4WD drive from Lanzhou to Lhasa: Labrang,¡¡Xining, Golmud, Nachu, Lhasa, Tsedang, Gyangtse, Shigatse

This journey takes one right across the Tibetan Plateau,starting from the far north in Qinghai province and heading south over the vast Changtang Plateau - ancestral home of the Amdo Nomads.On the way we pass huge expanses of high tableland, cross some of China's greatest mountain ranges, and spend an evening on the upper reaches of the Yangtse river. Our journey takes us to the great Yellow Hat Monasteries of Labrang and Kumbum, as well as the legendary Lake Kokonor where if time permits we can explore her waters in a chartered fishing boat.

It is a relatively easy trip to make and is unsurpassed in terms of the panorama it affords of the myriad lifestyles and geographical features of this unique region. The program is well balanced with our time evenly divided between the dramatic landscapes of the north and the historic valleys of Central Tibet, where we'll have enough time to visit all the major sites. From the Holy City of Lhasa we take the exciting flight over the mountainous old province of Kham and back to Beijing.

Day 1  Lanzhou(by air)
Arrive in Lanhzou. You will be met at the airport in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province.  Lanzhou was once an important garrison town and a gateway to major trade routes leading to Central Asia. In the afternoon we will visit the museum and the local market, followed by a visit to the night market in the evening to sample spicy Muslim specialties or famous Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles.
Day 2 Lanzhou to Xiahe via Linxia
Linxia, dubbed the 'Mecca of China' for its Muslim towers and mosques, was once a terminal on the Silk Road for traders caravanning between Lanzhou and Tangguan. In addition to Hui (Muslim Chinese) and Han people, Linxia is a regional center for the Dongxiang people, who speak their own Altaic language. We will leave Linxia after lunch to continue our journey to Xiahe, a small but important Tibetan town whose activity centers around the Labrang Monastery. Built in 1709, the monastery is one of the six most important monasteries of the Gelupka sect. 
Day 3 Labrang Monastery
We will wake up to the sound of low blowing horns echoing across the town at dawn. We will visit the monastery in the morning to sit amongst the robed monks in the Great Hall to listen to the chanting of sutras, the ancient texts of Buddhist knowledge and wisdom. We will tour the compound to see the museum, the great halls, libraries and their exquisite yak butter sculptures. In the afternoon we can explore the nearby grassland on bike or on horseback, and venture up to the valleys to reach a monument surrounded by prayer flags.
Day 4 Xiahe to Xining
It is a hard drive today, during the raining season, the road could be broken by the flood of the mud. The beautiful scenery on the way will repay the hardship;
Day 5  Xining, Kumbum Monastey
visit Kumhum Lamasery, one of six biggest Lamasery of Yellow Sect(Gelukpa) in China and the birth place of its founder ¨CTsong Khapa .It¡¯s well-known for three unique Tibetan Buddhism arts ¨C Murals , Embossed, Embroidery and Yak Butter Sculptures, stay in Qinghai Hotel or similar
Day 6  Xining to Lake Kokonor
Visit the sun & moon mountain and Qinghai Lake(Kokonor), the largest salt water lake in China, it covers the area of 4500 square kilometers with vast beautiful pasture land around the lake;
Day 7   Kokonor to Golmud
Day 8   Golmud to Tuotuohe
Day 9   Tuotuohe to Nagchu
Day 10  Nagchu to Dangxiong to Lake Namtso-Chukmo
After breakfast, we will leave the racecourse and drive south for 6 hours to arrive at the Lake Namtso-Chukmo in Zhaxi Peninsula. The lake basin, located at an altitude of 4,718 m(15,479 ft), can be cold in the evening but our cozy sleeping bags and campfire should keep us warm and comfortable all night long.
Day 11 Lake Namtso-Chukmo to Lhasa
We will get up early to explore the peninsula and its bird sanctuary, where we may get a glimpse of the rare black-necked crane. There are many caves to explore, including those along a 100-meter mani stone wall. We will return to Lhasa in the late evening.
Day 12  Lhasa
Full day tour in Lhasa: visit Potala Palace, Jokang Temple , Bakhor Bazaar, stay in the same.
Day 13   Lhasa to Tsedang via Samye
On the way to Tsedang we stop off at Samye monastery for the afternoon. The Monastery is believed to be Tibet's first monastery, built between 775 and 779. The original building is no longer intact due to destruction caused by wars and natural disasters, but the monastery has been rebuilt each time and still remains the symbol of Tibet's national identity. We will arrive at the simple but comfy Tsedang Hotel in time for supper. 
Day 14  Tsedang
Visit the Changzhu Temple, the first Lama Hall in Tibet with a history of 1300 years; the Yongbulakang Palace, which is the first Palace in Tibet and more than 2100 years old; the Tibetan King Tombs; stay in the same;
Day 15  Tsedang to Gyantse
If the weather is fine we'd like to stop for a picnic lunch on the shores of Yamdrok Lake. As an alternative to this we can make a detour to visit the important Nyingma ('Red Hat') monastery of Mindroling in the morning, and then drive straight through to Gyantse in time for supper.
Day 16  Gyantse to Shigartse (about 100km,altitude 3836m)
Pass 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 17  Shigatse to Lhasa
Visit Tashilunpu Monastery, back to Lhasa along Yaluzangpo River; stay in Lhasa hotel.
Day 18   Lhasa(by jeep)
Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka. Stay in the same;
Day 19   Lhasa to next destination
Free in the morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to next destination.

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 jeep), 3 meals daily, 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;