EASTERN TIBET SACRED JOURNEY

Basomtso is one of eastern Tibet's holy lakes, an emerald sweep of water held between forested ridges and snow peaks in the Gongbu Tibetan heartland of Nyingchi. Pilgrims circle its shores on kora, prayer flags stream from the little island monastery, and on clear days the 'Burning Flame' peak of Jieqing Nalagabu sparkles to the north. From here the road follows the Lhasa River Valley westward, as forests give way to barley villages and finally to the holy city itself — the Potala Palace on Red Hill, and the Jokhang Temple around which, as locals say, the city of Lhasa first grew.

Songtsam has ventured deep into the heart of Yunnan, Tibet and Sichuan, building each of its hotels in remote areas of breathtaking beauty, constructed in respect of local nature, culture and environmental standards and blending into the surrounding landscape and communities. Most Songtsam guides are native to the area, serving as mediators of Tibetan culture as much as travel hosts.

The journey runs on Songtsam's own motorcade — vehicles chosen for the challenging road conditions of Tibetan areas, in global strategic partnership with Jaguar Land Rover; Songtsam is currently the world's exclusive operator of a commercial fleet of the new Land Rover Defender. Self-owned hotels, trusted guides, bespoke routes and a professional fleet together create a home away from home in the distant corners of the globe.