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Published: October 25th 2009
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I'm finally leaving for Tibet tomorrow morning!!!! 10 days waiting was more than enough. But I did get to see the pandas here yesterday. You can appreciate that my pictures are very arty as the pandas refused to stay still and pose for pictures. If anyone has advice on taking pictures in low light, where the flash makes it appear darker, but no flash makes things blurry please let me know. They are very cute looking lazy creatures who sprawl out on their backs to eat tons of bamboo.
But even more exciting I am going on to western Sichuan and Tibet tomorrow. I probably won't have computer access for at least a week, so below is my schedule. I'll tell you all about it when I can :-)
Chengdu / Luding / Kangding (376km, 6-7hrs)
Morning drive to Kangding, go through Er'lang Tunnel, along Da-Chu river. Upon arrival at Kangding, explore this town on your own, enjoy the mountain scenery and visit the local people. After dinner, enjoy a soak in the hot springs at Erdaoqiao(hot-spring fee on your own).
Kangding / Tagong / Bamei / Danba (250KM, 5-6hrs)
Morning cross Zheduo Mountain, reach Xinduqiao, the
' the heaven for photography' , here you will see typical Tibetan houses, small streams, sheep & yaks on the grasslands, snow capped mountains ranges in a distance,,ect. After Xinduqiao, drive about 40KM to Tagong, visit Tagong monastery, Drive from Kangding to Daofu which is 240km. Today after crossing the Tatho la pass(4200m) you will driving through the valley of Xingdu Qiao which is known as heaven of the photographers, the beautiful valley and well ordered prayer flags on the hill sides are uncommon in these area. Then at Tagong, you can visit Pha Lhakang which is also build in the 7th century by the Chinese pricess Wencheng on the her trip to Tibet.enjoy the impressive snow peaks of Mt. Yalha (3890m) and Paojiashan (5400m). Afternoon upon arrival at Danba, visit Danba Ancient block towers & traditional Tibetan houses in beautiful Danba Valley.
Danba / Bamei / Daofu / Luhuo (232KM, 5-6hrs)
Morning visit some other watchtowers at Jiaju villages in Danba valley, and then start driving to Bamei via Donggu scenic area, have a great view of the grassland meadow scenery in Bamei. Continue driving to Daofu, en route visit Huiyuan Temple. Daofu is very famoust for its
local residences, white-painted wall, crimson column and exquisite carved windows. After Daofu, drive about 72Km further along Xianshui River to reach Luhuo, visit Drango Gompa, which is overlooking the whole Luhuo Town.
Luhuo / Ganzi (100Km, 2hrs)
Drive from Luohuo to Ganzi, about 20km from Ganzi, pay a visit to Kasa lake. Ganzi is an important city on the northern Sichuan - Tibet road, in the afternoon you will be arranged to visit Garze Monastery and some other small monsteries around.
Ganzi / Manigango / Xinluhai / Dege(220Km, 5-6hrs)
Drive from Ganzi to Manigange, around 13km after Manigange is Yilhun La-tso ( Xinluhai), a stunning, holy alpine lake bordered by chortens and dozens of rock carvings. And you will have a chance to the huge glaciers of 6018m Que'er Mountain. Arrives at Derge to visit Derge Bakong Scripture Pringing Press and Monastery.
Derge / Chamdo( 340km, 8hrs )
Drive from Derge to Chamdo via Jomda, crossing the Jinsha river at the Tibetan border and several high passes.
Chamdo / Riwoche/Chamdo.
Drive to Riwo che in the morning and visit there and then drive back to Chamdo. It is about 110km one way.
Chamdo / Bangda
/ Basu(265KM, 6hrs)
Driving about 165 KM further south is the famous Bangdha airport and Bangdha town, which lies at a strategic location (to the left of Bangdha town is road to Yunnan and Sichuan, to its west is road to Lhasa. today on the way, there is no arranged scenic visit but natural landscape. ).
Basu / Ranwu / Pomi (219Km, 5-6hrs )
Today drive from Basu to Pomi, en route visit Ranwu lake, which is surrounded by glaciers and snow mountains. Thawed snow makes the body, the water appears different colors in different seasons, from aquamarine to turquoise. After Ranwu town, go ahead to Pomi, you will enter the most beautiful part of this tour, the landscape along the road varies from snow mountains, glacier to lakes and pasture.
Pomi / Pailong / Lulang / Bayi(240Km, 6-7hrs)
Drive from Pomi to Bayi via Pailong & Lulang, pass by the gorgeous alpine valleys lined with rhododendron bushes, cross over the Serkhym-la where you will have a chance to view the grand peak of Mt.Namche Barwa.
Bayi/ Menling/ Nngxian.
En route, visit an ancient Gelug Monastery-Buchu, that lies only 18 miles south of Bayi. If the heavy rain has not damaged the road, visit the Lamaling Monastery near Bayi. Return to the main highway and continue towards Tsedang, following the bank of Yarlung Tsangbo River, with one possible overnight in Nang county.
Langxian / Gyatsa/Chusong/Tsedang
Today it is 220km drive and it takes about 6hrs. overnight in Tsedang.
Tsedang / Samye Monastery / Tsedang
Today's visit is to Samya Monastery which is the first monastery built in the 7th century and has three building with different style (Tibetan, Hans and India).
Tsedang / Lhasa.
Today it is 220km drive which is 5hrs including lunch stop. Then in the afternoon you will get to the capital of tibet- Lhasa.
Lhasa sightseening
Today you will visit Potala palace in the morning and Jokhang temple in the afternoon. Potala palace is the Summer palace of the succesive Dalai Lamas and built in 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet and later rebuild by 5th Dalai Lama in 17th century. Jokhang temple is the center of the old Lhasa and built at the same time as Potala, around the temple is famouse and most devotional circuit called Bakhor street.
Lhasa sightseeing
Today you will visit Dripung monastery in the morning and Sera monastery in the afternoon. Both of Dripung and Sera are belongs to the Gelug pa sect (Yellow hat sect), they are mainly monastic colleges. Dripung was the world largest monastery with more than 10,000 monks.
Lhasa /Yamdrok Yumtso/Gyantse/Shigatse
Today's highlights:
Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Pelkhor Monastery, Kumbum Stupa, Tashilumpo Monastery, Village Family Visit
About hundred kilometers, you will appreciate the holy Lake of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.The sacred lake of Yamdrok Yutso is revered as a talisman, supporting the life-spirit of Tibet. It is said that should its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable. Drive to Gyantse to visit the Pelkhor monastery for its famous Kumbum Pagoda. On the way to Shigates have a mountain village family visit for a glimpse of everyday Tibetan life. Head to Shigatse to visit Tashilumpo Monastery which is Panchen Lama's seat place.
Shigatse/Mount Everest Base Camp
Today's highlights:
Rongbuk Monastery, Mount Everest Base Camp
After hours of driving we arrive at the highest monastery of the world, the Rongbuk monastery. Upon arrival, take carriage or hike to Mt. Everest Base Camp. You can appreciate the spectacular Himalayan and the highest mountain in the world-Mount Everest.
Since you will stay overnight at EBC or Rongbuk guesthouse, you will have great chance to see the sunset of Mount Everest.
Mount Everest Base Camp/Old Tingri
Today's highlights:
Sunrise of Mount Everest
Get up early in the morning to appreciate the sunrise of Mt. Everest if you are lucky.
Old Tingri/Zhangmu
Today drive from Old ding ri to Zhangmu ( Drum) the border town to Nepal
Zhangmu / Nepal
Today your private guide and driver will take you to the friendship bridge which is 30km down from the town and then depart you Nepal. Time to say good bye to them.
Note that I have just copied the itinerary from the guide including typos. Each break indicates a separate day.
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