Roads on the Roof of the World 8-10D

Journey Map

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What you'll see

Tread in the footsteps of Mallory and other great Himalayan explorers on a road trip like no other as you explore this stunningly beautiful region and drive from Lhasa to Mount Everest Base Camp.  Travel through the finest scenery on earth in the comfort and freedom of your own car, stopping at remote cliff-top monasteries and holy lakes as you wind your way towards the heart of the Great Himalayan Range...

On your journey back from Base Camp, it is possible to arrange a two day extension to one of Tibet’s holiest lakes, Lake Nam-tso.  Ringed by snow-capped mountains, the turquoise waters of the lake have been revered by Tibetans for centuries – the perfect end to a road-trip you will remember for a lifetime.

  8-Day Journey 10-Day Journey
Duration 7 nights/8 days 9 nights/10 days
Distance 1,270km/790 miles 1,520km/950 miles
Roads Generally excellent, if winding.  Most roads are sealed although the road in and out of Base Camp is a dirt road. The 10-day itinerary also features gorgeous mountain lanes and back-roads.
Hotels
  • The best available, ranging from international 5* to local 2*
  • A choice of hotels is available in Lhasa
High Altitude? Yes, with overnight altitudes as high as 4,300m

Journey Highlights

On this journey, you will enjoy the following wonderful highlights, among others:

  • Experience Lhasa – wander through the amazing old town, rub shoulders with pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang Temple and visit the Potala Palace
  • Catch your breath at Mount Everest Base Camp and admire the beauty of Everest’s north face, unobscured by other peaks
  • Soak up the atmosphere inside some of Tibet’s most important monasteries and join the monks as they chant by flickering candlelight
  • Revive your senses among Tibet’s natural wonders, from holy lakes (Lake Yamdrok-tso and, for those that choose the extended tour, Lake Nam-tso) to glaciers and mountain passes
  • Slip into the rhythm of Tibetan life in the picturesque old towns of Gyantse and Shigatse
  • Visit a school in the shadow of Mount Everest and practice English with the students – a great opportunity to learn more about life in this extraordinary place

Tibet’s beautiful roads, from winding mountain passes to gorgeous lakeside lanes make this a road-trip like no other…

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Day-by-Day Description

Day 1
Arrival in Chengdu - Preparing for Your Journey

You will arrive in Chengdu according to your own arrangements.  We will meet you from the airport and take you to complete your temporary driving license application – everything will have been prepared in advance, and all you will need to do is take a simple eye test and sign the forms.  With your license complete, you will enjoy dinner in a lovely riverside restaurant.

Day 2
Flying up to Lhasa – The Adventure Begins…

After enjoying a relaxed breakfast in Chengdu, you will fly to Lhasa (your flight from Chengdu to Lhasa is included in the journey) and transfer to your hotel.  After resting and exploring the city in the afternoon, you will join the throngs of Tibetan pilgrims around the Jokhang, Tibet's holiest shrine, as we walk to an atmospheric restaurant in the old town for dinner together.

Day 3
Discover the Holy City of Lhasa

Spend the day in Lhasa as you acclimatise to the city's thin air.  Start the day with a gentle walking tour around the old city, where you will pass markets and workshops where Tibet's traditional handicrafts are kept alive, as artisans paint thangkas and hammer out copper prayer wheels…  Enter the holy precincts of the Jokhang Temple and visit the magnificent Potala Palace, which lies on the slopes of Marpo Ri in the centre of the city.

Day 4
On the Road in Tibet – From Lhasa to Gyantse

Today will be your first day on the beautiful roads of Tibet, as you head west out of Lhasa to the stunning Yarlung Tsangpo Valley before climbing the winding road to your first high mountain pass of this trip, the Khamba-La (4,790m/15,700ft).  As you crest the pass, you will catch your first glimpse of the vivid blue waters of Lake Yamdrok-tso.  Drive around the lake, passing glaciers and remote villages as you go before arriving at Gyantse, with its monastery, hilltop fort and amazing old town.

Day 5
To Shigatse and Beyond – Into the Far West

This morning you will drive to Shigatse, home to the enormous Tashilumpo Monastery.  Explore the monastery and enjoy a relaxed brunch before getting back on the road towards Tingri, which curves south-west from Shigatse towards the Great Himalayan Range.  Today's roads are some of the best on the trip, winding and smooth, and a delight to drive on.  Stay overnight in a simple hotel in the village of Pelbar and prepare for your trip to Base Camp the following day.

Day 6
Summit Day – Pelbar to Mount Everest Base Camp

Setting out from Pelbar before dawn, you will watch the sun rise over what is, quite literally, the roof of the world – an incredible mountain vista that includes four peaks over 8,000m/26,240ft; Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.  After sunrise you will drive to North Base Camp, which lies at the foot of the Rongbuk Glacier.  Stand in the shadow of Mount Everest and imagine you are about to set off for the summit, almost four kilometers (2.5 miles) vertically above the North Base Camp itself.

Day 7
Return to Lhasa – or continue on towards lovely Lake Nam-tso…

For those who must end their journey soon, it is possible to return to Lhasa today in order to fly out tomorrow morning.  However, for those of you able to stay with us for an extra few days a treat is in store – relax in Shigatse before setting out on a trip along beautiful back roads to Lake Nam-tso, one of Tibet's four holy lakes.

Day 8
Drive to the shores of Lake Nam-Tso…

For those who returned to Lhasa yesterday, we will arrange for you to transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight home.  For those who will take the extension to Lake Nam-tso, you will enjoy a wonderful country road as we leave the Friendship Highway behind us and head north-east towards Damxung, where the vast and wild Changtang Plain – home to Tibet's nomadic population – meets the more settled region around Lhasa.

Day 9
From Lake Nam-tso to Lhasa

Today you will make an early morning visit to Lake Nam-tso, visiting the island of Tashi Do – the best place to enjoy the dramatic lakeside scenery.  The saltwater lake is ringed to the south by the Nyechen Tanglha mountain range, whose snow-capped peaks soar to over 7,000m/22,960ft, a truly awe-inspiring setting.  Return to Lhasa in the afternoon, in time to relax and enjoy a farewell dinner and – if you haven't already – sample a Tibetan specialty, yak butter tea!

Day 10
Farewell Tibet!

This morning will be your last in Lhasa – perhaps spend the morning shopping for mementos of your journey, or take a moment to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the sunshine, or simply wander through the city, absorbing the sights and sounds of the old town and reflecting upon your driving adventure over the past days…

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Driving Tour Dates

For our scheduled tour dates, please be in touch (see Contact us).

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What’s Included

Our prices include the following:

  • Picnic BasketCars – a Toyota Prado GX 4.0l 240php is provided for all driving days, expertly maintained and serviced by Avis, and covered with the best insurance available
  • Routes – we provide an extensively researched and carefully designed itinerary and state-of-the-art satellite navigation system with a pre-programmed route for the journey. You will also receive a detailed pre-departure pack and route book for the journey
  • Driving Licenses – all arrangements and fees for the Chinese driving license are included
  • Fuel & Tolls – we provide petrol for the car throughout the journey and pay all tolls
  • Flights – a one-way flight from Chengdu to Lhasa and airport transfers are included
  • Hotels – the best accommodation available at each overnight stop is included
  • Meals – breakfast (a choice of Western and Local is provided), lunch and dinner are included, as are drinks, even alcoholic ones! (Of course, please drink in moderation) Prepare for a culinary adventure!
  • Goodies – you will enjoy an On the Road Home-Away-from-Home Kit containing wet towels, anti-bacterial gel and basic toiletries, and a daily picnic basket containing fresh fruit, fruit juice, water, and a mixture of sweets and nibbles
  • Other Essentials – we provide each car with walky-talkies, and each trip includes a support crew including a licensed local tour guide and back-up driver
  • Travel Insurance – 24-hour medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation emergency service provided by International SOS is included
  • Tips & Entrance Fees – basic tips and entrance fees for jointly attended activities are included

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What’s Not Included

The only items not included in our prices are flights to Chengdu and back from Lhasa, your Chinese visa and personal purchases (e.g., gifts, souvenirs).

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Prices & Options

The following are some of the options you have:

  • Come on your own (with friends or family) or join someone else (and make new friends)
  • Drive yourself or have a chauffeur
  • Choose a personal translator & guide

For more details, please write to us at contact@ontheroadinchina.com (or see Contact Us for more ways to reach us). We look forward to hearing from you and will respond promptly!

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