SHANGRILA-LHASA

Itinerary

Day01
Shanghai-Zhongdian(Shangri-la) by flight

MU5810 1805/2115 rmb 1900+150
MU5931 0720+1/0820+1 rmb 900+150
Overnight in Kunming(3*)

Day02
Ur option to keeping going to Deqin on day 2 or spend one day there.
Zhongdian(3200m)/Deqin(3100m) 145km，5hrs

Visit Zhongdian Songzanlin Monastery and Dongzhulin monastery & nunnery after breakfast.Then drive our way to Deqin. The drive to Deqin is simply the best way to view the great variety of landscape in the Great Rivers region. The grand curning of Jinshanjiang(the upper part of Yangtse River),  Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, the Town of  Deqin, the gateway town to Tibet. In Deqin, visit a Tibetan school in the afternoon, and have our dinner in the Town, then we will take a ten minutes drive to Feilaisi, where you could have a good view of Mt. Meili. Overnight in Deqin(3*)

Day 03
Deqin –Yanjing (2735m) 121km, 5hrs

After breakfast, visit Ganden Dongdru Monastery and Yanijing Church. If we are luck enough to have a good weather, we could see the golden snow-covered Kawagebo peak (6,740m, the Peak of Mt. Meili. Then we travel along the north of Mekong River) valley into Tibet. Once into Tibet, our first stop will be in the town of Yanjing, which was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan area, which ranged from northwestern Sichuan down into Yunnan. We will visit to the salt fields, followed by a stop at the hot springs, where each of us could pick our own natural hot bath overlooking the Mekong. Certainly the best way to relax our body for the adventure ahead!
Overnight in guesthouse in Yanjing


Day04
Yanjing to Zugong(3800m) 269km,8hrs

After paying a visit to Weise Monastery , we will cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around 3,900 m(12,795 ft), the other at 5,008 m(16,430 ft). Driving past local Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks, the expressions on innocent Tibetan girls would be impressive.
Overnight in guesthouse in Zuogong


Day05
Zuogong to Ranwu(3850m) 301km, 6hrs

We will drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River (the Salween River), which is a long and tough journey, but our destination, the Ranwu Lake, is another Shangri-la, stay in the tent beside the Lake.
Overnight in guesthouse in Ranwu


Day06
Ranwu

A rare day which involves no driving! You have two options available: for those interested in a day hike, our photographer/guide would take you onto a scenic day hike; while those who'd rather opt for a day of retreat would find this place ideal for relaxing, writing your travel notes and washing off the dust accumulated in the journey so far. Overnight in guesthouse in Ranwu


Day07
Ranwu/BoMi (2750m) 129km, 2.5hrs
The Bomi County lies in the neighboring area between Himalaya and Nianqing Tanggula of east Tibet, somewhere between Highway No. 83 and No.103. It borders with the Basu County in the east, with the Counties of Luolong and Bianba in the north, with the Counties of Jiani and Gongbujiangda in the west and with the Counties of Chayu, Motuo and Nyingchi in the south. It is also on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway No.318, 636 kilometers from Lhasa, 234 kilometers from Bayi and 360 kilometers from the Bangda Airport. Bomi, “Bowo” in Tibetan, means grandfather. The rugged countryside is surrounded with peaks with a river valley in the heart. Bomi has a land area of about 16,578.24 square kilometers and at latitude of 4,200 meters on the average base. Two main rivers Palongzhangbu and Yigongzhangbu meet at Tongmai and flow further to the great turning of the Grand Canyon.


Day08
BoMi/ Bayi(Nyingchi)(2400m) 270km,4hrs

Waking up to the birds' singing, when arrive in Bomi, you will have an unobstructed view of the majestic Najiabawa peak(7,782m, No. 6th peak of the world).  Paying a visit to Puchu & Lamaling Monasteries, we will arrive in Bayi, the largest Tibetan town we will have reached at this point. Overnight in Nyingchi(3*)

Day09
Bayi(Nyingchi)/ Basumtse Lake(4000m) 120km, 2hrs
Lake Basum has another Tibetan name, Tsokou, which means green water in Tibetan. Many glaciers on the upper reaches of the lake provide it with sufficient water supply. Covering 26 square kilometers (10 square miles), the clean green lake, reflecting snow capped peaks in the water, has so beautiful scenery that it makes one feels in Swiss. Fish are shoaling in the water; birds are circling in the air; beasts are roaming in the woods. Animals are living a comfortable and easy life in Basum. Camping beside the lake (as long as it’s available)

Day10
Basumtse Lake/Lhasa(3650m) 380km, 5hrs

Leaving the lake after breakfast, we arrive at Gongbujiangda in time for lunch.This is the day we finally arrive in Lhasa. Visit Gandan Cora on the way. After the long challenging overland trip, you will understand why Tibetans regard the journey to Lhasa as one of the most sacred of pilgrimages. Overnight in Lhasa (3*)

Day11
Lhasa

The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa's cardinal landmark- Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.
Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure in Tibet – Jokhang Temple. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor- Lhasa's most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans.
Overnight in Lhasa (3*)

Day12
Lhasa-Yamdroktso(4441m)-Lhasa 220km

Yamdroktso(4441m), one of Tibet's three holy lakes, is located 110km outside of Lhasa. In the fresh morning air, you're on the way to this lake. It's mostly mountain road, winding and bumpy, even thrilling somewhat. After about 3 1/2 hours' driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(5030m), the dazzling Yamdroktso just lies several hundred meters below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang(7191m).
Drive back to Lhasa.(3*)

Day13
Lhasa-XiNing by train
Take the train from Lhasa to XiNing
On the train We will take the Qinghai-Tibet train back to Shangahi. The route: Lhasa –Damxung– Nagqu –Amdo - Tuotuo River –Gelmu- Xi’ning

Day14
XiNing-Shanghai

Preparations
1. Medicines: try to bring the following medicines which will be very useful during your travel.
Cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges and nasal decongestant.
Aspirin—for pain or fever
Multivitamins—when dietary vitamin intake may be inadequate.
2. Clothing
The temperature during daytime is around 10-25 C in Lhasa, while at night it may reach 0C. When visit the lake or mountain, down-jacket is needed.
Try to dress in black or other heavy color clothes since the road out of Lhasa may be very dusty and dirty.
Jacket: a fiber-pile jacket is ideal for evening.
Sweater: Wool or wool mix with a high neck for extra warmth.
Headwear: wool or fible-pile ski-stly cap or balaclava for warmth. A lightweight brimmed hat is good for sun protection .Inexpensive broad brimmed straw and elt hats are sold in Tibet's city markets.
Cotton underwear: four or five pairs.
Socks: at least three pairs.
Shirts: A long-sleeve shirt made of wool, flannel, or chamois, or a track-suit top. A long-sleeve stay-pree cotton shirt for warmer temperature. Bring two or three T-shirts as well.
Pants: For men, one pair of loose-fitting wool pants, wool knickers, or fiber-pile pants, and one pair of light-weight cotton pants. Women should wear a midcalf dress or skirt, though pants and knee-length knickers with socks are also acceptable. Shorts are not appropriate at any time in Tibet for men or women.
Snack foods: Nuts, chocolate bars, granola bars, dried fruit, hard candies, beef jerky, and flavored drink mixes are much-appreciated trail treats.