Trans Tibet – 4×4 Car Tour

Arrival in Chengdu: In the evening we will all meet at the hotel. We’ll then get acquainted over a Chinese dinner featuring local specialties – the delights of Sichuan cuisine.

In the morning, we head to the airport for our flight to Lhasa, situated at 3,600 meters. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel near the historic old town. The Barkhor Market, the heart of the old town and frequented by thousands of pilgrims and locals, is within walking distance. After checking in and taking a break to acclimatize, you can visit the old town and Barkhor Market, as well as the Jokhang Temple, the most important temple for Tibetans. There are also numerous teahouses, temples, and cafes to explore. Take a break and enjoy a free afternoon. Dinner will be at a traditional restaurant in the old town, featuring Tibetan specialties, butter tea, and Lhasa beer.

Fight time: approx. 2 hours

In the morning, we will visit the spectacular Potala Palace. The Potala Palace is an architectural masterpiece and one of Tibet’s most famous landmarks. It rises majestically on the Red Mountain and served for centuries as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the political and religious center of Tibet. With its magnificent halls, chapels, and intricately decorated rooms, the palace offers a fascinating insight into Tibetan culture and history.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Sera Monastery. Founded in 1419, the monastery is one of the “Three Great Monasteries” of the Gelug order of Tibetan Buddhism. It is particularly known for the daily debates of the monks, where they deepen their knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and logic. Visitors can witness these lively and intellectually demanding debates in the monastery courtyard. The monastery also impresses with its beautiful murals and numerous sacred buildings.

A short morning visit to Samye Monastery (optional). From Tsedang, we continue along the Yarlung Tsangpo River towards Yamdrok Lake (4,440 meters), one of Tibet’s sacred lakes. According to local belief, bathing in the lake frees one from negative karma. So, don’t forget your swimsuit! Winding roads with views from a 4,900-meter panoramic pass of the azure blue lake far below make this day a truly special experience. Along the way, we will take individual breaks for photos and panoramic views. We continue to Nagartse, then over the 5,100-meter-high Karo La Pass, which lies directly beneath a massive glacier, until we reach Gyangze. Depending on our arrival time, we will visit the old fortress of Gyangze, which majestically towers over the town. Dinner will be in a cozy Tibetan restaurant in the town center, featuring local specialties.

Distance covered: approx. 320 km

Another highlight is the Buddhist Pelkhor Monastery, built in 1427 and also known as the “Monastery of Ten Thousand Paintings.” With its four floors, 108 chapels, and over 10,000 murals, it is the largest stupa (pagoda) in Tibet. We leave Gyangze and gain altitude on the Friendship Highway (a country road) towards Sakya. Now we are on the Central Tibetan Plateau, with its farms and small villages. The area around the Sakya Monastery is beautifully situated in a green mountain valley and was once one of the most important places in Tibet. The Mongolian architecture stands out in contrast to other Tibetan monasteries, and the relaxed, non-touristy village life with its small shops and restaurants invites you to take a stroll. The mountain slopes opposite the valley can be hiked, offering numerous temples and hermitages to explore.

Distance covered: approx. 240 km

From Sakya, we head south along salt flats before winding our way further up into the Himalayas, where the fabled 8,000-meter peaks and their surrounding valleys come into view. An incredible road with 108 bends and hairpins offers views of Cho Oyo (8,201 m), Shisha Pangma (8,012 m), Lhotse (8,561 m), Makalu (8,463 m) and of course Everest (8,848 m). Some of the tallest mountains on the planet are towering before us – all visible from one of the most thrilling roads in the world on our drive to Everest Base Camp. To reach the monastery, we have to tackle the 5,269-meter high Qomolangma pass. It’s the end of the line for our cars a few kilometers before Rongbuk, and we’ll take a bus for the last leg to the monastery, with its fantastic view of Everest. A great newly built hotel awaits, and many of the rooms open out to the highest mountain in the world. The hotel has a restaurant with a wood-fired stove – a cozy spot in a forbidding wilderness at 4,900 meters. With a bit of luck, there will be views of the Milky Way at night.

Distance covered: approx. 230 km

In the morning, look forward to a beautiful sunrise at Mount Everest. We’ll let the sun chase away the chill before we head out. A busy day of driving will take us back to Shigatse. From Rongbuk Monastery, we’ll take a new route – a challenging track – back to the Friendship Highway. On the road to Shigatse, we’ll cross Gyatso La pass, the third highest of our trip at 5,220 meters, and once again take in the stunning panorama of Tibet. In Shigatse, the second largest town of Tibet, a comfortable hotel awaits. A fortress towers over the alleyways of the old town, and a small market for devotional objects is worth exploring.

Distance covered: approx. 340 km

Today, we’re exploring all that Shigatse has to offer! The morning begins leisurely with a visit to the famous Tashilhunpo Monastic University, the largest monastery in Tibet and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery has three main halls with impressive Buddha statues. You can also spend more time here, letting your soul relax in the monastery grounds and gardens. The afternoon is free, allowing for a visit to the market or the fortress overlooking the city.

Early departure. After leaving Shigatse, we take backroads that lead us through beautiful Tibetan landscapes and villages. Then we go over the Suge La Pass, one of the highest drivable passes in the world at 5,453 meters. We reach the village of Damxung, where we leave our cars at the hotel. From here, we take the national park bus to Namtso Lake, as private vehicles are not allowed in the nature reserve.

We then reach the shore of one of the largest lakes in Tibet, located at 4,718 meters, after climbing a 5,100-meter pass. The winding descent and the stunning views of the azure blue lake will make anyone’s heart beat faster. We drive along a gravel track on the shore, with fantastic views of the lake and the surrounding, often snow-covered mountain ranges, grazing yaks, small monasteries, meditation caves, and hills waiting to be climbed.

Distance covered: approx. 330 km

On the way to Lhasa via side roads, we take one last 4,900-meter pass and bid farewell to the endless, otherworldly landscapes of Tibet. In Yerpa, a hermitage on a mountainside, we are granted one last breathtaking view. Here, at 4,500 meters, a panorama of surrounding mountains and valleys unfolds – and one feels very close to enlightenment. One of Tibet’s most famous yogis, Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), meditated here and practiced tantric yoga. Then we arrive in Lhasa. Final dinner and a visit to a bar.

Distance covered: approx. 330 km

Transfer to the airport and departure from Lhasa in the morning. Flights home can be booked from 7 PM onwards.