Horse Caravan Adventures Tours

Horse Caravan Adventures tours is an unique journey in Himalayas of Tibet. Trip start in Kunming, we do sightseeing of Stone Forest, Minority Village, Golden Temple, Flower & birds Market. enjoy the typical Yunnan Cuisine with local cultural performance in tourist restaurant. then Flight to Zhongdian Visit Somtsang Lin Monastery and Tibetan family. continue to Zhongdian to Deqin  through parts of the Hengduan Range along the Jinsha Jiang River,  enjoy a far view Mt. Meili, the highest peak in Yunnan Province, with an altitude of 6740m above sea level. Drive along the unpaved road following the Mekong River, till the small town of Yanjing (3109m)-the first town of Tibet Autonomous Region. Yanjing means salt well; it was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan areas, which ranged from NW Sichuan down into Yunnan. We’ll visit the Natural hot springs Qu Zi Ka in Tibetan located on west bank of Mekong. And Cizong Catholic Church which has been reconstructed in 2003, the original was built start of 20c by French priest. Nowadays it is Lu, a friendly Naxi priest.

Drive from Yanjing towards northwest to Markham. It is the only region to meet traditional horse caravans on the way. This section is so-call 126 bents or 99 bents. Markham is the intersection town where Yunnan-Tibet highway joins the Sichuan-Tibet highway.

Horse Caravan Adventures tours continue via Zuogong, Bamda, Rawok Lake, Bomi to Tongmai, Bayi, Basum Tso, visit Basum Tso Lake. The he snow mountain, the crystal lake, the lush trees and the monastery make the area so beautiful that if paradise exists anywhere on earth, it should be at Basum Tso, move forward Pasum Tso to Lhasa via Medrok Gongkar and Ganden Monastery.Turn-off at Lamo, about 7 km detour to Ganden Monastery. Ganden monastery (3200m) was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa-the founder of Gelugpa sect of Buddhism, on the Gokpori ridge of Mount Wangkur, overlooking the south bank of the river. Ganden was the first and foremost Gelukpa monastery, constructed by Tsongkhaoa himself.

Lhasa sightseeing includes looking Potala Palace, which was built in the 7th century for the King, visit Jokhang temple and stroll in the famous local bazaar. Visit Drepung monastery which is the biggest monastery in Tibet. Then visit Sera monastery and Norbulingka which can give you deep impression of Tibet arts and civilization.

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Trip Highlights

• Stone Forest of ancient limestone cliffs and peaks in Kunming.
• Tiger Leaping Gorge and Gedan Sumaling Monastery Monastery in Zhongdian
• Views of Mount Meili and Nyenchentangla Shan Range.
• Gartok Gompa at Markham
• Rawok Lake
• Nyingchi and Basum Tso Lake
• Potala Palace, Drepung and Sera Moansteries, Jorkhang Temple and
• Norbulingkha Palace in Lhasa

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kunming

Meet our local representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. Accommodation in Harbour Plaza Hotel (5*)

Day 2

Kunming Sightseeing

Full day sightseeing of Stone Forest, Minority Village, Golden Temple, Flower & birds Market. In the evening, enjoy the typical Yunnan Cuisine with local cultural performance in tourist restaurant. Overnight Harbour Plaza Hotel (5*)

Day 3

Flight to Zhongdian

Morning flight to Zhongdian (Shangri-La), airport pick up and transfer to hotel. Visit Somtsang Lin Monastery, and Tibetan family. Overnight in Zhongdian Holy Palace Hotel (4*)

Day 4

Zhongdian to Deqin (190km)

Drive through parts of the Hengduan Range along the Jinsha Jiang River. Have a break in a beautiful small town named Benzilan. Finally arrive at Dechen, enjoy a far view Mt. Meili, the highest peak in Yunnan Province, with an altitude of 6740m above sea level. Overnight in Meili Hotel (2*) in Deqin

Day 5

Deqin to Yanjing (115km)

Drive along the unpaved road following the Mekong River, till the small town of Yanjing (3109m)-the first town of Tibet Autonomous Region. Yanjing means salt well; it was once the main source of salt for half of the Kham Tibetan areas, which ranged from NW Sichuan down into Yunnan. We’ll visit the Natural hot springs Qu Zi Ka in Tibetan located on west bank of Mekong. And Cizong Catholic Church which has been reconstructed in 2003, the original was built start of 20c by French priest. Nowadays it is Lu, a friendly Naxi priest. Overnight in Yanjing Guesthouse. (Very basic!!)

Day 6

Yanjing to Markham (111km)

Today we drive from Yanjing towards northwest to Markham. It is the only region to meet traditional horse caravans on the way. This section is so-call 126 bents or 99 bents. Markham is the intersection town where Yunnan-Tibet highway joins the Sichuan-Tibet highway. Will visit Gartok GompaïŒWeise Si in chi, 10km before reach Markham (Gelukpa), affiliated to Drayub sub-branch. Overnight in Markham Guesthouse. (Very basic!!)

Day 7

Markham to Zuogong (173km)

Drive to Zuogong (3780m), the condition of this section of road is unbelievable good for 40km. Zuogong , the town Overlooks Yu-chu river (major tributary of Salween), amid forests. Overnight in Hotel – Liangshiju Guesthouse in Zuogong which Offers room with private bathroom.

Day 8

Zuogong to Bamda (107km)

Today will drive passes Denpa, ascend to Dungda La (5008m). Road continues through grassland along Yu-chu river valley. Visit Gelukpa monastery Tiantuo Si in chi.founded as branch of Drepung, Stupas along roadside. The Monks are extremely hospitable. (Watch out for the dogs!) and Bamda (3780m) airport, 50km from intersection, there are flights to Lhasa & Chengdu. Overnight in Bamda guesthouse

Day 9-10

Bamda To Rawok Lake (190km)

Today drive ascend to Game La (4618m), Alpine forests, road follows Ling-chu valley after its confluence Salween up to Pasho. Note: No photos on Salween Bridge for military reason. Both Bamda & Pasho are good place for dinner stop. Here are Watershed of Salween and Brahmaputra rivers. Rawok-tso (3950m) on North shore of Ngan-tso, shores nice for camping. Take one day off for photos and rest. Overnight in Peace Guesthouse.

Day 11

Rawok Lake to Bomi to Tongmai (197km)

After breakfast, you have some time to stroll by the lakeside. Then 130km to Bomi, with lunch stop in Songzong. At Bomi, visit a temple and continue to Tongmai. Accommodation guesthouse.

Day 12

Tongmai to Bayi (Nyingchi) (116km)

Driev to Bayi, the capital of the old county Nyingchi. Nyingtri & Lulang landscape is extremely magnificent, characterized by dense primeval forest, Plateau Lake, high mountains and deep fertile valleys. Taktse Yungdrungling Bon, road into Nyingtri passes through Takste town, approached via turnoff on left below. There is a 2000+years old juniper tree, sacred to Bon religion followers. Overnight in Nyingchi Hotel (3*)

Day 13

Nyingchi to Basum Tso (Lake) (160km)

Leave hotel early morning for Basum Tso Lake. The he snow mountain, the crystal lake, the lush trees and the monastery make the area so beautiful that if paradise exists anywhere on earth, it should be at Basum Tso. Overnight at the Lakeside Lodge.

Day 14

Pasum Tso to Lhasa via Medrok Gongkar and Ganden Monastery

Turn-off at Lamo, about 7 km detour to Ganden Monastery. Ganden monastery (3200m) was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa-the founder of Gelugpa sect of Buddhism, on the Gokpori ridge of Mount Wangkur, overlooking the south bank of the river. Ganden was the first and foremost Gelukpa monastery, constructed by Tsongkhaoa himself. Overnight Dhood Gu or similar hotel.

Day 15

Lhasa sightseeing

In the morning, visit the grand — looking Potala Palace, which was built in the 7th century for the King. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang temple and stroll in the famous local bazaar – Barkhor street. Overnight Dhood Gu or similar hotel.

Day 16

Lhasa sightseeing

Visit Drepung monastery which is the biggest monastery in Tibet. Then visit Sera monastery and Norbulingka which can give you deep impression of Tibet arts and civilization. Accommodation hotel.

Day 17

Depart Lhasa

Cost & Dates