YUNNAN · TIBET · CHINA
Songtsam Yunnan-Tibet Expedition
Private Tour · 12N13D
From Shangri-La to Lhasa A Songtsam journey through living Tibetan heritage
ANCIENT TRAILS PLATEAU CULTURE LODGE-LED COMFORT
Route Map
Tea Horse Road Expedition · Shangri-La to Lhasa
A lodge-to-lodge private route from northwest Yunnan into eastern Tibet, tracing monasteries, salt fields, gorges, glaciers, forest valleys, sacred lakes, and Lhasa old city.
* Route map is schematic. Final routing may adjust for weather, road control, altitude, and permit requirements.
Songtsam Journey
"Where can you find Shangri-La? In the places where Songtsam is located."
This Yunnan-Tibet route brings plateau roads, Tibetan culture, ancient trade corridors, and Songtsam comfort into one private journey from Shangri-La to Lhasa.
Travel from the heart of the Three Parallel Rivers region toward Lhasa along a corridor shaped by trade, faith, and cultural exchange.
Each day is anchored by Songtsam stays at different altitudes, giving the body time to recover while keeping the experience rooted in place.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Songtsam Stays
From hidden Shangri-La valleys to glacier-facing Laigu and Potala-view Lhasa, each stay is part of the route design rather than only a place to sleep.
Shangri-La · Benzilan · Meili · Rumei · Laigu · Bome · Basomtso · Lhasa
LODGES AND LINKAS ANCHOR THE JOURNEY FROM YUNNAN INTO TIBET.
TEA HORSE ROAD
"A private plateau journey through monasteries, forests, salt fields, glaciers, sacred lakes, and old Lhasa."
DAY 1
Songtsam Linka Shangri-La · 3,300m
Pick up from Diqing Shangri-La Airport and transfer to Songtsam Linka Shangri-La. Settle in with welcome drinks and local snacks, acclimatize to the altitude, and enjoy a welcome dinner.
0 km · +0 m · max 3300 m
DAY 2
Shangri-La - Benzilan · 1,900m
Begin with breakfast at Chumekhar Tea House overlooking Lamuyamtso Lake, then visit Songzanlin Monastery with guided interpretation. After lunch at Songtsam Linka Shangri-La, drive toward Benzilan with a stop at Dongzhulin Monastery overlooking the Jinsha River.
2 km · +80 m · -1400 m · max 3300 m
DAY 3
Benzilan - Niding - Meili · 3,600m
Drive to Niding for a flexible forest hike and outdoor picnic along mountain streams, wildflowers, mushrooms, birds, and waterfalls. Continue to Meili, check in, then visit a Tibetan home in Gujiunong Village for butter tea, tsampa, and prayer flag woodblock printing.
5 km · +250 m · max 3600 m
DAY 4
Meili - Yanjing - Rumei · 2,600m
Wake early for the Meili Snow Mountain sunrise if weather allows. Visit Feilaisi Temple for Sang offering and prayer flags, then journey across dramatic views of Kawagebo and the Lancang River valley. Visit the ancient Yanjing Salt Field before continuing past passes and river landscapes to Rumei.
1 km · +40 m · -1000 m · max 3600 m
DAY 5
Rumei choice day · 2,600m
Choose between Niguo Temple, a spiritual site where humans and wild animals coexist, or Maiba Pasture Nomadic Village for butter tea in a black yak-hair tent and insight into Tibetan herdsmen life. Return to the lodge for afternoon tea and dinner.
2 km · +80 m · max 3000 m
DAY 6
Rumei - Ranwu - Laigu · 4,200m
Drive toward Ranwu through dramatic altitude changes, crossing Jueba Mountain and Dongda Mountain Pass. After lunch at Bangda, cross Yela Mountain Pass, descend the famed 72 Bends to the Nujiang River, traverse Nujiang Grand Canyon, climb over Anjiula Mountain, and arrive at Laigu by Ranwu Lake.
0 km · +0 m · max 4200 m
DAY 7
Laigu - Rawu Lake - Bome · 2,700m
Enjoy sunrise from the lodge terrace if weather allows. Visit Duosong Tso, a secret holy lake, then return for lunch at Songtsam Lodge Laigu. Continue to mirror-like Rawu Lake and follow the Parlung Tsangpo River through canyon scenery to Bome.
2 km · +80 m · -1500 m · max 4200 m
DAY 8
Gangyun Spruce Forest · 2,700m
Hike into Gangyun Spruce Forest, listed among Chinas top ten most beautiful primeval forests. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Gang Village when available, then return for an in-room Tibetan medicine foot bath to support recovery after high-altitude travel.
4 km · +160 m · max 2800 m
DAY 9
Bome - Basomtso · 3,400m
Depart Bome toward Basomtso with a stop at Zhaxigang Village, then lunch in Lulang with famed stone pot chicken. Cross Sela Pass and follow the Yarlung Tsangpo and Nyang Rivers through mountain and water landscapes before checking in at Songtsam Linka Basomtso.
1 km · +40 m · max 3400 m
DAY 10
Basomtso lake day · 3,400m
Begin with morning meditation, then drive to the starting point for a gentle lake-circling walk through oak forests beside Basomtso. Return by boat when arranged, have lunch at the hotel, and make Tibetan incense by hand.
5 km · +120 m · max 3400 m
DAY 11
Basomtso - Lhasa · 3,700m
Continue to Lhasa as views transform from mountain forests to villages and towns along the Lhasa River Valley. Check in at Songtsam Linka Lhasa, enjoy lunch, and settle into Lhasas slow rhythm with sweet tea, pastries, fruit, and optional local music on selected dates.
0 km · +0 m · max 3700 m
DAY 12
Lhasa old city · 3,700m
Follow the guide through old Lhasa. Visit Potala Palace in the morning, have lunch at Songtsam Linka Lhasa, then visit Jokhang Temple and continue to Barkhor Street to experience Lhasas most vibrant bazaar and pilgrim circumambulation route. End with a farewell dinner.
4 km · +80 m · max 3700 m
DAY 13
Departure from Lhasa
After breakfast, transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for departure.
0 km · +0 m · max 3700 m
Schedule
PDF pricing is seasonal rather than fixed-date group departures. Representative 13-day windows are listed here for shoulder, peak, and holiday pricing; private departures can be requested within each operating season.
JUNE
JULY
Trip Costs
8 PAX shoulder season from
60,700CNY/ person from
2 PAX shoulder season reference
79,800CNY/ person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
This journey is considered moderately strenuous when touring and moderate when hiking. Full days begin early and end in the evening, with altitude changes managed through pacing and lodge recovery.
Highest Stay
4,200m
Trip Pace
Full-day touring
Recommended Age
18-70
Meili Snow Mountain, the Lancang River gorge, Laigu glaciers, Rawu Lake, Basomtso, and the Lhasa River Valley unfold across the route.
Monasteries, salt fields, villages, pastures, forests, and lakes reveal the everyday texture of Tibetan life.
A private 2-8 guest journey supported by drivers, guides, and Songtsam hotel teams across the plateau.
SEPT.
OCT.
Route
Shangri-La - Lhasa
Duration
12N / 13D
Highest Stay
4,200m Laigu
Group Size
2-8 PAX
Price From
CNY 60,700 / person
Guests respond differently to altitude. In the event of altitude sickness, the route may move to a lower altitude and allow rest.
Travel uses well-maintained SUVs or vans with experienced drivers. Some sections follow winding mountain roads and can be bumpy or affected by construction.
Layered clothing is recommended because temperatures may shift from about 20 degrees to 5 degrees in one day. Sunblock, sunglasses, and evacuation insurance are advised.