Day 1:
HOME – CHENGDU 0km/0h/500m (Inc: Dinner)
Today, you will depart from home and arrive at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.
The tour leader, local guide, and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After checking in and settling down, take some time to relax and get ready for the exciting itinerary that starts tomorrow.
Overnight in Chengdu.
Day 2:
CHENGDU CITY 500m (Inc: B+L+D)
Today, you’ll visit the Chengdu Traffic Bureau to apply for a temporary Chinese driver’s license, preparing for the upcoming self-drive journey.
Chengdu, one of the most significant cities in Western China, Chengdu is celebrated for its pleasant climate, abundant historical and cultural heritage, and exquisite cuisine. The city features numerous historical sites, including Kuanzhai Alley, Wuhou Shrine, and Jinli Ancient Street, showcasing its long history and traditional culture. Moreover, Chengdu is home to pandas and hosts the world’s largest panda breeding and conservation center. A visit to the Panda Breeding Center is a must while in Chengdu.
*Additional Fee: The entrance fee for the Panda Breeding Base is 55 CNY per person*
The visit will depend on the situation after obtaining the temporary driver’s license on the same day.
Overnight in Chengdu.
Day 3:
CHENGDU – DANBA 360km/6h/1100m (Inc: B+L+D)
On the third day, you’ll depart from Chengdu and head towards Danba. This exciting self-drive journey will take you through some breathtaking natural landscapes and notable landmarks like Zipingpu Reservoir, Balang Mountain Pass, Siguniang Mountain, Danba Valley of Beauties, Mt. Mo’erdo, Mo’erdo Temple, and Zhonglu Tibetan Village.
These attractions offer a glimpse into Sichuan’s natural beauty and the unique charm of Tibetan culture.
Overnight in Danba.
Day 4:
DANBA – GARZE 330km/6h/3200m (Inc: B+L+D)
Today, you’ll travel from Danba to Garze. You’ll visit attractions such as Yak Valley, Yala Snow Mountain, Tagong Grassland, Tagong Temple, and Longdeng Grassland. This journey segment will take you into the heart of Tibetan areas, allowing you to enjoy the stunning plateau scenery and explore the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture.
The majestic views of Yala Snow Mountain and the expansive Tagong Grassland will be a stunning backdrop for the day’s adventure.
Overnight in Garze.
Day 5:
GARZE – DERGE 317km/5h/3200m (Inc: B+L+D)
On this day, you’ll leave Garze and head towards Derge along the G317 Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Along the way, you will visit Manigango, an ancient town that was once part of the Tea Horse Road. Here, you can witness traditional Tibetan culture and architecture.
Next, you’ll reach Yulonglacuo Lake, a beautiful highland lake surrounded by stunning mountains.
Finally, you’ll visit the Que’er Mountain Glacier, a breathtaking sight showcasing the power and beauty of glacial landscapes.
Overnight in Derge.
Day 6:
DERGE – CHAMDO 325km/5h/3400m (Inc: B+L+D)
Start the day in Derge by visiting the Derge Parkhang Printing House, a significant site for Tibetan Buddhist scripture printing.
Afterward, you’ll cross the Jinsha River Bridge, officially entering the Tibet Autonomous Region. Continue towards Chamdo, where you can experience the local culture and history.
Overnight in Chamdo.
Day 7:
CHAMDO – DENGQEN 265km/5h/3900m (Inc: B+L+D)
After breakfast, you will travel from Chamdo to Dingqing. During this journey, we will follow the G317 Sichuan-Tibet Highway, enjoying the highland scenery along the way. One of the must-see attractions is Zizhu Temple. It is a historically significant Tibetan Buddhist temple with deep religious importance. As part of the Nyingma sect (Red Sect), the Zizhu Temple is considered one of the major religious sites in Tibetan Buddhism. The temple is perched on a cliff, surrounded by stunning scenery, with a unique architectural style.
Next, we’ll head to Dingqing, a typical Tibetan town, where you can experience the local customs and culture.
Overnight in Dengqen.
Day 8:
DENGQEN – SOG 245km/5h/4000m (Inc: B+L+D)
After breakfast, depart from Dengqen and head west toward Suo County. On the way, visit Buja Glacier and Snow Mountain, the highest peak in eastern Tibet at 7,328 meters, featuring five giant hanging glaciers and stunning views. This site is sacred in the Bon religion.
Drive up to the ice lake at Buja Glacier and Snow Mountain but take extra care in winter as snow and ice make the roads hazardous. Afterward, reach Suo County, a place with rich Tibetan culture.
Overnight in SOG.
Day 9:
SOG – DAMXUNG 400km/7h/4350m (Inc: B+L+D)
This is a longer driving day as you travel from Sog to Damxung. Along the way, visit Zandan Monastery, an important Tibetan Buddhist temple with a long history and distinctive architecture. It’s a must-see spot.
On the road from Suo County to Damxung, you’ll witness vast grasslands and stunning mountain views. Damxung is known for its expansive landscapes and yak herding, making it a great place to experience Tibetan nomadic culture.
After visiting Zandan Monastery, continue your journey to reach Damxung.
Overnight in Damxung.
Day 10:
DAMXUNG – LHASA 190km/3h/3600m (Inc: B+L+D)
After breakfast, you will head to Namtso Lake along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, passing through the majestic Nyainqentanglha Mountain Range with breathtaking views. Namtso Lake is Tibet’s second-largest lake and China’s third-largest saltwater lake. The lake is at an elevation of 4,718 meters, with a nearly rectangular
shape, stretching over 70 kilometers from east to west and 30 kilometers from north to south, covering an area of approximately 1,920 square kilometers. The name “Namtso” means “Heavenly Lake” in Tibetan, and in Mongolian, it’s called “Tengri Nuur.” It is one of the “Three Sacred Lakes” in Tibet and the primary holy lake of the ancient Bon religion, holding significant religious importance.
After visiting Namtso Lake, you will continue your journey. You are expected to arrive in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, in the afternoon, where you have time free and easy in the evening.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 11:
LHASA 3600m (Inc: B+L+D)
In the morning, visit Tibet’s iconic landmark, the [Potala Palace]. The actual visit time depends on the computer-based ticketing system for the Potala Palace. The Potala Palace was built in the 7th century during the reign of Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. With its imposing architecture and grand presence, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since the 17th century, it has served as the winter residence and administrative center for successive Dalai Lamas.
**Please note that tickets for the Potala Palace must be booked in advance, and the entry time is allocated randomly by the computer system. We will adjust today’s schedule based on the allocated visit time.
After lunch, visit the [Jokhang Temple], a central monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in the 7th century, the Jokhang Temple’s main attraction is a 12-year-old life-sized golden statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. This statue, believed to be consecrated by Buddha himself, is one of the most sacred icons in Tibetan Buddhism, and is said to grant liberation upon sight.
**Kind reminder: This day involves extended outdoor activities, so please bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and drinking water**
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 12:
LHASA – SHIGATSE 360km/6h/3900m (Inc: B+L+D)
Departing from Lhasa, you will head towards Shigatse, passing through several notable sights along the way.
During this journey, you will first cross the top of Gampa-la Pass, where you can enjoy breathtaking views. This pass is a must-see spot on the route from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake, offering picturesque scenery along the way.
After crossing Gampa-la Pass, you will reach Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes. The lake is situated at an altitude of 4,441 meters, with its stunning blue waters and magnificent landscapes.
Next, you’ll visit Karola Glacier, one of the few easily accessible glaciers in Tibet. The glacier’s striking beauty, with its thick ice and snow cover year-round, makes it an impressive natural wonder, ideal for capturing unique photographs.
If time permits, you can also catch a distant view of Gyantsé Dzong, an ancient fortress near the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. This historic structure is worth seeing for its rich history.
Finally, continue to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.
Overnight in Shigatse.
Day 13:
SHIGATSE – EBC – TASHIZONG 336km/6h/4300m (Inc: B+L+D)
Today’s highlight is a visit to Everest Base Camp, where you’ll have the opportunity to witness the breathtaking scenery of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
**Note: Since the end of 2018, Everest Base Camp has been closed to tourists to protect the environment. Now, visitors can only view Mount Everest from Rongbuk Monastery, approximately 3 kilometers away from the base camp.
Additionally, all visitors must take the local electric shuttle from the visitor center to reach Rongbuk Monastery. This means you will need to park your own vehicle at the visitor center, which is about 20 kilometers from Rongbuk Monastery.
After visiting Rongbuk Monastery and enjoying the view of Mount Everest, you will proceed to Tashizong.
Overnight in Tashizong.
Day 14:
TASHIZONG – SAKYA – SHIGATSE 300km/6h/3900m (Inc: B+L+D)
From Tashizong, you’ll head to Sakya to visit the Sakya Monastery, known for its extensive collection of Buddhist scriptures and artifacts.
After exploring Sakya, return to Shigatse.
Overnight in Shigatse.
Day 15:
SHIGATSE – LHASA 270km/5h/3600m (Inc: B+L+D)
After breakfast, you will drive from Shigatse back to Lhasa via National Highway 318, completing this exciting journey.
It’s a relatively short journey, giving you time to revisit any places in Lhasa you might have missed. You can also use this time to do some last-minute shopping or simply relax and enjoy the city.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 16:
LHASA – HOME (Inc: Breakfast)
On the final day, you’ll depart from Lhasa and return home.
*Note: The journey from downtown Lhasa to Lhasa Gonggar Airport is approximately 70KM, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by car*
Tour Fee
Group Size / Tour Fee
2 Cars + 8 Tour members + 1 Tour Leaders MYR 24,899.00 / pax
3 Cars + 12 Tour members + 1 Tour Leaders MYR 20,649.00 / pax
4 Cars + 16 Tour members + 1 Tour Leaders MYR 18,899.00 / pax
**Single Supplement: RM2,480/pax (15 Nights)**
Remarks:
- Vehicle Type: Tank 300 (2.0T, AT, 4WD), with a capacity for 5 people.
- Recommended Seating: It’s suggested to have 4 people per vehicle (5 people are not recommended as it can become crowded, leading to discomfort during the journey).
- Since this trip involves self-driving, each vehicle must have at least one or two tour members with a driver’s license. These licensed tour members will take turns driving throughout the journey.
Includes:
- All necessary travel permits for Tibet
- Temporary Chinese driver’s license
- Car rental fees and other related costs. (Including costs for car maintenance, washing, car parking during the trip, insurance, and security deposit)
- All costs for a support car [pick-up truck] (Including a driver, fuel, toll, maintenance, parking, etc., and with all necessary tools and equipment on board.)
- Accommodations with breakfast (4-star hotels or local boutique guesthouses where standard hotels are not available)
- Meals: 15x Breakfast + 14x Lunch + 15x Dinner
- Entrance Tickets for all scenic areas/sites or programs mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation fee (tourist bus) in Chengdu (Airport pick up + drop off + city transportation)
- Transportation fee (tourist bus) in Lhasa (Airport drop off)
- 1x Fluent local Chinese & English-speaking tour leader
- 1x local Tibetan English-speaking tour guide (Compulsory when in Tibet)
- 1x Malaysian Tour Leader Who Doubles as a Photographer
- 1x Support car driver
- Basic Travel Insurance for all travelers (with max compensation of up to 500,000 CNY). (Due to the limited compensation of travel accident insurance in China, you are suggested to buy extra travel insurance in your home country)
- Drinking water and oxygen cans for emergency use.
- Professional Travel Photography
Excludes:
- Fuel for customers’ cars: (92# petrol is about 8.3 CNY/ liter (1.1 USD/liter), the total distance is around 3,731km for this trip, the total cost for fuel will be around CNY 4,100/ (USD577) Per Car) **shall be shared by the customers in the same car**
- Expressway tolls for customers’ cars: (National/provincial/county roads are free in China, customers only need to pay the toll for expressways, charging standards are different for different areas, on average, it is about 0.4-0.8 RMB/km for vehicles of classification 1 (with 1-7 seats, lighter than 2 tons). The toll fee for this trip is about 400-500RMB (USD56-70) Per Car in total **shall be shared by the customers in the same car**
- International Flights Tickets: Round-trip tickets from Malaysia/Singapore to Chengdu
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Other personal expenses such as tips, entertainment, souvenirs, and additional activities
- China Visa
- Each participant joining this tour is required to pay a tip of “1000 RMB / pax”
*The tour leader will collect the tip on the last day of the trip.
*The tips are distributed to our tour leader, guide, and support vehicle drivers.
Reminder:
- Please respect local customs and tradition.
- Due to each vehicle having a fixed capacity of 4 persons, the tour cost is divided among participants based on the vehicle expense. Consequently, if the number of occupants in a vehicle falls short of 4, guests have two options: either the remaining occupants in that vehicle must share and cover the price difference, or they may opt to cancel the tour due to insufficient numbers.
- Tibet is located at an average of more than 4000m above sea level, tourists may experience altitude sickness. To prevent altitude sickness, please avoid strenuous activities, drink enough water, take adequate rest, and avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Please bring proper winter clothes to keep warm, sunscreen, sunglasses, medicine essentials, etc.
- We reserve the right to alter the itinerary due to any unforeseen circumstances such as weather and road conditions, natural disasters, flight delays, government restrictions, etc.