Tibet Pilgrimage

Our Tibet Pilgrimage takes you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey from the dramatic river valleys of Kham, Eastern Tibet to Lhasa on the Tibetan high plateau on the roof of the world.

Travel from charming Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to the three parallel rivers of the Yangtze, Mekong and the Salween. Explore the real Shangri-La with its fascinating streets and Songzanlin Monastery. Continuing to Meile, experience the spectacular morning sunrise at Mt. Kawagebo, one of the holiest mountains in the Tibetan region. Continue across high passes to the Tibetan Autonomous Region through dramatic scenery of snow-capped mountains, pristine forests and mirror-like lakes to the ancient city of Lhasa.

This ultimate Tibet journey is designed for intrepid travellers who want to explore off the beaten track, whilst having the comfort of luxury boutique Tibetan hotels each night.

DAY 1

Lijang:   Arrive in Lijang and meet your guide. Transfer to your hotel.
Driving time: 45 mins
Overnight: Lijang
Altitude: 2,400 m

DAY 2

Lijang:  Explore Lijang’s old town and Jade Mountain.
Overnight: Lijang
Altitude: 2,400 m

DAY 3

Shangri-La:  Depart Lijang for Shangri La stopping at Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest canyons. Check into your hotel and relax to acclimatise to the higher altitude. Shangri- La is located in a wide valley surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. Hidden in the city’s peaceful and green valleys between Tibetan villages and Himalayan barley fields, our hotel is located a short distance away from the Songzanlin Monastery.
Driving time: 4 hours
Overnight: Shangri-La
Altitude: 3,300 m

DAY 4 

Shangri-La: Visit Songzalin monastery in the morning, a short walk across fields from the hotel. Explore the old town of Shangri- La in the afternoon.
Overnight: Shangri-La
Altitude: 3,300 m

DAY 5 

Meile: Drive to Meile via Napa Lake and Dongzhulin Monastery, a significant destination for local Tibetans. Continue to Meile via Baima Snow Mountain. Have lunch at your comfortable lodge which combines rustic charm with modern comforts and cozy fireplaces. Explore the village and visit a family home to print Tibetan prayer flags.
Driving time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight: Meile
Altitude: 3,400 m

DAY 6

Rumei:  Experience the sunrise at Meile and after breakfast, take part in a small ceremony paying homage to Kawagebo Mountain with the prayer flags you printed yesterday. Drive through snow capped mountains following the Upper Mekong river, entering the Tibet Autonomous Region. Visit the thousand year old salt field and cross the Hongla and Lawu mountains in the afternoon. Relax and enjoy dinner at your lodge in Rumei
Driving time: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Rumei
Altitude: 2,600 m

DAY 7

Laigu: Depart for Rawu, reaching the highest point of the journey at 5,130m over the Dongda Mountain Pass. Stop off for a picnic lunch at the Bangda Grassland. Follow a long and winding road for the next 2 hours before reaching the Anjiula Mountain Pass (4,400m). Arrive at your lodge in Laigu to experience the spectacular sunset on the terrace..
Driving time: 8 hours
Overnight: Laigu
Altitude: 4,200 m

DAY 8

Laigu:  Experience the magnificent sunrise from the lodge’s terrace. After breakfast visit Duosong Tso ( a beautiful holy and secret lake off the beaten track) to witness pristine forest and blue lake surrounded by snow capped mountains. Return to the lodge for lunch and relax in the afternoon or visit the Blue Laigu Glacier.  
Driving time: 3-4 hours round trip
Overnight: Laigu
Altitude: 4,200 m

day 9

Bome:  After breakfast visit the mirror like Rawu Lake before following the Palong Tsangpo River through dense forest to your hotel at Bome. After lunch, explore the tranquil and vast Guxiang Lake.
Driving time: 2-3 hours
Overnight: Bome
Altitude: 2,700 m

day 10

Bome:  In the morning, drive to Zhuxi Glacier, visiting the 400 year old Pulong Temple. After lunch, hike into spruce forest (1.5 hours) stopping for afternoon tea beside the lake.
Driving time: 2-3 hours
Overnight: Bome
Altitude: 2,700 m

day 11

Linzhi:  Drive to Lulang via the Tongmai Natural Barrier, stopping for lunch on the way. Hike into Zhaxigang Village situated at the foot of Jialabailei Summit (1-2 hours). Pass by Lulang’s immense forest to see the snow-capped mountains, meadows, cattle and sheep. Arrive at Linzhi via the Nyingchi Sejila Mountain pass, and check into your hotel to relax for the evening.
Driving time: 4-5 hours
Overnight: Linzhi
Altitude: 2,900 m

day 12

Lhasa:  After breakfast visit the Basongcuo Scenic Area and the picturesque Tsozong Gongba Monastery on the island (2-hour drive). Stop off for lunch at a local restaurant in Bahe Town. Follow the highway to Lhasa (4-hour drive),where you check in to your hotel with excellent views of the Potala Palace.
Driving time: 4-5 hours
Overnight: Lhasa
Altitude: 3,700 m

day 13

Lhasa:  Start the day with a leisurely stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Norbulingka , meaning ‘Treasure Park.’ Visit the palace and gardens of the traditional summer residence of the Dalai Lama. After lunch, take a short drive to Sera Monastery in the foothills north of Lhasa. Here, watch the monks engage in their daily practice of religious debate.
Driving time: 1 hour
Overnight: Lhasa
Altitude: 3700 m

day 14

Lhasa: Begin the day with a tour of the 17th century Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama. This amazing palace has walls as thick as five meters and contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues. After lunch, visit Drepung Monastery, historically the most significant monastery in Tibetan Buddhism. Drepung used to be the seat of political and religious power in Tibet and is home to over 15,000 monks. It’s one of the most prestigious Buddhist institutions in Tibet.
Driving time: 1 hour
Overnight: Lhasa
Altitude: 3,700 m

day 15

Depart:  Join pilgrims on an optional early morning walk around the Jokhang Temple. After breakfast, take your shuttle to the airport for your flight from the roof of the world.
Driving time: 1 hour
Altitude: 3,700 m