Private Journey - 16 Days
Sichuan + Tibet Overland - 16 Days
A private China route with day-by-day pacing, hotel logic, seasonal pricing, and guide support confirmed before payment.
Route Overview
A route designed for depth, not distance
Pace built around energy, not a checklist. Star-level hotels confirmed privately. One real local culture thread on every route.
What makes this route specific
- Built around Chengdu, Kangding, Litang, Ranwu, Nyingchi and more, not a generic template.
- Every day specifies where you stay, what you do, what is included, and what remains optional.
- Holiday price logic is visible before payment: Golden Week and Spring Festival +50%, other national holidays +20%.
- Route rhythm protects arrival day energy, station or airport friction, guide timing, meals, and hotel comfort.
What is included
- Private English-speaking guide on touring days.
- Private vehicle transfers for the confirmed route.
- Hotel breakfast and route-standard hotels as listed in the final proposal.
- Entrance and ticket planning for named included sites.
- In-China support for weather, timing, and local adjustments.
Private timing beats checklist speed
The guide can move a stop earlier, shorten a crowded block, or preserve an afternoon when the traveler needs recovery.
Hotels are chosen by route logic
Location, transfer time, stairs, breakfast timing, and evening access matter more than decorative hotel names.
One living culture thread each day
Food, craft, neighborhood, monastery, market, or family workshop context turns sightseeing into a readable story.
Day by Day
The shape of the trip
A representative shape. We finalize each morning during the planning call so the route reflects your interests and pace.
Sichuan + Tibet Overland - 16 Days
City stops, day ranges, and the main movement between anchors are shown before you ask a planner to confirm the route.
Tap any day to open the full plan — where you stay, what you do, meals, what is included, and traveler notes. All 16 days are shown below.This route is fully customisable — adjust it with a specialist →
Day1 Chengdu — Panda base early visit
Touch down and just breathe — no rush today. Chengdu is a soft landing, and your guide quietly spends the first hours working out your rhythm so the whole trip bends around you, not some script. And here is the bit that is properly ours: Sichuan opera face-changing (bianlian) and Shu embroidery — a private face-changing show and a Shuxiu studio. Most tours cannot get you in that room — we can.
Taikoo Li, Jinjiang, or a quieter boutique quarter - 5-star Chengdu hotel with easy food access
Panda base early visit
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around sichuan hotpot when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Chengdu is about pace, food, teahouses, and soft urban life as much as pandas.
Day2 Kangding — Mugecuo or Tagong grassland if weather fits
Today leans into Mugecuo or Tagong grassland if weather fits. No stopwatch — your guide reads the crowds, the light, and frankly your mood, then shapes the hours around it. Food-wise, hold out for Simple Sichuan-Tibetan dishes.
Kangding or Xinduqiao depending on altitude plan - Best available Tibetan highland hotel
Mugecuo or Tagong grassland if weather fits
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around simple sichuan-tibetan dishes when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Western Sichuan needs driver judgement, altitude pacing, and weather backup.
Day3 Kangding — Photo stops without rushing
Slow start or an early one, your call. Photo stops without rushing sits at the heart of today, with plenty of breathing room so nothing feels rushed. Simple Sichuan-Tibetan dishes sorts the eating when you are ready.
Kangding or Xinduqiao depending on altitude plan - Best available Tibetan highland hotel
Photo stops without rushing
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around simple sichuan-tibetan dishes when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Western Sichuan needs driver judgement, altitude pacing, and weather backup.
Day4 Litang — Litang monastery area
We build today loosely around Litang monastery area, at your pace and nobody else's — expect a small surprise or two your guide pulls depending on the day. Yak stew when the appetite shows up.
Litang best available hotel with altitude support checked - Best available highland hotel
Litang monastery area
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around yak stew when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Litang is powerful but high; comfort depends on pacing more than extra sightseeing.
Day5 Litang — Grassland viewpoint
This is the kind of day you will be showing people photos of later: Grassland viewpoint, with the freedom to slow right down the second something catches your eye. Lunch or dinner usually circles back to Yak stew.
Litang best available hotel with altitude support checked - Best available highland hotel
Grassland viewpoint
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around yak stew when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Litang is powerful but high; comfort depends on pacing more than extra sightseeing.
Day6 Ranwu — Long scenic driving day
Ease into Long scenic driving day today. Nothing is rigid — your guide flexes around the weather and how you are feeling, so it stays comfortable start to finish. And Roadside Sichuan-Tibetan meals is exactly what you will want by then.
Ranwu or Bomi best available local hotel - Best available scenic-route hotel
Long scenic driving day
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around roadside sichuan-tibetan meals when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: The overland value is landscape transition; logistics and road conditions decide the day.
Day7 Ranwu — Ranwu Lake
Honestly? This is one of those days people still bring up years later. The centrepiece is Ranwu Lake — and because the day is entirely yours, you linger where it grabs you and drift off when you are ready. When hunger lands, Roadside Sichuan-Tibetan meals is the move, the version locals actually queue for.
Ranwu or Bomi best available local hotel - Best available scenic-route hotel
Ranwu Lake
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around roadside sichuan-tibetan meals when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: The overland value is landscape transition; logistics and road conditions decide the day.
Day8 Nyingchi — Lower-altitude recovery walk
Today leans into Lower-altitude recovery walk. No stopwatch — your guide reads the crowds, the light, and frankly your mood, then shapes the hours around it. Food-wise, hold out for Stone-pot chicken.
Nyingchi hotel with lower-altitude recovery feel - Best available Nyingchi hotel
Lower-altitude recovery walk
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around stone-pot chicken when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Nyingchi softens the Tibet arrival with forest, river, and recovery pacing.
Day9 Nyingchi — Scenic transfer toward Lhasa
Slow start or an early one, your call. Scenic transfer toward Lhasa sits at the heart of today, with plenty of breathing room so nothing feels rushed. Stone-pot chicken sorts the eating when you are ready.
Nyingchi hotel with lower-altitude recovery feel - Best available Nyingchi hotel
Scenic transfer toward Lhasa
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around stone-pot chicken when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Nyingchi softens the Tibet arrival with forest, river, and recovery pacing.
Day10 Lhasa — Potala Palace timing
We build today loosely around Potala Palace timing, at your pace and nobody else's — expect a small surprise or two your guide pulls depending on the day. Tibetan noodles when the appetite shows up.
Barkhor edge or quieter 5-star Lhasa hotel for acclimatization - Best available Lhasa hotel, oxygen support checked
Potala Palace timing
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around tibetan noodles when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Lhasa must be paced for permits, altitude, and living pilgrimage context.
Day11 Lhasa — Jokhang and Barkhor kora
This is the kind of day you will be showing people photos of later: Jokhang and Barkhor kora, with the freedom to slow right down the second something catches your eye. Lunch or dinner usually circles back to Tibetan noodles.
Barkhor edge or quieter 5-star Lhasa hotel for acclimatization - Best available Lhasa hotel, oxygen support checked
Jokhang and Barkhor kora
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around tibetan noodles when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Lhasa must be paced for permits, altitude, and living pilgrimage context.
Day12 Lhasa — Sera Monastery debate if scheduled
Ease into Sera Monastery debate if scheduled today. Nothing is rigid — your guide flexes around the weather and how you are feeling, so it stays comfortable start to finish. And Tibetan noodles is exactly what you will want by then. And here is the bit that is properly ours: Tibetan thangka painting and incense craft — a thangka atelier and a sweet-tea house. Most tours cannot get you in that room — we can.
Barkhor edge or quieter 5-star Lhasa hotel for acclimatization - Best available Lhasa hotel, oxygen support checked
Sera Monastery debate if scheduled
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around tibetan noodles when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Lhasa must be paced for permits, altitude, and living pilgrimage context.
Day13 Yamdrok — Yamdrok Lake viewpoint
Honestly? This is one of those days people still bring up years later. The centrepiece is Yamdrok Lake viewpoint — and because the day is entirely yours, you linger where it grabs you and drift off when you are ready. When hunger lands, Packed lunch or simple Tibetan roadside meal is the move, the version locals actually queue for.
Return to Lhasa unless route requires a lake-side overnight - Lhasa hotel for recovery after high-altitude day
Yamdrok Lake viewpoint
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around packed lunch or simple tibetan roadside meal when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Highland days should protect energy and avoid treating altitude like normal sightseeing.
Day14 Lhasa — Jokhang and Barkhor kora
Today leans into Jokhang and Barkhor kora. No stopwatch — your guide reads the crowds, the light, and frankly your mood, then shapes the hours around it. Food-wise, hold out for Tibetan noodles.
Barkhor edge or quieter 5-star Lhasa hotel for acclimatization - Best available Lhasa hotel, oxygen support checked
Jokhang and Barkhor kora
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around tibetan noodles when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Lhasa must be paced for permits, altitude, and living pilgrimage context.
Day15 Lhasa — Sera Monastery debate if scheduled
Slow start or an early one, your call. Sera Monastery debate if scheduled sits at the heart of today, with plenty of breathing room so nothing feels rushed. Tibetan noodles sorts the eating when you are ready.
Barkhor edge or quieter 5-star Lhasa hotel for acclimatization - Best available Lhasa hotel, oxygen support checked
Sera Monastery debate if scheduled
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around tibetan noodles when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Lhasa must be paced for permits, altitude, and living pilgrimage context.
Day16 Lhasa — Potala Palace timing
We build today loosely around Potala Palace timing, at your pace and nobody else's — expect a small surprise or two your guide pulls depending on the day. Tibetan noodles when the appetite shows up.
Barkhor edge or quieter 5-star Lhasa hotel for acclimatization - Best available Lhasa hotel, oxygen support checked
Potala Palace timing
Breakfast at hotel; lunch or dinner built around tibetan noodles when timing fits.
Private guide, private transfer, entrance planning, hotel breakfast, and standard route coordination.
Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, evening show, special craft purchase, and any activity outside the confirmed route. Oxygen canisters or medical services are arranged only if needed and billed locally.
Guide reconfirms pickup point, pacing, tickets, and weather before the day starts.
Cultural context: Lhasa must be paced for permits, altitude, and living pilgrimage context.
Dates & Pricing
Choose a tentative date - see your seasonal supplement
Base price for standard non-holiday departures. Chinese national holidays add a supplement automatically.
Sichuan + Tibet Overland - 16 Days
Choose a date window below, or set an exact start date here.
Base per traveller$13,800.00
Seasonal supplement+0%
Trip value before offer$13,800.00
Pay in full today: 20% off$2,760.00
Full payment due today$11,040.00
Deposit plan: 10% off trip value$1,380.00
Deposit plan total after 10% off$12,420.00
20% deposit due today after 10% off$2,484.00
Deposit balance after planner confirms$9,936.00
Holiday supplement is shown before checkout. Final guide, room, and rail availability is confirmed by a planner.
Trusted private travel framework
Plan Notes
Practical setup before arrival
Is this a fixed group tour?
No. This is a private journey framework. Dates, hotels, exact guide timing, and some daily details are confirmed around your traveler profile before payment is captured.
What is free and what is extra?
Standard guide service, private transfer, route planning, hotel breakfast, and listed included sites are covered. Personal shopping, alcohol, spa, optional shows, premium upgrades, and route changes remain extra.
Why can holiday pricing change?
China national holidays affect guide availability, hotel rates, rail tickets, and scenic crowd controls. The selector shows likely supplements early so the traveler can choose a calmer date if needed.
Can you adjust food, walking, or hotel style?
Yes. Tell us dietary limits, walking tolerance, sleep style, photo priorities, and hotel expectations. The final route balances those details before the booking is confirmed.
When is the earliest realistic departure?
We normally plan private China routes at least two months ahead so visa, permits, hotel rooms, guides, rail tickets, and any restricted-region logistics can be checked properly.
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