10-Day G318 Sichuan-Tibet Small Group Overland Tour
Gallery: photographs and travel illustrations
Use these views to compare the settings on the route. Illustrative images are identified in their individual notes. Your confirmed itinerary sets out guiding, visits and included activities.
Basumtso Lake and forested mountains near Nyingchi.
Anshun Bridge across the Jin River in Chengdu at night.
Ranwu Lake in eastern Tibet. Photograph by Nihongarden; original file and source; CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP for VeroTrip. Where required, the adapted image is offered under the same license.
- Potala Palace sightseeing in Lhasa; Lhasa Tour. .
Original travel experience illustration for the G318 Sichuan–Tibet route. This is not a photograph of a particular guest trip or a guarantee that English guiding is included.
Overview
Follow the G318 from Chengdu (成都) through Kangding (康定), Litang (理塘) and eastern Tibet to Lhasa (拉萨) in a small group. Ranwu Lake (然乌湖), Midui Glacier (米堆冰川) and Nyingchi (林芝)‘s forests break up the long road stages; altitude adjustment and the required travel arrangements shape the schedule.
YOUR JOURNEY
Route Map
Follow the itinerary in travel order.
Continue the route: days 7–10
Route schematic; not to scale or for navigation. See the Daily Itinerary for individual visits, optional activities and access conditions.
Tour Highlights
- Follow the G318 from Chengdu through Kangding, Xinduqiao (新都桥) and the highland roads around Litang.
- See Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier and the changing forest scenery on the approach to Bomi (波密) and Nyingchi.
- Cross a succession of mountain passes and river valleys with rest time protected for altitude adjustment.
- Reach Lhasa via Basumtso Lake (巴松措), then visit the Potala Palace (布达拉宫), Jokhang Temple (大昭寺) and Barkhor Street (八廓街).
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route / main plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Chengdu |
| 2 | Chengdu to Yajiang (雅江) via Kangding and Xinduqiao |
| 3 | Yajiang to Cuopu Valley (措普沟) via Litang |
| 4 | Cuopu Valley to Markam (芒康) |
| 5 | Markam to Basu (八宿) via Dongda Mountain (东达山) and Nujiang (怒江) |
| 6 | Basu to Bomi via Ranwu Lake and Midui Glacier |
| 7 | Bomi to Nyingchi via Lulang (鲁朗) and Sejila Pass |
| 8 | Nyingchi to Lhasa via Basumtso Lake |
| 9 | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street |
| 10 | Depart Lhasa |
Tour at a Glance
| Travel style | small-group tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 days |
| Route | Chengdu to Kangding to Qamdo to Nyingchi to Lhasa |
| Activity level | Moderate to demanding |
| Best for | travelers who prefer a shared departure, a sociable group and a fixed sightseeing sequence |
| When to go | Late spring to early autumn |
Good to Know Before You Go
Pace and Physical Demands
Moderate to demanding. Altitude, long road sections and hotel changes matter more here than fast-paced city sightseeing. Use the daily plan to understand the walking required around the G318 through Kangding and Litang and the travel time between overnight stops.
Season and Reservations
Late spring to autumn is the usual operating window. Permit timing, altitude, mountain weather and road controls can affect the daily order. For the 10-Day G318 Sichuan (四川) Tibet (西藏) Group Tour, confirm current access and any timed entry for Ranwu Lake and Midui Glacier after choosing the dates.
- Allow enough time for the Tibet Travel Permit and avoid a tightly timed international connection at the end of the route.
- Discuss altitude and relevant health concerns with a qualified medical professional before joining the high-elevation sections.
Related Destinations and Regional Travel Guides
- Chengdu
- Kangding
- Qamdo
- Nyingchi
- Lhasa
- Yunnan, Sichuan and Beyond: When to Visit Each Region
- Yunnan Travel Payments: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Cards and Cash
- Yunnan, Sichuan and Regional Routes: How Many Days?
Arrange This Tour for Your Dates
Tell us your dates, hotel level and must-see stops through Plan My Trip
, especially if you want more time for the G318 through Kangding and Litang. The core group route and departure timing stay fixed, while room requests and pre- or post-tour extensions can be discussed. We will verify availability and return with a trip-specific plan and price.
Daily Itinerary
Arrive independently in Chengdu and check in at the listed hotel. Keep the rest of the day easy before the small-group overland journey begins, allowing time to rest and prepare for the higher-altitude stages ahead.
Leave Chengdu for Kangding and cross the Zheduo Mountain (折多山) area toward Xinduqiao and Yajiang. This is the first major overland day, so road conditions, altitude and rest stops shape the pace more than a fixed sightseeing timetable.
Follow the G318 through the 18 Bends toward Litang, with stops around Letong Ancient Town, Maoya Grassland (毛垭大草原) and Sister Lake when conditions allow. Continue toward Cuopu Valley for the overnight stage after a long day on the plateau road.
Spend the available morning in the Cuopu Valley area, then continue west toward Markam. The day crosses remote highland terrain, with the final stops and arrival time dependent on road access, weather and group pace.
Travel from Markam through the Dongda Mountain area, Zuogong and the Nujiang valley toward Basu. Expect a substantial driving day with repeated altitude changes, mountain roads and regular rest stops before hotel check-in.
Continue from Basu to Ranwu Lake and the Midui Glacier area before traveling on to Bomi. Weather and scenic-area access determine the time available at each landscape stop, so the route keeps a practical margin for the road journey.
Drive from Bomi through Lulang and over the Sejila Pass toward Nyingchi. Forested valleys gradually replace the drier plateau scenery, while mountain weather can still affect views and the timing of the final arrival.
Leave Nyingchi for Basumtso Lake, then continue west to Lhasa. Keep the day focused on the lake visit and the long onward drive, arriving with enough time for hotel check-in and rest at altitude.
Explore central Lhasa through the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. Timed admission and permit arrangements influence the sequence, and the walking pace should remain measured because the city sits at high altitude.
Check out and transfer to Lhasa Airport or railway station according to the departure schedule. Avoid a tight onward connection and allow extra time for traffic, luggage and terminal formalities.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Guide and driver support for the sightseeing and transfers shown below
- Accommodation for the 9 overnight stops shown in the itinerary
- Admission or activity arrangements for the G318 through Kangding and Litang, plus Ranwu Lake and Midui Glacier, when listed for the departure
- Transport needed to travel from Chengdu through to Lhasa
Check the departure-specific service list for transport and admission arrangements around the G318 through Kangding and Litang.
Not Included
- Flights, trains or other services outside the route from Chengdu through to Lhasa
- Travel documents, visa costs and travel insurance
- Unlisted meals, optional activities and hotel upgrades
- Personal spending and costs following a missed or changed connection
Frequently Asked Questions
This 10-day itinerary travels from Chengdu to Lhasa via Kangding, Qamdo, and Nyingchi. Its main experiences are the G318 through Kangding and Litang, Ranwu Lake and Midui Glacier, and Lhasa's Potala Palace and Barkhor Street.
Moderate to demanding. The daily plan explains how much walking, steps or uneven ground is associated with the G318 through Kangding and Litang, separately from road or rail time.
This mountain itinerary depends on trail and road access. Spring and autumn are options to discuss for walking and mountain views; summer rain and winter snow can change access. Confirm the particular high sections, guide arrangements and an easier alternative for your date before reserving transport.
Begin once the traveler documents and route are settled. Permit arrangements follow the submitted itinerary, so avoid a tight onward connection until the documents and transport are in place.
The shared 10-day route and departure times stay fixed, but room requests and an extra night near the G318 through Kangding and Litang can be discussed before or after the group program.
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