Tibet: a dream desination. We make your dream come true.

TIBET ROUTES:

1. TOURS IN/AROUND LHASA

2. OVERLAND ROUTE ZUID: ZHONGDIAN TO LHASA

3. OVERLAND ROUTE NOORD: CHENGDU TO LHASA

4. KHAM TOURS CHENGDU TO ZHONGDIAN

5. AMDO TOURS AROUND LANZHOU/XIAHE/CHENGDU

Tibet is a great destination. The people as well as the landscapes are simply amazing.

The overland routes to Lhasa, Tibet are stunning. Every day you will be driving through changing scenery, lower green valleys change into high, bare snowcapped mountain landscapes.

You'll drive through Tibetan farmers villages where people live their lives on the rhythm of the seasons. On the road you will visit monasteries, a unique chance to meet pilgrims from faraway places who will have been walking and prostrating for months, sometimes years, following the road to Lhasa. Many of the women wear beautiful stones as turquoise in their plaited hair.

Taking one of these overland routes shows you a unique part of Tibet. Empty desert-like valleys, grazing yaks, impressive monasteries and prostrating pilgrims suddenly turning up in the bends of high mountain roads make these trips an unforgettable experience.

In order to make your dream come true we arrange a landcruiser, Tibetan guide, Tibetan driver and the special permits you need in order to take these unique roads into Tibet.

A landcruiser fits max. 4 people, an English speaking Tibetan guide and Tibetan driver. You cannot travel without a guide. However we recommend max 3 people, the driver and the guide. 4 people is possible but your space in the car and your view will be limited.

It's also possible to bike into Tibet. These trips will be arranged with following car and also include a guide. On the overlandroutes it's diffcult to camp, it's better to stay in hotels/guesthouses. In Tibet itsself (TAR) there are possibilities for camping.

bookings and questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

TRAINS TO LHASA from/to Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xining, Xi'an, Golmud, Chongqing, Lanzhou

note: for trains/flights to Lhasa you also need the special Tibet permits. You cannot book the tickets without the permits.

Pls note that we cannot book flights/train tickets only. We can only accept complete bookings from the day you enter TAR (Tibet autonomous region) until the last day you leave. This means that we need a full program incl your days in Lhasa and your program after Lhasa, all incl a Tibetan guide. In other words, we need you to book a complete trip incl transport out of Lhasa (flight/ train into China, overland to Nepal). You can arrange your own hotels. For your information: these are not our rules but the rules from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Thank you for your understanding.

TOURS IN/ AROUND LHASA

Here follow some examples of trips you can make in/around Lhasa. Routes can be made shorter, longer, you can add or remove places according to your wish.

4 days Lhasa classic city tour

dag 1 arrive in Lhasa by plane or train, transfer to hotel

free afternoon to explore Barkor square

dag 2 Lhasa: Jokhang temple, Potala

dag 3 Lhasa: visit Drepung and Sera monastereis and see the debating monks

dag 4 transfer to Lhasa railwaystation or airport

Prices

4 persons: 2500 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 3000 yuan p.p.

Note: prices voor 1-7 May, July/August and 1-7 Oct are higher

incl: accomodation, transport day 1,3,4, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English spreaking guide and permits

excl: meals, entrance fees, transport day 2, tips for guide and driver

5 days Tibet highlights: Lhasa (3595 m), Gyantse (3980 m), Shigatse (3840 m)

day 1 arrive in Lhasa by plane or train, transfer to hotel

day 2 Lhasa: Jokhang temple, Barkhor square, Potala palace

day 3 to Gyantse via Yamdrok lake. Visit Pelkor chode monastery, Kumbum

day 4 to Shigatse, Tashilhunpo monastery

day 5 transfer to Lhasa train station or airport

Prices

4 persons: 2990 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 4700 yuan p.p.

Note: prices voor 1-7 May, July/August and 1-7 Oct are higher

incl: accomodation, landcruiser days 1,3,4,5, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English spreaking guide and permits

excl: meals, entrance fees, transport day 2, tips for guide and driver

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

5 days Lhasa city and nature tour

day 1 arrive in Lhasa by plane or train, transfer to hotel

day 2 Lhasa: Jokhang temple, Potala palace, Barkhor

day 3 Lhasa: Drigung Til monastery and Tidrum nunnery, back to Lhasa

day 4 day trip to Namtso lake, back to Lhasa

day 5 transfer to train station or airport

Prices:

4 persons: 3200 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 5200 yuan p.p.

Note: prices voor 1-7 May, July/August and 1-7 Oct are higher

incl: accomodation, landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English spreaking guide and permits

excl: meals, entrance fees, transport day 2, tips for guide and driver

7 days Lhasa highlights and off the beaten track

A special trip as one of our local Tibetan contacts will take you to his home village (day 5). A unique experience and definitely non touristy!

day 1 arrive in Lhasa by plane or train, transfer to hotel

day 2 Lhasa: Jokhang temple, Barkhor square, Potala palace

day 3 to Gyantse via the turquoise coloured Yamdrok lake

cross Gang Bala pass at 4900 m

Visit Pelkor chode monastery, Kumbum

day 4 to Shigatse, Tashilhunpo monastery

day 5 from Shigatse drive off the beaten track to Oyuk, Markyang, Dardrong area

visit Tibetan village with local Tibetan school, temple/ overnight in basic hotel

day 6 drive to lhasa

day 7 transfer to train station or aiport

Prices: 2 persons: 6750 yuan p.p.

Note: prices voor 1-7 May, July/August and 1-7 Oct are higher

incl: accomodation, landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English spreaking guide and permits

excl: meals, entrance fees, tips for guide and driver

4 days Overland to Nepal, friendship highway

noot: bij weinig tijd kun je in in 2 dagen van Lhasa naar de grens met Nepal (ong 850 km). Je kunt ook naar Kathmandu vliegen vanaf Lhasa.

day 1 lhasa--Gyantse (5 h)

Mt.Gangpala, Yamdrok Lake

day 2 Gyantse--Shigatse (3 h)

Pelkor chode monastery, Kumbum, Tashilhunpo monastery

day 3 Shigatse--Tingri--Mt.Everest (9 h)

EBC = everest base camp, Rongbuk monastery

day 4 Mt.Everest--Tingri--Zhangmu (the border, 7 h)

Prices:

4 persons: 3050 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 5800 yuan p.p.

Note: prices voor 1-7 May, July/August and 1-7 Oct are higher

incl: landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English spreaking guide and permits

excl: accomodation, meals, entrance fees, tips for guide and driver

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

Trekking tours: for example Ganden to Samye, Shalu to Nartang

more info/questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

A trip to the far West of Tibet is as travelling on the moon but then with snowcapped mountains and amazingly colourful lakes. At an average altitude of 4500 m you'll find yourself in one  of he world's most inhospitable and remotest corners.

An unforgettable experience for those who love unusual but wonderful trips.

12 days Tibet: Lhasa- Mnt Kailash, lake Manasarovar, Mnt Everest- Guge ruins- Shigatse- Gyantse-Lhasa

route: Lhasa- Gyantse- Shigatse- Lhatse- Mnt Kailash-Lake Manasarovar- Guge ruins- Saga-Lake Paikutso-Tingri--Rongbuk monastery-Mnt.Everest Base Camp-Tingri-Shigatse- Lhasa

note: because of road construction it is at this moment not possible to do a circleroute via Gegye, Pongba, Yagra

day 1 Lhasa--Yamdrok lake--Gyantse- -Shigatse (9 hrs)
day 2 Shigatse--Lhatse--Saga (10 h)
day 3 Saga--Paryang--Mnt.Kailash--Tarchen (10 h)
day 4 Takchen--Lake Manasarovar--Tsada (6 h)
day 5 Tsada--Guge ruins (50 KM)
day 6 Guge ruins, Tholing monastery
day 7 Guge--Paryang (10 h)
day 8 Paryang--Saga (6 h)
day 9 Saga--Lake Paikutso--Tingri--Rongbuk monastery (9 h)
day 10 Rongbuk--Mnt.Everest Base Camp--Tingri (3 h)
day 11 Tingri--Shigatse (6 h)
day 12 Shigatse--Lhasa (5 h)

Prices:

4 persons: 7500 yuan p.p.

3 persons: 9500 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 14160 yuan p.p.

1 persons: 26820 yuan totaal

Note: prices voor 1-7 May, July/August and 1-7 Oct are higher

incl: landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English spreaking guide and permits

excl: accomodation, meals, entrance fees, tips for guide and driver

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

12 days Tibet: Lhasa- Kashgar, the Far West of Tibet (Ngari) to Xinjiang (western silkroad)

Along the lonesome snowcapped mountains of the Himalayas to the dry desert surrounding the busy bazars of Kasghar. On the road you will meet Tibetan Buddhist nomads and monks at holy Mnt Kailash and the Islamitic Uygurs at the mosque and colourful markets in Kashgar. A very diverse trip, landscape and peoplewise and a trip to one of world's most remote corners.

route: Lhasa- Gyantse- Shigatse- Lhatse- Mnt Kailash- Lake Manasarovar- Guge ruines- Ali- Kashgar

dag 1 Lhasa--Mt.Gangbala--Yamdrok lake--Gyantse--Shigatse (9 h)

dag 2 Shigatse--Lhatse--Sakya moastery--Tingri--Rongbuk
monastery (9 h)
dag 3 Rongbuk--Mt.EBC--Tingri--Lake Paikutso--Saga (8 h)
dag 4 Saga--Dongpa--Paryang (7 h)
dag 5 Paryang--Lake Manasarovar--Tarchen(8 h)
dag 6 Takchen--Mt.Kailash--Tsada (6 h)
dag 7 Guge ruins
dag 8  Tsada--Gar (5 h)
dag 9 Gar--Dormar (6 h)
dag 10 Dormar--Hongliutan (9 h)
dag 11 Hongliutan--Yecheng (8 h)
dag 12 Yecheng--Kashgar (5 h)

Prices:

4 persons: 8990 yuan p.p.

3 persons: 11500 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 17200 yuan p.p.

1 persons: 32820 yuan total

Note: prices voor 1-7 May, July/August and 1-7 Oct are higher

incl: landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English spreaking guide and permits

excl: accomodation, meals, entrance fees, tips for guide and driver

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

For bookings/ info: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

SEASON

April till June and September till November are the best months for Tibet trips as weather is generally dry and sunny with clear views on the mountains. Summertime mid July/August is the rainy season, weather can vary from an occasional shower to a lot of rain. Nature in summer though will be at its greenest with lots of flowers. Winter from end of November till March is cold (below zero) and it may snow but trips are still doable (if you don't mind the cold). In winter there are very few tourists around but all the more nomads especially in Lhasa.

* we need 10 days to process all necessary permits. In order to book a Tibet trip we need scanned versions of your passport, Chinese visa and entry stamp. All should be sent by e-mail in jpeg format. When you enter China shortly before going on a Tibet trip you have to e-mail your entry stamp as soon as you arrive in China. Applications should be done before Tuesdays. If you submit your paperwork after a Tuesday you need to count 10 days starting from the next Tuesday before you can start your trip.

* VERY IMPORTANT: we can only accept complete bookings from the day you enter TAR (Tibet autonomous region) until the last day you leave. This means that we need a full program incl your days in Lhasa and your program after Lhasa, all incl a Tibetan guide. In other words, we need you to book a complete trip incl transport out of Lhasa (flight/ train into China, overland to Nepal). You can arrange your own hotels. For your information: these are not our rules but the rules from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Thank you for your understanding.

* make sure you have enough time left on your Chinese visa before you go to Tibet. In TAR (Tibet autonomous region) visa extensions are hard/ impossible to get!

* before we start to apply for the permits you need to have paid the FULL amount. You will need to send Chinese RMB/ yuan to our Chinese bankaccount. We cannot accept creditcards. Another possibility is to pay the full amount in cash in Dali. This however only works if you have enough time left before your departure date. We need 10 days to process all necessary permits counting from Tuesdays. Before we start applying for the permits you need to pay full price of the complete trip.

more info/questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

* we don't have join-in tours to share the costs. If you're looking for travellers to share the costs, you can put an ad on travelforums like Lonely Planet Thorn Tree

* we can't help you if you're interested in travelling by public bus into the TAR. Not transportwise, not permitwise.

Road conditions in Tibet have greatly improved over the years. Most of the roads are now paved, only about 30% of the overlandroutes are still unpaved or under reconstruction. The friendship highway (from Lhasa to Nepal boder) has been rebuilt and is all paved.

IMPORTANT: if changes are necessary due to weather-, road- or personal requirements (like health reasons) costs will NOT be covered by us. Refunds can't be given either. Car problems will be covered by us but the extra costs you may have for staying longer like accomodation will not be covered.

Depending on the distance and the condition of the roads, driving days will be shorter or longer. Count on 5-7 hours driving a day as an average. We expect the participants to be in good condition, healthy and most important flexible. We don't recommend this trip for families with small children. Often the roads will be high, between 3500 and 4500 m. Altitude sickness can be a problem. Prepare yourself by reading all available information. If you have lung - or other physical complaints, ask your doctor for advice. Once on the road, hospitals are primitive. If worse comes to worse you'll have to go down to a lower altitude as soon as possible. The only airports on the road are in Bamda/Chamdo and Linzhi/Bayi. Having said all this, most of our clients taking these roads were okay, minor headaches and sleeplessness being the main inconvenience.

more info/questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

OVERLAND TO LHASA, TIBET

OVERLAND TO LHASA, SOUTHERN ROAD

ZhONGDIAN/ SHANGRILA TO LHASA IN 7 DAYS

For bookings/ info: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

The southern route offers a wide variety of landscapes. Deep gorges, snowcapped mountains, lush subtropical valleys with banana trees (!), alpine lakes, glaciers and climbing up again through arid mountain areas to cross 4500-5000 m high passes will make this an unforgettable journey. The average altitude lies around 3500 m. On the road you will visit some smaller and larger monasteries, some quiet tucked away places with only a few monks around and some buzzing with activity and many pilgrims walking the kora and turning the prayerwheels.

SOUTHERN ROAD YUNNAN-TIBET: 7 days Zhongdian (Shangrila) to Lhasa

Zhongdian (Shangrila) (3270 m- Deqin (3320 m)- Yanjing (3109 m)- Markam (3850 m)- Dzogong (3780 m)- Bamda (4080)- Pasho (3700 m)- Rawok Lake (3850 m)- Pome (2743 m)- Lulang (3400)- Bayi (2900 m)- Basum Lake/ Draksum Tso (3470 m)- Ganden monastery - Lhasa (3595 m)

Day 1 Zhongdian (Shangrila)-Deqin (5 hrs drive)

Visit: Dongzhulin monastery and nunnery

day 2 Deqin-Yanjing (5 hrs)

 Catholic church, Mnt. Kawa Karpo (Meilixueshan)

day 3 Yanjing- Markam- Dzogong (9 hrs)

Views of Mnt. Hongla

day 4 Zogong- Bamda- Pasho- Rawok Lake (7 h)

Bamda monastery, cross Yela pass at 4658 m, Nujiang river

day 5 Rawok- Pome- Lulang (6 h)

Midui glacier (3000 m), Sundzom monastery

day 6 Lunang- Bayi - Basum Lake/ Draksum Tso (7 hrs)

Mnt. Gyala Pelri (7151 m), Mnt. Namche Barwa (7756 m), Lamaling monastery

day 7 Draksum Tso - Ganden monastery - Lhasa(9 hrs)

island monastery of Draksum Tso, cross Mila pass at 5200 m

notes:

1. if you have more time you can add Drigung Til monastery (4150 m) and Tidrum nunnery (4325 m) on your itinerary. Both are spectacular places, located high up the mountains. 

2. all routes can also be reversed starting in Lhasa. Prices are the same.

3. You can also start this trip in Deqin and travel in 6 days time to Lhasa. In this case the quote is 500 yuan lower than the total price (= price per persoon x amount of people).

Prices:

4 people: 5450 yuan p.p.

3 people: 6950 yuan p.p.

2 people: 9900 yuan p.p.

1 people: 18800 yuan total

Note: prices for May 1-7, July/August and Oct 1-7 will be higher

incl: landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English speaking guide and permits

excl: accomodation, meals and entrance fees

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

1. a sng/double room with private bathroom will cost around 200-350 yuan/ night.

2. the choice of hotels will be limited as only a few hotels are allowed to accept foreigners

3. to find a room with private bathroom is in general no problem. There will be a shower/ hot water. Rooms however will not always be very clean according to Western standards.

4. Prices for hotels will be higher during the Chinese holidays from May 1-8, july/august and Oct 1-8.

SHORT VERSION SOUTH ROAD 4 days

BAMDA AIRPORT TO LHASA

If you don't have much time but you do want to experience the southern road you can do the following route.

fly from Chengdu to Bamda airport (4500 m) - overland to Rawok lake (3850 m)- Pome (2743 m)- Lulang (3400 m)- Bayi (2900 m)- Basum Lake/ Draksum Tso (3470 m)- Ganden monastery - Lhasa (3595 m)

day 1 fly from Chengdu to Bamda airport (4500 m) - overland to Rawok lake (7 h)

the landcruiser will meet you at Bamda airport, world's highest civilian airport at 4500 m!, and continue to Rawok lake

day 2 Rawok- Pome- Lulang (6 h)

Midui glacier (3000 m), Sundzom monastery

day 3 Lunang- Bayi- Basum Lake/ Draksum Tso 7 hrs

Mnt. Gyala Pelri (7151 m), Mnt. Namche Barwa (7756 m), Lamaling monastery

day 4 Draksum Tso - Ganden monastery - Lhasa (9 hrs)

island monastery of Draktsum Tso, cross Mila pass at 5200 m

note: if you have more time you can add Drigung Til monastery (4150 m) and Tidrum nunnery (4325 m) on your itinerary. Both are spectacular places, located high up the mountains. 

Prices:

4 people: 4725 yuan p.p.

3 people: 5700 yuan p.p.

2 people: 7800 yuan p.p.

1 people: 14700 yuan total

Note: prices for May 1-7, July/August and Oct 1-7 will be higher

incl: flight from Chengdu to Bamda, landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English speaking guide, permits

excl: accomodation, meals and entrance fees

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

The northern route offers wide, empty and arid mountain landscapes. The deep gorges, grasslands and snowcapped mountains together with the amazing monasteries of Tsedru and Tsuglhakang will make this an unforgettable journey. This route is remoter and a bit less travelled than the southern road and is higher in altitude, averagely around 4000 m.

8 days northern road Chengdu-Lhasa

Chengdu - Kangding (2700 m) - Gandze (3400 m)- Dege (4300 m)- Gyamda - Chamdo (3240 m) - Riwoche (3800 m)- Tengchen (4500 m)- Sok (4600 m) - Naqchu (4650 m) - Namtso lake (4700 m) - Lhasa (3595 m)

day 1 Chengdu- Ya'an- Kangding (7 h)

Xin'gou village, Mnt.Erlang

day 2 Kangding-Luhuo-Gandze (8 h)

Kangding Town, Mnt. Dreduo, Gandze monastery

day 3 Gandze-Dege-Gyamda(9 h)

Dege printing monastery, Jinsha River, Gangtuo village, Wala monastery

day 4 Gyamda--Chamdo (7 h)

Mnt. Eila, Mnt. Damala, Tuoba village

day 5 Chamdo- Riwoche (6 h)

Jampaling monastery, Drogula monastery and forests, Mnt.Drogula, Tsuglhakang monastery

day 6 Riwoche--Tengchen--Sok (9 h)

Kamaduo Buddhist pagodas, Tsedru monastery

day 7 Sok --Naqchu (8 h)

Northern Tibetan grasslands

day 8 Naqchu- Namtso lake- Yangpachen hot springs-Lhasa(9 h)

Namtso lake, Yangpachen hot springs

Prices:

4 people: 6850 yuan p.p.

3 people: 8800 yuan p.p.

2 people: 12700 yuan p.p.

1 people: 24400 yuan total

Note: prices for May 1-7, July/August and Oct 1-7 will be higher

incl: landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English speaking guide, permits

excl: accomodation, meals and entrance fees

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

more info/questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

8 DAYS COMBINATION NORTH AND SOUTH ROAD

Chengdu- Kangding (2700 m)- Litang (4100 m)- Batang (2600 m)- Zogong - Pasho (3700 m) - Pome (2743 m)- Draksum lake (3470 m) - Lhasa (3595 m)

day 1 Chengdu- Ya'an- Kangding--Xingduqiao (8 h)

Xin'gou village, Mnt.Erlang

day 2 Xinduqiao- Yajiang- Litang (9 h)

Yajiang River, Litang monastery

day 3 Litang-Batang (5h)

day 4 Batang-Mangkam-Zogong (7h)

day 5 Zogong- Pasho- Rawok lake (7 h)

Bamda monastery, cross Yela pass at 4658 m, Nujiang river

day 6 Rawok lake-Pome-Lulang (7 h)

Midui glacier (3000 m), Sundzom monastery

day 7 Lulang- Bayi- Draksum tso (7 h)

Mnt. Gyala Pelri (7151 m), Mnt. Namche Barwa (7756 m), Lamaling monastery

day 8 Draksum Tso - Ganden monastery - Lhasa (3595 m)(9 hrs)

island monastery of Draksum Tso, cross Mila pass at 5200 m

Prices:

4 people: 6600 yuan p.p.

3 people: 8150 yuan p.p.

2 people: 12200 yuan p.p.

1 people: 23400 yuan total

Note: prices for May 1-7, July/August and Oct 1-7 will be higher

incl: landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English speaking guide, permits

excl: accomodation, meals and entrance fees

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

The first part of the northern routes are through Tibetan Kham areas in Sichuan province. For these areas you don't need special Tibet permits. In order to save costs you can travel by public bus by yourself in Sichuan province and start your overlandtrip to Tibet at the Sichuan/Tibet border in for example Dege/ Batang.

Route:

Dege (4300 m)- Gyamda - Chamdo (3240 m)- Pasho (3700 m)- Rawok Lake (3850 m)- Pome (2743 m)- Lulang (3400)- Bayi (2900 m)- Basum Lake/ Draksum Tso (3470 m)- Ganden monastery - Lhasa (3595 m)

day 1 Dege--Gyamda (4h)

Wala monastery

day 2 Gyamda--Chamdo (7 h)

Mnt.Eila, Mnt.Damala, Tuoba village

day 3 Chamdo- Pasho- Rawok lake (8 h)

Jampaling monastery, Bamda monastery, Yela pass, Nujiang River, Rawok lake

day 4 Rawok lake- Pome- Lulang (6 h)

Midui glacier (3000 m), Sundzom monastery

day 5 Lulang- Draksum tso (7 h)

Mnt. Gyala Pelri (7151 m), Mnt. Namche Barwa (7756 m), Lamaling monastery

day 6 Draksum Tso- Lhasa (9 h)

island monastery of Draktsum Tso, cross Mila pass at 5200 m

Prices:

4 people: 5175 yuan p.p.

3 people: 6570 yuan p.p.

2 people: 9350 yuan p.p.

1 people: 17700 yuan total

Note: prices for May 1-7, July/August and Oct 1-7 will be higher

incl: landcruiser, Tibetan driver, Tibetan English speaking guide, permits

excl: accomodation, meals and entrance fees

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

more info/questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

Tibetaanse sferen in Yunnan en Sichuan: tour Zhongdian naar Chengdu & Yading nationaal park

6/7 dagen vanaf Chengdu of Zhongdian

This is a great trip with beautiful landscapes and people in a mainly Tibetan area. You'll travel by private car from the busy city of Chengdu through pristine mountain landscapes to Tibetan heights. A trip through Tibetan landscapes along monasteries, nomad camps, , grasslands and high mountains.

Route:

day 1 Chengdu to Kangding

day 2 to Tagong grasslands

day 3 to Litang

day 4 to Yading

day 5 and 6 trek in Yading

day 7 to Daocheng- Derong- Zhongdian

This route can be made shorter or longer according to your plan. Yading can also be done as a daytrip in case you don't want to go trekking.

Other 7 day routes:

Zhongdian- Derong- Litang- Gandze- Daofu- Tagong- Kangding- Chengdu

Zhongdian– Derong- Litang- Kangding- Tagong- Danba- Wolong– Chengdu

After driving through the fertile and populated valley around Chengdu you gp up to the 3,000 m high Erlang pass. In the course of the day you arrive in Kangding, at 2,500 m a good height to get used to the altitude. For centuries Kangding has been one of the gateways to Tibet and the demographical border between the Chinese and Tibetan peoples.

The grasslands of Tagong make a great stop. This small 'wild west town' has the biggest Buddhist college of Sichuan province and a massive Sakyapa monastery. With the Gongga Shan (7556 m) in the background, the green rolling hills are home to nomads and their grazing yaks.

After a mountainous ride we arrive in Litang which is one of the highest cities in the world (4,100 m). The population mainly exists of Khampa Tibetans which makes it one of the best places to experience Tibetan culture.

After Litang you can make the trek in Yading: this National park lies in a high, rough and mountainous area. On the way you'll enjoy the magnificent views on the snow-capped peaks. At an altitude of 4-4,500 m you walk or take a horse through alpine forests and admire the valleys, holy mountains and lakes. You'll find yourself on the roof of the world, far away from 'civilization'.

After these heights you go down into Yunnan to Zhongdian (Shangrila) which lies at 3,200 m. Here the Tibetan houses and people look different from the ones we've seen so far. In Zhongdian you can visit Songzanlin monastery.

Prices:

4 persons: 5150 yuan p.p.

3 persons: 5950 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 7900 yuan p.p.

incl: private car and driver, English speaking guide, accomodation

excl: meals and entrance fees

Note: prices for May 1-7 and Oct 1-7 will be higher

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

more info/questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

AMDO TIBET: trip Lanzhou- Xiahe- Langmuse- Songpan- Jiuzhaigou- Chengdu

start in Chengdu or Lanzhou

Routes:

8 days from Lanzhou to Chengdu (or other way around): Lanzhou- Xiahe (3 n)- Langmusi (2 n)- Songpan (2n/ optional horseriding/ Jiuzhaigou and/or Huanglong)- Chengdu

7 days Lanzhou- Xiahe (3 n)- Langmusi (2 n)- Xiahe (1 n)- Lanzhou

4 days Lanzhou- Xiahe- Lanzhou (3 n Xiahe). On the way to or from Xiahe you can visit the Bingling Buddhist caves. Here you can see 694 Buddhist images carved into the cliffs of a 60 meter high gorge. To get to the Bingling caves, you take a speedboat across a bluegreen reservoir. The landscape is stunning with its high soaring cliffs on both sides.

Day 1 arrival in Lanzhou (Gansu province)/ drive about 6 hours to the pittoresque town of Xiahe. The landscape changes dramatically from a desert-like dry area into green mountains where you’ll find Xiahe at 3,000 m altitude.

Day 2 Xiahe
Xiahe is a predominantly Tibetan town which centres around the huge Labrang monastery. The first day in Xiahe is spent exploring the monastery. You will see many monks, often in prayer or busily debating each other on religious issues. All year around you’ll meet the many pilgrims in town wearing their splendid traditional clothing and jewellery.

Day 3 Xiahe

Today you will explore the grasslands around Xiahe where nomad families live in tents. When invited in their homes you cannot refuse their infamous Tibetan milk tea and barley "tsampa". The grasslands are also a beautiful area for hiking. In summertime the flowers are like a carpet on the meadows.

Day 4 Langmusi

First we visit Hezuo to admire the nine-floor-temple. Inside are beautiful handpainted decorations of Tibetan buddhist gods and deities. We will arrive in Langmusi at the end of the afternoon.

Day 5 Langmusi

In Langmusi the ancient Tibetan custom of sky burials is still practised. Sky burials are now limited only to a very small area in Tibet and are a rare sight nowadays. The town of Langmusi is half in Gansu province, and half in Sichuan province, divided only by a small river. Therefore, this small town has two monasteries, one in each province. We will visit the monasteries and see the stunning buddhist caves.

Day 6 Full day ride from Langmusi to Songpan. On the way you can visit a monastery with 108 stupas. This is a holy and very beautiful place. You will stop several times for some short hiking trips.

Day 7 As an option (excl in price) you can do a full day horse riding trip in the beautiful mountains surrounding Songpan. The horses are tame but the slopes are sometimes quite steep. You can do this trip even if you don't have experience with horseriding.

Day 8 drive to Chengdu airport of railwaystation

Prices:

8 days from Lanzhou to Chengdu (or other way around): Lanzhou- Xiahe (3 n)- Langmusi (2 n)- Songpan (2n/ optional horseriding/ Jiuzhaigou and/or Huanglong)- Chengdu

Prices:

4 persons: 5625 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 8150 yuan p.p.

Incl: private transport, accommodation, Tibetan English speaking guide for days 2,3,4,5,6

Excl: meals, entrance fees, guide for days 1,7 and 8, horses and horseguide for day 7, tips for guide and driver

7 days Lanzhou- Xiahe (3 n)- Langmusi (2 n)- Xiahe (1 n)- Lanzhou

Prices:

4 persons: 4675 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 6900 yuan p.p.

Incl: private transport, accommodation, Tibetan English speaking guide

Excl: meals, entrance fees, tips for guide and driver

4 days Lanzhou- Xiahe- Lanzhou (3 n Xiahe). On the way to or from Xiahe you can visit the Bingling Buddhist caves.

Prices:

4 persons: 3125 yuan p.p.

2 persons: 4750 yuan p.p.

Incl: private transport, accommodation, Tibetan English speaking guide

Excl: meals, entrance fees, tips for guide and driver

NOTE: prices are higher in the Chinese holidays from May 1-7 and Oct 1-7

converting Chinese yuan/ RMB into your currency

more info/questions: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com