Tibet 2020

Most of the botanising will be done from the vehicles and at altitude but several days will be all day in the mountains exploring the high landscapes. Travel will be mostly by a 24-seater bus but for three days, we’ll travel by jeep. Accommodation will be in hotels along the route.

Itinerary

22 Jun – Chengdu International Airport

Arrive at Chengdu International Airport. Meet and transfer to the hotel in Chengdu.

Dinner at the local restaurant.

Overnight at Dorsett Hotel Chengdu 4* for 1 night.

23 Jun – Chengdu / Lijiang (2,400m)

Transfer to the airport for the early morning flight to Lijiang.

Arrive at Lijiang around noon. Transfer to the hotel and check in.

After a rest in the hotel, transfer to visit Black Dragon Pool Park.

Welcome dinner in the local restaurant.

Overnight at Jinfu Hotel 4* or similar in Lijang for 3 nights.

24 Jun – Lijiang

Botanise around Gangheba pass and first part of the valley. Either on the way there or on the way back visit Joseph Rock Residence.

25 Jun – Lijiang to Zhongdian / Shangri-La (3,300m)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive by bus to Zhongdian. Make stops for visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. Upon arrival at Zhongdian, visit Songzam Monastery.

Overnight at Old Town Inn 4* or similar for 2 nights.

26 Jun – Zhongdian

Start early for a full day exploring the flowers at Hong Shan with jeeps.

27 Jun – Zhongdian to Dechen

Drive to Dechen. Make some stops for botanising en route and visit Bend of Yangtze river.

Botanise on west side on the Bai Ma Shan.

Overnight at Caihong Hotel 4* or similar for 2 nights.

28 Jun – Dechen

Full day botanising on east side on the Bai Ma Shan.

29 Jun – Dechen to Markham

Drive to Markham. (Change buses at the Yunnan/Tibet police check.)

Botanise at the Hung La (4,470m).

Overnight at Markham Hotel (3,780m) for 1 night.

30 Jun – Markham to Zuogong

Drive from Markham to Zuogong (170km).

Scenic route with super views on high pass with Mekong river in the deep gorge.

Cross the Dungda La (5,075m).     .

Overnight at Shengfang Hotel 3* in Zuogong for 2 nights (3,700m).

01 Jul –  Zuogong

Full day botanising at Dungda La Pass.

02 Jul –  Zuogong to Ranwu (3,850m)

Drive from Zuogong to Pasho (205km).

Cross Gama La (4,618m), botanise at pass.

Drive from Pasho to Rawu (90km). Botanise at pass before Rawu.

Overnight at Ranwu Tianji Hotel 3* for 1 night.

03 Jul – Rawu to Bomi

Drive from Rawu to Bomi (128km)

Halfway at Songzhong town, change to jeeps to botanise at the pass of Guzala Mountain, which means, in Tibetan, mountain after mountain.

Overnight at Dengfeng Hotel 3* in Bomi for 2 nights (2750m).

04 Jul – Bomi

Full day botanising at Galung La with jeeps.

05 Jul – Bomi to Linzhi

Drive from Bomi to Bayi (232km).

Wonderful views of Parlung Tsangpo, Rong Chu river. If the weather is good enough, we can see the snow peak of Namcha Barwa (7,882m) from far away.

In the afternoon, cross the Serkhyem La (4,600m).

Overnight at Dongcheng Jinhui Hotel 4* for 2 nights at Linzhi (3,000m).

06 Jul – Linzhi

Botanise at the Serkhyem La with many Rheum nobile.

07 Jul – Linzhi to Lhasa

Drive along part of the highway and part of the old road from Linzhi to Lhasa (3,600m).

Botanise at the Mila Mountain pass (4,850m).

Overnight at Tangka Hotel 4* for 3 nights at Lhasa (3,650m).

08 Jul – Lhasa

Visit the Potala Palace and the Jokhang monastery.

Dinner will be free, please arrange by yourself.

09 Jul – Lhasa

Free day to explore in and around Lhasa in the morning and visit Sera Temple in the afternoon; enjoy the interesting debating at 3pm in the temple.

Farewell dinner in the local restaurant.

10 Jul – Lhasa / Chengdu

Take flight from Lhasa to Chengdu.

Dinner in the local restaurant.

Overnight at Dorsett Hotel Chengdu 4* or similar for 1 night.

11 Jul – Chengdu / Departure

Depart for home from Chengdu.