3-Day Private Car Tour: Namtso - Shigatse

In the morning, drive from Lhasa, follow National Highway 318 to the bridge junction, and travel through the scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo River to Gambala Pass (elevation 4,990 meters), the perfect spot to overlook Yamdrok Lake (elevation 4,441 meters), one of Tibet's three sacred lakes. From the Tibetan-style viewing platform with fluttering colorful prayer flags and a huge mani pile, gaze at the crystal-clear and calm lake surface transforming into varying shades of light blue, deep blue, and sky blue under the sunlight, reflecting the washed-clean blue sky, with towering snow-capped mountains in the distance—the ultimate beauty that crowns southern Tibet. If lucky, one may even witness the extraordinary scene of dark clouds on one side, a brilliant rainbow on another, and infinite sunset glow elsewhere. After lunch at Nagarze, continue driving to visit Karola Glacier (elevation 5,000 meters). The glacier standing by the roadside is like a giant thangka hanging on the cliff face, crystal-clear and pure white, so close it seems one could touch it. Finally, pass through the ancient city of Gyantse to Shigatse (elevation 3,750 meters), the capital of Tsang, for overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. Inside the monastery, incense smoke rises from censers, butter lamps flicker, and the Buddhas have varied countenances. In the main hall, monks chant scriptures in orderly fashion, and pilgrims prostrate before the Buddha statues. Here is enshrined the world's largest indoor bronze seated Buddha statue, the Maitreya Buddha, built in 1914 under the supervision of the 9th Panchen Lama Thubten Choekyi Nyima, and precious Buddhist scriptures written in gold powder such as the Kangyur and Tengyur are preserved. Afterwards, return to Lhasa via the China-Nepal Highway along the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley.

In the early morning, drive from Lhasa, passing through the vast grasslands of northern Tibet, experiencing colorful prayer flags fluttering, speeding along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, crossing the 5,190-meter Nagenla Pass to reach Namtso, the "Heavenly Lake," first among Tibet's three sacred lakes. At an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is the world's highest-altitude saltwater lake and China's second-largest. To the south lies the perpetually snow-covered Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, to the north and west are plateau hills, with vast lakeshores and grasslands surrounding the lake, rich in water and grass. The lake water has high salinity, and the basin is rich in wildlife resources including yaks and goats; the lake abounds with wild birds and produces fine-scaled and scaleless fish; the clear lake water reflects the surrounding snow-capped mountains, with beautiful scenery, like a crystal-clear pearl set in the vast Qiangtang grasslands. Then return to Lhasa by the same route. (Note: This price is for car rental with driver/chartered vehicle. Vehicle prices vary with peak and off-peak tourist seasons; this price is for reference only. Please consult us for specific details.)