10-Day G318 Sichuan-Tibet Small Group Overland Tour
Overview
Quick Answer
The 10-Day G318 Sichuan Tibet Group Tour is a 10-day small-group tour 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.
The route starts in Chengdu, continues through Kangding, Qamdo, Nyingchi, and finishes in Lhasa.
Built around the G318 through Kangding and Litang, with Ranwu Lake and Midui Glacier as another main focus, this itinerary is best suited to travelers who prefer a shared departure, a sociable group and a fixed sightseeing sequence. A shared departure timetable keeps the intercity sequence fixed for the group.
Tour Highlights
- Follow the G318 from Chengdu through Kangding, Xinduqiao and the highland roads around Litang.
- See Ranwu Lake, Midui Glacier and the changing forest scenery on the approach to Bomi and Nyingchi.
- Cross a succession of mountain passes and river valleys with rest time protected for altitude adjustment.
- Reach Lhasa via Basumtso Lake, then visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Place | Main plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Chengdu | Arrival, transfer and hotel check-in |
| Day 2 | Chengdu to Kangding | Chengdu to Yajiang via Kangding and Xinduqiao |
| Day 3 | Kangding | Yajiang to Cuopu Valley via Litang |
| Day 4 | Kangding | Cuopu Valley to Markam |
| Day 5 | Kangding | Markam to Basu via Dongda Mountain and Nujiang |
| Day 6 | Kangding | Basu to Bomi via Ranwu Lake and Midui Glacier |
| Day 7 | Nyingchi | Bomi to Nyingchi via Lulang and Sejila Pass |
| Day 8 | Nyingchi to Lhasa | Nyingchi to Lhasa via Basumtso Lake |
| Day 9 | Lhasa | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street |
| Day 10 | Lhasa | Hotel check-out and departure transfer |
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 Tibet 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 China Travel Guides
- Chengdu
- Kangding
- Qamdo
- Nyingchi
- Lhasa
- Best Time to Visit China
- How to Pay in China
- How Many Days Do You Need in China?
Customize This China Tour
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 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 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
