10 days overland adventure travel: Lhasa to Kathmandu
Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse - Sakya monastery - Mt. Everest - Kodari - Katmandu
（to be private tour）
Day01 Arrive in ChengduMeals: N/A
Hotel: Wenjun Mansion or same level
Today arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the hometown of Panda, transfer to hotel.
Day02 Chengdu to Lhasa by air
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: 3* Xiongbala hotel or same level
In the morning transfer to airport, fly to Lhasa (CA4401 0740/0930), the Capital of Tibet. Upon arrival at the Gongga airport, met and then sent to Lhasa downtown area (3650 m). On the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery, and the typical Tibetan villages as well as the Yak-skin-boat cruising on Yalung Tsangpo River. In the afternoon, you are free to arrange your time after your adjustion to high elevation.
Day03 Lhasa sithseeing
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: 3* Xiongbala hotel or same level
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in.
In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called the court of wild rose - Today still 200 lamas live in there.
Day04 Lhasa sightseeing
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: 3* Xiongbala hotel or same level
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.
Day05 Lhasa to Gyantse to Shigatse
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: 3* Shigatse hotel or same level
In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4,796m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. Visit Samding Monastery by the lake. It was presided by the only female Living Buddha of Tibet. Afterwards Pass by the 5.010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. After Gyangtse, drive further 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. On the way we have an excursion of the monastery Shalu (Xialu). It was initially built by Chetsuen Sherat Jungna in 1087 with a unique Tibetan - Han construction style in Tibet. It was said Atisha once spread Buddhist teaching in this temple.
Day06 Shigatse to Lhatse town
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: Lhatse hotel
In the morning, visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery; drive to Shegar (new Tingri; 4,350 m; approx. 245 km). On the way, make an excursion to visit the Sakya Monastery (4,280 m). Sakya, the master monastery of the Striped Sect, is well famed with its long history, large-scale construction complex and great influence in Tibet history. Its North Monastery was built in 1073 and named Sakya (meaning gray in Tibetan) as it was situated on a gray mountain.
Day07 Lhatse town to Tingri to Rongbuk
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: Rongbuk gueathouse
In the morning drive into Mt. Eevrest nature and to Rongbuk. With an altitude of 5,030 meters it is the highest temple in the world. It was said the Rongbuk Monastery had been built as early as the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Mount Everest, which stands 8,848 meters (29,021 ft) above sea level, is often referred to as 'the third pole on earth'. Being the world's highest peak, its legendary status holds a fascination to many trekkers and mountaineers. In the afternoon we walk 7 km to the Base Camp and do some sightseeing there. Walking or drive by horse vehicle to Rongbuk.
Day08 Rongbuk to Zhangmu
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: Zhangmu hotel or same level
Today we must start early because a long way stands (320 km) before us. Get across the 5,000 m high Nyalmo Tong La, which is decorated with multicolored prayer flags fluttering in the wind. With clear view the Shisha Pangma high over 8,000 m appears on one side and on the other side the enormous Gaurisankar ranges stretch forward in the distance. Drive over the Thang-La Pass (5214 m) to Nylam. Afterwards visit the meditation cave of Milarepa. Milarepa, the yogi, has played an important role in the religious life of Tibet and his teachings still influence the people everywhere. Along the zigzag road we drive down Nyalam (3.600 m) gradually and leave the landscape of the high plateau behind us and see the Himalayas covered in the sea of clouds.
Day09 Zhangmu to Kathmandu
Meals: B
Hotel: N/A
Cross the border between Tibet and Nepal to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. The city lies in the southern foot of the Himalaya Range. The geographic location and the people here are quite different from those of Tibetan cities. Surely find many new things.
Day10 Your time in Khatmandu
Meals: N/A
Hotel: N/A
Free time in Kathmandu.
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: Chengdu to Lhasa overland travel along Sichuan - Tibet highway