Day 01 Arrive in Xining
Arrive in Xining today, then transfer to hotel, free time at your own disposal.
Day 02 Xining-Qinghai Lake (3260m,136km)
Have a visit to Ta’er Monastery, which is not only a center of Tibetan Buddhism in Qinghai, but also famous for Tibetan medicine as well as Tibetan art such as tangkha, barbola, yak-butter sculpture ,woodcarving and so on. Qinghai Lake is the largest salt-water lake in China cerulean water melts into the Azure ion distance where snowy mountains stand on grass. Overnight at Tent Hotel at lakeside, a good spot to watch sun-rise and sun-set.
Day 03 Qinghai Lake-Chaka Saline (293km)
April to July every year, thousands of thousands of migratory birds are home at Qinghai Lake, sky hovering, water swimming or sand walking in large groups with a thundering noise that is heard tens of miles away.
Day 04 Chaka-Golmud (2800m,484km)
If lucky, one may behold a mirage, either on Gobi where dotted nomad tents, desert town and oasis, or on saline where crystal salt varies in forms of coral, pagoda, flower, ivory or anything one can imagine.
Day 05 Golmud-420km-Totohe (4600m,420km)
The altitude of the section is over 4500 meters, Crossing over Kunlun Mountain witnesses four seasons within one day. In a moment a sunny day will overcast and snow. One cheers up at the sight of agminate Tibet antelopes on vast unmanned area.
Day 06 Totohe-419km-Nagqu (4650m,419km)
Nagqu grassland is between Tangglha Mountains and Gandis Mountains. One is deeply touched while looking back at Mt. Geladaindong (6559m) on a golden afternoon or forward at Mt. Nyainqentanglha (7114m), the holy mountain of all northern tribes on a rosy morning.
Day 07 Nagqu-220km-Namtso Lake (4718m,220km)
Today, drive on the vast Qiangtang Grassland for Namtso Lake. Cross the 5,150m Lhachen La Pass and reach the Namtso Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. The deep blue endless water makes you feel you are staying at the side of seashore. The sunset of the lake in good weather is extra bonus if staying one night at lake. Overnight at Namtso Lake.
Day 08 Namtso Lake-250km-Lhasa (3650m,250km)
In the morning, get up early and view the mighty sun rise of the holy heavenly lake, we people are too small. Stroll along the lakeshore and get a peace far from the city. Then drive back to Lhasa city, you may enjoy the Yampajain hot-spring (optional, self-paid) on the way back.
Day 09 Lhasa Sightseeing
Today’s sightseeing starts from Lhasa's cardinal landmark-Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels. In the afternoon, we will drop a visit of the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then we will visit Barkhor, the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 10 Lhasa Sightseeing
Drepung Monastery is situated at the foothill of a mountain and was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It was once home of 10000 monks and Ganden podrang in Drepung is famous it was the government center during fifth Dalai lama and later moved to the famous Potala palace during fifth Dalai lama. In the afternoon explore the Sera Monastery which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most attractive is that Monks debiting is held there in the courtyard at around 6-7:30 in the afternoon section. Overnight in Lhasa.
(Notice: the sequence of sightseeing of first two days may be adjusted according to the reservation of visiting Potala Palace).
Day 11 Lhasa & Return Home
Today, departure transfer to airport, service ends.
