China - Tibetan Adventure - The Shamalong Race Trek

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from SF of Horam on 10/07/2013

Day 1:
Meet in Chengdu and drive to Kangding. This small mountain city is at an altitude of 2600m and is mainly ethnic Han Chinese with a notable Tibetan presence and flair, particularly in its shops, restaurants and temples. For centuries it has been the meeting place of Tibetan and Chinese culture and has served as a tea and yak hide trading center. It serves as a last outpost before the wild Tibetan mountains and passes of the Chengdu-Lhasa highway and the Tibetan region of Kham. Spend the night above the city at a hot springs. (Yala Hot-springs Guesthouse (or similar), 3100m, 4 hour drive, depending on road conditions)

Day 2
Start trekking. Ride 5 hours through a deep gorge with lush forest to a riverside campsite. 3300m.Day

Day 3
Ride up and over a high pass into a land of high lakes. Then camp below in the low forest. *This area now passes through a park with a road and tourists.

Day 4
Ride to Zhakra hot springs. Spend the afternoon enjoying these medicinal springs with prayer flags all around, and hiking up into the hills if wished. (3 hour ride, camp at 4100 meters).

Day 5
Ride today over high Griffon Pass (4900 m) with stunning views of the sacred Mt. Zhakra, (5900 m) and onto the high Tibetan plateau to Gyergo Nunnery and listen to the nuns chanting. Stay in a basic nunnery home stay with a local family. (7-8 hour ride, very steep terrain, hiking may be preferred for some riders. Hut at 3900 meters).

Day 6
: Ride up into the high nomad areas. Another lovely day on the horse to end at the home camp of the guides. Riders settle in to spend the night at the camp and be wined and dined by nomads, and experience their traditional life. Opportunity for nomad tent stay for interested guests. (7 hour ride, camp near nomads, 4200m).

Day 7
Spend the morning at Dashika Nomad Camp trying traditional pastimes like yak milking, butter processing, yak fiber spinning for string and rope, and yak herding. Ride to Yibei Lake, a high sinkhole (cenote) lake. This is a short 3 hour ride across the high plateau where the group will see many nomad camps dotted across the area. For those feeling like a swim, be warned, Yibei is cold! (3 hour ride, campsite, 4450 m).

Day 8
Ride to a high lookout to the west through wolf and gazelle country to the Lhagang plateau's highest area. Lunch at the lookout, at 4600 m, with views of isolated hermitages nestled between the mountain after mountain. Descend to the sacred Ragni Lake, home of Lammergyer birds in cliffs and the site of many legends. Camp nearby. (5 hour ride, campsite, 4200 m).

Day 9
Ride across the Lhagang Plateau's most populated nomadic area. It is possible to come across a religious festival in this area. Arrive after lunch to high Genup Gompa, a 300-year-old nomad temple. After visiting the temple, say goodbye to the guides and drive to Khampa Nomad Ecolodge (or similar) with a quick stop for snacks in Bamei. (5 hour ride, campsite, 3800 m).

Day 10
Spend the day relaxing at the Ecolodge. Enjoy the sauna, tubing in the river, hot showers, or a hike into the hilLs.

Day 11
Leave early this morning for the Shamalong Horse Festival. Attend the morning horse blessings and observe the spectacular races of the local clan, consisting of long races, short sprints, and stunt races. Camp near the races for a final night in a tent (With guides - Drive 1.5 hours, camp at 4100 meters).

Day 12
Drive to Chengdu directly from the Festival. (6-8 hour drive).

Day 13
A free day in Chengdu. Possible optional activities include visiting the Giant Panda Breeding Center (which usually has babies in the summertime), the QingYangGong Daoist Temple, and the Tibetan quarter. Last dinner. (BuddhaZen Hotel).

Day 14
Sendoff to the airport.

Please note: the Shamalong Race can be canceled at any time due to political reasons or other unforeseen circumstances.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The Tibetan horses are small and the size of ponies in Europe. They tend to be gentle and calm, but trained to pretty hard commands in comparison to horses in the West. The tack utilized is Tibetan leather saddles, which are like English saddles. Please note that the saddles are not particularly well padded!

The terrain includes both high, open grassland and mountain trails. The mountain trails can be quite rocky and steep, and in some places are lined with low-hanging branches so can mean quite difficult riding. On the other hand, the grassland riding is gentle, not rocky, and ideal for riding.

This trip is aimed at competent riders, because it includes 8 days on horseback, but it is not necessary to be a rider of the highest level. The journey is essentially at walk although there are opportunities for trots and canters in the grasslands. It is necessary to be in good physical condition in order to adapt to the altitude, and the capricious weather conditions. This will not be a forced march, however, and altitude (up to 4,800m) will be reached by degrees. You must meticulously accept the advice of the guides to adapt your behaviour to the altitude. If you are in any doubt (cardiac or respiratory problems, or hypertension) it is advised that you consult your doctor, and that you should prepare yourself with aerobic exercises – walking quickly, jogging, swimming and cycling. Please consider carefully taking medicines for altitude, as they can be dangerous if taken incorrectly.

The horses used for this trip are small and the weight limit of 85kg is strictly enforced. Riders will be weighed on arrival in Chengdu and if they are found to be over the weight limit they will not be allowed to ride. Please do not be too optimistic on your booking form! Minimum age for this ride is 12 years, and any children under 16 need a good level of skill.

The weight limit for this ride is 187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The guests' sleeping tents are large-sized backpacking tents big enough for two people. A large white traditional Tibetan canvas tent is used as a communal area for eating and hanging out. The guides will cook the meals over a fire.

When you are staying at the nomad camps, there will be an option to eat in the black yak hair tents with the families, or to eat in the white tent. (Sometimes the smoke in the black tents bothers people, but this depends on the weather.)

Riders will also stay in local guesthouses or as guests of the nuns/ monks in the guest quarters of the monastery.



Lunch and dinner are generally Tibetan style, or Chinese -- homemade noodles, rice with vegetables and meat, "Chinese noodles", yak momos, potato momos, cottage cheese (homemade) momos with wild onions, mushrooms, willow cheese fondue.

Breakfasts include tsampa, oatmeal, eggs and bacon, and other Western favourites.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip.

NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling.

Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.

Please note that although this ride is in an ethnically Tibetan area (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Eastern Tibet) it is not in the Tibet Autonomous Region (Central Tibet), so therefore you do not need special permission from the Chinese authorities, and it is sensible not to stress the Tibet side of things when applying for a visa.

Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa.

In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china

In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/China.html

In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/china

The climate is that of high plateaux, marked by a wide variance of temperature between day and night, and between sunny and overcast days. It is possible for the temperature to drop below zero at night in the high camps, and to rise to 24 degrees by day. If it rains for one or two days the temperature plummets to 5 or 6 degrees.
In July rain is normal most late afternoons and evenings, and sometimes it will rain for days on end. Usually, we are not so unlucky, and get a few days of rain and a few days of sun. In the sun, it can get quite hot very quickly. One needs to layer clothing!

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Tap water in China is generally not safe to drink. You should drink only bottled water.

Dengue fever is present in some parts of China mainly during the rainy season. There has been a large increase in cases of dengue fever in Guangdong province. You should take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in China and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

Vaccinations against Hepatitis A & B are recommended as is the preliminary Rabies vaccination and Typhoid. Tetanus and diphtheria boosters should also be up to date.

For people who are not used to the altitude it would be wise to consider buying Diamox and taking it when you arrive in Chengdu. This can make a huge difference in the enjoyment of a trip up at these altitudes, and in some cases is an absolute necessity. Anyone who has had trouble at high altitudes before or is worried about this should seriously consider not taking part in the trip. The ride starts at 3700m (12.135 ft).

A first aid kit is carried by your guides. We advise you to bring the following:
•Anti-diarrhoea tablets
•Blister pads
•Sterile plain and crepe bandages
•Tube of antiseptic cream
•Decongestants/antihistamines
•Throat lozenges
•Paracetamol or aspirin
•Personal medicines as prescribed by your physician

In China the supply voltage is 220V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 220V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Please bring your own batteries and film. Many types are not available over there and most places will have no offerings of this type whatsoever.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot) (any old riding gear is a good idea so it can be given to the Tibetan horsemen team)
- Stirrup leathers, particularly if you are very tall
- Saddle bags
- Walking boots with gaiters
- 1 heavy pullover, or polar fleece, one fine pullover (that you can put other things on top of)
- T-shirts and blouses/shirts with long sleeves (protection from the sun)
- A high altitude jacket, in down, or a parka
- Scarf
- Woollen hat
- Waterproof garment and 2 piece wind cheater
- Light shoes for less taxing activity, but still suited for walking.
- Leisure wear (lighter trousers) for visits and travelling other than on horseback.
- A very warm sleeping bag with Norwegian style closures for temperatures below freezing (4 seasons or -10°)
- Towel
- High specification sun glasses (glaciers or UV++++)
- Toilet bag
- Sun cream (very high factor for lips and face in sufficient quantity, 30 or 50)
- Your usual medication for pain, eye lotion, tricosteril, medication for gastric flu and intestinal trouble, tablets for sore throats, wide spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, disinfectant/purification tablets for water.
Altitude-specific: Aspegic 1000, Duxil...
- Mild sleeping tablets, Diamox or Aldactazine (prescription only – do not use except on the advice of your doctor)
- Enough film for the whole stay, and batteries for photographic equipment.
- Some snack foods and one or two freeze-dried meals
- Electric torch and batteries
- Pocket knife

Don't forget to make a copy of your passport and Chinese visa, get your insurance number and credit card emergency numbers written somewhere and keep them separately from your original documents.

A pair of binoculars along with a pack of cards/frisbee/travel games/ball to share with the group is a nice idea!

14d / 13n programme with 8 riding days on one set date in July or August.

2024: 6 - 19 July
2025:24 Jul - 06 Aug

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Thubten Jigme and Colin Turnbull - 'Tibet, Its History, Religion and People', David Bonavia - 'The Chinese: A Portrait', George Schaller - 'Wildlife of the Tibetan Steppe'. For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com. Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

There are a lot of animals in the mountains and grasslands, but we see only a few of them! The ones we see include Himalayan Griffons, Tibetan Blue Goats, deer and a lot of small birds as well. Wolves are common and might possibly be seen, as are small wildcats (about as big as North American bobcats). These mountains are also home to large leopards, brown bears, wild dogs, and even perhaps tigers (but you will not see tigers).

Tibet emerged in the 7th century as a unified empire, but it soon divided into a variety of territories. The bulk of western and central Tibet were often at least nominally unified under a series of Tibetan governments in Lhasa, Shigatse, or nearby locations; these governments were at various times under Mongol and Chinese overlordship.
The eastern regions of Kham and Amdo often maintained a more decentralized indigenous political structure, being divided among a number of small principalities and tribal groups, while also often falling more directly under Chinese rule; most of this area was eventually incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai.
In 1951, following a military conflict, Tibet was incorporated into the People's Republic of China and the previous Tibetan government was abolished in 1959.
Today, the PRC governs western and central Tibet as the Tibet Autonomous Region while eastern areas are mostly within Sichuan and Qinghai provinces. There are tensions regarding Tibet's political status and dissident groups are active in exile.

China is twice the size of Western Europe and is the third largest country in the world, after Russia and Canada. Its terrain varies from plains, deltas and hills in the east to mountains, high plateaux and deserts in the west. To the south its climate is tropical, whilst to the north it is sub-arctic. The most fertile areas lie in the eastern third of the country, which is economically the most developed region.

Jiang Zemin was appointed to the additional post of State President in March 1993. Jiang continued the policies of his predecessors, prioritising economic growth, particularly in China's coastal provinces. This narrow focus however, caused imbalances in society. Jiang retired as President in March 2003 and Hu Jintao was named as the new President. Under the slogan of a "harmonious society", he is promoting a range of policies in the health, education, environment and other fields which will address social inequality. But these policies will not be allowed to compromise economic growth and reform. The capital of china is Beijing (or Peking) and the country population was estimated at 1,322,273,000 in 2005. Han Chinese make up around 92 percent of the population. The remaining 8 percent is comprised of 55 minority ethnic groups. The official language is Mandarin (Putonghua) with many local dialects. Time difference GMT +8