21-Day Kashgar to Lhasa Overland Tour

Xinjiang Tibet Higway under the blue sky
You can see the Mount Kailash from Xinjiang Tibet Highway
Pass by the Holy Lake Manasarovar

Tour Outline: 21 Days & 20 Nights
Urumqi (1N) - Kashigar (2N) - Yecheng (1N) - Dahongliutan (1N) - Rutog (1N) - Shiquanhe (1N) - Zanda (1N) - Derchan (1N) - Manasarovar (1N) - Paryang (1N) - Saga (1N) - Tingri (1N) - Shegar (1N) - Shigatse (1N) - Gyantse (1N) - Tsedang (1N) - Lhasa (3N)

Overview
Itinerary
Service Inclusion
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Trip Overview

Taking the overland tour from Urumqi to Lhasa via the Xinjiang Tibet Highway is the most challenge way to enter Tibet by road. The altitude rises from 1,000 meters to over 5,000 meters in few days and most of the journey is crossing the No Man’s Land in the remote western Tibet. Those challengers who take this adventure, deserves the great nature beauty of this land. Driving southern along the northern foot of the Himalayas, you will cross the vast western wild land with Gobi Desert and endless snow mountains. Usually, you could see nobody for hundreds of kilometers, but flocks of Tibet wild animals, such as the Equus kiang, the Mongolian gazelle and so on. The spectacular scene of the wild nature you can only appreciate during the overland tour from Xinjiang to Tibet.

[Xinjiang Tibet Highway] Drive through the most challenge highway to Tibet from Xinjiang;
[Kashgar] Visit Karakul Lake, Id Kah Mosque and experience the exotic culture in Xinjiang;
[Ruins of Guge Kingdom] Trace the history of the great Guge Kingdom;
[Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar] Witness the most scared mountain in Asia and the most venerated Lake in Tibet;
[EBC] Get close to the mighty Mount Everest and have a panorama view of it;
[Shigatse] Explore the culture and religions of southern Tibet in Shigatse;
[Lhasa] Experience the authentic Tibetan Culture and Religions in the holy city on Tibet Plateau.

Best Time to Visit

all year round
Physical Demands

Tight tour; strong physical condition for the high altitude trekking

Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1: Urumqi Arrival

Upon your arrival at the Urumqi Diwobao international airport, out tour guide will met and escort you to your hotel in Urumqi downtown. The rest of day is yours to relax and have a good rest.

Altitude: Urumqi (680m)
Urumqi Business Hotel

Day 2: Urumqi - Kashigar

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

Day 3: Kashigar

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

Day 4: Kashi - Yecheng

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

Day 5: Yecheng - 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

Day 6: Dahongliutan - Domar - Rutog

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

Day 7: Rutog - Pangong-tso Lake - Shiquanhe

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

Day 8: Shiquanhe - Zanda

Siquanhe

Zanda

Today we will drive southern to Zanda from Shiquanhe.

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

Day 9: Zanda - Darchen (Mt. Kailash)

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

Day 10: Darchen (Mt. Kailash) - Manasarovar

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

Day 11: Manasarovar - Paryang

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

Day 12: Paryang - Zhongba - Saga

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

Day 13: Saga - Peikuco Lake - Tingri

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

Day 14: Tingri - Rongbuk Monastery - Shegar

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

Day 15: Shegar - Lhaze - Shigatse

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

Day 16: Shigatse - Gyantse

Gyantse

the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet Tashilhunpo Monastery

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

Day 17: Gyantse - Tsedang

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

Day 18: Tsedang - Lhasa

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

Day 19: Lhasa

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

Day 20: Lhasa

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

Day 21: Lhasa Departure

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

Price Details & Guide

Price Inclusions

Private transportation to the destinations and sites listed in the itinerary; ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route; car gasoline, road toll and in-transport refreshments (free bottles of water, air pillow and headscarf) are included;
Lodging: Camping at Lake Manasarovar; local Guesthouse in Dahongliutan, Rutong, Shiquanhe, Zandan, Darchen, Paryang, Saga, Tingri and Shegar; and local Business Hotel in Urumqi, Kashgar, Yecheng, Shigatse, Gyantse, Tsedang and Lhasa.
Private experienced English-speaking trip leader;
Airport/railway station pick-up services at the beginning of the tour;
Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the itinerary;
Meals listed in the itinerary (2 Breakfasts);
First aid kit;
A coverage of 300,000RMB Chartis travel insurance;

Price Exclusions

International and domestic flight/train to Urumqi (Note: we accept the domestic flight/train tickets booking to Urumqi from other cities in advance, check the updated ticket availibility and cost with your travel consultant);
Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in the 3rdpole region cost 3~10USD per person);
Tips and gratuities for the trip leader and driver;
The expense of a personal nature like alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc;
Optional activities and excursions not specified in the itinerary;
China Entry visa fees;

Itinerary Alteration

Once we receive your tour deposit, which is followed by signing the contract, your reservation is secured with legitimacy. Our staff will reserve the accommodation, vehicle, site tickets, meals and more, and pay the deposit for our suppliers. So if you want to alter to another itinerary, you need to cover the deposit we've paid, while no service charge is needed if you make some changes on the itinerary you booked.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If you cancel the tour beacuse of your personal issues, you will be liable to pay cancellation charges that are bounded by 3rdpoletour.com cancellation policy as follows:

1.) If you cancel the tour more than 30 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 10% of the total land cost per person;
2.) If you cancel the tour 15-30 days prior to your trip start date, 20% of your total land tour cost will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
3.) If you cancel the tour 7-15 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 30% of land cost.
4.) If you cancel the tour 7 days prior to your tour start date, you will forfeit 50% of land cost.
5.) If you fail to show up or cancel at your scheduled arrival time without prior notice or later than that, you will forfeit 100% of the land cost.

If the tour has to be cancelled because of the natural disaster or the government restrictions that is beyond both parties control, we will charge only USD50 per person, this is just the service fee and larbor fee during the preparation. This is a rare occurrence!

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