Shangri-la to Lhasa Overland

This Shangri la to Lhasa Overland Trip proposed overland expedition tour is going to be one of the greatest Himalayas adventures. Because throughout the tour, we will ensure you that you have plenty of time at your own disposal to experience the natural stunning beauties, Tibetan Buddhism culture, customs and traditions in an in-depth manner. We will begin this 14-day overland expedition tour starting from Shangri-la, a county-level city situated in north western Yunnan province in China and the main seat of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Shangri-la, the mythical land is the novelist James Hilton’s fictional account of the legendary Tibetan paradise Shambala. In Hilton’s 1933 novel, Lost Horizon, he changes the name of the paradise to Shangri-La. This lost Tibetan paradise is a valley cut off from the world.

In our Shangri-la exploration, we will be visiting some of the important sites there, including the 300-year-old Tibetan monastery, the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery. Visit the prayer halls and temples at the monastery, and then self-paced off around the Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-la, the town has a history of 1,300 years and certainly excellent chance to experience the Tibetan way of life. The old style jewellery, painted scrolls, cottage industry-produced earthenware, incense and religious ornaments which can be found in the old town.

Next, the overland journey will take us to Markam County, Markam is under the jurisdiction of the Chamdo prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Markam has for centuries been a strategic crossroads town on the salt and tea trade routes between Tibet and China. Then, we will be following the Sichuan Tibet highway through Mekong gorge, numerous beautiful snow-capped mountain, beautiful grassland, fertile land, Markam salt field.

We will continue our journey to Nyingchi prefecture lying in the south-eastern area of Tibet. Nyingchi is the lowest region in Tibet at an average altitude of 3,100m, it is known as the “Switzerland in Tibet”. Quite different from other regions in Tibet. Along with Nyingchi tour, we will be visiting Rawo Lake, the gorgeous and crystal Midui Glacier, Lulang timberland, viewpoint of Mt. Namjagbawa 28th highest peak in the world, Basum Tso Lake, Lamaling Temple notably a holy sites of Nyingma tradition in Tibetan Buddhism.

Lastly but not least, we will embark our extended journey toward Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, where we will explore sites of religious and historic significance in the city, including the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, Drak Yerpa hermitage, Sera monastery and Drepung monastery.  In addition, during the tour we will have an ample chance to visit and observe the traditional life of the indigenous Tibetan farmers.  Participate and hear an inspirational Micro-talk session by a renowned local Tibetan expert on themes range from tradition and culture, architecture and festivals, costume and Tibetan signs and symbols etc. Informal meeting with Buddhist abbot to talk about Tibetan Buddhism and also a visit to Handicraft school is arranged to see and learn the extraordinary array of authentic Tibetan traditional and contemporary works of crafts and arts

Best Time of Visit

The package journey from Shangri la to Lhasa Overland Trip can be done anytime from mid-April through to late October. We can arrange this journey for groups of two to ten people. Discount available for groups of 3 or more. For a specific quote, please contact us at losal@tibetuniversaltravel.com

Travel Gear:

Upon joining, each participant will be sent a list of required and recommended gear for this journey that they will be responsible for.

Accommodation:

Major economic cities such as Shangri-La, Deqen, Markam, Pomi, Nyingchi and Lhasa, hotel we will be staying in a comfortable and pleasant 3-4 star rated Tibetan-owned hotels. But one night at Rawo village, accommodation need to be arranged at best locally available guesthouses

Toilets are usually outside and are not always as hygienic. Showers are often unavailable or only available at the local shower house. In Nepal, you will stay at highly rated boutique hotels in a central location. Hotel upgrades are available in Lhasa and Kathmandu upon request.

Meals: Breakfast is included in the quote for each morning you are in Tibet. Lunch and dinner are not included in the price.