The Tea Horse Road, an ancient trade route linking teaproducing areas with Tibet, connects the mountains and deep gorges as well as different ethnic groups. For hundreds of years, horse caravans travelled along this route carrying tea to Tibet and India, and bringing other commodities back home. This route has formed a corridor rich in culture, as different groups interact with each other in their daily lives.
Yunnan to Tibet route is designed for intrepid travellers to discover the region’s living heritage through comfort, authenticity, and an enlightened spirit of adventure. Extended across dramatic altitudes within the Tibetan plateau, the area is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the demographic contains Tibetans and most of the twenty-five ethnic monitories found in Yunnan province, many of who still follow ancient traditions and customs.
River valleys, pristine forests, grassland pastures, and
endless glaciers and the highest mountains on the
planet…in a multi-ethnic Tibetan-Yi corridor where more
than 20 of the China 56 ethnic groups lives.
And amazingly located private lodges
-
Travel is an emotional experience, cherishing new corners and venture into unknown landscapes. Respecting this and giving back to society has taken an important role in our endeavors in leaving only footprints and taking only memories. ATRAILS committed to improving the conditions of communities we encounter on our journeys whilst safeguarding and protecting nature and wildlife
Tibet, Yunnan, China
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN Diqing Shangri-La
Pick up from Diqing Shangri-La Airport and welcome dinner at the hotel, next to the Songzanlin Monastery
Food
-/-/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Linka Shangri-la
Day 2
Shangrila - Meilli
From Shangrila to Meilli/Kawagebo Sacred Peak visiting Napa Lake and Dongzhulin Monastery. Time to visit local tibetan village in Meili.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Lodge Meili
Day 3
Meili-Tibet (salt fields)
Passing through the Mekong Valley and over its snowcapped mountains, you will be entering Tibet, up to the salt fields.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Rumei
Day 4
Maiba Pasture
Visit Maiba Pasture(seasonal) (1-hour drive) to see the rich pasture land, yaks grazing, and the plateau pika. Lunch at the pasture. Dinner at hotel.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Rumei
Day 5
Laigu
Highest day of the journey at 5,130mt over Dongda Pass, to reach the grasslands and the 72-turns Nu Jiang Road, in order to arrive for a spectacular sunset at Laigu.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Laigu
Day 6
the GodLake
Have the priviledge to witness the GodLake Duosong-Tso among pristine forests and snowcapped sacred peaks, before exploring on foot the ancient blue glacier
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Laigu
Day 7
Mirror-like Rawu lake
Mirror-like Rawu lake will be the opening of the day, before following the Tsangpo River along dense forests up to the tranquillity of Guxiang Lake
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Linka Bome
Day 8
Pulong Temple
Zhuxi glacier and the 400 years old Pulong Temple are our morning activities, before hiking in the spruce forest toward the afternoon tea set by the lake shores.
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Linka Bome
Day 9
linzhi
Hike into Zhaxigang Village situated at the foot of Jialabailei Summit and pass by Lulang’s immense forest to see the snow-capped mountains, and meadows before arriving at Linzhi(overnight @Tingyard hotel )
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
@Tingyard hotel
Day 10
Linzhi-Lhasa
Basongcuo Scenic Area and Tsozong Gongba Monastery on the island are the beginning of the last day toward Lhasa, dinner at hotel
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Linka Lhasa
Day 11
Lhasa
Visit Potala Palace after breakfast, the highest palace in the world. Return hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, take part in a Thangka painting workshop. Dinner at hotel
Food
B/L/D
Accommodation
Songtsam Linka Lhasa
Day 12
Lhasa-
Transfer out Lhasa
Food
B/-/-
Travel is an emotional experience, cherishing new corners and venture into unknown landscapes.
Respecting this and giving back to society has taken an important role in our endeavours in leaving only footprints and taking only memories.
To Know More
Songtsam Linka Shangri-la, Kena Village, Shangri-La, Diqing, Yunnan Province
Songtsam Linka Shangri-la
Hidden in the city’s peaceful and green valleys between Tibetan villages and Himalayan barley fields,our retreat faces the back of Songzanlin Monastery which can be seen across the meadow and is located only a short distance away. According to the mountain, the retreat uses the Tibetan stone-house buildings with Kham style, and all of them are well arranged among each other with flowers and trees. There are monks, local people and horses passing by the path of pine forest beside the retreat, which are natural harmony and full of Zen.
Gujinong Village, Deqin County, Diqing Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, China.
Songtsam Lodge Meili
Songtsam Lodge Meili locates in a small Tibetan village called Gujiunong, which is opposite to Mt. Kawagarbo, the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain range. The true face of the whole thirteen peaks of Meili Snow Mountain flickers in the clouds. Surrounded by mountains, every window facing to the holy snow mountain. Clouds floating in the sky, the clear stream winds its way through the valley. From time to time, we can see the national second-class protected animal white horse chicken in the forest around the mountain. Songtsam cooperates with Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve to establish Baima chicken incubation base, so that this once endangered creature can continue to sing in the forest.
Guxiang Village, Bome town, Nyingchi city, Tibet, China.
Songtsam Linka Bome
Located at the centre of the Songtsam Tea Horse Road Expedition in Tibet, Songtsam Linka Bome is surrounded by the Parlung Tsangpo River, snow-capped mountains, and dense forest. The hotel was built in relationship to the terrain and the design of the building complex reflects a small village that is integrated into the mountain forest. Bome lies in the neighbouring area between the Himalaya and Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range. Also known as the “Switzerland of Tibet”, Bome is a paradise with its weather being warm in the winter and cool in summer. The area features snow-capped mountain ranges, primeval forests, stunning rivers, holy lakes and splendid glaciers.
Laigu Village, Rawu Town, Baxoi County, Chamdo Prefecture, Tibet, China.
Songtsam Laigu
Facing Laigu glaciers, Songtsam Lodge Laigu locates between snow mountains, glaciers and lakes under the sky, this a mystery place beyond the world. As the highest property and the most difficult construction miracle of Songtsam, Laigu lodge was awarded as Winner for best Architectural Design / Heritage Architecture by The Architecture MasterPrize 2019. With the prime consideration given to the preservation of natural and Tibetan cultural heritage, the building was designed with modular prefabrication and embedded under a high cliff hidden from sight. The project keep a very harmonious relationship with the texture of the original village.
Rumei Town, Markam County, Chamdo City, Tibet, China.
Songtsam Rumei
From the window of Songtsam Lodge Rumei, Lancang (Upper Mekong) River, green terrace with the window frame make up a landscape painting. At an altitude of 2,600 metres, this remote oasis is situated at a point where the first stop from Yunnan to TAR for Songtsam Tea Horse Road Expedition. Nestled away in a valley, the lodge is located next to Zhuka Village in the north and vast farmland in the south. Guest rooms all face Lancang River, ensuring views of the natural stream outside and the green terraces nearby. The lodge embraces bright colours such as green, yellow, white, and peacock blue, mirroring the colours of the sky and surrounding snow-capped mountains, rivers, and fields.
No.1 Zongzan Road, Wencheng Avenue, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet, China.
Songtsam Linka Lhasa
Built on a hillside, our retreat offers spectacular views of the nearby Potala Palace. From the hotel’s slaked lime coloured walls to the indigo carved windows and fish-fin shaped facade, all of these architectural details pay great respect to traditional artisans, Tibetan culture, and ancient wisdom. The interior design is inspired and derived from the lifestyle of Lhasa natives; stylistically decorated with exquisite Thangka paintings and wall tapestries to revive an environment typical of noble families living centuries ago.
Travel is an emotional experience, cherishing new corners and venture into unknown landscapes.
Respecting this and giving back to society has taken an important role in our endeavours in leaving only footprints and taking only memories.
To Know More
Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- Accommodation with meals as indicated in the programme
- Meals as described in program, (Meal Symbols: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
- Transfers, tours by A/C vehicle and entrance fees as indicated with services of an English-speaking guide in each city
- Insurance: travel agency liability insurance and overseas personal travel accident insurance
- Entrance tickets and special activities listed in the itinerary
Not Included
- Ticket(s) for international and domestic flights / trains
- Meals as not indicated in program
- Single supplement
- Tips for services of local guides and drivers
- Expenditures of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
- Any personal expenses.
Payment and Cancellations
- Deposit: 25% of total pacakage to confirm the booking.
- Full payment is due 4 weeks before departure. We reserve the right to release all services in case of payment overdue
- Cancellation policy:
• Between 60 and 30 days prior to arrival : 25% of total amount
• Between 30 and 15 days prior to arrival : 50% of total amount
• Less than 15 days : 100% of total amount
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- Please note that the itinerary and the order of the visits as described above is subject to change depending on local conditions
- Itinerary is subject to change depending on the confirmed flights, road conditions, and rooms availability. We reserve the right to replace above hotels by other hotels of similar or superior category
- Peak season supplements may apply during trade fair, public holiday or special events
- Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increases
- As of 2020 Asian Trails has introduced a voluntary carbon offsetting initiative for our travellers to compensate for unavoidable emissions during their tours with us. Emissions during multi-day package tours (not including international flights to our destinations) are pegged at a cost of $1.50 per traveller per day. This amount is based on average daily emissions of travellers across our eight destinations. Contributions from clients to our carbon offsetting initiative will go into a destination-specific fund to support climate protection projects certified to Gold Standard in that country. Certification to Gold Standard assures that the projects supported through our carbon offsetting initiative not only reduce harmful emissions but also positively contribute to sustainable development. Our contributions to projects in a country will be relative to the CO2 emitted by our travelers in that destination. To know more about this project: https://marketplace.goldstandard.org/collections/projects/products/more-efficient-cooking-and-heating-china