[Sichuan-Tibet Highway + Mount Everest] Chengdu - Mugecuo - Daocheng Yading - Nyingchi - Lhasa - Shigatse Mount Everest 17-Day In-Depth Exploration Journey

Welcome to Chengdu. Our guide will meet you at the airport/train station exit and take you to the hotel for check-in and rest. If you arrive in Chengdu in the morning, you can stroll around Chengdu's fashion center 【Chunxi Road】 and the thousand-year-old temple 【Daci Temple】, and check in at the Chinese-Western fusion 【Taikoo Li】 and 【IFS Climbing Panda】. If you arrive in Chengdu in the afternoon, you can go to 【Jinli】 and 【Kuanzhai Alley】 to experience the most leisurely and comfortable slow life of Chengdu, or check in at the 【Little Bar】 from Zhao Lei's song "Chengdu." In the evening, our tour leader will hold a brief pre-departure briefing for everyone at the hotel.

In the morning, you will depart from Chengdu via the Chengdu-Ya'an Expressway to Ya'an, then pass through the 2,200-meter-high Erlang Mountain Tunnel, experiencing the unique scenery of "ten li of different skies, one mountain with yin and yang." After that, follow the Dadu River Gorge down to Luding County. After lunch in Luding, continue to Kangding County, the capital of Garze Prefecture. After arriving in Kangding, head to the Kangding Love Song Scenic Area, known as a little Jiuzhaigou, and visit the most beautiful Muge Tso attraction. Muge Tso is one of the largest alpine lakes in northwestern Sichuan, featuring alpine lakes and hot springs, blending primitive forests, grasslands, and snow mountains into one another, creating a primitive, simple, and tranquil natural scene, like a "fairyland of jade pools." After the visit, return to Kangding County for overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart from Kangding and cross Zheduo Mountain at an elevation of 4,298 meters. [Zheduo Mountain] is the first high mountain on the Sichuan-Tibet line with an elevation above 4,000 meters, and is also called the First Pass of Kham. After crossing Zheduo Mountain, you officially enter the Kham Tibetan region. After that, the altitude gradually decreases, and amid picturesque scenery along the way, you arrive at Xinduqiao, the "paradise of photographers." [Xinduqiao] has magical light and beautiful scenery. On the vast grassland, cattle and sheep graze peacefully, murmuring streams reflect the rolling mountain ranges, and Tibetan villages are scattered among them, just like a hidden paradise. After enjoying the scenery, continue forward to Yajiang County for overnight stay.

After breakfast, set off from Yajiang. Along the way, you will pass through the steep [Eighteen Bends of the Heavenly Road] and take photos of the thrilling heavenly road scenery from the observation deck at the Eighteen Bends, then cross [Kazila Mountain] at 4,718 meters, and afterward arrive in Litang, the hometown of Ding Zhen. [Litang] has stunning scenery and is known as the City of Sky. The Sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso once wrote of his longing for Litang in a poem: "O white crane, please lend me your wings; I will not fly far away, I will go to Litang and return..." In the afternoon, you will set off for Daocheng. Along the way, you will pass the magical [Rabbit Mountain] and [Haizi Mountain], and stop at these two places for a while to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery. Then, via Sangdui, pay homage at Bengbo Temple and head straight to the Shangri-La in your heart, staying overnight in Shangri-La Town.

In the morning, you will set off for 【Daocheng Yading Scenic Area】 to begin your one-day tour of Daocheng Yading. First, you will take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to Yading Village. When taking the sightseeing bus, it is recommended to choose a window seat on the right side to enjoy the village scenery beneath the snow mountains and the beautiful views along the way. Then arrive at Zhaguanbeng, where you will officially begin your journey in the Yading Scenic Area. After that, follow the wooden boardwalk for about 500 meters and arrive at a viewing platform. On the right are Chonggu Temple and the beautiful Chonggu Grassland. Nearby is a clear, murmuring stream, and in the distance is the sacred Xianuoduoji Snow Mountain. The scenery is very beautiful. Then you will take a shuttle bus to Luorong Pasture. 【Luorong Pasture】 is also the soul of the entire Yading Scenic Area. Here you can admire the beautiful Xianuoduoji Sacred Mountain and Yangmaiyong Snow Peak. It is recommended to spend 1 hour here, rest, and replenish your energy to prepare for the upcoming hike. Afterward, you will hike to 【Milk Lake】 and 【Five-Color Lake】. It takes about 2-3 hours. During the hike, pay attention to adjusting your breathing rhythm and pace, and it is not recommended to rely excessively on oxygen bottles. You will generally reach Milk Lake around 12 o'clock. After arriving at Milk Lake, you can walk around the lake to experience its stunning scenery and rest by the lake for a while to replenish your energy. Then hike for about another 30 minutes to reach Five-Color Lake. It is said that Five-Color Lake has the magical power to reflect history and predict the future. In Buddhist scriptures, Five-Color Lake is listed alongside Yamdrok Lake, one of the three great sacred lakes of Tibet, showing its extraordinary status. After sightseeing, you will return along the same route and get back to Luorong Pasture at around 4 p.m. If you still have enough energy, you can continue to visit Chonggu Temple. In the evening, stay overnight in Shangri-La Town.

After breakfast, you will set off for Batang. Along the way, you will pass Daocheng Red Grassland. Daocheng Red Grassland is actually a small pond by the roadside. Every autumn, the pond becomes covered with red aquatic grass, forming a patch of red grassland. Although the grassland is small, it does not diminish the fervent pursuit of it by many photographers, many of whom travel thousands of miles just for that splash of brilliant color. Then return to Litang. In the afternoon, continue onward, passing the beautiful Maoya Grassland. If the weather is clear, you can not only enjoy the beautiful grassland scenery but also see the snow line formed by a row of snow mountains on the horizon, a truly spectacular sight. Afterward, continue forward, cross the Haizi Mountain Pass, and arrive at Haizi Mountain Sister Lakes, two plateau lakes nestled together on a desolate mountain plain, like two beautiful gems, or like tears of divine compassion scattered upon the earth, pure and flawless. After visiting Sister Lakes, continue onward and arrive in Batang, the last county town before entering the Tibet region from Sichuan, for overnight rest.

After breakfast, depart from Batang, pass through the Jinsha River canyon with high mountains, deep valleys, and surging rapids, and after crossing the Jinsha River Bridge, officially enter Mangkang County in the Tibet region. Then continue forward, first crossing Lawu Mountain at an elevation of 4,376 meters, passing the Lancang River Bridge, and then crossing the Dongda Mountain Pass at an elevation of 5,130 meters. [Dongda Mountain Pass] is the second-highest pass on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line. Looking far into the distance from the snow-capped pass reaching into the clouds, the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and the Lancang River are like two crystal ribbons, faintly visible among countless mountains and ravines. Finally arrive at Zuogong County town.

After breakfast, set off from Zuoqong and follow the beautiful Yuqu River upward to reach Bangda Town. In Tibetan, Bangda means "the grassland where even eagles cannot fly out." Then pass through the Bangda Grassland. [Bangda Grassland] is a true great grassland within the borders of Tibet, and also the watershed between the Lancang River and the Nujiang River. Here the water and grass are abundant, the grassland is vast, and herds of cattle and sheep scatter across it, grazing leisurely, making the scenery very beautiful. After a short stop, continue onward and cross the [Yela Mountain Pass] at an altitude of 4,658 meters. This is the best viewpoint to gaze at the most imposing road on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway - the Nujiang 72 Turns. [Nujiang 72 Turns], as an essential route on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line, is precisely because of its danger that it has even more challenging value for many cyclists or drivers. Every year, travelers passing this road cannot help but marvel at it. After resting and taking photos, you will descend along the 72 Turns all the way to the Grand Canyon, then follow the Grand Canyon onward, passing through Basu to Ranwu, and visit Ranwu Lake. [Ranwu Lake] is a famous plateau glacial lake. The azure lake water and snow-capped peaks form a picturesque and beautiful scene. Depending on the season, the water of Ranwu Lake also presents several colors such as azure or turquoise, and the scenery is very beautiful.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Ranwu, take one last look back at the beautiful scenery of Ranwu Lake, and then continue the journey to visit Midui Glacier, known as China's most beautiful glacier. 【Midui Glacier】 is the lowest-altitude glacier in the world. The entire glacier is as pure as jade, with beautiful scenery, diverse forms, and charming postures. Around it are herds of cattle and sheep, simple Tibetan-style houses, majestic snow mountains, and wild animals such as rock-climbing sheep and monkeys that stay year-round. After visiting Midui Glacier, continue forward and arrive in Bomi County, Nyingchi, for the night.

After breakfast, you will depart from Bomi. After passing through a stretch of primitive forest, head to the Tongmai perilous section. In the past, along the 15-kilometer section from Tongmai to Pailong, mountain torrents and mudslides during the rainy season often triggered landslides and cut off the highway. Now the perilous route has become an open road; several tunnels and one large bridge have opened up the Tongmai and Pailong perilous passages. After that, you will pass through the dense Lulang Forest Sea, where lush primitive forests stretch vast and form a breathtakingly peerless landscape. Then cross the 4,728-meter-high Sejila Pass. Sejila Pass is located on the southeast side of Bayi Town and is a famous landmark on the Sichuan-Tibet Route. Here you can gaze into the distance at the Lulang Forest Sea and the Namcha Barwa behind it, making it a great spot for photos. If you visit in May or June, you can also see azaleas blooming all over Sejila Mountain. Finally, arrive in Nyingchi for overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart from Nyingchi, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Niyang River along the way, and then come to the [Linla Highway], known as "Tibet's most beautiful high-grade highway." Then exit the highway at Bahe Town, turn right for about 50 kilometers, and arrive at beautiful Basum Lake. [Basum Lake], also called "Cuogao Lake," is the largest barrier lake in eastern Tibet. The lake is shaped like a crescent moon inlaid in a deep valley, and the green mountain tops around it are covered with snow that never melts all year round. It is gentle in spring, passionate in summer, elegant in autumn, and pure in winter. No matter when you come to Basum Lake, you will be captivated by its quiet beauty as at first sight and its exquisite landscape painting. Climb onto the small island in the middle of the lake, where there is the Tang Dynasty building [Cuozong Gongba Monastery], a famous Red Sect Nyingma monastery in Tibet. It was built in the late Tang Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,500 years. After the tour, head to the holy city Lhasa for overnight stay.

After breakfast, go to visit the world's highest ancient palace-fortress architectural complex - the Potala Palace. [Potala Palace] is located on Maburi Mountain in the northwest of Lhasa's urban area. It is a magnificent building integrating palace, fortress, and monastery, and is also the largest and most complete ancient palace-fortress architectural complex in Tibet. The Potala Palace is built against the mountain, with a total of 13 stories, 117.19 meters high, and more than 400 meters long from east to west. You will climb up along the long stairs of the Potala Palace, overlooking Lhasa as you walk, taking in the grandeur of Lhasa City. While taking photos and resting, you will then enter the Potala Palace to explore this mysterious and ancient palace for which there are very few pictures online. Then go to visit the holy site in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhist believers - Jokhang Temple. [Jokhang Temple] was first built in 647 AD and has a history of 1,350 years. It is the most splendid surviving Tubo-period building in Tibet, with a total of 5 golden roofs and 108 Buddhist halls. Here, you can see the world's rare 12-year-old life-size statue of Shakyamuni and devout pilgrims worshipping in front of Jokhang Temple. After leaving Jokhang Temple, you can walk clockwise around Jokhang Temple, imagining yourself as a Tibetan doing a kora, or go to the handicraft market on [Barkhor Street] for some shopping, or simply stroll slowly along the street, feel the warmth of the Sunshine City, or find a sweet tea house and learn the tranquility and ease of Tibetan friends.

After breakfast, you will drive to Shigatse, the capital of Tsang, crossing the 4,600-meter-high Gambala Pass, where you can gaze at the Gambala Radar Station in the distance. Then continue onward to visit the world's highest freshwater lake - Yamdrok Lake. 【Yamdrok Lake】, known as Yamdrok for short, means "Lake of Swans" in Tibetan. At an elevation of 4,441 meters, it is one of the three great sacred lakes of Tibet, and its beauty reigns supreme in southern Tibet. The crystal-clear water, towering snow-capped mountains and spotless blue sky merge into one, and the picturesque scenery is truly unforgettable. After visiting Yamdrok Lake, you will drive via Nagarze to visit the Karola Glacier at over 5,000 meters above sea level. 【Karola Glacier】 lies right beside the road, like a giant thangka hanging on the mountain wall, crystal clear and pure white, so close it seems you could reach out and touch it. Finally, via the ancient town of Gyantse, you will head to Shigatse, the capital of Tsang at 3,750 meters above sea level, for the night.

After breakfast, you will drive to Everest Base Camp, crossing the 5,100-meter-high [Gyawu La Pass] along the way, where you can see a spectacular row of four snow-capped mountains over 8,000 meters above sea level. From left to right, these four peaks are: Makalu (8,463 m); Lhotse (8,516 m); Mount Everest (8,848 m); and Cho Oyu (8,201 m). Then you will arrive at the world's highest-altitude Qomolangma Nature Reserve. At the world's highest temple — the 4,900-meter-high [Rongbuk Monastery] — you can look south toward Mount Everest, which is also recognized as the best spot to admire Everest. Afterward, you will take an eco-friendly shuttle bus to the 5,200-meter-high [Everest Base Camp] for accommodation. At dusk, as night gradually shrouds the mountains, only the summit of Everest shines in the sunset like a goddess's golden crown in the sky, letting you enjoy the glory of standing atop the roof of the world, supreme on Earth. [Warm Tips] 1. Accommodation is in tents at Everest Base Camp (8-15 people per tent, multi-person dormitory beds, shared bathroom, limited facilities): overall it is fairly clean and tidy, but there is a big gap compared with city hotels. Please understand. From October to April each year, due to the cold weather, the tents are withdrawn from Everest Base Camp, so accommodation will be changed to guesthouses in villages near Everest. 2. Food and lodging that day are relatively poor, the altitude is high, and the temperature is low. Please keep warm. Pay attention to safety and prevent altitude sickness. In summer, nighttime temperatures are around 0-8°C. Please bring warm clothing; you can also rent a down jacket at Base Camp for warmth.

In the early morning, while the peaks are still sleeping in the dawn, you will face the rising sun and look up at Mount Everest, receiving a baptism of the soul from the world's highest peak, [Mount Everest] (elevation 8,844.43 meters). The summit of Mount Everest is covered with snow that never melts all year round, with hanging glaciers and towering silver peaks, presenting a holy scene. Then, with lingering memories of the beauty of Mount Everest, you will return to Shigatse while viewing a corner of the majestic, magnificent, and winding Himalayas and the surging Yarlung River valley. On the way, you will also pass Gyatso La Pass at an elevation of 5,220 meters. At [Gyatso La Pass], the upper half of the field of view is pure tile blue, while the lower half is monotonous ochre red and grayish yellow. Apart from the gray mountain road, there are almost no traces of life here. Tibetans hang prayer flags where people often reach. The prayer flags are mostly red, blue, yellow, and green, and with their strong boldness they achieve a balance with the monotony of heaven and earth.

After breakfast, you will go to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. [Tashilhunpo Monastery], also known as "Tashi Lhunpo Monastery," is the largest monastery in Shigatse. Together with Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Ganden Monastery in Lhasa, as well as Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai and Labrang Monastery in Gansu, it is listed as one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school. It was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, a disciple of Tsongkhapa and the First Dalai Lama. The monastery enshrines the world's largest indoor bronze seated Buddha statue, the Maitreya Buddha, and also preserves the Buddhist scriptures Kangyur and Tengyur written in gold powder, as well as exquisitely shaped stupas containing relics of the Panchen Lamas. After the visit, you will return to Lhasa along the Yarlung River Valley via the China-Nepal Highway.

After breakfast, pack your luggage. If your return flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can store your luggage at the hotel, then freely explore the streets of Lhasa. After sightseeing, return to the hotel to collect your luggage and prepare for your return journey; it is recommended to head to the airport 2.5 hours in advance. We will take you to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport. After arriving at the airport, the tour leader will contact you and handle your check-in procedures. At this point, the itinerary officially comes to an end.