Roads on the Roof of the World (11 Days) We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, for example.

On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…

p2 p3 Itinerary Map p. 006 Yes, it is possible… p. 008 Journey of Discovery p. 010 Day-by-day p. 082

In closing... Choice of Cars p. 097 Adventures in local cuisine p. 098 What’s included/Best Months to Travel p. 100 Photo credits p. 103 p5 Itinerary Map Day1 Day7 Arrive in – Tingri to – Preparing for your journey Summit Day

Day2 Day8 In Chengdu – Pelbar to – Driving license application & To ’s Second City visiting Sichuan’s pandas Day9 Day3 Shigatse to Damxung – Chengdu to – Beautiful back roads to Nam-tso Up and up to Tibet Day10 Day4 Damxung to Lhasa – In Lhasa – Nam-tso & Lhasa Discover Tibet’s sacred city Day11 Day5 Depart from Lhasa – Lhasa to – Farewell Tibet On the road in Tibet

Day6 Gyantse to Tingri – Into Tibet’s Wild West

p6 p7 Yes, it is possible...

“Roads on the Roof of the World” is a discovery of one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful and remote scenery: the serene, holy lakes of Tibet and the breathtaking view of Mt. Everest.

Tread in the footsteps of Mallory and other great Himalayan explorers on a road trip like no other as you explore this stunningly beautiful region and drive from Lhasa to Mount Everest Base Camp.

Travel through the finest scenery on earth in the comfort and freedom of your own car, stopping at remote cliff-top monasteries and holy lakes as you wind your way towards the heart of the Great Himalayan Range...

Drive to one of Tibet’s holiest lakes, Lake Nam-tso. Ringed by snow-capped mountains, the turquoise waters of the lake have been revered by Tibetans for centuries – the perfect end to a journey you will remember for a lifetime.

On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to driving in Tibet in your own properly-insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys...

p8 p9 p11 Pandas, the symbol for FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE...”

Welcome to Chengdu p13 You have LEFT THE BIG CITY BEHIND...”

Bamboo Park, Chengdu p15 One of the WORLD’s most ICONIC buildings...”

The , Lhasa p17 PILGRIMS PRAY in the shade...”

The , Lhasa p19 GOSSIP and PRAYER go hand-in-hand...”

The Jokhang, Lhasa p21 Elsewhere, monks DEBATE scripture...”

In Lhasa p23 p24 p25 DRIVE around this BEAUTIFUL LAKE, seen here in autumn, but STUNNING, whatever the season…”

Lake Yamdrok-tso p27 Explore historic GYANTSE, now a PEACEFUL farming town…”

Gyantse Dzong, Gyantse p29 Into Tibet’s WILD WEST..”

The road west, near Tingri p31 5000km AWAY from Shanghai...”

The G318, China’s longest road, near Tingri p33 ADD your prayer flags to the collection FESTOONING this 5,300 meter MOUNTAIN PASS...”

TheAt the G318, Ganden China’s Sumtseling longest road, Monastery near Tingri p35 Heading WEST, ever MORE REMOTE...”

En route to Mt. Everest Base Camp p37 OM MANI PADME HUM, TIBETAN’S all-purpose BLESSING...”

Shegar Monastery, Tingri p39 Mani Offerings…”

Shegar Monastery, Tingri p41 Daybreak over the HIMALAYAS…”

The Himalayan Range p43 UNFORGETTABLE, the SIGHT of FOUR peaks over 8000 metres!”

Mt. Everest (left) in the Great Himalayan Range p45 Practice your HAIRPIN TURNS...”

En route to Mt. Everest Base Camp p47 MOUNT EVEREST, if ever you wanted to GET THIS CLOSE...”

p49 Up-close-and- personal with YOUR YAK...”

p51 Spend time in this stunning place, and UNDERSTAND why the MOUNTAIN is SACRED to local people…”

Mount Everest Base Camp p53 EXPLORE this enormous monastery, HOME to generations of PANCHEN LAMAS…”

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse p55 PILGRIMS doing their KORA...”

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse p57 p58 p59 A PICNIC at 4,500m..”

En route from Shigatse to Damxung p61 Making FRIENDS after the PICNIC…”

On the Road to Damxung p63 In the middle of NOWHERE, only YOU and DRAMATIC SCENERY!”

On the Road to Damxung p65 The HIGHEST mountain pass... and still FULL of ENERGY!”

Chogula Pass, 5450 meters p67 FIRST VIEW of TIBET’S second largest HOLY LAKE…”

Lake Nam-tso p69 Even here, the ROADS are PERFECTLY paved and FOR YOU to enjoy!”

First view of Lake Nam-tso p71 BLACK FURBALLS... YAKS, EVERYWHERE!”

By Lake Nam-tso p73 p74 p75 Lake Nam-tso p77 7,000+ meter mountains all around you...”

Landscape around Lake Nam-tso p79 RAINBOW not included...”

The Jokhang, Lhasa p81 p83 Day 1 Day 2

Preparing for Timing Driving license Driving Distance & Duration your journey Arrive in Chengdu at your application & an Distance: NA leisure optional visit of Duration: NA Arrive in Chengdu according for its heat (which makes to your own arrangements. We good use of mouth-numbing Sichuan’s pandas will meet you at the airport and Sichuan pepper), history and Driving Distance & Duration Elevation transfer you to your hotel. After variety. Chengdu is home to Distance: NA After breakfast, we will help return to the hotel, driving Highest Daytime: 500m the finest Sichuanese chefs, licenses in hand, to prepare for settling in, you may want to go Duration: NA those who require a temporary Overnight: 500m for a stroll around the city. a huge point of pride for the Chinese driving license to the following day’s journey to While downtown Chengdu has city. The quality of the food on Elevation complete the application Lhasa. In the evening our staff no major sights, many visitors offer here helped to make the process. This involves a simple will arrange a safety briefing Hotel Highest Daytime: 500m find its laid-back pace and city UNESCO’s first-ever City of eye test and some paperwork; for you, followed by dinner. Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu Overnight: 500m (*****) diversity of cultural scenes Gastronomy. we will strive to keep the unexpectedly engaging. It Hotel process as streamlined as could be its relaxing teahouse After an afternoon at leisure, Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu possible. culture, or maybe it’s the lively meet your host in the hotel (*****) nightlife, but for many, the lobby for a first chance to Spend the afternoon with most memorable experience test your tastebuds on some Sichuan’s most famous here will be the food. succulent Sichuanese stir-fries residents, the giant pandas Sichuanese cuisine is famous at our welcome dinner. at Chengdu’s Panda Breeding Centre. Set on the city’s outskirts amongst bamboo groves, the Centre’s breeding program has been instrumental in supporting the giant panda population, particularly since 2008’s catastrophic earthquake struck close to the province’s main panda reserve at Wolong.

In the late afternoon we will p85 Day 3 Up and up to Tibet

Today will see you leaving the – a pleasant park that was lowlands behind on the flight once the summer palace for from Chengdu to Lhasa, at the Dalai Lamas, is within 3,650m elevation. The flight walking distance, as is the crosses the icy spine of the . We recommend Himalayas, with fantastic views drinking plenty of water and of the mountains and glaciers avoiding caffeine and alcohol below. to help your body acclimatise. Minor discomfort and some Driving Distance & Duration Once in Lhasa, we will transfer difficulty sleeping is common, you to your hotel in central but please talk to our staff if Distance: NA Lhasa. Pity the planners who you are feeling unwell. Duration: NA had to find enough flat land for a runway in this region! Elevation Lhasa’s Gonggar Airport is actually 62km southwest of Highest Daytime: 3650m Lhasa, in the adjacent Yarlung Overnight: 3650m Tsangpo Valley (more widely known as known as the Hotel Brahmaputra). The drive to the city has been substantially Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa (*****) shortened, thanks to a new road and a tunnel.

Your hotel is situated just west of the Potala Palace and Lhasa’s old town. On this, your first afternoon at altitude, please take things easy! If you do wish to stretch your legs, the p87 Day 4 Day 5 Discovering Tibet’s On the Road in Tibet Driving Distance & Duration Driving Distance & Duration sacred city Distance: 0 km Today will be your first day on After driving around the lake, Distance: 252 km Duration: 0 hours the beautiful roads of Tibet, as you will pass glaciers and Duration: 6 hours Spend the day in Lhasa as you with its yak butter lamps, you head west out of Lhasa to remote villages on the road acclimatise to the city’s thin clouds of juniper incense and the stunning to Gyantse, where you will air. Start the day with a pilgrims murmuring prayers Elevation Valley before climbing the have time to explore the old Elevation gentle walking tour around around you. Highest Daytime: 3650m winding road to your first high town and Gyantse Monastery Highest Daytime: 5045m the old city, where you will Overnight: 3650m mountain pass of this trip, the with its beautiful chörten, Overnight: 3990m pass markets and workshops In the afternoon, visit the Khamba-La (4,790m). As you before enjoying dinner under where Tibet’s traditional magnificent Potala Palace, crest the pass, you will catch the mountain skies in a lovely handicrafts are kept alive, as which lies on the slopes of Hotel your first glimpse of the vivid garden restaurant… Hotel artisans paint thangkas and Marpo Ri in the centre of the Four Points by Sheraton, Lhasa blue waters of Lake Yamdrok- Gyantse Hotel, Gyantse (***) hammer out copper prayer city, and wander through the (*****) tso… wheels… Enter the holy richly decorated halls and precincts of the Jokhang chapels that were home to Temple, one of Tibet’s most generations of Dalai Lamas. atmospheric religious sites

p89p89 Day 6 Day 7 Into Tibet’s Wild West Summit Day Driving Distance & Duration Driving Distance & Duration This morning you will drive which curves south-west from Distance: 330 km Setting out from Pelbar before kilometers vertically above the Distance: 300 km to Shigatse, home to the Shigatse towards the Great Duration: 6 hours dawn, you will watch the North Base Camp itself… Duration: 9 hours enormous Tashilhunpo Himalayan Range. Today’s sun rise over what is, quite Monastery, one of the few roads are some of the best on literally, the roof of the world From Mount Everest, you will Elevation Elevation monasteries that was saved the trip, winding and smooth, – an incredible mountain return to the village of Tashi from the ravages of the and a delight to drive on. Highest Daytime: 5275m vista that includes four peaks Dzom for lunch and the chance Highest Daytime: 5210m Cultural Revolution. You will Overnight: 4250m over 8,000m; Everest, , to meet with some local Overnight: 4250m explore the monastery on your You will stay overnight in a and . After schoolchildren – help them return from Mt. Everest; today simple hotel in the village of sunrise you will drive further to practice their English and Hotel Hotel there is only eonugh time for Pelbar and prepare for your in, towards North Base Camp, learn about life in this harsh a brunch before getting back trip to Base Camp the following Baiba Hotel, Pelbar (**) which lies at the foot of the but beautiful environment. Baiba Hotel, Pelbar (**) on the road towards Tingri, day. Rongbuk Glacier. Stand in the shadow of Mount Everest and In the afternoon, you will imagine you are about to set return to Pelbar for another off for the summit, almost four night before returning to Shigatse the following day.

p91p91 Day 8 Day 9

To Tibet’s Second City Driving Distance & Duration Beautiful back roads Driving Distance & Duration Today is a very relaxed day. to be a pedestrian in Shigatse – Distance: 230 km to Nam-tso Distance: 325 km You will drive from Tingri to please take case in the chaotic Duration: 4.5 hours Duration: 8 hours Shigatse which will take around traffic!). After a leisurely start in Shigatse cloud rises behind you, you will 4-5 hours on well-paved road. and weather permitting, today drive as if into “nowhere” with Essentially, the afternoon is free Elevation will be the most beautiful drive a pure feeling of adventure: Elevation for you to relax and unwind, as Upon arriving in Shigatse Highest Daytime: 4200m on this journey. At first, you move yourself out of your Highest Daytime: 5450m you will want to do, because the you will head straight to your will drive an hour or so in an comfort zone in exchange for following day’s drive north-east Overnight: 3860m Overnight: 4280m hotel. After checking in, we easterly direction toward Lhasa. unforgettable memories! toward Lake Nam-tso is a long will head out to a nearby Then you will turn north onto (but beautiful) one! Along the S203 where you restaurant for a Tibetan/ Hotel one of Tibet’s provincial roads, Hotel encounter nothing but yaks and Chinese lunch. In the afternoon, Qomo Langzong Hotel, the S203. It is a gravel road that Pema Hotel, Damxung (**) the occasional Tibetan nomad, your guide will accompany you will take you in around 160km Shigatse (***) we have planned a picnic lunch. to the enormous Tashilhunpo to the G109 which runs from Monastery, one of the few Beijing all the way to Lhasa. All in all, your drive on this day monasteries in Tibet that was Once you arrive at the G109, you will be most memorable, we’re largely saved from the ravages will have another hour to drive certain! of the Cultural Revolution, and further north toward Damxung seat of the Panchen Lamas. where you will stay for the night In the later part of the (in preparation for your visit the afternoon, you will have some following day to Lake Nam-tso). time to yourselves. If you have Today’s highlight is the 160km plenty of energy, you could try gravel road and the stunning walking the Tashilhunpo Kora scenery you will pass through, for another perspective on not to mention the 5,450m the city and monastery – ask mountain pass you will drive your tour leader for details! across. This road is the least Otherwise, it’s possible to head frequented of all roads we’ve back to the hotel for a massage driven: along it, we always feel or to hit Shigatse’s ‘Pedestrian as remote as along any road on Street’ (which is bizarrely one any of our journeys. As the dust of the more dangerous places p93 Day 10 Day 11

Nam-tso & Lhasa Driving Distance & Duration Farewell Tibet Driving Distance & Duration Today you will make an early After walking around the edge Distance: 290 km This morning will be your last city, absorbing the sights and Distance: NA morning visit to Lake Nam-tso, of the island on a kora circuit Duration: 7 hours in Lhasa – perhaps spend the sounds of the old town and Duration: NA visiting the island of Tashi Do used by pilgrims, you will morning shopping for reflecting upon your driving – the best place to enjoy the return to Damxung for lunch mementos of your journey, or adventure over the past days… dramatic lakeside scenery. before setting off for Lhasa, Elevation Elevation take a moment to enjoy a The saltwater lake lies at where you will arrive in the late Highest Daytime: 5000m leisurely lunch in the sunshine, Highest Daytime: 3650m 4,750m, and is ringed to the afternoon, in time to relax and Overnight: 3650m or simply wander through the south by the Nyechen Tanglha enjoy a farewell dinner and – if mountain range, whose you haven’t already – sample snowcapped peaks soar to over a Tibetan specialty, yak butter Hotel 7,000m – a truly awe-inspiring tea! Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa setting. (*****)

p95 Choice of Cars

We include in the package price end, the mood of journeys in an SUV we procure from Avis this region, no matter how or Hertz or another reputable comfortable or even luxurious car rental company. Most of the night’s hotel may be. the SUVs are Toyotas, but on occasion Mitsubishis or other What’s more, they offer brands may also make an sufficient clearance when appearance. required and thus add a sense of safety and all-round ability. We wish the car rental markets (4-wheel drive capability is of China would be more hardly needed in China these developed and we could give days since all roads are either you more choice, but this is not very well-paved or, with good so: since we want to provide gravel, offer solid support.) well-maintained and well- insured cars, the choice is And so SUVs from reputable rather limited. brands are our car of choice!

But SUVs are in fact the right choice for driving journeys in this part of the world because they are spacious enough to accommodate a lot of luggage, ANY car, photography equipment, and as long as good-and-bad-weather gear. Also, they reinforce the feeling it is an SUV” of adventure, exploration and discovery…which is, in the p96 p97 Adventures in Local Cuisines

While this itinerary is not one of Wine and beer is always our special culinary journeys, included in our meals for you we do believe that each one of to enjoy. (When we travel into our journeys should introduce high-altitude, we suggest you not only to hidden gems of moderation!) cultural and scenic beauty, but that sampling local cuisines is Finally, if you have special also a must. dietary requirements or are particularly interested in the Wherever you travel with us, culinary aspect of one of our we will order, with very few journeys, please let us know. exceptions, dishes fresh and on location with an emphasis For private journeys, we can, on local produce. It is not of course, tailor the meal uncommon for our guides to experience to your taste (and venture into the kitchen to pick budget). this, that or the other vegetable and to ask the cook to prepare them in the finest possible way. (On occasion we do preorder a meal: this will normally be the case only for special occasions!)

p98 What’s Included / Best Months to Travel

Generally speaking, our journey packages and • Other Essentials – we provide each car with prices are all-inclusive. Once you’ve paid and walky-talkies you arrive at the starting point, you really won’t have to take out your wallet again. • Travel Insurance – 24-hour medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation • Cars – a modern SUV is provided for all emergency service driving days, expertly maintained and serviced by Avis, Hertz, or other reputable • Tips & Entrance Fees – basic tips and car rental companies, and covered by the entrance fees for jointly attended activities are best insurance available, and hire car return included from Lhasa to Chengdu is also included • Activities, Meals, Transport during ‘free times’ • International Journey Host, Guide and as indicated in this Journey Dossier Support Vehicle – you will be accompanied • Top-up Collision Damage Waiver insurance by a registered Chinese tour guide, an On the Road Experiences host and a fully equipped lead car with a local support driver What’s Not Included • Routes – we provide an extensively researched and carefully designed itinerary and state-of- The only items not included are your flights to the-art satellite navigation system with a pre- • Airport Transfers – all airport transfers are • Meals – breakfast (a choice of Western and Chengdu and back from Lhasa, your China visa, programmed route for the journey. You will included Local is provided), and lunch and dinner are and personal purchases (e.g., gifts, souvenirs). also receive a detailed pre-departure pack included on all driving days, as are drinks. and route book for the journey • Flight – Your flight from Chengdu to Lhasa Meals on non-driving days as specified above. Prepare for a culinary adventure! • Driving License – You will need a temporary • Permits and Logistics – all Tibet permits Chinese driving license for which all are included • Goodies – you will enjoy an On the Road Home- arrangements and fees are included. Away-from-Home Kit containing wet towels, • Hotels – the best available or five-star anti-bacterial gel and basic toiletries, and a • Fuel & Tolls – we provide petrol for the car accommodation is included in each overnight daily picnic basket containing fresh fruit, fruit throughout the journey and pay all tolls stop juice, water, and a mixture of sweets and nibbles p100 p101p101 Photo Credits

© Jo James – pages 49, 51, 87(right) © Mareen Windisch – page 81 © Mel – page 92 © On – page 98 © Peter Schindler – Front & Back cover, pages 3, 5, 9, 11, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 47, 59, 61, 63, 65, 69, 71, 73, 77, 82, 85, 86, 87(left), 89, 90, 96 © Ron Yue – pages 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 39, 43, 45, 55, 57, 75, 79, 83, 84, 88, 91, 101 Unknown - pages 53, 67, 94-95

p102 p103 Contact Us

E-mail [email protected]

Main office Telephone: +852 3106 4839 Fax: +852 3012 1251

Overseas Taiwan: +886 978 317 465 +886 921 162 079 Australia: +61 2 8003 5317 Switzerland: +41 (44) 586 58 43 UK: +44 121 288 6879 Germany: +49 160 9622 2506

A picture is worth a thousand words. True, but when it comes to a road journey, moving images are priceless. Please visit : http://www.ontheroadexperiences.com/en/video-gallery” p104 p105