Make your way into the furthest reaches of far-off Tibet - sleeping by night in painted festival tents, guesthouses and a Tibetan nunnery - riding horseback through majestic peaks and across endless grasslands by day.
From Chengdu in the southwest of China we take an internal flight to Kangding, situated on the border of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. After enjoying the lively markets we then drive onto Tagong home to one of the most important Tibetan monastaries and the extraordinary Horse Race Festival. This festival features thousands of local Tibetan herdsmen amongst the vast expanse of green meadow surrounded by snow-capped peaks. There are horse races with traditional Tibetan acrobatics, dances and various demonstrations of strength, courage and wealth.
We then begin our horse riding adventure with pack horses or in some cases pack Yaks. We traverse rivers, forests and visit monasteries en route, immersing ourselves in the nomadic culture. A rest day is spent learning nomadic skills such as yak herding and butter-making. We finish in Danba which is said to be one of the most beautiful ethnic villages in China.
An adventurous and unusual trip and an unmissable opportunity to discover the real Tibet before it disappears totally. This trip is escorted by a European guide.
No supplement if rider is willing to share and a sharer can be found.
2012: £215/€259/$315
SAMPLE ITINERARY - TIBETAN ADVENTURE - THE TAGONG HORSE FESTIVAL
Day 1 - 2nd July
Arrival in Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan Province. Chengdu is nicknamed the 'City of Hibiscus' and is an historic and richly cultural city with over 2300 years of written history. Dinner with guides. Overnight at the BuddhaZen Hotel or similar.
Day 2 - 3rd July
Internal flight to Kangding. This small mountain city is at an altitude of 2600m and is mainly ethnically Han Chinese with a notable Tibetan presence and flair, particular in its shops, restaurants and the lama local temple. For centuries it has been the meeting place of many cultures. It serves as last outpost before the wild Tibetan mountains and passes of the Chengdu-Lhasa highway and the historical Tibetan region of Khamba.
Day 3 and 4 - 3rd and 4th July
Experience the annual Tagong Horse Race Festival that brings the proud Tagong Khamba riders from all around. The horses are blessed with the smoke of juniper to give them the courage to run in the most incredible races. There is a single charge of galloping horsemen and, although the Tibetan horses are small, the ground shakes and emotion is at its peak. It is also an opportunity for the Tibetan nomads to show their wealth. Participants wear colourful clothes and hats, with women displaying shiny jewelry of jade, amber, coral, ivory, silver and gold. The festival also offers the warmest hospitality of the Tibetan people. The two nights are spent in a family guesthouse.
Day 5 - 5th July
Ride to the nunnery of Gyergo, one of the main temples in the valley. This nunnery was started 20 years ago, when the hermit of the Gyergo Valley died. He was a much respected man who dressed in rags and ate only handouts, living in a cave on the grasslands. His task was to carve mani stones (inscribed prayer stones). About to die, he asked that a reincarnate lama be placed at the site, and this wish was granted. The site has since become a lively nunnery, and now a monk's school is being built nearby. His work of mani stones has also been continued, and the stones have been stacked into a pile resembling a fair-sized temple.
Gyergo is the main temple for the nomad families near Lhagang, and they gather there in winter. It is also a sky burial site, and with luck, we may see one.
The night is spent at the nunnery.
Day 6 - 6th July
Ride to the hot springs (3800m) at the foot of the mountain Jara. Ascend the Griffon Pass at 4800 m (the highest point of the hike). We go down by foot, horse in hand, into the valley. Camp at the foot of the sacred mountain of Jara.
Day 7 - 7th July
Ride to Lake Turquoise Yimtsuo Jara. Traditional khora riding around the lake. Descend into the valley bottom to join your camp, nestled in a protected forest, offering spectacular views of glaciers.
Day 8 - 8th July
Today we will ride in the vast pastures of the so-called "empty valley," punctuated by settlements of nomadic families. Back on horseback to the nunnery of Gyergo. Second night at the nunnery.
Day 9 - 9th July
We cross the highlands of Tagong on horseback, open pastures that stretch more than 80km wide in front of us. Many nomadic families move here every summer with their herds. We encounter only a few nomad tents, sacred lakes and small isolated Buddhist temples before arriving at the camp of a nomadic family where we will spend the next two nights.
Day 10 - 10th July
We enjoy a day alongside the family of herders in the camp of Dashiki. We have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the daily life of nomadic gathering of yaks and calves, watching and taking part in the manufacture of butter and cheese. Encounter a simple, yet beautiful object lesson. No riding today.
Day 11 - 11th July
Back on horseback today, we ride through the wildest part of the highlands to the camp of nomadic Gepshima, near one of the most famous sacred lakes. These lakes appear to be bottomless, and legends abound about nomadic camps disappear and reappear on other shores for hundreds of miles.
Day 12 - 12th July
To contrast with the previous day we cross the most populated highlands of Tagong by horseback. Arrive at Genup Gompa, a beautiful grassland temple located on a ridgetop above a deep river valley. Home to only about 20 monks, and far from a road, Genup Gompa has the feel of a traditional Tibetan grassland monastery.
The atmosphere here puts you in the peaceful Tibetan mood. Overnight in a mountain refuge.
Day 13 - 13th July
Last ride in the valley to join the first areas accessible by vehicle. Lunch in the village of Bamei, and we make our way to the beautiful valley Danba (3-4 hours drive), home of the Gyarong people. The valley of the Dadu is narrow and deep, and has numerous side valleys, in which live the various familes of this ethnic group.
Overnight in a family guesthouse.
Day 14 - 14th July
Drive to Kangding (5 hours)and visit the traditional medicine markets and the Chinese-Tibetan fusion temples.
Day 15 - 15th July
Fly from Kangding airport to Chengdu. Visit the pandas if you like. Spend the night at the Buddhazen Hotel or similar.
Day 16 - 16th July
Transfer to the airport, depart for home.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - TIBETAN ADVENTURE - THE TAGONG HORSE FESTIVAL
Please note the price is based on six person minimum, see detailed prices for smaller group supplement.
The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers; hotels in double rooms; camping equipment; all meals; horses; pack yaks, guide (translator); local horsemen and guides; English speaking tour leader from Europe.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flight to Chengdu from Europe; Internal flights; Airport taxes; drinks when not riding; personal expenses and gratuities for the team.
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