TIBETAN ADVENTURE - CHINA
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From Kunming in the south of China we take an internal flight to the Yunnan area from where we drive up onto the Tibetan plateau. Here we visit the annual Litang festival. Tibetan people from all over Tibet come to Litang on the first 3 days of August to participate in this big event and the valley is filled of tents. There are horse races with traditional Tibetan acrobatics, dances, and various kind of demonstrations. Then we head to the high Tibetan mountains for 9 days horse riding with pack horses or in some cases pack Yaks. We traverse rivers, forests, snow-covered tops and visit little monasteries en route. A Tibetan and European guide accompanies us. We also visit Zongdhian, a typical city of Yunnan. This is an adventurous and unusual trip and an unmissable opportunity to discover the real Tibet before it disappears totally.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - TIBETAN ADVENTURE
Day 1
Arrive at Kumming, capital of Yunnan province. Transfer to the hotel. Walk in the old town, with its flower and bird markets. Dinner, and night at the hotel.
Day 2
Flight to Zhongdian (Gyelthang in Tibetan) departure 07:15, arrival 08:15 in the extreme North of the Chinese province of Yunnan. Journey straight to Xiangcheng (220km) by minibus on a twisting upward route, the trip takes 7hrs. Reach the Chochi Ho river valley, a tributary of the Yangtze Kiang. We enter the great Shangvila region, the sacred territory of the Tibetans: cross mounts Xiaoxueshan and Daxueshan (3700m) and the beautiful Suoquhe valley. The town of Xiangcheng, in a valley 2700m high, is a centre of fruit growing. Discover typical Tibetan villages with stone-built houses, and the Lamaist monastery of Sanbisi. Lunch in a local restaurant. Night in a hostel in Xiangcheng.
Day 3
Xiangcheng – Litang (160km)
Travelling always northward for 5hrs via Daocheng, crossing beautiful countryside with Tibetan villages, the small lakes of the high plateau, and the steppes where the Tibetans pasture their herds of horses, yaks, goats and sheep. In Daocheng, visit the Bengbosi monastery (sect of the White Bonnets). Arrive at Litang (4000m), the birthplace of the 7th Dalai Lama, a region where the Tibetan population retains its nomadic tradition. Night in a guesthouse, or under canvas.
Day 4
Litang Festival
The horse-ring festival of Litang runs each year from 1st – 3rd August, and is the most important in all Tibet. About 2000 Tibetan families and 2000-3000 horses camp in the surrounding area, offering a very colourful spectacle. Opening of the festival, and an equestrian display organised by Tibetan shepherds.
Afternoon: An incredible display of costumes. The participants wear hats and garments in brilliant colours; brocades, tiger skins, and the skins of snow leopards are unbiquitous. The women sport jewels in jade, amber, coral, ivory, silver etc…It is an occasion for the nomads to display their riches; this display of their traditional costumes in nothing if not colourful. Dinner and night in guesthouse or in tents.
Day 5
Festival of Litang
The day is given over the horse racing: it is the highlight of the festival. The most impressive race is the unique charge of 1200 horsemen at full gallop…even if Tibetan horses are small, the ground trembles, and emotions run high. At the same time a great animal fair is held, where horses, yaks, and local products are sold. Visit this market to watch transactions, and to see the vast tent encampment, where some are magnificently decorated – for example, that of the 10th Dalai Lama in tiger skins…
One can see gold harnesses, antelope horn bits, saddles finely worked in precious metals. Dinner, and night at a guesthouse or in tents.
Day 6
Litang – Zalaxiang – Ergela – Naiganduo
2hrs on horseback and then by jeep for 4hrs on poor roads to the village of Zala (80km).
After lunch – on horseback, for a short trip across the high pastures of Litang and Ergela, altitude at least 4000m. Fairly even, magnificent countryside, with numerous encounters with nomads with their herds, or in their encampments guarded by ferocious dogs. The guides do their best to secure occasions to really meet the families, and if they wish it, to spend a moment with them in their homes or encampments. Night under canvas at Naiganduo (3900m)
Day 7
Naiganduo to the Nigongsi temple. 7hrs riding.
At the beginning of the day one reaches the Sacred Land, (an area 200km squared) around mount Gegna (6200m), one of the sacred mountains of Tibet. The very numerous chortens erected by pilgrims indicate marks of respect. The ride follows a little valley at the foot of mount Gegna to Chasanxi (4300m). En route, stop off at Lake Demu, and visit the sacred conch which belonged to the founder of the White Bonnets. Night under canvas at the temple of Nigongsi (3900m).
Day 8
Temple of Nigongsi – Holy Lake – Nigongsi (5hrs in the saddle)
Visit the temple, the first of the Flower Bonnet sect, founded here in the 8th century. The Mongols conquered the region in the 9th century and imposed the yellow Bonnet sect. Horseback trip to the Sacred Lake, then back to Nigongsi temple. Beautiful panoramic views of mount Gegna. Night under canvas close to the monastery (3900m).
Day 9
Nigongsi – Cangshanxi (5hrs riding)
Continuance of the ascent on horseback. Here lamaist Buddhaism was practised by the monks long before it spread throughout Tibet. Arrive at Cangshanxi, a village of Tibetan shepherds. Night under canvas close to Cangshanxi village.
Day 10
Cangshanxi – Rejjgang (5hrs riding)
Continue on horseback via a pass to reach Rejjgang. Night under canvas at Rejjgang (4200m).
Day 11
Rejjgang – Rena (6hrs riding)
Horse ride towards Rena, the great summer pasturage of the Tibetans in this region. Wild goats and marmots occupy this hilly region. Night in tents at Rena (3800m).
Day 12
Rena – Dongjiecun – Derong (3hrs riding)
We reach Dongjiecun village via forests and small rivers. Lunch. Farewell to our horses, and departure by jeep for Derong. Stop en route at the Redaqubolin monastery. Night in a hotel in Derong.
Day 13
Derong – Zhongdian (about 7hrs by road)
Arrive at hotel in the evening.
Day 14
Visit Zhongdian. At 3160m, Zhongdian is a village at the end of the world, in the valley of the Yangtze Kiang, a sort of surrealist Wild West where the old Tibetan residences rub shoulders with reinforced concrete buildings. Visit the Gedan Song Zanlin monastery (Yellow Bonnet sect). Built in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama, its great prayer hall with 108 pillars can accommodate 1600 monks. Visit the Diqing museum, which offers a general presentation of the culture and geography of the region. Dinner in a local restaurant. Night in hotel.
Day 15
Transfer to the airport. Embark for Kunming.
NOTES - TIBETAN ADVENTURE
GETTING TO KUNMING
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flight page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Flights Kunming/Zhongdian/Kunming with airport taxes; all transfers; hotels in double rooms; camping equipment; full board; horses; guide (translator); local Tibetan guide; 4 camp support staff;1 chef; English speaking tour leader from Europe
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flight to Kunming from Europe; personal expenses and gratuities for the team.
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