Self Drive Tour from South Xinjiang to Tibet (with Lhasa)

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Irkeshtam - Kashgar

Welcome to China

Today, after going through the Chinese customs Irkeshtam between China and Kyrgyzstan, you will reach China with driving your own vehicle. Complete the relevant formalities for entry. Further drive to Kashgar.

234 km
3 hours 33 minutes
Overnight in Kashgar

Drive into China

Photo by Li Chaojun

DAY
2

Kashgar

Handle relevant formalities for self drive in China

Complete relevant formalities for self-drive in China today.

Overnight in Kashgar

Kashgar

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
3

Kashgar

Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar, Id Gagh Mosque, the Akba Khojia Mausoleum

In the morning, stroll in Old Town and visit the Sunday-bazaar where many Uyghurs do business. The Sunday bazaar of the Uyghurs living here, is one of the largest and most colorful in Central Asia, and is also one of the highlights of the trip. In the afternoon visit the Id Kah Mosque and the Tomb of Abakh Hoja where the "Nice smelling concubine", a Uygur national heroine, is buried.

Overnight in Kashgar

Id Gagh

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
4

Kashgar - Yecheng - Mazar

The Kudi and Mazar passes, knife city Yecheng

there is a varied journey on the southern silk road. Crossing the two passes Kudi and Mazar, you will reach the small town Mazar. On the Mazar Pass, you can admire the magnificent view from the Qogir mountain. The route over the Kudi Pass is the most difficult on all journeys, and will you drive on the mountain road in the form of "S". Yecheng is an important station for climbing Qogir Mountain with 8611 meters. From Yecheng you walk 6 days to the 3924 m base camp.

513 km
10 hours 53 minutes
Overnight in Mazar

Xinjiang Tibet Highway

Photo by He Wenjing

DAY
5

Mazar – Dahongliutan

Heika pass, city of Mazar, view from Qogir mountain

Via the Heika Pass you will arrive in Mazar, in the Karakorum area. While on the Heika Pass you can admire the magnificent view from the Qogir mountain.

245 km
4 hours 42 minutes
Overnight in Dahongliutan

Xinjiang Tibet Highway

DAY
6

Dahongliuta – Dorma

Crossing from the 5406 m Jieshan Pass

Cross the 5406m Jieshan Pass to Dahongliutan.

342 km
5 hours 43 minutes
Overnight in Dorma

Camels by Xinjiang Tibet Highway

DAY
7

Domar - Bangong Tso - Shiquanhe

Bangong Tso Lake

Drive to Shiquanhe (4300 m), capital of the Ngari district. The Ngari area is known as the "roof on the roof of the world". With such a high altitude, you could suffer from serious illness. On the way hike at Bangong Tso Lake. In the middle of the lake, there is a bird island. In summer many gulls come from the Mediterranean, which is fantastic. In Bangong Tso, there is fresh water in the Tibetan part, but salt water in the part of Kashmir.

228 km
3 hours 43 minutes
Overnight in Shiquanhe

Bangong Tso

DAY
8

Shiquanhe – Tsada

Tsaparang, the monastery Toling, earth forest in Tsada

Shiquanhe is the capital of the Ngari district with 20 years of history. The area Ngari is called as "roof on the roof of the world". Drive to Tsaparang, the oldest center of the kingdom of Guge. On the way admiring Tsada Earth Forest. Walking in the quiet valley of the Tsada forest, you feel like you are in the ruins of a huge old city, and you can see a wild and imposing picture. Four temples around the lower fortress walls, the fifth is located above the city, in the remains of the former summer palace of the kings. Various motifs adorn the coffered lattice ceilings and carved beams of the temples. Partly well-preserved murals with numerous details decorate the walls. Lama Anagarika Govinda calls these works of art "prayers and meditations in color and form, every stroke is carefully completed". Then visit the Toling Monastery.

192 km
3 hours 42 minutes
Overnight in Tsada

Ruins of Guge Kingdom

DAY
9

Tsada–Tirthapuri - Darchen / Kailash - Manasarovar Lake

Tirthapuri Meditation Cave Padmasambhavas, Kailash mountain, Manasarovar Lake

Drive to Darchen (4,800 m, starting point of the Kailash Circumnavigation). The village of Darchen only consists of a few stone houses, which are located about 6 km north of the main road. Easily hike at the foot of holy mountain Kailash. Finally, go to Manasarovar Lake that is 330 square kilometers, 81.8 meters deep. The lake is nestled between two snow-capped mountain ranges. The area is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Tibet. For Hindus, Manasarovar is a sacred lake. Therefore, walking around the lake and washing and purifying themselves with the lake became the most important goal of the pilgrims. Short hike and visit at Manasarovar Lake. Enjoy the views of the eight monasteries on the shores of the northern Kailash and Manasarovar Lake.

272 km
5 hours 22 minutes
Overnight by Manasarovar Lake

Holy Mountain Kailash

Photo by He Wenjing

DAY
10

Manasarovar Lake – Paryang – Saga

Kiangs (wild ass) and antelopes

Continue along the south route and enjoy beautiful views while visibility is clear. During the south route the Himalayas rising gradually in the north, and the mountains stand side by side. Sometimes, especially on the last stretch of road, kiangs (wild ass) and antelopes can be seen. Via Paryang, you will reach Saga.

450 km
7 hours
Overnight in Saga

Holy Lake Manasarovar

Photo by Li Chaojun

DAY
11

Saga - Lhatse - Shigatse

Visit Tashilunpo monastery

Drive to Shigatse (3,880 m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. In the afternoon visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha.

450 km
7 hours
Overnight in Shigatse

Believers in Tashilunpo

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
12

Shigatse – Gyantse – Yamdrok Tso – Lhasa

Pelkor Monastery, Kumbum Stupa

In the morning after the first 2 hrs drive, we will arrive in Gyantse and visit its Pelkor Chode Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. Afterwards we will leave Gyantse along the lake Yamdrok to Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet. Enjoy amazing views at the Kamba La pass both to the lake Yamdrok and snowy Peaks Nojin Gangzang and Jangzang Lhomo.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight in Lhasa

Pelkhor Monastery with Kumbum Stupa

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
13

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of 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 surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local

Overnight in Lhasa

Potala Palace

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
14

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, Sera, the “wild rose courtyard”, is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. You have the opportunity to experience lamas' debates. Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight in Lhasa

Debate in Sera

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
15

Lhasa - Sakya

Visit to the Sakya Monastery

Drive to Sakya to visit the Sakya Monastery. The monastery was built by the founder of the Sakya Sect in 1073 and is the first monastery of the Sakya Sect. Today it is also the main monastery of the Sakya school.

415 km
6 hours 50 minutes
Overnight in Sakya

Yarlung Tsangpo Valley

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
16

Sakya County - Shegar - Rongbuk / Everest BC

Tashilunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, sunset on Qomolangma (Everest)

In the morning visit Tashilunpo, "Mountain of Happiness". Tashilunpo Monastery is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelug Sect. Shigatse is the seat of the Pantschen Lama. The largest gilded statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, can be found in the monastery in China. Then drive to Shegar. After going through the Yalung La (4,520 m) and Gyathso La (5,220 m) passes, continue to the Rongbuk Monastery (5,154 m) and the Everest Base Camp. Here the Qomolangma’s steep of the north side makes a profound impression on you. On the way take photos at Pang La (5150 m) where the view is magnificent: from left to right are Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse and Cho Oyu. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, Rongbuk is the largest monastery in this region. If the weather is well, you can admire the magnificent sunset on Qomolangma (Everest).

334 km
6 hours 6 minutes
Overnight at Rongbuk Monastery

Sunrise of Everest and Himalaya

Photo by Mr. Zeng

DAY
17

Rongbuk - Old Tingri - Paiku Tso - Kyirong

Sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest), Paiku Tso

Today you will get up early to see the unforgettable sunrise over Qomolangma (Everest). Then drive via Paiku Tso and Xixiabangma Mountain to the Chinese border station Kyirong (Jilong). With 300 square kilometers, Paiku-Tso is the largest lake in Shigatse Prefecture. Located between three mountains, it is rich in fish and various wild animals, such as wild horses, wild donkeys and yellow ducks etc.

363 km
7 hours 1 minute
Overnight in Kyirong

Sunset of Everest

DAY
18

Kyirong - Kathmandu

Farewell to China

Drive to the customs at Kyirong, assistance for the exit formalities.

187 km
4 hours 14 minutes

Kyirong

Photo by Chen Hao

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