Stage 32: Lhasa to Kashgar

15 to 29 May 2009

Tibetan adventure

The excursion across the Tibetan plateau into the far northwest of China is a real challenge for the vehicles. Hazardous passes through the Himalayas, gravel tracks and river fords open the way to destinations that few people are lucky enough to experience during their lifetime.

Minimum number of participants

8 people

Price of journey per person excluding flight(s):

4,099 EUR


A summary of the stage

The Lhasa-Kashgar stage

Day 1

Individual arrival in Lhasa, organizational matters/vehicle instruction, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Lhasa

Day 2

Sightseeing in Lhasa including the Potala Palace and Lhasa's ancient city, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Lhasa

Day 3

Stage for the day: Lhasa – Shigatse (200 km), travel through the river landscapes of Tibet, visit Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, overnight in a guesthouse in Shigatse

Day 4

Stage for the day: Shigatse – New Tingri (270 km), overnight in a guesthouse in New Tingri

Day 5

Travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp (Chinese side), visit Rongbuk monastery at 4,980 m (the highest monastery in the world), overnight in a guesthouse in New Tingri

Day 6

Stage for the day: New Tingri – Saga (280 km), travel past the highest mountains in the world in the Himalayas, intermediate stop at Lake Pelkhu Tso, cross various passes, China-Nepal Highway, overnight in a simple guesthouse in Saga

Day 7

Stage for the day: Saga – Baryang (240 km), travel across the Tibetan Plateau, cross three passes, dinner together, overnight in a simple guesthouse in Baryang

Day 8

Stage for the day: Baryang – Mt. Kailash (310 km), cross the Mayum La Pass, travel to Lake Manasarova, revered by Buddhists as the holiest lake in Asia, camp overnight with a view of the holy mountain

Day 9

Stage for the day: Mt. Kailash – Garyersa (250 km), travel to the holy mountain of Kailash (6,714 m), cross the Jerko La Pass (4,938 m), overnight in a simple guesthouse in Garyersa

Day 10

Stage for the day: Garyersa – Domar (370 km), drive along gravel tracks and ford rivers in turn, overnight in a simple guesthouse near Domar

Day 11

Stage for the day: Domar – Dahongliutan (380 km), travel along the Tibet-Xinjiang Highway across the Tibetan Plateau, dinner together and overnight in a guesthouse in Dahongliutan

Day 12

Stage for the day: Dahongliutan – Yecheng (310 km), cross Koshbel Daban Pass (4,250 m) and Yengi Daban Pass (4,920 m), overnight in a simple guesthouse in Yecheng

Day 13

Stage for the day: Yecheng – Kashgar (240 km), travel along the Southern Silk Road towards the oasis town of Kashgar, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Kashgar

Day 14

Sightseeing in Kashgar including the Id-Kah Mosque and wander through the bazaars, dinner together and overnight in hotel in Kashgar

Day 15

Individual departures from Kashgar

Impressions of the stage: