7-Day Private Car Tour: Nyingchi - Bomi - Ranwu Lake - Shigatse - Namtso

In the morning, depart from Lhasa by vehicle, following the Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway, cross the 5,013-meter Mira Pass, and head to Nyingchi, known as the "Jiangnan of the Plateau" and an oxygen-rich paradise. Drive east along the Nyang River, passing the birthplace of Songtsen Gampo and the Middle Stream Pillar, and feel the refreshing joy brought by the green mountains and clear waters of Tibet's Jiangnan. After lunch, head to Basum Lake, the sacred lake of the Red Sect—a tear left by an angel. The lake is shaped like a crescent moon set in high mountain gorges, with crystal-clear water reflecting snow-capped mountains, truly bringing one back to "Shangri-La" and leaving one enchanted. Snow peaks, glaciers, primeval forests, and ancient sites tightly surround Basum Lake. At sunset, the snow-capped peaks turn red while the base remains a deep blue-green, the silhouettes of trees near the lake float on the water surface, and the lake water is a serene blue, making this place seem like a fairyland on earth. There is a small island in the lake, and on the island stands a temple built in the late Tang Dynasty—Cuosong Temple, whose main hall enshrines Padmasambhava, Thousand-Hand Guanyin, and the Golden Boy and Jade Girl. Afterwards, drive to Bayi Town in Nyingchi for overnight stay.

In the morning, depart from Bayi Town in Nyingchi along National Highway 318, passing through the Palung Tsangpo River jungle, Pailong Menba Ethnic Township, and the Tongmai Natural Barrier. Travel along the way among towering and precipitous mountains, through stunning scenery of glacier cliffs and snow-capped mountain mists, heading to Bomi, known as the "Jiangnan of the Snow Region." Then pass through Baxoi and arrive at Mibok Glacier, China's most beautiful glacier. This "world-class glacier wonder" hidden deep in the sacred mountains features an ice waterfall cascading from a height of seven to eight hundred meters, magnificent and peculiar, making one sincerely marvel at the extraordinary craftsmanship of nature. Here, the perpetually shining glacier blends with lakes, farmland, villages, and forests, forming a breathtaking landscape painting. Next, visit the stunning Rawok Lake. Fresh and mirror-like, Rawok Lake is rich in colors—grasslands, forests, autumn leaves, white waterfowl, and the colorful pebbles on the lake shore shallows, together with the azure lake water and snow-capped peaks, create a picturesque scene. The narrow lake winds westward for over ten kilometers, gradually narrowing into a river valley. Depending on the season, the water presents various colors such as azure or blue-green. Many rocks and small islands dot the river channel, tree shadows dance on the lake surface in spring, and thin mist spreads in autumn and winter—the beauty of all four seasons makes one feel as if entering a dreamland. After the tour, return to Bomi for overnight stay.

In the morning, depart for Gangxiang Spruce Forest located in the middle and lower reaches of the Palung Tsangpo. This is one of the central areas of modern glacier development on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with rare maritime glaciers. The area is densely forested, mainly with spruces and firs, where mountains and waters connect, ancient trees tower to the sky, and everything merges with the surrounding snow-capped mountains and lakes. Rare wild animals are frequently active here, and various precious Chinese medicinal herbs are abundant. On the return trip, pass through Lulang Forest Sea, a forest in the sea of clouds and mist, reputed as a place that "makes people not want to go home." The entire scenic area is picturesque, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with lush forests in the valley and meadows as neat as if artificially trimmed. Finally, return to Nyingchi for overnight stay.

After breakfast, head to Kading Valley, also known as Gading Valley Heavenly Buddha Waterfall. The mountain terrain here is steep and towering into the clouds, a typical canyon landform. It features spectacular scenery of bizarre peaks, unusual rocks, ancient towering trees, and a waterfall with a drop of nearly 200 meters plunging down magnificently. On the cliffs, there are naturally formed Great Buddha, Goddess, Guanyin, Dharma Protectors, Tathagata Buddha, lamas chanting scriptures, Divine Turtle Crying to Heaven, Divine Eagle Offering Treasure, Butter Lamps, and the Tibetan "Six-Character Mantra" Buddhist characters. Afterwards, return to Lhasa, enjoying the scenery along the Nyang River on the way—colorful waterfowl scattered along the riverbanks, terraced fields, and unique Tibetan villages, depicting a picturesque scene of Tibet's Jiangnan, giving one the feeling of entering a deep paradise. Arrive in Lhasa in the evening.

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.

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. (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.)