Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Zhongdian - Lhasa - Tsedang - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa 

Private tour: Daily departure from Kunming with English speaking local guides (English, German and French speaking provincial guides available on request at surcharge). Minimum 2 passengers.

Over the centuries, the Tibetan influence has spread over the geographical borders. From North West Yunnan, often referred to as Shangri La, the Paradise on Earth, to Lhasa, the roof of the world, this trip leads you to the heart of a rich culture that continues fascinating the world. Step into their grasslands, high plateaus and mystic religious beliefs and experience the legendary kindness of the Tibetan people.

ITINERARY:

Kunming - Arrival     (-/-/D)

DAY 1 Upon arrival, meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel. If time permits, visit Flower and Bird market located in the old part of Kunming. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. 

Kunming - Dali     (B/L/D)

DAY 2 Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for morning flight to Dali. Upon arrival, discover some Bai minority villages like Xizhou, famous for the architecture of its residences, and Zhoucheng, where you will visit a local temple and a tie-dye processing factory. Later, cruise on Erhai Lake to Golden Shuttle Island (local temple, fishing village, market) and drive back to the old city of Dali with a stop on the way at the Three Pagodas, the outstanding landmark in the area. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

Dali - Lijiang     (B/L/D)

DAY 3 Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Lijiang. Upon arrival, visit Black Dragon Pond Park to have a look at the renowned Moon Embracing Pavilion and the Dongba Museum, sanctuary of the ancient Naxi culture. Walk about the old streets of the city. Listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Lijiang is a small old town laced with canals, bridges and cobblestone lanes along the river, which provides many opportunities to observe the Naxi traditional way of life. Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner followed by a Naxi music concert. Overnight at hotel.

Lijiang     (B/L/D)

DAY 4 Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit of some Naxi villages around Lijiang like Baisha village, once the capital of the Naxi Kingdom and famous for its Buddhist frescoes and Hua shan village still traditional and well maintained. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure in the old town for your own discovery of the quiet way of living of the Naxi people. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

Lijiang - Zhongdian     (B/L/D)

DAY 5 Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, depart for Shigu, where the Yangtze River makes a stunning 180-degree roundabout, flowing parallel to itself for nearly 20 kilometers. You will continue your discovery of the area with the Tiger Leaping Gorge, located half way between Lijiang and Zhongdian. After entering the area by car for about 10 km, you will reach the narrowest point of the Gorge. Legend says it is so narrow here that a hunted tiger could escape in one jump. Then, drive to Zhongdian, located on the High Tibetan plateau, and enter the mythical area of the Shangri-La, the Paradise on Earth. Lunch en route. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Zhongdian     (B/L/D)

DAY 6 Breakfast at hotel. Zhongdian, located at about 3,300 meters above sea level, is your first gateway to Tibet. Breakfast at hotel. Visit the jewel of Tibetan cultures, Ganden Songzanglin Temple, built by the 5th Dalai Lama.  This monastery follows the architecture of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and hosts a community of 700 monks. Then, take a closer look at the natural beauty of the area with a walk around the Bita Lake reserve before meeting a Tibetan family who will prepare a nice yak butter tea for you. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

Zhongdian - Lhasa - Tsedang     (B/L/D)

DAY 7 Breakfast at hotel. Experience beautiful scenery in the high mountainous area on the flight to Lhasa (2 hours and 30 minutes). Upon arrival at the roof of the world, you will be transferred to Tsedang. Check in at your hotel and take a rest to adapt to the altitude. Visit Tandruk Monastery and Yombu Lhaakhang. Lunch en route. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Tsedang - Gyantse     (B/L/D)

DAY 8 Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Gyantse through amazing landscapes and cross the Khambala-la Pass (4,794 meters) before reaching the Nyang Chu River valley. Lunch on the way. Visit Yangzhuoyong Lake, Gyantse Dzong and the Pelkhor Chode temple. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. 

Gyantse - Shigatse     (B/L/D)

DAY 9 Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Shigatse used to be the headquarters of the Panchen Lama government and now displays interesting monasteries. Visit Shalu Monastery and Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the four major monasteries of the "Yellow hat faction". Compared to the Potala Palace, Tashilunpo is smaller in scale. In the monastery there is a huge statue of the Maitreya Buddha cast in gold and copper. Inlaid in the forehead are 32 diamonds and 1,400 pieces of pearl, amber, coral and turquoise. Tour the colorful market of the city. Lunch en route and dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. 

Shigatse - Lhasa     (B/L/D)

DAY 10 Breakfast at hotel. Continue your journey by road on the Tibetan plateau to Lhasa. Visit Nethang Monastery. Lunch en route and dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel. 

Lhasa     (B/L/D)

DAY 11 Breakfast at hotel. Begin your visit to Lhasa at Potala Palace, the universal symbol of the Tibetan people. Then visit Barkhor Street, traditionally used by the pilgrims arriving to Lhasa, and pay respect to the Holy place and the old city of Lhasa. In the afternoon, visit Norbulingka, the summer residence for Dalai Lamas, one of the most rated buildings in Lhasa. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

Lhasa     (B/L/D)

DAY 12 Breakfast at hotel. Continue to discover the rich culture of Tibet at Johkang Temple, built some 1,300 years ago, and the most sacred place for Buddhist pilgrimage. Also visit Drepung Monastery, called the "Temple of Mother" by lamas, and Sera Monastery, featuring absolutely magnificent architecture. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

Lhasa - DEPARTURE     (B/-/-)

DAY 13 Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Gongkar airport for departure flight.

Our tour prices are inclusive of accommodation in twin shared room, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), transfers and tours with English speaking local guides, all entrance fees, domestic flight tickets including domestic airport taxes and construction fees, room taxes and baggage handling. Gratuities to local guide & driver.

Note: Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.