Gain altitude gradually between Shangri-La and Meili before crossing into Tibet
NebulaTripPRIVATE JOURNEYS · CHINA
02 / The Long Road West
The Tea Horse Road to Lhasa
Songtsam · Yunnan to TibetYanjing Ancient Salt Fields · Markam, Chamdo, Tibet
THE JOURNEY
One continuous road from Yunnan into Tibet, softened by thoughtful lodges, unhurried altitude gain and encounters that belong to the land.
A measured overland passage from the mountains of Yunnan to Lhasa, following the old Tea Horse Road through salt villages, glaciers and forested valleys within the Songtsam lodge network.
“The road is long enough for the landscape — and for you — to change.”
- LENGTH
- 13 days / 12 nights
- ROUTE
- Shangri-La → Benzilan → Meili → Yanjing and Rumei → Laigu and Rawu → Bome → Basomtso → Lhasa
- WHEN TO GO
- April–June · September–October
- STYLE
- Private overland journey · gradual acclimatisation · culturally led
EXPERIENCE
Defining moments
along the route.
Descend to the ancient salt wells of Yanjing and meet families who still work the terraces
Walk beneath the ice fields of Laigu and along the shores of Ranwu Lake
Follow the forested Parlung Tsangpo valley through Bomi and Nyingchi
Arrive in Lhasa overland, with private time for the city's sacred and everyday life
THE ROUTE
Unhurried,
chapter by chapter.
Every departure is private. We refine room category, dining, access and the daily rhythm around the people travelling.
Arrival & acclimatisation in Shangri-La
Meet your driver at Diqing Shangri-La airport and settle into the Linka at approximately 3,300 metres. Keep the day deliberately light, with welcome drinks, time to rest and dinner at the hotel.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Linka Shangri-La · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Dinner
Songzanlin, Dongzhulin & Benzilan
Explore Songzanlin Monastery before lunch, then follow the upper Yangtze toward Dongzhulin Monastery and the warmer valley of Benzilan. The gradual descent to approximately 1,900 metres gives the body a measured start.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Benzilan · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Niding forest & the road to Meili
Walk in Niding forest with a seasonal picnic, then climb toward Meili. In Gujiunong village, share butter tea and tsampa with a Tibetan family and print prayer flags before settling opposite Kawagebo.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Meili · Deluxe Room · approx. 3,600 m
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Kawagebo, Yanjing salt fields & Rumei
Watch first light on Kawagebo if weather allows and join the Sang offering at Feilai. Cross into Tibet at Yanjing for its famous jiajia noodles and historic salt terraces, then continue over Hongla and Lawu toward Rumei.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Rumei · Deluxe Room · approx. 2,600 m
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Maiba pasture & nomadic life
Travel into Maiba pasture for a gentler day among open grassland. Visit a yak-hair tent, meet a nomadic family and share lunch before returning to Rumei for tea, rest and an unhurried evening.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Rumei · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Across the great passes to Laigu
The journey's longest road day, approximately nine hours, crosses Jueba and Dongda passes, the Bangda grasslands, Yela's switchbacks and the Nujiang canyon before climbing Anjiula Pass toward Rawu and Laigu.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Laigu · Deluxe Room · approx. 4,200 m
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Duosong Tso, Rawu Lake & Bome
Begin beside Duosong Tso and the glacial landscape around Laigu, then trace Rawu Lake and the Parlung Tsangpo downstream. Forests and river terraces soften the descent into Bome at approximately 2,700 metres.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Bome · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Gangyun spruce forest
Walk beneath the giant spruce trees of Gangyun forest, with a picnic arranged when season and weather permit. Return to the lodge for a Tibetan herbal foot bath and a quiet evening in the valley.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Bome · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Lulang & Basomtso
Travel via Zhaxigang and Lulang, stopping for the region's stone-pot chicken. Cross the Sela area and follow the Yarlung Tsangpo and Nyang rivers toward the forested shores of Basomtso.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Linka Basomtso · Deluxe Room · approx. 3,400 m
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
A contemplative day at Basomtso
Begin with a guided meditation, then walk between the lake and old oak forest. A boat outing is included when conditions permit, followed by a hands-on introduction to Tibetan incense making.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Linka Basomtso · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Overland to Lhasa
Drive approximately five hours toward Lhasa, breaking the journey for lunch and tea. Settle into the Linka; a cultural performance may be added only on selected operating dates.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Linka Lhasa · Superior Suite · approx. 3,700 m
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Potala, Barkhor & Jokhang
Visit the Potala Palace on its timed, passport-linked permit, then pause in a traditional sweet-tea house. Continue through Barkhor, Chomsigkang and hidden courtyards to Jokhang Temple, ending with a farewell dinner.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Linka Lhasa · Superior Suite
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Departure from Lhasa
Private transfer to Lhasa Gonggar airport, normally around one hour depending on traffic and security checks. Extensions elsewhere in Tibet require permit and route review before confirmation.
- OVERNIGHT
- No overnight stay
- MEALS
- Breakfast
STAY
Where the landscape
continues indoors.
- Songtsam Linka Shangri-La · 1 night · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Benzilan · 1 night · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Meili · 1 night · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Rumei · 2 nights · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Laigu · 1 night · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Bome · 2 nights · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Linka Basomtso · 2 nights · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Linka Lhasa · 2 nights · Superior Suite
THE JOURNEY IN IMAGES
Light, texture
and life along the way.
Songtsam · Yunnan to Tibet