This epic journey through Sichuan, across the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa, has attracted explorers and adventurers, pilgrims, traders, and even missionaries for hundreds of years. The journey is a long one, and requires a certain dedication on the part of the traveller, as well as a certain resilience to bumps! We have considerable experience of this route and know exactly what is required in terms of transportation, accommodation, and red tape, not to mention the fascinating sights along the way. The first leg of this great overland adventure takes us to Dartsedo (Kangding), the historic border town and gateway to Tibet. After relaxing in the nearby hot springs we head north to Garze which currently boasts the largest monastery in Kham and then continue to the sacred lake of Yilhun Lhatso (Xinlu Hai Lake) and finally the cultural centre of Dege where we can relax for a day on the banks of the upper Yangtse. In Chamdo we'll visit Kalden Jampaling Monastery which dates from the 15th century, and forms the focal point of this important market town at the confluence of two tributaries of the Mekong River. At this point our route takes the northern road to Lhasa, over the Tanlen Taweng Range to Riwoche and Denchen, an important centre for the old Boen religion. We drive across high passes and verdant pastures, where village monasteries cling to the rock face, and where nomads pasture their flocks.

Day01 Arrive in Chengdu :
Arrive in Chengdu and transfer to the hotel.

Day02 Chengdu - Kangding 400 km :
Drive to Kangding along Chengdu_Ya'an Highway. Pass by Ya'an (the Rainy City); drive along the Qingyijinag Valley; cross through the famous channel of Mt. Erlang; have a stopover to visit Luding Iron Chain Bridge over Dadu River and far view Paoma Shan Mountain. During the journey enjoy the rural scenery in western Sichuan Plain. Arrive at Kangding in the afternoon.

Day03 Kangding - Dawu :
In the morning visit Lhagang Monastery of Sayka sect, which is surrounded by three hills symbolizing three Buddhisattvas. It is said that the blessing of a reversed Jowo Shakyamuni image in this monastery to the pilgrims resembles that of seeing the Lhasa Jowo Shakyamuni image itself. Also you will see some stupas, and the remains of past teachers associated with the monastery. After the visit drive to Dawu.

Day04 Dawu - Garze :
Drive to Garze, the real cultural and religious centre for the Tibetans living in Sichuan, where there are numerous lama monasteries. Here you can deeply feel the religious atmosphere.

Day05 Garze - Dege :
In the morning visit Garze monastery of yellow hats-sect (Gelukpa), with more than 1100 monks living in this biggest monastery in Kham and the construction of this monastery just like a huge free market. In the afternoon drive to Dege which lies on the border between Tibet and Sichuan. The inhabitants in Dege are Khampa-Tibetans who have independently lived here for hundreds of years and the influence of Lhasa reaches this region just in a slight way. Different religions like red sect, yellow sect, white sect, black sect exist together in peaceful harmony.

Day06 Dege- Chamdo :
In the morning visit Dege scripture printing press which was built in 1729 and the biggest scripture printing press in the world today as well as the Gengqing monastery of Sakya-sect. Afterwards drive to Chamdo. From now on there is still 1066 km to Lhasa. Chamdo (3200 m) was the former capital of Kham in East-Tibetan area.

Day07 Chamdo - Dengchen Jeep 250 km 1N in simple Guesthouse B/L/D :
In the morning visit Galden Jampaling monastery, which was built in the 15th century and the biggest monastery of Gelugpa sect in East-Tibetan area, Kham. In its earlier prime time there were more than 1000 monks in the monastery. In the afternoon drive to Dengchen. Then drive over the Zholpel La pass (4690 m), through the Ngamda village in Dzi Chu and up to a small town of Ratsaka. On the way visit the Chamdo Jampaling monastery, where now 300 monks live again. Finally reach Dengchen Day08 Dengchen - Bachen Jeep 260 km 1N in simple Guesthouse B/L/D

Day08 Dengchen - Bachen Jeep 260 km 1N in simple Guesthouse B/L/D :
Dengchen is the centre of the Boen-religion, which is a primitive religion based on ancient witchcraft and the worship to god and ghost, and was spread through the whole Tibet before the Buddhism was introduced into Tibetan area. Here visit two monasteries: Tengchen and Ritro Lhakhang. After master Tsuri La Pass (4200 m) and Shel La Pass (4750 m), arrive at Bachen.

Day09 Bachen - Nagqu Jeep 270 km 1N in 1*Nagqu Hotel B/L/D :
Drive along the Sok Tsanden Zhol village, and during the journey stop to visit two monasteries of Nyimpa sect: Sok Tsanden Gonpa and Kapgye Lhakhang. After that cross over two passes and reach the city of Shakchuka. Still just 100 km and two other passes have to be mastered before arrive at the today's destination: Nagqu.

OVERLAND TOURS INDEX
OVERLAND TIBET - NEPAL
OVERLAND YUNNAN - TIBET
OVERLAND SICHUAN - TIBET
OVERLAND QINGHAI - TIBET
OVERLAND TIBET - XINJIAN

Day10 Nagqu - Lhasa Jeep 350 km 3N in 3*Shambala Hotel B/L/D :
Nagqu is a small town on the Qinghai-Tibet-Highway, which starts from Golmud of Qinghai province and ends in Lhasa. The two main temples in Nagqu are the Zhabten Gonpa of Nyingmapa-sect and another of Gelugpa sect. Drive over the Kyogche La Pass (4900 m) and go down to Damxung. Finally conquer the 7177 m high Nyenchentangla Range. After pass by Yangbajing, successfully reach Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. The city, with an altitude of 3700 m above sea level, is situated on the bank of the Kyichu River and has long been the "Holy Land" of Tibet.

Day11 Lhasa B/L :
In the morning visit Potala, which was constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet and later served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Another aim is Dralha Lhupuk (meditation cave) where Pelden Lhamo, the goddess of protection is enshrined. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street nearby Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. Then drive to Norbulingka, which means the garden of treasures in Tibetan language. Located in the west suburbs of Lhasa, this palace complex was built in the 18th century and served as the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas.

Day12 Lhasa B/L :
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelukpa sect., which was created in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called "the court of wild rose". Today still 200 lamas live in there.

Day13 Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse 1N in 3*Shigatse Hotel B/L :
Leave Lhasa for Gyantse. Pass by the Yamdrok-Tso Lake, the third-biggest holy lake in Tibet and a wonderful place for taking photos. Cross over Kangpa-La Pass (5000 m.) on the way and in the late afternoon arrive in Gyantse, which lies on the bank of the Nyang-river. There visit Kumbum Pagoda (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) as well as Pelkor Monastery famed for its splendid Tibetan buddhist art, both of them being built in the15th century. Afterwards drive to Shigatse, which is the second largest city of Tibet with 40,000 inhabitants and has always been the seat of the Panchan Lamas.

Day14 Shigatse - Lhasa 290 km.1N in 3*Shambala hotel B/L :
In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelukpa sect, one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet region. In the monastery the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Bouddha of the Future) in China is enshrined. In Tibet Buddism, Panchen Lama is just the embodiment of Maitreya Buddha. Afterwards drive back Lhasa.

Day15 Lhasa - Chengdu flight 0930/1115 SZ4402 1N in 3*Huayang Garden City Hotel B/L :
Early in the morning transfer to Gongga airport for flying to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. After arrival Transfer to hotel. In the afternoon free.

Day16 Leave Chengdu. :

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