11 Days Xining to Lhasa Overland Tour via Qinghai-Tibet National Highway

Upon your arrival, our guide will meet you and transfer you to the city center. And you may explore freely in Xining.

Stay overnight in Xining

Today, after breakfast, we will start our overland trip from Xining, and take the first stop to the Kumbum Monastery, the most important monastery in Qinghai Tibetan Area.

Next to Qinghai Lake, also called Koko Nor Lake, where you will see birds assembling in the bird island, which has become a very large sanctuary for the birds in spring and summer.

Stay overnight at the shore of Qinghai Lake, Grassland Hotel

• Taer Monastery
• Bird Island in Qinghai Lake

After breakfast you will have a good chance to walk briefly around the Qinghai Lake, which is the largest inland saltwater lake in China. Drive to Chaka in the late morning.

Stay overnight in Chaka

• Qinghai Lake
• Chaka Lake

Today you will be driven to Golmud. This afternoon go to see Gobi sight, oasis in the desert, and so called Treasure bowl, also one of the four basins in China Qaidam basin on the way.

Stay overland to Golmud

Take a drive through the vast wilderness and Tsaidam meadow on the Tibet-Qinghai-Plateau. This journey moves along the road that lies at the foot of the Kunlun-mountain. Move upwards through a steep valley to cross over the 4.837- meters-high Kunlun Pass. After that you pass by the First Bridge over the Yangtse River reach Tuotuoheyan (located in head stream of River Yangtse)

Stay overnight in Local Guest House

• Kunlun Mountain
• Fabulous Tuotuo River at twilight

Move southwards as you cross Tangra Shan Mountain. The environment is in harmony with local animals like eagles, sheep, cattle and yaks along with the snow-capped mountains and tents belonging to Tibetan farmers. It is a place to relax.

Stay overnight at Local Guest House

• Tanggula Mountains
• Tanggula Mountains

Today, you will drive across immense northern Tibet Qiangtang Grassland and have close contact with the Tibetan Nomad, and drive to Namtso Lake. Today, your will have enough time to play on the grassland, visit the nomad family, and go into the tent to drink fresh yak milk, play with the Tibetan Children, and Sheep, Yaks and wander on the glass land, ride horses.

(Notice, the nomad visit is only available at summer time from June to August). Namtso Lake is the Heavenly Lake which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest salt lake. You can do a very relax trekking around the lake side and Tashi Island.

Stay overnight at Lake Shore Guest House, dorm bed

• Qiangtang Grassland
• One can't fully understand the unparalleled beauty of Namtso lake until he comes and sees himself

While enjoying the clear morning at the lake shore, you can trek along the lake shore to Tashi Dor Island to explore the meditation caves and drive to Dumxung to have lunch.

In the afternoon, you will visit Yangpachen hot spring which is noted for its highest geothermal power plant in the world on the way back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

• Enjoy a relax in Yangpachen Hot Spring
• Yangpachen hotspring is well-known for its rich geothermal resource

After breakfast, start your day with a visit to the fortress-like Potala Palace, an architectural marvel, and the winter palace of Dalai Lamas.

You can explore the Dalai Lama’s living quarters, and ceremonial hall, and marvel at gilded buddhas, intricate mandalas, and jewel-encrusted tombs of generations of Dalai Lamas, and enjoy the panoramic view of Lhasa city atop Red Palace.

Next, roam over the Zhongjiao Lukang Park nearby and view the Potala Palace from behind where you can take a glimpse of how locals spend their day lives, such as enjoying Guozhuang/circle dance, paddle boat in the pool, etc.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the sacred Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Follow a long line of pilgrims in the dimly lit chambers to worship the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, walk clockwise with prostrating Tibetan pilgrims to experience the famous Barkhor circuit/kora and unwind in a local teahouse to savor local obsessions,i.g. sweet tea, Tibetan noodles, Tibetan momos, Sha Phaley, or roam over the backstreet of Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• Barkhor Street

Awake to a day of brilliant sunshine. After breakfast, let’s head to Drepung Monastery for a 3km leisurely hike/kora. The Drepung Monastery is one of the great three Geluga monasteries founded by a disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Chöje.

As you follow the pilgrim route towards Loseling College, you will see the iconic huge rock paintings depicting the Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Geluga Sect, and Buddhist mantras.

You can gather junipers and burn them as an offering to Buddha, drink refreshing mountain springs, or meditate alongside the local pilgrims beneath the rock face. At the mountaintop, the sweeping view of the enchanting Lhasa Valley will take your breath away.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery, the second-largest Gelug monastery next to Drepung. You can appreciate the exquisitely made sand Mandala and admire Buddhist paintings.

The biggest highlight is to watch the dramatic monk debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). By clapping hands, jumping, yelling, and rolling Buddhist mala, the standing monk furiously debates with the other monk sitting on the ground about Buddhist philosophy.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Monks chat happily before the assembly hall of Drepung monastery.
• Dramatic monk debate in Sera Monastery

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.