Tibet Trek

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Chengdu

Arriving in Chengdu, and exiting with your baggage, you will be met by our Chengdu operator, holding your names on a sign. Then have a tour to Wenshu Temple and Wenshu Lane, after that come back to hotel to have a good rest.

Day 02: Chengdu Sightseeing

In the morning, have tour to the Panda Propagation & Research Center – one of the worlds’ most prestigious facilities on Panda breeding research. See the baby pandas and learn the in depth knowledge on the preservation and breeding of this animal, regarded as China’s most precious national treasure. You might have the opportunity of holding lovely little Pandas for pictures, or even adopt one of your own! In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple o f Marquis Wu, a shrine to memorize Zhugeliang, the premier of Shu kingdom during China’s Three Kingdom period. Then stroll in the Jinli Street, a street features west Sichuan province custom. Enjoy the show of Sichuan opera in the evening, and you can appreciate the unique skills of local arts such as puppet show, hand shadow show.

Day 03: Chengdu/Lhasa

Take the morning flight from Chengdu to Lhasa, upon arrival at Gonggar Airport, be greeted and offered a white scarf (called Kada) in a Tibet traditional way which brings you good luck. Then drive to the city proper (3650 m). On the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery, and the typical Tibetan villages. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high attitude upon your arrival. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now (be noted the first day’s acclimation is extremely to ensure you a good health status for the following tour, so please make sure you have yourself lie in bed for all the rest time of the day right after check-in of hotel).

Day 04 Lhasa Sightseeing

Visit Potala Palace for the whole morning, then in the afternoon, have a view of the Jokang Monastery, then walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Day 05: Start Trek Ganden - Yama Do

In the morning we visit the Ganden Monastery and our trek begins from here. The trail gradually ascends for 1.5 hrs before reaching a saddle marked by a cairn with views of Kyichu valley to Lhasa. Traversing the west side of the ridge from the saddle, the trail reaches a spur surmounted by a cairn, a spring and then the village of Hepu in 2 hrs. 1 hr from Hepu reach Ani Pangong, a small nunnery. The trail climbs steadily for 1 hour through marshy meadows to Yama Do.

Day 06: Yama Do - Tsotup Chu Valley

In 2 hrs past Yama Do we ascend Shug—la pass (5250 m). It takes at least 1.5 hrs from the basin negotiating boulders and lumpy ground along the final steep climb to the pass. The route continues over the Shug—la pass following the cairned trail descending gradually and reaching the valley in 1.5 hrs from the pass. Cross the Tsotup Chu. Nomad herders with their herd of yaks, goat and sheep can be found here.

Day 07: Tsotup Chu - Herder's Camp

From the Tsotup Chu valley, follow a small tributary entering from the south—west. The route follows steeply upwards for 30 mins until you reach a large basin. The terrain is not particularly difficult to reach Chitu—la pass (5100 m) which is marked by several cairns. A short steep descent will bring you into a basin with three small lakes. The trail at many points is not clearly marked and goes past several seasonal camping sites before it reaches the valley floor.

Day 08: Herder's Camp - Yamalung

The trail is now wide and easy to follow and goes through forest of shrubs and rhododendrons for 3 hrs. The trail winds through a series of meadows before reaching Gen Do, a place with a ruined stone structure. The forest thins rapidly and we reach the first permanent village of Chantan (4020 m) after leaving Hebu.. In 30—40 mins we arrive at the turn off at Yamalung Valley. Yamalung Hermitage is another 1 hour steep climb from the valley floor.

Day 09: Yamlung - Samye - Tsedang

From Yamalung Valley it takes 3.5 — 4 hrs to Samye. We go past the villages of Nyango, Wango and Pisha. From Pisha the entire lower valley of Samye and the golden spires of Samye Monastery can be seen. En route there are several nice meadows for camping. Then drive another 40 km to Tsetang which is located in the southeast of Lhasa.

Day 10: Tsedang Sightseeing

In the morning, make a trip in the Yarlung valley to visit the Yumbulakhang, a medieval-European castle-like structure, reputed as Tibet’s oldest building. It doesn’t take that long to explore Yumblagang, perhaps the best part of the vist is the walk up along the ridge abour the building. There’re fabulous views of the Yarlung valley. Then have a tour to Trandruk Monastery and Mindroling Monastery around.

Day 11: Tsedang/Gonggar Airport

Departure transfers for the flight out, you could take flight to Chengdu first, then connect the international flight back home. Tour service ends.