8-Day Private Car Tour of the Southern Route in Ngari, Tibet_Itineraries and Quotes for Ngari Private Car Tours in Tibet

In the morning, drive from Lhasa, follow National Highway 318 to the bridge junction, and travel along the scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo River to Gambala Pass (elevation 4,990 m), the perfect spot to overlook Yamdrok Lake (elevation 4,441 m), one of the "Three Great Sacred Lakes of Tibet." From the Tibetan-style viewing platform adorned with fluttering colorful prayer flags and a giant mani pile, gaze at the clear, calm lake surface shifting in the sunlight through varying shades of light blue, deep blue, and sky blue, mirroring the washed-clean blue sky, with towering snow mountains in the distance—an ultimate beauty unrivaled in southern Tibet. If you are lucky, you may even witness a wonder of dark clouds on one side, a brilliant rainbow on another, and endless sunset glow elsewhere. After lunch at Nagarze, continue driving to visit Karola Glacier (elevation 5,000 m). Standing right by the roadside, the glacier is like a giant thangka hanging on the mountain wall, crystal clear and pure white, so close it seems you could touch it. Then proceed to the ancient town of Gyantse, hometown of anti-British heroes. This town with over 600 years of history was also a key transportation hub from Ü-Tsang to Tsang. View the Gyantse Dzong anti-British site from afar, and visit Pelkor Chode Monastery—the only monastery integrating Tibet's three major sects, home to stunning murals and carvings and the Hundred Thousand Buddha Pagoda. Finally arrive in Shigatse, capital of Tsang, for overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Lhatse, enjoying plateau scenery along the way: Sangsang Grassland, snow mountains, sunlight, cattle and sheep. Then cross the 4,915 m Che La Pass, follow the Duoxiong Tsangpo River valley for about 125 km to the 22nd Maintenance Squad, the junction of the Ali South and North Routes, and continue onward. Pass through a hot spring area dense with steaming springs, and view from the vehicle the beautiful scenery of emerald lakes reflecting the blue sky. In the distance, protected wildlife such as wild donkeys, Tibetan gazelles, blue sheep, Tibetan antelopes, wild hares, and ruddy shelducks race across the grassland, like a vivid classical ink painting. Overnight in Saga.

In the morning, depart from Saga for the sacred mountain and lake. First visit Lake Manasarovar, known as the "Mother of the World's Rivers," the place called "Jade Pool of the Western Heaven" by Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang in his Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, and one of Tibet's famous Three Great Sacred Lakes, paired with Mount Kailash as the "Sacred Mountain and Lake." Manasarovar is currently the lake with the highest measured transparency in China, reaching 14 meters, crystal clear. The clear water mirrors the blue sky, vast and open. The lake is embraced by the Namnani Snow Mountains, with lake and mountain scenery of transcendent beauty. Separated from the sacred lake by a single embankment is the barren Rakshastal, known as the Ghost Lake. It is said that Manasarovar and Rakshastal are connected beneath the lake bed—one is the freshwater sacred lake, the other the saltwater ghost lake. Rakshastal is also a fascinating sight. After lunch at Paryang, pass through the Mayum Bridge border checkpoint to Tarchen, where you pay homage to the sacred mountain—Mount Kailash. At 6,638 m, Kailash is called "Shiva's Paradise" in Sanskrit and means "Mountain of the Gods" in Tibetan. Its form resembles a pyramid with highly symmetrical walls. Kailash is a globally recognized sacred mountain, acknowledged by Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, the indigenous Bon religion, and ancient Jainism as the center of the world. The mystery of the sacred mountain is that its sun-facing side, for unknown reasons, retains snow year-round, while the back side has no snow for long periods—even when covered, it melts as soon as the sun appears, contrary to natural norms. Then proceed to Purang, a famous place on the Peacock River. The renowned Himalayas and Gangdise ranges intertwine at Purang, located in the basin-valley zone on the northern slope of the western Himalayas and south of the Gangdise range, a gently undulating plateau basin. On the Ali Plateau known for dryness and cold, Purang is the warmest and most humid place. Overnight in Purang. For guests wishing to do the kora, you may start today and arrange as follows: Kora itinerary: Sacred Mountain Kora—Tarchen (kora guide self-arranged) Altitudes: Tarchen 4,700 m, Mount Kailash 6,638 m Itinerary [13 km, 8 hours] Prayer Flag Square—2 km—Chuku Monastery—6 km—Danzeng Zhongkang—5 km—Drirapuk Monastery Overnight at Drirapuk Monastery guesthouse.

Depart Purang at 8 a.m., driving facing the morning glow between Mount Kailash and Mount Namnani, through the earth forest to Zanda to visit the Guge Kingdom ruins. The Guge Kingdom ruins are an ancient plateau city. The entire site comprises over 300 houses and caves, 3 stupas (over 10 m high), 4 temples, 2 halls, and 2 underground tunnels, divided into upper, middle, and lower levels—royal palace, temples, and residences respectively. Outer walls were built with blockhouses at the four corners. The Guge Kingdom was established around the 10th century AD by Kyide Nyimagon, great-grandson of Langdarma, the last emperor of the Tubo Dynasty, who fled to Ali with his followers after the dynasty's collapse. The Guge Kingdom, with 700 years of brilliant civilization, remains a mystery as to its disappearance. After sightseeing, return along the same road to Zanda County Town and visit Tholing Monastery, with over 900 years of history. The monastery blends Indian Kashmiri, Ladakhi, and Nepalese styles in architecture and Buddha statues, a culmination of regional styles. Indian monk Atisha once lectured and wrote here, spreading Buddhism. Many later eminent monks left their footprints here. Overnight in Zanda. Tip: Guests who have arranged their own kora will be doing the kora today, itinerary as follows: Itinerary [16 km, 8 hours] Drirapuk Monastery—3 km—Sky Burial Platform—3 km—Dolma La Pass—5 km—Menqu Riverbank—7 km—Camping Point—2 km—Zutrul Puk Monastery—6 km—Exit Toll Station—3 km—Tarchen Road condition: dirt road. Overnight at a local hotel in Tarchen, rest and relax well, waiting for the tour vehicle returning from Zanda to pick you up on D5.

In the morning, depart from Zanda County for the Zanda Earth Forest. Formed over tens of millions of years of geological change from ancient lake beds and riverbeds, the earth forest spanning nearly several hundred square kilometers is filled with jagged "trees" of varied forms, along with early human cave sites. Covering hundreds of kilometers, the Zanda Earth Forest appears resplendently golden from afar; set against the plateau's illusory light and shadow, it resembles a mythological world. Up close, you see the earth forest surrounding both banks of the Sutlej River, with indescribable craftsmanship. These wonders found nowhere else resemble solemn temples, heavily fortified blockhouses, towering stupas, lavish ancient palaces, and rustic yet majestic European castles; some look like galloping horses rearing skyward, others like devout practitioners sitting in meditation—countless forms beyond description. After visiting, return along the same road to Zhongba County, passing Rakshastal, Shiquan River, and Manasarovar. Immerse yourself in the dreamlike scenery of two lakes surrounded by snow mountains on three sides, arriving in Zhongba for overnight stay. Tip: Kora guests will reunite with the group, tour vehicle, and driver today.

After breakfast, drive to the most stunning glacier group in the Himalayas—the Shishapangma Glacier Group. Shishapangma Peak at 8,012 m ranks 14th among the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 m and is the only 8,000 m peak entirely within China. The most captivating is the ice tower zone from 5,000 m to 5,800 m, statically beautiful like a glacier garden. Under the sun, Shishapangma is snow-covered and spectacular. Then proceed to Peiku Tso, about 300 square kilometers, with various unique plateau species along its shores, then drive to Everest Base Camp. At Gyawu La Pass is the world's most spectacular mountain viewing platform, where you can photograph the continuous Everest snow mountain range. Then visit Rongbuk Monastery (elevation 4,980 m), the world's highest monastery. Looking south from Rongbuk is the universally recognized best spot to gaze upon Everest. If the weather cooperates, you can see Everest's plume cloud drifting like a flame of life, and enjoy the magnificent sunrise and sunset over Everest. While the peaks still sleep in dawn, Everest is already draped in brilliant morning glow like a goddess's splendid robes; as night falls and dusk slowly shrouds the mountains, only Everest's summit shines in the sunset like a goddess's golden crown in the sky, enjoying the glory of dominating the world's summit. Overnight at Everest Base Camp.

In the morning, experience nature's grandeur at Everest Base Camp, the world's highest nature reserve. If lucky, you may see Everest's plume cloud drifting like a flame of life, and photograph Everest's majestic form along with the famous Rongbuk Glacier and ice tongue. Departing from Tingri toward Shigatse, you will pass Lhatse, meaning in Tibetan "Golden Peak First Illuminated by Light," the origin place of Tibetan knives, where you can buy the finest Tibetan knives. Then arrive in Shigatse, capital of Tsang.

In the morning, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery (about 2–2.5 hours), the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. Built in 1447, it is one of the Six Great Monasteries of the Yellow Sect. Inside, incense smoke rises, butter lamps flicker, and Buddha statues have varied countenances; in the main hall, monks chant in orderly fashion, and pilgrims prostrate before the Buddha images. Here is enshrined the world's largest indoor bronze seated Buddha, the Maitreya Buddha, built in 1914 under the supervision of the 9th Panchen Lama Thubten Choekyi Nyima, and preserved are the Kangyur and Tengyur scriptures written in gold powder. Then drive back to Lhasa, enjoying along the way the beautiful scroll of the Lhasa River valley composed of shallow water, distant forests, mountain shadows, blue sky and white clouds, sunlight, grassy rings, reflections, water shimmer, and ripples. Finally return to your Lhasa hotel for rest. (Note: This price is for a chauffeured rental car/private car charter. Vehicle prices vary with peak and off seasons; this price is for reference only. Please consult us for details.)