drive chengdu to lhasa-From Chengdu to Lhasa (4WD Adventure Tour)
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway from Chengdu to Lhasa varies greatly in altitude. A traveler may experience four seasons within one day. It may snow heavily on the mountain. But be warm at its foot. For the most part, the highway is rugged and winding. During the rainy season, the mountainside often caves in, sending down mudslides that block the road. Therefore, when taking this route, extra time should be allowed. Scenic spots along the way include Mount Erlang, Luding Bridge, Kangding, the Jingsha River, Rawu Lake, Tangmai (known as the “black spot for mudslides”), and Nyingchi where on can experience four seasons in a day. The bus fare for this route is us$100.
The southern route to Lhasa is the most scenic overland route, crossing several 4,000 m(13,123 ft) passes, dropping down through lush green valleys and gushing gorges, and crossing picturesque landscapes that Tibetans call their ‘backyard.’ We begin this three-week journey from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, and continue overland through 
Ganzi prefecture into the Tibetan Autonomous Region. There are only a few roads that climb over the holy plateau to the capital of Tibet; this journey will take you to villages and communities previously closed to most travelers, both geographically and culturally. Our Tibetan guide will tell you about Buddhism and its many sects, explain Tibet’s history and teach you some phrases in Tibetan to help you get to know the local people. Traveling by 4 WD vehicles, we have the freedom to stop and explore Tibet’s sacred mountains and monasteries, stay with local Tibetan families and take day hikes at your leisure and whim.
4×4 Tour – 9 days, approx. Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu
Meet your guide and transfer to hotel. Local sightsee and dinner. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Chengdu – Khamding
Breakfast at hotel. Drive via the Erlangshan tunnel to Khamding. On the way, pass by the famous scenery of Hailuogou Glaciers, located on the eastern side of Mountain Gongha. In Khamding, visit Anjue Monastery. Overnight at local guesthouse.
Day 3: Khamding – Litang
After breakfast, drive to Litang. Litang is 4014m above sea level, resting on the open grassland framed by peaks. Another grand festival is held here between first and tenth of August, when the place swells with crowds pouring in from all over Kham. The 7th and 10th Dalai Lama were also born here. Visit the Litang monastery – and a famous Kagyupa Monastery. Overnight at local guesthouse.
Day 4: Litang – Batang
Before arriving at Batang town, take a detour to visit scenic Tsopu Gou . In the afternoon arrive at the low lying town of Batang. It also famous for its local Xuanzi dances and the style of construction is similar to that around Derge. Overnight at local guesthouse.
Day 5: Batang – Mangkham – Zuogong
After passing Zhubalong (a small village on the Golden Sands River), drive into . Mangkham is the first town in if arriving from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Driving southward from here, the road leads to Derchen, Zhongdian, Lijiang and Kunming. Markham ( Garthog Dzong) is a plain town. Overnight at local guesthouse.
Day 6: Zuogong – Basu
The road follows along a river to Bangdha, a very small town. Between Basu and Bangdha is the famous and very high Nujiang Mountain range and deep valleys. The picture to the right is the zigzag road on Nujiang Mountain range. Basu county is also famous for Basu monastery. Overnight at local guesthouse.
Day 7: Basu – Bomi
After breakfast, driving 90km further south, is the famous Ranwu Lake surrounded by snow peaks. Between Basu and Ranwu are bare mountains and valleys. Continue to Bomi, from where one can see exposing snow peaks. Overnight at local guesthouse.
Day 8: Bomi – Basongts – Gongbu Gyangdha
Drive into a valley to visit the Basongtso Lake, the snow mountain, the crystal lake, the lush trees and the monastery. End today’s tour at Gongbu Gyangdha.
Day 9: Gongbu Gyangdha – Lhasa
After breakfast, drive via the Mila Mountain to Mindro Gongkha. It is said that the Tibetan King Songtsan Gongpo was born here in a palace named Gyiamar palace. It is also the home to the monastery of Drigung Kagyu order, located 100km to the north of the town where the administrative center of Mindro Gongkar is located. End of the tour upon arrival in Lhasa
