhasa-Frankfurt (via Chengdu) Airport taxes/fuel surcharges included

Not included:

Others

Shuttle to/from Frankfurt (Rail&Fly โ‚ฌ70 or flight) lunchtime and dinner expenses, if not provided during the trip , tips (about โ‚ฌ70 for Tibetan team), other personal expenses visa for China (about โ‚ฌ190 including fees), we will help with the provision!

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sichuan & Tibet Overland

  • Day 1 Day 1: Departure From Frankfurt
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Departure From Frankfurt

      We fly from Frankfurt to China.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Visit The Giant Pandas In Chengdu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Visit The Giant Pandas In Chengdu

      Arrival in Chengdu in the early morning, the capital of Sichuan Province and home of the Grand Panda. We pay a visit to a special breeding centre. We also get to know the little brother of the Chinese national animal, the Red Panda. Overnight at hotel in Chengdu (-/M/A)

  • Day 3 Day 3: Up Into The Mountains To Luding
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Up Into The Mountains To Luding

      We leave Chengdu in the direction of Luding, first on the highway, but soon leave it and turn towards the mountains. In the green valley along the Qingyijiang River and through the tunnel under the Erlang Mountains. Distance: 260 km, Travel time: approx. 4 hours, overnight stay at the hotel in Luding (F/-/A)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Kangding &Amp; Yajiang
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Kangding &Amp; Yajiang

      Continuing in good weather with a view of Gonggamountain (also Minya Konka, 7.556m). In the former capital of Dartsedo of the Chakla Kingdom and established trading town of Kangding, one can now experience the diversity of religions: mosques, Catholic churches and Buddhist temples exist here side by side. Worth seeing, for example, is the main temple of the Anjue Monastery. You can also take the cable car to the Stadtberg to enjoy the view from there. Drive through the grasslands around Kangding and past the famous Iron Chain Bridge over the Dadu River to Yajiang. Distance: 190km, Travel time: approx. 4h, overnight stay in hotel in Yajiang (F/M/-)

  • Day 5 Day 5: Massif Of Minya Konka (7.556M) &Amp; Shangrila
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Massif Of Minya Konka (7.556M) &Amp; Shangrila

      Continuing along the Dadu River and over several passes that are well over 4,000m high, overlooking the great massif of Minya Konka (7,556m). We pass by pristine little villages and have the opportunity to visit a magnificent Bรถn monastery, belonging to the predecessor religion of Buddhism. Leaving the main route of the Sichuan Tibet Highway, we branch off to our destination today. Here we spend the first time at higher altitudes and give our bodies rest for acclimatization. Distance: 360km, Travel time: about 7h, Overnight stay at the inn in Shangrila (F/M/-)

  • Day 6 Day 6: Hiking In Yading Nature Reserve
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Hiking In Yading Nature Reserve

      The Yading Nature Reserve offers many different nature activities: at over 4,000m we can hike across the grassland, visit villages or explore the area on horseback. We have a view of the sacred mountain of Chenresig 6,032 m with its three peaks that symbolize Boddhisatva โ€” that is, the helpers for enlightenment. Distance: 35km, Travel time: approx. 1h, Overnight stay at the inn in Yading (F/-/A)

  • Day 7 Day 7: Hikes To Glaciers &Amp; Lakes
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Hikes To Glaciers &Amp; Lakes

      We have the opportunity to get to know other highlights of the area: the mountain meadows of Luorong or the glaciers of the Yangmaiyong and Shaloduiji Mountains. We can feel the cold waters of the Dairy & Five-color Lake or relax in the hot springs of the village. Overnight at the Inn in Yading (F/-/A)

  • Day 8 Day 8: Lithang Monastery
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Lithang Monastery

      We drive back to our original route on Highway 318. Lithang is surrounded by mountains, grassland and the still very original nomadic nomads. The destination today is the birthplace of the seventh and tenth Dalai Lama and at the same time the highest government district in the world. The time here can be used to visit the monastery complex. Distance: 260km, Travel time: approx. 5h, Overnight stay in the guest house in Lithang (F/M/-)

  • Day 9 Day 9: Enter Tibet
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Enter Tibet

      Although the nomads on both sides are equally engaged in their work with the yaks and cope with everyday life in their tents, today we are crossing the intra-Chinese provincial border between Sichuan and Tibet, which is formed here by the upper reaches of the Yangtze. We are planning enough time for this. Distance: 273km, Travel time: about 5h, Overnight stay at the inn in Markham (F/-/A)

  • Day 10 Day 10: Spectacular Nature Along Asiaโ€™S Great Rivers - 99 Switchbacks To Pasho
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Spectacular Nature Along Asiaโ€™S Great Rivers - 99 Switchbacks To Pasho

      We continue to wind on the rollercoaster ride over high passes through the mountains. In the valleys in between, we repeatedly encounter the upper levels of large and important currents that flow to Southeast Asia and supply large quantities of people with water. We cross the Mekong River, which flows into the South China Sea almost 4,000km southeast near Ho Chi Minh City. We drive through Pomda, where the northern and southern routes of the Sichuan Tibet Highway meet again. Soon after the unification of the two routes, the famous 99 turns will come to us โ€” maybe itโ€™s only 72. We will be rewarded with a great view, the Salween River at the foot and many small Tibetan villages on our way. Distance: 360km, Travel time: about 6.5h, Overnight stay at the inn in Pasho (F/-/A)

  • Day 11 Day 11: Vegetation Changes - Down To The Parlung River
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Vegetation Changes - Down To The Parlung River

      We cross several passes, including the Ngajuk-la at 4,462 m, which forms the end of the dry plateau. From here we head down to the subtropical valley of the Parlung Tsangpo River, which we will follow in the coming days. Distance: 90km, Travel time: approx. 1.5h, Overnight stay at the inn in Rawok (F/-/A)

  • Day 12 Day 12: Glacial Lakes &Amp; Dense Forests
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Glacial Lakes &Amp; Dense Forests

      Walk along Khamโ€™s largest two lakes: Ngan-tso and Rawok-TSO are fed by glacial water. You may be able to visit the Midui Glacier on the way. Dense forests, rich wildlife, rock massifs and snowmounts characterize our image. Distance: 130km, Travel time: approx. 2.5h, Overnight stay in a guest house in Pomi (F/-/A)

  • Day 13 Day 13: Bakha Gompa &Amp; Overnight Stay With A Tibetan Family
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Bakha Gompa &Amp; Overnight Stay With A Tibetan Family

      A

      short drive to Bakha Gompa, a temple on an island in the river where Chinese princess Wencheng has raced on the way to her future husband, Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The most nerve-wracking ride on Highway 318 awaits us today. We pass the village of Lunang, surrounded by beautiful woodland. The river we follow, which is still over a kilometre wide at the beginning, flows into the narrowing and deepening Rong-Chu Valley โ€” one of the deepest in the world! Landslides, construction sites and bridges that can only be driven by one vehicle make travel times unpredictable. An interesting phenomenon can be observed at the confluence of the two rivers Rong-Chu and Parlung Tsangpo: the sudden change of direction of the current โ€” at the same time, this is the lowest point of Highway 318 at 1,700m. Overnight stay and dine with a Tibetan family in one of the old stone houses in Tashigang, alternatively inn. If you want, you can still walk a little kora above the village. Distance: 160km, Travel time: approx. 3h (F/-/A)

  • Day 14 Day 14: Magnificent Nature At The Foot Of Gyala Pelri (7.151M) &Amp; Namche Barwa (7.756M)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Magnificent Nature At The Foot Of Gyala Pelri (7.151M) &Amp; Namche Barwa (7.756M)

      Today, one of the most beautiful sections of the journey awaits us. We drive over the 4,582m high Serkhym Pass, pass through the old capital Nyingchi, drive past beautiful flower meadows and the largest forest of Tibet in Lunang. In good weather we see the jagged peaks of the mountains Gyala Pelri 7.151m and Namche Barwa 7.756m. And we get a first glimpse of the sacred mountain of Bรถnri and can admire its pilgrims on the Kora, which we will join tomorrow. Distance: 76km, Travel time: approx. 1.5h, Overnight stay at the inn in Bayi (F/M/-)

  • Day 15 Day 15: Pilgrimage On The Paths Of Bon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Pilgrimage On The Paths Of Bon

      The main part of the Kora around the Bรถnri, the holiest mountain for the Bรถn, which they circumnavigate counterclockwise for about 60 km, is now also accessible to us thanks to a road. This gives us the unique opportunity to walk on this old pilgrimage route in an approximately seven-hour hike (instead of three days), passing the more than 4,500 m high Bรถnri-La and thus enhancing our karma. Overnight stay in the guesthouse in Bayi (F/M/-)

  • Day 16 Day 16: Himalayan Panorama At Lake Draksumtso
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: Himalayan Panorama At Lake Draksumtso

      In the cypress forest near Bayi, you can admire the oldest tree in China at the age of 2,500 โ€” a sanctuary for the Bรถn. We continue in the Kading Valley and take a break at a 200m high waterfall with fantastic views of the valley and its forests. On the way to our dayโ€™s destination, Lake Draksum, weโ€™ll pass mystical 12-square stone towers and the Shuba Fortress from the time of King Songtsen Gampos. Upon our arrival at the sacred lake in the afternoon, when Guru Rinpoche is said to have already meditated, we can turn a kora around a temple. Located on an island in the lake, it is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Kham region. Distance: 140km, Travel time: approx. 2.5h, Overnight stay at the Gasthaus am Draksum-See (F/-/A)



  • Day 17 Day 17: Crossing Old Trade Routes
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 17: Crossing Old Trade Routes

      We start early and take one last look at the lake. We can expect a long drive, which we will interrupt in beautiful places. For example, on an old bridge that helped merchants on the old Gyalam or tea horse route between China, Tibet and India across the Nyang River โ€” until the 1940s. After driving over the 5.013 m high Pa-La we reach our current destination Rutok. End the day, if you want, with a relaxing bath in the hot spring of the resort. Distance: 235km, Travel time: approx. 3.5h, Overnight stay in the guesthouse in Rutok (F/M/-)

  • Day 18 Day 18: Arrival At The Sacred Yarlung Tsangpo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 18: Arrival At The Sacred Yarlung Tsangpo

      After breakfast, we leave road 318 and take an adventurous route to the valley of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (also known as Brahmaputra), the cradle of Tibetan culture, which we follow towards Lhasa and visit impressive cultural sites along the way. Upon arrival in Tsetang, an optional visit to the free market. Distance: 145km, Travel time: approx. 3.5h, Overnight stay at the inn in Tsetang (F/M/-)

  • Day 19 Day 19: Yumbu Lakhang, Samye Monastery &Amp; Off To Lhasa
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 19: Yumbu Lakhang, Samye Monastery &Amp; Off To Lhasa

      The first building built in this region, the small fortress Yumbu Lakhang, will be our first destination today. We also visit the Trandruk Temple and the ruins of Rechung-Puk. Continue across the river to Samye Monastery, the first of Tibet! In the shape of a mandala, it welcomes us for a small visit. We continue along the Yarlung Tsangpos and reach Lhasa at 3,600m altitude in the evening and move into our hotel in the middle of the old town. Despite the growing Chinese influence, the โ€œCity of the Godsโ€ has managed to preserve much of its charm and spirituality to this day. We get a first impression of this on the pilgrimage around Jokhang Temple, the holiest Tibetan monument! We join the endless stream of pilgrims from all over Tibet to see the sacred Buddha statue around which the temple was built. Distance: 160km, Travel time: approx. 4h, overnight stay in hotel in Lhasa (F/M/-)

  • Day 20 Day 20: Jokhang Temple &Amp; Potala Palace
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 20: Jokhang Temple &Amp; Potala Palace

      On foot, we walk through the narrow streets back to Barkhor and observe the numerous pilgrims in their rituals. Many of them come from far away, have traveled several kilometres and, if done in the traditional way, have taken on the suffering of living beings through countless prostrations. Your first arrival destination in Lhasa is also our destination. It is the Jokhang where the holiest Buddha statue of the Tibetans is kept! The second magical attraction in Lhasa is in the afternoon: one of the great architectural wonders of the world, the Potala Palace. The castle-like complex on Marpo Ri โ€” the red mountain โ€” is already very imposing from the outside and is a landmark above the city! We enter the palace and marvel at magnificent mandalas, beautiful murals and numerous Buddhist sanctuaries. Although the former residence of the Dalai Lamas (number 5 to 14) attracts many visitors outside Tibet, it is still a sacred place for locals. We leave the Potala, walk a little along the adjacent pilgrimage route and our way leads us to a park just behind the Potala, where we rest and eat in a Tibetan teahouse surrounded by numerous locals. Farewell dinner together in the evening. Overnight in hotel in Lhasa n (F/-/A)

  • Day 21 Day 21: Farewell To Tibet
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 21: Farewell To Tibet

      After a last good night in the heart of Tibet, we are now slowly starting our way back home. Enjoy the last few hours in Lhasa. Let yourself drift through the colorful crowd around the Barkhor again or get last keepsakes of this unique journey. In the afternoon we drive to Gongkar Airport near Lhasa and can enjoy unforgettable views of the Himalayas from the plane a little later! Flight tickets to Chengdu/Beijing and late evening flight to Germany. Distance: 70km, Travel time: approx. 1.5h (F/-/-)

  • Day 22 Day 22: Return Home
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 22: Return Home

      Arrival in Germany in the early morning.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 9 / Max: 79

Age range allowed for this experience.

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