12-Day Roof of the World: Sichuan-Tibet Highway to Lhasa
Overview
Quick Answer
12-Day Roof of the World: Sichuan-Tibet Highway to Lhasa is designed for travelers who want a clear, bookable China itinerary rather than a loose list of attractions. The route connects Chengdu, Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang, Daocheng Yading, Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Midui Glacier with a practical daily pace, local experiences and VERO TRIP route support.
| Duration | 12 days |
|---|---|
| Route | Chengdu, Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang, Daocheng Yading, Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Midui Glacier |
| Tour style | Private Tours |
| Good for | first-time visitors who want Chengdu culture and pandas; overland explorers and plateau culture travelers |
| Main regions | Sichuan, Tibet |
Why Choose This Route
This itinerary is arranged around real travel flow: arrival city, transfer distance, sightseeing time, overnight stops and the places that make the route memorable. Instead of rushing every landmark, it keeps each day focused on what travelers actually came to experience.
What Makes This Trip Different
- Epic Highland Crossings – Conquer 10+ mountain passes including 5,008m Dongda La and 4,839m Yela La, with panoramic views of the Hengduan Mountains
- Yading's Triple Sacred Peaks – Stand before Chenresig, Jampayang, and Chanadorje – the "Three Protector Deities" immortalized in James Hilton's Lost Horizon
- Yamdrok Lake's 720° Views – Discover Tibet's most beautiful sacred lake from the newly viral Rituo Temple, plus lakeside encounters with blue sheep and bar-headed geese
- Glacier Encounters – Walk on winter ice at Laigu Glacier (seasonal) or admire Midui Glacier's frozen grandeur
- Professional Photography Throughout – Dedicated photographer
Good to Know Before Booking
- Final hotel level, guide language, vehicle type and ticket arrangements are confirmed before quotation.
- For mountain, plateau or long-drive routes, weather, road conditions and altitude comfort should be checked before departure.
- The itinerary can be adjusted for private travelers, families, photographers or guests who prefer a slower pace.
Suggested Travel Style
Choose this route if you want a helpful, locally planned itinerary with enough structure to book confidently and enough flexibility to match your travel style.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 Hometown / → / Chengdu (Arrival) Breakfast: / Self-care / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care Private airport / station pickup; transfer to downtown hotel; driver confirms arrangements one day in advance Hotel in / downtown / Chengdu
Day 2 Chengdu → Luding / → Zheduo Breakfast: Hotel / buffet 09:00 Depart; 12:00 Lunch; 16:30 Visit Yuzi West / Balang Shengdu; 18:00 Head to Xinduqiao Hotel in / Xinduqiao
Day 3 Xinduqiao / → Yajiang / → Litang / → / Daocheng / / Shangri- La Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care 09:00 Depart; 12:00 Lunch; scenic drive; arrive Daocheng around 17:30 Hotel in / Daocheng / / Shangri- L a
Day 4 Daocheng Yading / Full-Day Tour Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care 09:00 Depart; 10:30 Arrive Daocheng Yading Scenic Area; full-day exploration Hotel in / Daocheng / / Shangri- L a
Day 5 Daocheng / / Shangri- La → Litang Breakfast: Hotel / buffet 09:00 Depart; 12:00 Lunch; 15:30 Visit Maoya Grassland (1hr); 16:30 Sister Lakes (30min); 17:00 Head to Mangkang Hotel in / Mangkang
Day 6 Mangkang / → Zogang / → Yela / Mountain / → 72 / Turns → / Basu Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care 09:00 Depart; 12:00 Lunch; drive to Yela Mountain & 72 Turns of Nujiang; arrive Basu around 20:00 Hotel in / Basu
Day 7 Basu → / Rawu Lake / → Midui / / Laigu / Glacier → / Bomi Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care 09:00 Depart; 11:00 Visit Rawu Lake; 12:00 Lunch; visit glacier (3hr); 15:30 Head to Bomi Hotel in / Bomi
Day 8 Bomi → / Tongmai / Bridge → / Lulang / Town → / Nyingchi Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care 09:00 Depart; 11:00 Tongmai Bridge photo stop (30min); 12:30 Lulang Town (lunch + 2hr visit); 13:30 Head to Nyingchi Hotel in / Nyingchi
Day 9 Nyingchi / → / Gongbujian gda → / Lhasa Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care 09:00 Depart for Lhasa (≈5hr drive); free time for meals & evening sightseeing Hotel in / Lhasa
Explore Midui Glacier with a comfortable travel pace, local sightseeing time and VERO TRIP route support.
Day 11 Lhasa / Urban / Photoshoot Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care 09:00 Photoshoot at Potala Palace Square, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street; l2:00 Lunch; continue shooting until l6:00 Hotel in / Lhasa
Day 12 Lhasa / Departure Breakfast: / Hotel / buffet / Lunch: / Self-care / Dinner: / Self-care Private transfer to Lhasa Airport based on flight time; tour concludes None
What's Included & Excluded
Service Included
- Route planning and reservation support before departure.
- Local guide, driver or route-support arrangements according to the confirmed service plan.
- Hotels, transfers, tickets and listed activities according to the final quotation.
- Travel coordination during the trip for the scheduled route.
Exact inclusions are confirmed in the final proposal before payment.
Service Excluded
- International flights and China visa costs.
- Personal expenses, optional activities and single-room supplement unless listed in the quotation.
- Meals, tickets, transfers or services not included in the final confirmed itinerary.
- Travel insurance and any costs caused by weather, road changes or personal schedule changes.