Day 01: Arrive in Chengdu
Today we arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the hometown of Panda, transfer to hotel. Overnight at Chengdu.

Day 02: Flight Chengdu – Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning transfer to airport, fly to Lhasa (CA4401 0740/0930), the Capital of Tibet. Upon arrival at the Gongga airport, take another 1.5-hour-drive to the city proper (3650 m). On the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery, and the typical Tibetan villages as well as the Yak-skin-boat cruising on Yalung Tsangpo River. After lunch stay at the hotel for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now. 3N at hotel in Lhasa.

Day 03: Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”.

Day 04: Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Day 05: Lhasa – Yamdrok Tso – Gyantse – Shigatse (BLD)
In the morning drive to Gyantse. After lunch continue the drive to the holy lake of Yamdrok Tso (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. Walking by the lake and then drive to Gyantse (approx. 4.070 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Chode Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. Then drive to Shigatse (3900m/12,793ft), the second largest town with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. 1N at hotel in Shigatse.

Day 06: Shigatse – Shegar (BLD)
In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery. After lunch drive to Shegar (new Tingri; 4.350 m; approx. 245 km). 1N at Hotel.

Day 07: Shegar – Zhangmu (B/L/D)
Today we must start early because a long way stands (260 km) before us. Get across the 5,000 m high Nyalmo Tong La, which is decorated with multicolored prayer flags fluttering in the wind. With clear view the Shisha Pangma high over 8,000 m appears on one side and on the other side the enormous Gaurisankar ranges stretch forward in the distance. Drive over the Thang-La Pass (5214 m) to Nylam. Afterwards visit the meditation cave of Milarepa. Milarepa, the yogi, has played an important role in the religious life of Tibet and his teachings still influence the people everywhere. Along the zigzag road we drive down Nyalam (3.600 m) gradually and leave the landscape of the high plateau behind us and see the Himalayas covered in the sea of clouds. Overnight at hotel in Zhangmu.

Day 08: Zhangmu – Kathmandu (B)
Cross the border between Tibet and Nepal to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. End of tour.