21-Day Kashgar to Lhasa Overland Tour

Xinjiang Museum

Erdaoqiao Market

Today after breakfast, we will drive to visit Xinjiang Museum, a museum mainly collecting and investigating the unearthed cultural relics and specimens in Xinjiang, including stone steles, coins and currency, wooden articles, and paintings. It the best place to know the culture and history of minority groups in Xinjiang, and also along the ancient Silk Road. Then move on to visit Erdaoqiao Market, the biggest market in Urumqi where many commodities are sold, such as fruits, clothing, crafts, and carpets.

In the afternoon, you will take a flight from Urumqi to Kashgar. Upon your arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel in Kashgar.

• Urumqi flight to Kashgar
• Altitude: Urumqi (680m), Kashgar (1,290m)
• Kashgar Business Hotel
• Breakfast, Lunch

Apak Hoja Tomb

Kashgar Sunday Market

Today you will begin your trip by visiting the Apak Hoja Tomb, also called Xingfei Mu in Chinese, which is a very tranquil place and a beautiful example of Uyghur Islamic architecture. Then move on to the lively Sunday Bazaar/ Market, which is renowned as the biggest market in Central Asia. It is said that you can buy anything you want here except chicken milk and Cow eggs.

After lunch, we will wander through the narrow winding streets of the historic old town to visit Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China. Step into it to know a bit more about the Islamic life of the Uyghur people.

• Drive in Kashgar City
• Altitude: Kashgar (1,290m)
• Kashgar Business Hotel
• Breakfast, Lunch

218 State Road 0 km Boundary Marker

Xingjiang Tibet Higway

Today we will drive to Yecheng from Kashigar. You can enjoy the culture of Xinjiang Minority along the way to Yecheng, as well as the stunning landscaped of Taklamakan with grey-black rocks and sand dunes.

• Drive about 246km
• Altitude: Yecheng (1,100m)
• Yecheng Business Hotel
• Breakfast

Dahongliutan

Dahongliutan

Today we will drive cross several passes in Kunlun Mountain, and pass through Kudi Pass, Maza Pass, and Heika Pass. Then we will have a rest at 30KM Camp which is the biggest board station along the highway of Xingjiang-Tibet. After that, we will head to Dahongliutan.

• Drive about 430km
• Altitude: Dahongliutan (4,200m)
• Dahongliutan Local Guest House
• Breakfast

cross Jieshan Pass and head to Rutog

Rutog Town

Today we will enter Tibet Autonomous Region. We will drive cross Jieshan Pass and head to Rutog, which is called the roof of the roof of the world.

• Drive about about 518km
• Altitude: Rutong (4,260m)
• Rutog Local Guest House
• Breakfast

Pangong tso Lake

Siquanhe

Pangong-tso Lake is lies 12 kilometers northwest of the Rutog County. At an elevation of 4,240 meters, Pangong-tso-Lake is highest birds island in the world. After visiting Pangong-tso lake, we will keep driving to Siquanhe, one of the most important towns along the Xinjiang-Tibet highway.

• Drive about 117km
• Altitude: Shiquanhe (4,255m)
• Shiquanhe Local House
• Breakfast

Siquanhe

Zanda

Today we will drive southern to Zanda from Shiquanhe.

• Drive about 255km
• Altitude: Zanda (3,700m)
• Zanda Local House
• Breakfast

ruins of Guge Kingdom

Darchen( where the Mount Kailash is)

Today we will firstly visit ruins of Guge Kingdom, which is located a few kilometers away from Zanda on a beautiful hillside. Then we will head for Darchen, where the Mount Kailash is.

• Drive about 228 km
• Altitude: Darchen (4,700m)
• Darchen Local Guesthouse
• Breakfast

One of the most beautiful Chinese Mount Mount Kailash

drive to Manasarovar Lake

In the morning, you can visit the Mount Kailash. And then, we will drive to Manasarovar Lake.

• Drive about 100 km
• Altitude: Manasarovar Lake (4,588m)
• Camping at the Lake Manasarovar
• Breakfast

local people in paryang

Mani stones in Paryang

Today we will move on to Paryang. Along the way, you could enjoy the landscape of the grassland.

• Drive about 200km
• Altitude: Paryang (4,600m)
• Paryang Local Guesthouse
• Breakfast

halfway from Paryang to Saga

from Paryang to Saga

Today we will drive from Paryang to Saga via Zhongba. The landscapes along the way are mostly sand hillsand grassland.

• Drive about 250km
• Altitude: Paryang (4,502m)
• Saga Local Guesthouse
• Breakfast

Peikucuo Lake

Xinjiang Tibet Highway

In the morning, we will drive cross Brahmaputra River and visit Peikucuo Lake. Then we will keep driving to Tingri. Along the way, you could pass through the grassland with local Tibetan Houses dotted.

• Drive about 100km
• Altitude: Tingri (4,800m)
• Tingri Local Guesthouse
• Breakfast

drive to everest base camp

You can see the Everest from Rongbuk Monastery

After breakfast, we will drive to Everest Base Camp. If you are lucky to meet a nice day, just enjoy the splendid views along the way. Then pay a visit to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world enjoying a height of 4,980 meters. After that, drive to Shegar.

• Drive about 220km
• Altitude: EBC (5,545M), Shegar (4,800m)
• Shegar Local Guesthouse
• Breakfast

Shigatse

Sakya Monastery

Today, we will drive to Shigatse. Along the way, you can pay a visit to the Sakya Monastery, the principal monastery of Tibetan Buddhism.

• Drive about 250km
• Altitude: Sakya Monastery (4,280m)， Shigatse (3,840m)
• Shigatse Business Hotel
• Breakfast

Gyantse

the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery Tashilhunpo Monastery

After breakfast, we will drive to Gyantse. Before departing, pay a visit to the Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet. The Future Buddha will show in front of you.

• Drive about 100km
• Altitude: Tashilumpo Monastery (3,880m)
• Gyantse Business Hotel
• Breakfast

Pelkor Monastery

Yumbulakang Palace

Today you will spend a lot of time in the car, but it is worthy. Before leaving Gyantse, pay a visit the to Pelkor Monastery, which attracts tourists and artists with it sculptures, murals and carvings.

Then drive to Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet which you can never have a panorama. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and fed by numerous small Himalayan streams. Just enjoy the breathtaking blue Yamdrok Lake. After arriving at Tsedang, take a look at the Yumbulakang Palace, the oldest building in Tibet as a palace for the leaders.

• Drive about 325km
• Altitude: Yamdrok Lake (4,441m), Tsedang (3,580m)
• Tsedang Business Hotel
• Breakfast

Samye Monastery

arrive in Lhasa

In the morning, drive to visit the Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery founded in Tibet, featuring Buddhist, laws, and monks. It is famous as the site of the “Great Debate” of doctrines between ancient Indian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. After that, drive to Lhasa.

• Drive about 175km
• Altitude: Samye Monastery (3,700m), Lhasa (3,680m)
• Lhasa Business Hotel
• Breakfast

The Splendid Potala Palace

Jokhang Temple

After breakfast in your hotel, your personal private will pick you up to visit the splendid Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark in Lhasa. The whole morning is for you to appreciate this world-level architectural work.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Johkang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Tibetan people from all over the world come here to kowtow in the front of the entrance with their pure heart.

Finally, you can spend some time walking on around the Jokhang Temple in Barkhor Street where is full of religious atmosphere.

• Drive depends on your location of hotel
• Altitude: Lhasa (3,680m)
• Lhasa Business Hotel
• Breakfast

Drepung Monastery

Scriptures Debating in Sera Monastery

After breakfast in your hotel, you will be picked up to visit Drepung Monastery, the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism.

In the afternoon, head to visit Sera Monastery to see the famous scriptures debating in this monastery.

• Drive about 20km
• Altitude: Lhasa (3,680m)
• Lhasa Business Hotel
• Breakfast

This day is free for you until you head to your next destination or take flight to get back home.

• Altitude: Lhasa (3,680m)
• Breakfast