Sky Roads through Tibet (10 or 16 Days)
We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…
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Itinerary Map
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Yes, it is possible…
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Journey of Discovery
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Day-by-day
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Tibetan Food
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What’s included/Best Months to Travel
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Itinerary Map
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Pre-trip Day 1 Arrive in Lijiang – Start your journey at a lower altitude, if you wish Pre-trip Day 2 or Day1 Arrival in Shangri-La – To Shangri-La by road or Arrival in Shangri-la by flight Day 2 Shangri-La to Deqin – Into the Hengduan Mountains Day 3 Deqin to Markham – Onto the Roof of the World and into Tibet Day 4 Markham to Zogang – Adventure on the high plateau Day 5 Zogang to Ranwu – Mountain passes and riverside roads Day 6 Ranwu to Pomi – Through the spectacular Sundzom Valley Day 7 Pomi to Bayi – Through the forests of eastern Tibet
Day 8 Bayi to Lhasa – Arrival in Tibet’s holy city Day 9 In Lhasa – Discover Lhasa Day 10 Lhasa to Gyantse – Depart (10-day itinerary) or continue west to Gyantse Day 11 Gyantse to Tingri – Into Tibet’s Wild West Day 12 Tingri to Mount Everest Base Camp and back – Summit day! Day 13 Tingri to Shigatse – To Tibet’s Second City Day 14 Shigatse to Damxung – Beautiful back roads to Nam-tso Day 15 Damxung to Lhasa – Nam-tso and return to Lhasa Day 16 Depart from Lhasa – Farewell Tibet!
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Yes, it is possible... This journey will be a discovery of the world’s most dramatic scenery: the valleys and mountains of the Tibetan Plateau. Set out from the southwestern edge of the Tibetan Plateau before driving onwards and upwards to Lhasa. En route, drive past Yunnan’s highest peak, Mount Kawakarpo (6,740 metres) and discover the beauty of the Hengduan Mountains. Join Tibetan worshippers as they sing hymns in a remote Catholic church on the border of Yunnan and Tibet. Cross high mountain passes near Zuogong, before driving through the lushly forested valleys around Pomi and along the banks of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Once in Lhasa you have a choice: depart after a day exploring Tibet’s most exciting city (for a 10-day journey); or continue into Tibet’s “Wild West” to see Mount Everest and Lake Nam-tso for the full 16-day experience. Whichever option you choose, join this spectacular journey and discover why Tibet has captured the imaginations of explorers for centuries… On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to enter Tibet in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys.
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Pre-trip
Pre-trip Day 1: Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang
LIJIANG is touristy, but there ARE HIDDEN GEMS to DISCOVER…”
Jade Lake not far from Lijiang...
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The lovely winding alleys of Lijiang’s old town are a UNESCO World Heritage site...”
Pre-trip Day 1: Lijiang Old Town
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Pre-trip Day 2: Tiger Leaping Gorge
The TIGER LEAPING GORGE… where the YANGTZE makes you TREMBLE!”
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Pre-trip Day 2: Near Tiger Leaping Gorge
Yunnan to Tibet IS a driving ADVENTURE…”
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Pre-trip Day 2: On the back road to Shangri-La
STUNNING LANDSCAPES on the way to SHANGRI-LA…”
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10-day Itinerary
Tibetan prayer flags
A colourful WELCOME as you APPROACH TIBET...”
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Shangri-La’s Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
One of the LARGEST MONASTERIES in SOUTH-WEST China…”
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RED-ROBED MONKS in Shangri-La...�
At the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
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A chance to PURIFY YOUR MIND?�
Prayer Session at Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
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Kawagebo peak in the Meili Snow Mountain range
What a SUNRISE at the EDGE of TIBET…”
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Where the YANGTZE originates...�
The Mountain Range Nearbeautiful Yela Mt.Tanggula Pass, Tibet
72 hairpin TURNS descending from 4,700m to 2,700m on the way to LHASA…”
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Along the G318, Tibet
RIVER CROSSING...It brings out the CHILD in us!”
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Midui Glacier, near Pomi, Tibet
In SPRING or in AUTUMN, an ENCHANTING place to EXPLORE…”
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The Yarlung Tsangpo River flowing east, Tibet
LIKE a PAINTING, mist in the DENSE FORESTS on the WAY to LHASA…”
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Where THIS LAND is MY LAND, says the YAK…”
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At a temple in Tibet...
IF you’re LUCKY, you will meet FASCINATING PEOPLE...along this route…”
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Prayer wheels line many kora prayer circuits in Tibet
PRAYER WHEELS spin, sending prayers SKYWARDS…”
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The Potala Palace, Lhasa
One of the WORLD’s most ICONIC buildings...”
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The Jokhang, Lhasa
PILGRIMS PRAY in the shade...”
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The Jokhang, Lhasa
GOSSIP and PRAYER go hand-in-hand...”
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Elsewhere, monks DEBATE scripture...�
In Lhasa
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16-day Itinerary
Gyantse Dzong, Gyantse
Explore historic GYANTSE, now a PEACEFUL farming town…”
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The road west, near Tingri
Into Tibet’s WILD WEST..”
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5000km AWAY from Shanghai...”
The G318, China’s longest road, near Tingri
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At the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery The G318, China’s longest road, near Tingri
ADD your prayer flags to the collection FESTOONING this 5,300 meter MOUNTAIN PASS...”
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Shegar Monastery, Tingri
OM MANI PADME HUM, TIBETAN’S all-purpose BLESSING...”
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Shegar Monastery, Tingri
Mani Offerings…”
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The Himalayan Range
Daybreak over the HIMALAYAS…”
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En route to Mt. Everest Base Camp
Heading WEST, ever MORE REMOTE...”
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Mt. Everest (left) in the Great Himalayan Range
UNFORGETTABLE, the SIGHT of FOUR peaks over 8000 metres!”
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En route to Mt. Everest Base Camp
Practice your HAIRPIN TURNS...”
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MOUNT EVEREST, if ever you wanted to GET THIS CLOSE...”
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Up-close-andpersonal with YOUR YAK...�
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Mount Everest Base Camp
Spend time in this stunning place, and UNDERSTAND why the MOUNTAIN is SACRED to local people…”
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Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse
EXPLORE this enormous monastery, HOME to generations of PANCHEN LAMAS…”
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PILGRIMS doing their KORA...�
Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse
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Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse
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A sip of HOLY WATER to REFRESH your spirit…”
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En route from Shigatse to Damxung
A PICNIC at 4,500m..”
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On the Road to Damxung
Making FRIENDS after the PICNIC…”
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On the Road to Damxung
In the middle of NOWHERE, only YOU and DRAMATIC SCENERY!”
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Chogula Pass, 5450 meters
The HIGHEST mountain pass... and still FULL of ENERGY!”
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Lake Nam-tso
FIRST VIEW of TIBET’S second largest HOLY LAKE…”
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Even here, the ROADS are PERFECTLY paved and FOR YOU to enjoy!�
First view of Lake Nam-tso
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Lake Yamdrok-tso
DRIVE around this BEAUTIFUL LAKE, seen here in autumn, but STUNNING, whatever the season…”
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By Lake Nam-tso
BLACK FURBALLS... YAKS, EVERYWHERE!”
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Lake Nam-tso
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Landscape around Lake Nam-tso
7,000+ meter mountains all around you...�
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Pilgrims on their way to Lhasa
PROSTRATING for SPIRITUAL reasons...”
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The Jokhang, Lhasa
RAINBOW not included...”
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Pre-trip Day 1 Start your journey at a lower altitude, if you wish‌ If you wish to ease your way into travelling at altitude, and help your body to acclimatise to the thinner air, we recommend joining this two-day pre-trip. We will meet your flight at the airport and transfer you
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 0 km Duration: 0 hours to your hotel, which is close to Lijiang’s old town. There is no formal programme for the rest of the day, leaving you at leisure to enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Elevation Highest Daytime: 2500m Overnight: 2500m Hotel Intercontinental Lijiang (*****)
Pre-trip Day 2 / Day 1 To Shangri-La, by road or air! Guests on our pre-trip will enjoy their first day on the road today, on the beautiful drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La. En route, we will stop at Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Yangtze is funnelled through a dramatic, narrow gorge. For those not joining the pretrip, today will see you arrive
at Shangri-La’s small airport. We will collect you from the airport, and transfer you to your hotel, which is located in the grounds of Yunnan’s largest Buddhist monastery, the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 260 km Duration: 7-8 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 3800m Overnight: 3300m Hotel Songtsam Retreat Hotel, Shangri-La (****)
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Day 2 Into the Hengduan Mountains Before departing from ShangriLa, you will have some time to either explore the monastery, or to visit the nearby home of a local family. At the latter, you will have the opportunity to learn more about everyday life here, on the edge of Tibet, as well as to taste yak butter tea and some simple homemade dishes. The scenic drive from ShangriLa to Deqin winds through a thickly forested region that crosses the edge of the Baima National Reserve, on of the few truly wild places left in China, and home to many rare species. Surrounded by the high Hengduan Mountains, these beautiful valleys are, indeed, Shangri-La.
Today’s destination, Deqin is situated near the Meili Mountain Range, a subrange within the Hengduan Mountains. The main peak is Kawagebo (6740m), which is sacred to local Buddhists. On a clear day, the sunset over these mountains is spectacular‌
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 185 km Duration: 3 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 4350m Overnight: 3600m Hotel High Mountain Resort, Deqin (****)
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Day 3 Onto the ‘Roof of the World’ and into Tibet Shortly after leaving Deqin you will enter Tibet and the countryside quickly gets wilder and more remote. You will make a stop at a Catholic Church close to the border where the congregation’s singing is wonderful – many songs are familiar hymns sung in Mandarin overlaid with haunting Tibetan harmonies and rhythms.
Today’s road leads through steep valleys, more often than not following the Mekong river further and further upstream. If you look carefully, on the opposite side of the road, you can see an ancient trail carved into the side of the rock… which is where the tea horse caravans travelled. Tonight’s overnight stop is in the frontier town of Markham, which has a real wild-west feel to it.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 220 km Duration: 5 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 3880m Overnight: 3750m Hotel Kangsheng Hotel, Markham (**)
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Day 4 Adventure on the high plateau Today’s driving distance is relatively short, but the road itself maybe rough, depending on the state of recent repairs, because it is heavily used by trucks. However, the route and the scenery will more than compensate for it: While crossing three high passes –
including the highest thus far - Dongdha Mountain Pass at 5,100 metres (16,730ft) - you will get to enjoy amazing views over the Tibetan Highlands of Eastern Tibet. Tonight’s hotel is the most basic on the trip, and one of the very few hotels we use that has only squat toilets - but Zogang is the most remote stop on our journey, and unfortunately there are limited choices in this region of Tibet!
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 160 km Duration: 5 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 4500m Overnight: 3800m Hotel Zogang Hotel, Zogang (**)
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Day 5 Mountain passes and riverside roads On the way from Zogang to Ranwu, you will leave behind the G214 national road and join China’s longest such road – the G318, which winds from Shanghai all the way to the Mount Everest Base Camp. This road will take you up the Mount Yela Pass – just over 4,600 metres (15,090 feet). Although this isn’t the highest pass of the trip, it is made the most exciting by the spectacular descent through seventy-two hairpin turns
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down to 2,700 metres elevation (8,860 feet) – a breath- taking descent. Once you reach the bottom of the descent, you will find yourself by the side of another one of China’s mighty rivers, the Salween which flows from its source in Qinghai south toward Myanmar. At the end of the day, you will arrive at tiny Ranwu on the shore of Lake Ranwu, a lovely alpine lake fed by nearby glaciers.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 250 km Duration: 7 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 4800m Overnight: 3930m Hotel Blue Lake Inn, Ranwu (***)
Day 6 Through the spectacular Sundzom Valley Take an early morning drive out to the shore of Lake Ranwu to watch sunrise, before returning to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast. After a short drive through the main Sundzom Valley you will turn off the main road into a side valley to explore the area around
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 140 km Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours Midui Glacier – hike or take a ride on horseback towards the glacier before taking a break for a picnic lunch.
Elevation Highest Daytime: 3000m Overnight: 2740m
After lunch it’s a short but beautiful drive towards Pomi, your overnight stop.
Hotel Shenying Hotel, Pomi (***)
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Day 7 Through the forests of eastern Tibet
has been dramatically improved of late, and you should enjoy a smooth drive to Bayi.
The road crosses the 4560m Today you will enjoy more of the Serkhym-La Pass, where you might catch a glimse of the beautiful landscape of eastern Tibet. This region is unusual, for region’s tallest mountain, Tibet, in that it is thickly forested 7700m Namjagbarwa, though - providing ample home for rare the peak is often hidden amidst the clouds. and unusual species of plants and animals. Perhaps even the After arriving in Bayi you can odd Yeti makes its home here! relax from the day’s highs in Keep your eyes peeled... a good hotel with an excellent Once a muddy and dangerous dinner. stretch of the G318, this road
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Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 230 km Duration: 5.5 - 6 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 4520m Overnight: 3000m Hotel Fujian Hotel, Bayi (****)
Day 8 Arrival in Tibet’s holy city The drive from Bayi to Lhasa is long, but all on good roads, and through yet more stunning countryside. Today you will also climb the second highest pass so far – the 5025 metre Pa-La Pass. Gradually the valley in which the G318 runs opens up until you arrive in Lhasa, where
you will wonder at the sight of the Tibetan capital – not least because you have driven here all the way on your own! In the evening enjoy a delicious Tibetan meal and evening dance performance together, or a well-earned drink in an atmospheric bar.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 400 km Duration: 8 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5000m Overnight: 3650m Hotel St. Regis Hotel, Lhasa (*****)
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Day 9 Discover Lhasa Today we will be exploring Lhasa. In the morning we will head to the heart of Lhasa’s old town, the Barkhor. The Barkhor is a prayer circuit that encircles the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest shrine. As such, it is a constant whirl of pilgrims who have come from all four corners of Tibet to pay their respects. The object of their devotion is housed inside our next stop, the Jokhang itself. We will walk through the temple and up to the roof, for fabulous views of the Barkhor, and the city beyond. After lunch in a nearby restaurant, we will visit the Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lamas. Tibet’s most iconic building, the Potala is filled with fabulous statuary and priceless art, and offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone age. We will also leave some time today for shopping for
souvenirs (many fine examples of Tibetan arts and crafts are made in Lhasa) and exploring the character-filled old town.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 0-70 km Duration: 0-2 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 3650m Overnight: 3650m Hotel St. Regis Hotel, Lhasa (*****)
Day 10 Depart (10-day itinerary) or continue west to Gyantse
After climbing the 4790m Khamba-La pass, you will catch your first glimpse of Lake Yamdrok-Tso’s vivid blue waters.
This morning, we will bid farewell to those on the 10day trip, as they begin their journeys home.
After driving around the lake, you will pass glaciers and remote villages on the road to Gyantse, where you will have time to explore the old town and Gyantse Monastery with its beautiful chörten, before enjoying dinner under the mountain skies in a lovely garden restaurant…
For the rest of the party, we will get back on the road with a beautiful start to the adventurous drive west.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 252 km Duration: 6 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5045m Overnight: 3990m Hotel Gyantse Hotel, Gyantse (***)
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Day 11 Into Tibet’s Wild West This morning you will drive to Shigatse, home to the enormous Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the few monasteries that was saved from the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. You will explore the monastery on your return from Mt. Everest; today there is only eonugh time for a brunch before getting back on the road towards Tingri,
which curves south-west from Shigatse towards the Great Himalayan Range. Today’s roads are some of the best on the trip, winding and smooth, and a delight to drive on. You will stay overnight in a simple hotel in the village of Pelbar and prepare for your trip to Base Camp the following day.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 330 km Duration: 6 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5275m Overnight: 4250m Hotel Baiba Hotel, Pelbar (**)
Day 12 Summit Day! Setting out from Pelbar before dawn, you will watch the sun rise over what is, quite literally, the roof of the world – an incredible mountain vista that includes four peaks over 8,000m; Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. After sunrise you will drive further in, towards North Base Camp, which lies at the foot of the Rongbuk Glacier. Stand in the shadow of Mount Everest and imagine you are about to set off for the summit, almost four
kilometers vertically above the North Base Camp itself… From Mount Everest, you will return to the village of Tashi Dzom for lunch and the chance to meet with some local schoolchildren – help them to practice their English and learn about life in this harsh but beautiful environment.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 300 km Duration: 9 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5210m Overnight: 4250m Hotel Baiba Hotel, Pelbar (**)
In the afternoon, you will return to Pelbar for another night before returning to Shigatse the following day.
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Day 13 To Tibet’s Second City Today is a very relaxed day. to be a pedestrian in Shigatse – You will drive from Tingri to please take case in the chaotic Shigatse which will take around traffic!). 4-5 hours on well-paved road. Essentially, the afternoon is free for you to relax and unwind, as Upon arriving in Shigatse you will want to do, because the you will head straight to your following day’s drive north-east hotel. After checking in, we toward Lake Nam-tso is a long will head out to a nearby (but beautiful) one! restaurant for a Tibetan/ Chinese lunch. In the afternoon, your guide will accompany you to the enormous Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the few monasteries in Tibet that was largely saved from the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, and seat of the Panchen Lamas. In the later part of the afternoon, you will have some time to yourselves. If you have plenty of energy, you could try walking the Tashilhunpo Kora for another perspective on the city and monastery – ask your tour leader for details! Otherwise, it’s possible to head back to the hotel for a massage or to hit Shigatse’s ‘Pedestrian Street’ (which is bizarrely one of the more dangerous places
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 230 km Duration: 4.5 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 4200m Overnight: 3860m Hotel Shigatse Hotel, Shigatse (***)
Day 14 Beautiful back roads to Nam-tso After a leisurely start in Shigatse and weather permitting, today will be the most beautiful drive on this journey. At first, you will drive an hour or so in an easterly direction toward Lhasa. Then you will turn north onto one of Tibet’s provincial roads, the S203. It is a gravel road that will take you in around 160km to the G109 which runs from Beijing all the way to Lhasa. Once you arrive at the G109, you will have another hour to drive further north toward Damxung where you will stay for the night (in preparation for your visit the following day to Lake Nam-tso).
cloud rises behind you, you will drive as if into “nowhere” with a pure feeling of adventure: move yourself out of your comfort zone in exchange for unforgettable memories! Along the S203 where you encounter nothing but yaks and the occasional Tibetan nomad, we have planned a picnic lunch.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 325 km Duration: 8 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5450m Overnight: 4280m Hotel Pema Hotel, Damxung (**)
All in all, your drive on this day will be most memorable, we’re certain!
Today’s highlight is the 160km gravel road and the stunning scenery you will pass through, not to mention the 5,450m mountain pass you will drive across. This road is the least frequented of all roads we’ve driven: along it, we always feel as remote as along any road on any of our journeys. As the dust p127
Day 15 Nam-tso and return to Lhasa Today you will make an early morning visit to Lake Nam-tso, visiting the island of Tashi Do – the best place to enjoy the dramatic lakeside scenery. The saltwater lake lies at 4,750m, and is ringed to the south by the Nyechen Tanglha mountain range, whose snowcapped peaks soar to over 7,000m – a truly awe-inspiring setting.
After walking around the edge of the island on a kora circuit used by pilgrims, you will return to Damxung for lunch before setting off for Lhasa, where you will arrive in the late afternoon, in time to relax and enjoy a farewell dinner and – if you haven’t already – sample a Tibetan specialty, yak butter tea!
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 290 km Duration: 7 hours Elevation Highest Daytime: 5000m Overnight: 3650m Hotel St. Regis Hotel, Lhasa (*****)
Day 16 Farewell Tibet! This morning will be your last in Lhasa – perhaps spend the morning shopping for mementos of your journey, or take a moment to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the sunshine, or simply wander through the
city, absorbing the sights and sounds of the old town and reflecting upon your driving adventure over the past fortnight.
Driving Distance & Duration Distance: NA Duration: NA Elevation Highest Daytime: 3650m
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Tibetan Food
With average altitudes of 4,000 metres above sea level and long, cold, dry winters, Tibetan farmers are faced with uniquely challenging growing conditions. While Tibet’s Buddhists have long debated the merits of vegetarianism, the difficulty of growing vegetables in Tibet means that traditional Tibetan cooking relies on meat and dairy products, plus barley and a little wheat. Barley, roasted and ground into tsampa, or brewed into chang, a light beer, is Tibet’s staple food. Tsampa is often mixed into a dough with hot tea, butter and salt, then rolled into balls and eaten. Simple to prepare, it is used
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as a convenience food by nomads and travellers on the Plateau. Noodle soup or thukpa is a popular lunch, and momo dumplings dipped in chilli sauce are a common breakfast food. Various stuffed breads, stews and stir-fries round out the Tibetan diet, which is hearty and filling – just the thing to keep you going in Tibet’s challenging conditions! Tea is the most popular drink in Tibet. Most visitors prefer sweet milk tea, but a strong candidate for Tibet’s favourite drink would be salty yak butter tea, with many nomads drinking upwards of fifty cups a day! For centuries,
bricks of tea were trekked in from Yunnan by mules, a hazardous journey that could take upwards of six months – the demand for tea must have been keen indeed! Nowadays, other cuisines are becoming popular across Tibet. Enterprising Sichuanese migrants have set up many restaurants selling their homeland’s spicy stir-fries. Muslim food, with its cumin-scented mutton dishes, steamed bread and noodles, is also popular. Nepali restaurants can be found in many towns, and – increasingly – international flavours too.
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What’s Included / Best Months to Travel Generally speaking, our journey packages and prices are all-inclusive. Once you’ve paid and you arrive at the starting point, you really won’t have to take out your wallet again. • Cars – a modern SUV is provided for all driving days, expertly maintained and serviced by Avis, Hertz, or other reputable car rental companies, and covered by the best insurance available, and hire car return from Lhasa to starting point is also included • International Journey Host, Guide and Support Vehicle – you will be accompanied by a registered Chinese tour guide, an On the Road Experiences host and a fully equipped lead car with a local support driver (subject to the group size) • Routes – we provide an extensively researched and carefully designed itinerary and state-ofthe-art satellite navigation system with a preprogrammed route for the journey. You will also receive a detailed pre-departure pack and route book for the journey • Driving License – You will need a temporary Chinese driving license for which all arrangements and fees are included. p132
• Fuel & Tolls – we provide petrol for the car throughout the journey and pay all tolls • Airport Transfers – all airport transfers are included • Permits and Logistics – all Tibet permits are included • Hotels – the best available or five-star accommodation is included in each overnight stop
• Other Essentials – we provide each car with walky-talkies • Travel Insurance – 24-hour medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation emergency service • Tips & Entrance Fees – basic tips and entrance fees for jointly attended activities are included • Activities, Meals, Transport as indicated in this Journey Dossier • Top-up Collision Damage Waiver insurance
What’s Not Included • Meals – breakfast (a choice of Western and Local is provided), and lunch and dinner are included on all driving days, as are drinks. Meals on non-driving days as specified above.
The only items not included are your flights to your starting point and back from Lhasa, your China visa, and personal purchases (e.g., gifts, souvenirs).
• Goodies – you will enjoy an On the Road HomeAway-from-Home Kit containing wet towels, anti-bacterial gel and basic toiletries, and a daily picnic basket containing fresh fruit, fruit juice, water, and a mixture of sweets and nibbles p133 p133