Highroad back to Xining

Day 01Arrival in Xining

Upon your arrival in Xining, our local guide will greet you outside the baggage claim area of the airport and accompany you to the 3-star Xining Hotel for a one-night registration. Xining, with an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level, is not only the starting point of Qinghai-Tibet Overland Journey, but also a major city relevant to ancient Silk Road. Hence, many ancient temples and relics could be found here. 

Meals: No meals

Bird Island along Qinghai Lake, Xining

Day 02Xining

The first sight spot today is the Ta'er Monastery, a mixture architecture complex of Tibet and Han style. Then you will enjoy the beautiful view of the Qinghai Lake and you will also see myriads of birds assembling in the Bird Island afar. It's really amazing to see so many species at one time and this Island has become a very large sanctuary for the birds in spring and summer. The exuberant meadow nearby provides a good place for groups of herds and the continuous exchange of Qinghai lake color is really impressive. Then transfer you to the 2-star Zhang Fang Guest House to spend overnight.

Meals: Western style breakfast, Lunch

Salt Lake, Chaka

Day 03Qinghai Lake - Golmud

You may be reluctant to leave the amazing Qinghai Lake in such a short time, but we have to continue the way to head to our next stop, the legendary Golmud city. During the long time transfer, you will see the golden rape flowers and grassland near and far. At times, some Tibetans are grazing the cattle near their tent. The road will become bumpy gradually. The Gibi scenery along the road comes into your sight. Upon arrival, our guide will help you check into the 3-star Golmud Hotel to have a good rest.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch

Day 04Golmud - Tuotuo River

Today you will leave the Golmud and proceed to the Tuotuo River. Partaking in such an off-the-beaten track might be a little tough for you, but you are going to meet the unique scenes you have never view before. The pure azure sky and the Snow Mountains in the distance in their peace posture await you along the way. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Tuotuo River Guest House for overnight. Then the guide will lead you to visit the First Bridge of Yangtze River from the Kunlun Mountain.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch

Headstream of the Yangtze River, The way from Golmud to Tibet

Day 05Tuotuo River - Nakchu

Drive to Nakchu and transfer you to 1 star Nakchu Hotel for overnight. Then you will have a guided tour to visit the Tanggula Mountain, the headstream of Nu River, Lancang River and the Yangtze River. Tanggula means “Mountains on a Plateau” in Tibetan and “Mountains that eagles can not fly over” in Mongolian. You will also have a chance to visit the beautiful Grassland in the north of Tibet.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch

Day 06Nakchu - Lhasa

The guide will lead you to Namtso Lake and the Yangpachen Geothermal Energy. Namtso Lake, which means “Heavenly Lake” in Tibetan, is considered as one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. It is quite sacred in Tibetans' mind and when it is the year of the Goat according to lunar calendar of Tibetan's, Tibetan pilgrims will come to Namtso to celebrate the grand Clockwise Circle along Lake Festival. Yangpachen Geothermal Energy is the largest geothermal energy power station in China. The hot spring here is in the open air and attracts both residents of Lhasa and tourists. Then head to the magic Lhasa. After arrival in Lhasa, we will transfer you to the 4-star Gang-gyan Lhasa Hotel for 3 nights. For the balance day, you may have the dinner to recruit the energy by yourself.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch

Local Tibetan's life Photo by our client Mr. Max Garrick with his feedback

Day 07Lhasa

In the morning, you will visit the first modern museum in Tibet, Tibet Museum and the Carpet Factory, which are famous for its unique style, novel designs, and rigorous crafts. In the afternoon, go head to visit the Sera Monastery, which kept many precious cultural relics and art and craft. Then go to the beautiful Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Day 08Lhasa

Today's trip starts with one of the most famous attractions in Tibet, the Potala Palace. With obvious Tibetan style, it is palace-castle-like architectural complex. Since the restoration in the 17th century, it has served as the winter living and working place for Dalai Lama. The next stop today is the Jokhang Temple, a Tibetan Buddhism temple and has been there for 1350 years. Then you will visit the thriving bazaar of the Barkhor Street, where you may see art and craft and you can buy some souvenirs. The last scenic today is the Tibetan Traditional Medicine Hospital, where you may see the foundation, development and production of Tibetan medicine.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Day 09Lhasa - Gyangtse

You will head westward and have a long time transfer to Gyangtse today. En route, stop by the sacred Yamdrok Yumtso Lake to wonder at the holy lake's tranquility beauty. Upon arrival, check in at the 3-star Gyangtse Hotel for overnight. Then have a guided tour to the Palkhor Monastery, a typical Buddhist Temple fully representing the Tibetan architecture styles from the late 13rd century to middle 15th century. It is famous for the magnificent and exquisite murals, carvings and its 100,000 stupas. Then go along the Gyangtse Old Street, you may feel the special history and cultural atmosphere of Gyangtse. You must be exhausted undergoing a full day's tour so please have a good rest at the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

A local Tibetan

Day 10Gyangtse - Shigatse

After an hour's private transfer, you will arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet this morning. En route, you may catch the great view outside the car window. Upon arrival, you will bed transferred to the well-selected 3-star Wutse Hotel for overnight, which is located on Sichuan South Road, Shigatse. Then the guide will lead you to visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet, which is the largest temple in Shigatse. Then walk about 20 minutes (or you can also rent a tricycle), you will reach the New Palace of Panchen, a gorgeous, splendid and elegant building with many precious Tibetan historical relics and good arts. It is also a summer place of Dalai Lama.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Day 11Shigatse - Lhasa

Today you will be transferred back to Lhasa and register at the 4-star Gang-gyan Lhasa Hotel once again. Have a good rest tonight, since you will take a long flight back to your country tomorrow.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Day 12Departure from Lhasa

After a big breakfast at the hotel today, your tour guide will transfer you to the airport and see you off to board the flight back to your country. Your fabulous China tour ends here. Hope next time we can still serve you with our dedicated 24/7 service.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

• ◆2012 Price

Based on per person and in U.S. dollars, valid from Jan. 1st, 2012 to Feb. 28th, 2013

Season Group Size		2-5 travelers	6-9 travelers	10 travelers & above
High season (Mar 1st-Nov 30th)	Double Occupancy	$2369	$1659	$1329
	Single Occupancy	$2709	$1989	$1649
Shoulder season (Dec 1st, 2012-Feb 28th, 2013)	Double Occupancy	$2319	$1609	$1269
	Single Occupancy	$2599	$1889	$1539
Shoulder season (Jan 1st-Feb 29th)	Double Occupancy	$2389	$1779	$1399
	Single Occupancy	$2659	$2049	$1649

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