11-day trip to Lhasa → Kailash
[ Overall Overview ]
Starting from Lhasa, we go deep into the hinterland of Ngari and connect core attractions such as the Potala Palace, Kailash, Zada Tulin, and Guge Dynasty.
Ride a motorcycle on the roof of the world, passing through wide plateau valleys, snow-capped mountains and glaciers, and wilderness soil and forests.
This 11-day self-driving tour covers a total distance of approximately 2,800 kilometers.
It has the piety of praying for blessings in holy places, the shock of natural wonders, and the exploration of ancient civilizations. You can immerse yourself in the vastness and depth of Tibet and start an unforgettable journey of faith and adventure.
We are familiar with all high-altitude conditions and road changes along this route. Medical-grade oxygen, professional navigation, and logistical support vehicles are provided throughout the journey to ensure the trip is completed safely and with a controlled pace.
Experience Details
Trip Duration
11 Days, 10 Nights
Price
Starting from 11,800 yuan/person
May to October Annually
Best Time to Travel
[ Highlights ]Itinerary Highlights Explained
Pilgrimage to sacred mountains and holy lakes
Look up at Kailash, the "center of the world", up close, pray for blessings in the prayer flag square, and meet Manasarovar and Laangtso, one saint and one ghost. The color contrast of the lake is shocking, and you can feel the purity and sanctity of Tibetan faith.
A feast of natural wonders
Overlooking the dreamy blue lake of Yamdrok Yumcuo, get up close to the coldness of the Karola Glacier, explore the hundreds of millions of years of uncanny craftsmanship of the Zada soil forest, and take in the ultimate scenery of the vastness of the plateau.
Exploration of ancient civilizations
Visit the thousand-year-old Tuoling Temple and the ruins of the Guge Dynasty, stroll through the historical sites, listen to the vicissitudes of the ancient Zhangzhong civilization and the Guge Dynasty, and feel the rich heritage of ancient Tibetan civilization.
Motorcycle riding experience
Drive by motorcycle throughout the entire journey, travel through the Ali Wasteland, plateau wide valleys, and ride on the snow-capped mountain roads to unlock in-depth gameplay in Tibet and enjoy the dual pleasure of freedom and adventure.
Tour Itinerary
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Days 1-2: First encounter in the Holy Land·Rest and in-depth visit to Lhasa
Day 1 | Arrive in Lhasa
When tourists arrive in Lhasa, professional tour guides will pick them up throughout the airport, escort them to the hotel for check-in, and arrange sufficient rest time. Taking into account altitude sickness, no intensive activities are arranged, so that the body can gradually adapt to the plateau environment, prepare for subsequent self-driving trips, and start this trip to Tibet.
Day 2｜In-depth tour of Lhasa city
In-depth tour of the core attractions of Lhasa throughout the day, going to the Potala Palace to feel the grandeur and solemnity of this rooftop palace of the world; visiting the Jokhang Temple, admiring the thousand-year-old Buddha statues, and realizing the piety of Tibetan Buddhism; strolling through Barkhor Street and walking among the pilgrims. Feel the rich Tibetan folk customs.
Days 3-5: All the way west to the prelude to the Holy Land of Ali
Day 3 | Lhasa → Shigatse (380km)
Starting from Lhasa, cross Gangbala Mountain and stop at the observation deck to overlook Yamdrok Yumcuo. The dreamy blue lake winds among the mountains, and you can take a photo of the beautiful scenery. Then go to Karola Glacier to get up close and personal with the Millennium Glacier, feel the shock and coldness of nature, and arrive in Shigatse to rest in the evening.
Day 4 | Shigatse → Saga (480km)
Say goodbye to Shigatse and officially start our trip to Ngari, driving on the wide valley of the plateau. Along the way, there are endless grasslands and endless snow-capped mountains. The world is vast and the scenery is magnificent. Going all the way, you gradually enter the vast hinterland of Ngari, feel the primitive beauty of the plateau wilderness, and arrive at Saga to stay.
Day 5｜Saga→Tachin (520km)
Continue to gallop westward, crossing the plateau and wasteland. Although the road conditions are challenging, the scenery along the way is constant. Enjoy the vastness and vastness of the Ngari Plateau along the way, and feel the tranquility and purity between heaven and earth. In the evening, we arrived at Tachin, a small town at the foot of Mount Kailash. We rested and were ready to start our pilgrimage to the sacred mountain.
Days 6-8: Core of Faith·Kang Rinpoche and Exploration of Ancient Civilizations
Day 6｜Kang Rinpoche + Manasarovar (80km)
In the early morning, go to Kailash Prayer Flag Square, hang prayer flags, pray devoutly, look up at the majestic appearance of the sacred mountain up close, and feel its sacredness and solemnity. Then go to Manasarovar Lake, stroll along the shore of the Holy Lake, and then visit the ghost lake Laangtso. The color contrast between the lake water of one saint and one ghost is strong and shocking.
Day 7｜Taqin → Zada (240km)
Travel through the Ali wilderness and head all the way to Zada, enjoying the unique scenery of the desert along the way. Upon arrival, visit the Zada Earthen Forest. This landform, which has been eroded by hundreds of millions of years of wind and rain, is majestic and has different shapes, like the miraculous craftsmanship of nature. At the same time, you can explore the traces of the ancient Zhangzhong civilization.
Day 8｜Zada→Taqin (240km)
In the morning, visit Tuolin Temple, a thousand-year-old temple, to experience the thousand-year-old connotation of Tibetan Buddhism. Then go to the ruins of the Guge Dynasty, stroll on the ruins, and feel the rise and fall of the Guge civilization and its rich history. In the afternoon, we returned to Taqin along the same route to sort out our mood of going around the mountain to pray for blessings. We took a short rest and had a simple meal.
Days 9-11: Full of memories, return to bid farewell to the holy land of Tibet
Day 9｜Tachin → Saga (520km)
Say goodbye to Kailash and Manasarovar, look back at the sacred mountains and holy lakes again, and embark on the return journey with full blessings. Riding a motorcycle through the Ali Wilderness, you will still see the magnificent and silent plateau scenery along the way, accompanied by snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and Gobi. You will recall this shocking pilgrimage and arrive in Saga in the evening.
Day 10｜Saga → Shigatse (480km)
Starting from Saga, return along the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River. Along the way, grasslands, river valleys, and distant mountains complement each other, creating beautiful scenery. After many days of Ali's baptism, my mood became calmer and calmer. I enjoyed the scenery along the way and recalled this ultimate self-driving journey. I arrived in Shigatse in the evening and took a short rest.
Day 11｜Shigatse → Lhasa Airport (250km)
The last journey. When leaving the plateau, many people will find that what is truly unforgettable is never just the scenery, but themselves along the way.
[ Trip ]
Pricing Details
What's Included
Tibet Entry Permit and all necessary procedures
Bilingual (Chinese & English) Tour Guide
Accommodation Throughout
Breakfasts + Selected Specialty Meals
Travel Insurance + High-Altitude Insurance
Medical Oxygen
Guaranteed car
What's Not Included
Round-trip Transportation to Lhasa
Single Room Supplement
Personal Expenses
Suggested Gratuity ¥50/person/day
Self-Driving Fuel, Tolls, and Parking Fees
Vehicle rental
Attraction Entrance Tickets
[ Travel FAQs ]
Frequently Asked Questions
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It is recommended to go in spring (April, May, June) or autumn (September, October). During these periods, the weather and road conditions in Western China are generally more stable.
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Entering and exiting Tibet is very convenient. Currently, there are flights, trains, and multiple overland driving routes available.
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Currently, Tibet is open to global tourists. However, when planning your trip, you need to be aware of the relevant restrictions: for example, you must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit in advance, and must participate in a fixed itinerary arranged by a travel agency; Tibet currently does not support independent travel.
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The cost includes SUV or motorcycle rental, hotel accommodation, licensed tour guide services, first entry tickets to attractions, and all administrative permit processing fees.
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You need to prepare your passport, a driver's license valid for more than 6 months, and the registration documents for your vehicle or motorcycle. We will be responsible for assisting you with all legal procedures required for driving in China.
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Yes, we do. We will arrange pick-up and drop-off services for your arrival and departure days, covering transfers between the hotel and the airport or station.
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Yes, you can. After an in-depth discussion with our travel consultant, we will arrange a customized China road trip itinerary for you based on your specific needs.
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