4WD drive from Kunming to Lhasa£ºDali, Lijiang, Deqin, Ranwu, Bomi, Bayi, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse

This programme promises an entirely different way to experience the great variety of cultures which are collectively called 'Tibetan'. The natural splendor of the route is unrivalled in terms of the diversity of landforms encountered. We follow four of Asia's major rivers: the Yangtze, Salween, Mekong and Brhamaputra, and experience the imposing mountain ranges that separate one from the other. The whole area has never really been open to foreigners, and as permits for the region are hard to come by it is not unusual for our groups to raise a few eyebrows amongst the locals.

ITINERARY 

Day 1 Kunming
Arrive in Kunming. Meet and greet at the airport, transfer to the hotel(4 star), free for preparation work for the rest of the day.  In the evening, we will have a short briefing about the adventure while savoring delicious Yunnan cuisine.
Day 2 Kunming/Dali(about 5 hours)
We will depart Kunming in the early morning for the old town of Dali, the former capital of Nanzhao Kingdom. Dali has been inhabited mainly by the Bai ethnic people for nearly 1,200 years. The afternoon is left open for you to explore the town at your own pace, either renting a bike to cycle to Erhai Lake, or just relax in one of the street-side coffee shops watching people go by.
Day 3 Dali /Lijiang
The Dali-Lijiang drive, which cruises along the Cangshan mountain range and Erhai lake, is scenic and pleasant in itself. We will stop en route to visit the Orchid King of Dali. After arriving in Lijiang, we will visit the Black Dragon Pool in the northern edge of the town, and explore the old town maze of Naxi houses. A classic Naxi music concert in the evening will be the highlight of the day. Stay inside of the Old Town.
Day 4 Lijiang/Zhongdian
After breakfast, we will drive to Zhongdian, the first Tibetan town in Yunnan with a sprinkling of Bai, Muslim and Naxi cultural influences. We will stop on the way to visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, which was once the deepest gorge in the world.
Day 5 Zhongdian/Deqin
The drive to Deqin is simply the best way to view the great variety of landscape in the Great Rivers region. The grand curning of Jinshanjiang(the upper part of Yangtse River),  Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, the Town of  Deqin, the gateway town to Tibet. In Deqin, visit a Tibetan school in the afternoon, and have our dinner in the Town, then we will take a ten minutes drive to Feilaisi, where you could have a good view of Mt. Meili just out of your room. Stay in the guesthouse there.
Day 6 Deqin to Tibet via Yanjing
If we are luck enough to have a good weather, we could see the golden snow-covered Kawagebo peak (6,740m, the Peak of Mt. Meili. Then we travel along the north of Mekong River valley into Tibet. Once into Tibet, our first stop will be in the town of Yanjing, which was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan area, which ranged from northwestern Sichuan down into Yunnan. We will visit to the salt fields, followed by a stop at the hot springs, where each of us could pick our own natural hot bath overlooking the Mekong. Certainly the best way to relax our body for the adventure ahead!
Day 7 Yanjing to Zugong
We cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around 3,900 m(12,795 ft), the other at 5,008 m(16,430 ft). Driving past local Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks, the expressions on innocent Tibetan girls would make you realize that you are one of the first foreign visitors to this isolated region.
Day 8 Zugong to Ranwu
We will drive along the deep valleys of the Nu River (the Salween River), which is a long and tough journey, but our destination, the Ranwu Lake, is another Shangri-la, stay in the tent beside the Lake.
Day 9 Ranwu
A rare day which involves no driving! You have two options available: for those interested in a day hike, our photographer/guide would take you onto a scenic day hike; while those who'd rather opt for a day of retreat would find this place ideal for relaxing, writing your travel notes and washing off the dust accumulated in the journey so far.
Day 10 Ranwu/ Bomi
A drive of 129km would take us about 5 hours to Bomi, stay in the guesthouse.
Day 11 Bomi/Bayi(about 230km)
Waking up to the birds' singing, you will have an unobstructed view of the majestic Najiabawa peak(7,782m, No. 6^th peak of the world).  After a long 9 hours drive, we will arrive in Bayi, the largest Tibetan town we will have reached at this point.
Day 12 Bayi/ Basumtse Lake
Lake Basum has another Tibetan name, Tsokou, which means green water in Tibetan. Many glaciers on the upper reaches of the lake provide it with sufficient water supply. Covering 26 square kilometers (10 square miles), the clean green lake, reflecting snow capped peaks in the water, has so beautiful scenery that it makes one feels in Swiss. Fish are shoaling in the water; birds are circling in the air; beasts are roaming in the woods. Animals are living a comfortable and easy life in Basum. Camping beside the lake.
Day 13 Basong Lake/Gongbujiangda
Leaving the lake after breakfast, we arrive at Gongbujiangda in time for lunch. The afternoon will be left open for you to take a gentle walk or explore the nearby glacier.
Day 14 Gongbujiangda/Lhasa
Believe it or not, thirteen is a lucky number in Tibet. This is the day we finally arrive in Lhasa. After the 13-day-long challenging overland trip, you will understand why Tibetans regard the journey to Lhasa as one of the most sacred of pilgrimages. Stay in Lhasa Hotel(4 star)
Day 15  Lhasa (by jeep)
Visit Potala Palace, Jokang Temple , Bakhor Bazaar, stay in the same ;
Day 16 Lhasa(by jeep)
Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka. Stay in the same;
Day 17  Lhasa/Gyantse (6-hr by jeep, about 285km,altitude 3900m)
Vsit Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Gyantse castle; stay in Gyantse Hotel or the similar;
Day 18 Gyantse/Shigatse(2-hr by jeep, about 100km)
Visit Baiju Monastery(or Pelkochode), drive to Shigatse, visit Tashilunpu Monastery, Carpet Factory, Bazaar; prepare food and the other necessity for the following trip, stay in Shigatse Hotel(3 star) or the similar;
Day 19 Shigatse/Lhasa
After breakfast, drive back to Lhas, free in the afternoon for last minutes shopping or walking around the holy city.
Day 20 Lhasa
Transfer to the airport for flight back. The end of the tour.

Suitable Time: March, April, May, June, Sep., Oct., Nov.,

You could enjoy a better price for a group of ten persons. 

Land Cost includes:  land transfer service(4WD JEEP£¬max. 4 guests in a group), 3 meals daily£¨some picnic), service of English guide, experienced driver, scenic spots admission fee, 3-4 star hotel in Big City and the best hotel or the guest house in the rest region (twin share), tent, all entrance permit to Tibet, all domestic flights/trains/local airport taxes as listed in the itinerary;

Land Cost excludes: sleeping bag, tips to tour guide and driver, international flights and related airport taxes, supplementary trips and services not mentioned, personal expenses, visa costs,  single supplement cost for those who wants to accommodate on a single basis, the  extra cost due to the unforeseen events;