Amdo and Forbidden Lhasa Tour - 20 Days

Our journey across the heart of Kham to Lhasa, the "Holy City" follows ancient mule caravan trade routes. Starting at Dartsedo, our gateway and border post with China, we skirt our way along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway through mountainous terrain and river valleys to the historical towns of Tawu, Kanze, Dege and Chamdo.

From Chamdo we follow the southern route via Kongpo region and the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley to Lhasa, the Forbidden City. We visit all the important monasteries in Kham belonging to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism including the sacred Katok Monastery of Nyingmapa School believed to have been miraculously built by Guru Rinpoche in early 8th century. The journey is rugged and the facilities en route basic.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu, afternoon see the lovely Panda, nightime enjoy Sichuan Opera Show.

Day 02: Chengdu/ Kangding
Kangding was formerly the capital of the Chakal Kingdom ¨C one of the five independent kingdoms of Kham. The town prospered as the center for the tea-trade between Tibet and China. Traders would travel long distances,carrying herbal medicines from the Tibetan plateau to sell in exchange for the tea grown in the Ya ¯an region, which appealed to the Tibetan palate when blended with salt and butter.

Day 03: Kangding/ Tagong monastery/ Daofu
On the way visit Tagong monastery, then drive to Daofu. The Daofu(3125 metres) valley is one of most attractive parts of Kahm, the neatly constructed white flat-roofed houses with their horizontal red timbers exuding an air of quiet prosperity.

Day 04: Daofu/ Ganze
Drive to Ganzi(3580 metres). In the afternoon visit Ganzimonastery. It was originally constructed by the Qosot Mongols circa 1642. It once had a population of 1500 monks, making it the largest in Kham alongside Chamdo.

Day 05: Ganzi/ Paiyu
Visit Baiyu Monastery.

Day 06: Paiyu/ Derge 1N in Dege standeroom
Visit Derge Printing Press.

Day 07: Derge/ Dzongchen Monastery
Drive to Dzongchen Monastery. Dzongchen is recognized as the major pilgrimage site of Buddha-attributes in East Tibet and as one of the largest monasteries of the Nyingma school in Kham.

Day 08: Dzongchen/ Zhenchen Monastery/ Shiqu
Drive to Zhenchen monastery, overnight in Shiqu.

Day 09: Shiqu/ Yushu
Drive to Yushu (3700 m).

Day 10: Yushu in Guesthouse
Today you will visit Yushu Dondrubling monastery and Trangu Monastery.

Day 11: Yushu/ Maduo
Maduo is a high altitude town(4,300 metres) , where snow is not uncommon in summertime.

Day 12: Maduo/ Koko Nor Lake
Day 13: Koko Nor Lake/ Kumbum Monastery/ Xining

Day 14: Xining/ Tongren
In Tongren visit Longwu monastery.

Day 15: Tongren/ Xiahe
Drive to Xiahe and visit the famous Labrang monastery there.

Day 16: Xiahe/ Lanzhou
Drive to Lanzhou and then rest.

Day 17: Lanzhou airport dropping off.
Morning time Lanzhou airport dropping off, take the flihgt to Lhasa

Day 18: Sightseeing in Lhasa ( Potala Palace, Jhokhang Temple and Barkor street )
Day 19: Sightseeing in Lhasa ( Drephung or sera monastery and Norbulingka )
Day 20: Drive to Gongkar airport for Fly your onward destination.

Tours in Tibet