Horse Racing Festival

Horse Racing Festival tour start in Chengdu with sightseeing of  panda bears in China Panda bears research Center. Then visit Dufu Cottage and Wuhou Temple in Chengdu. Evening to Qingyang Palace, view the antique Sichuan Opera-Face Changing in Shu Feng Ya Yun, tasting typical Sichuan snacks.

Trip to Leshan (170km one way, 3 hrs roundtrip): Visiting Leshan Giant Buddha (the largest cliff carving Buddha with a sitting pose in the world, which is listed as the bi-hermitage on nature and culture in UNESCO) and floating in the river to view the panorama of the Buddha. Evening you can walk in Jin li ancient Street to enjoy the remarkable Sichuan folk items like clay sculpture, candied drawing, crafts, etc.

We embark on an exhaustive 4WD adventure trip to Ya’an, Luding and Kangding (Dartsedo in Tibetan, 256km). Kangding is a medium-sized Tibetan town in Sichuan. Today’s trip covers the attractions of Ngachu Gonpa Monastery, Dordrag Gonpa and Zhara Yutso Lake.

Sightseeing in Litang: Litang Monastery (ChangQingchun in Chi), which was established in 1580 by the 3rd Dala Lama, Suonam Gyatso. It is the biggest Monastery of Yellow Hat Sect in Tibetan Buddhism in Kham area, with its magnificent architectures, various religion utensils, multiform and exquisite status, etc. walk in the old city of the town.

Litang Horse Racing festival, Join the great Litang Horse Racing Festival,  Visit Gantse Monastery and Dakin Monastery in Gantse, drive towards northwest to Dege via Manigonggar and Mt. Que’er (Sparrow, 5600m) as well as beautiful Xinlu Lake. Manigango has its exotic meadow with snowing mountains, and Xinlu Lake (4040m) is a sacred ice-corroded lake with great glacier besides, it has beautiful name in Tibetan called Yilong Lhatso which commemorates the legend of King Gesar and his lovely concubine. Visit Derge Parkhang (Storehouse of printing blocks), Conchen Monastery and Tibetan Hospital. Derge Parkhang, established in 1729 by Derge’s King Tenpa Tsering. It is Tibet’s largest center for producing and storing religious texts.

Drive towards southeast along the Nagchu Highway in northern grassland of Tibet, 108km to the Riwoche town (Ratsaka in Tibetan), visit the Riwoche Tsullakhang (29km north-east from town), important offshoot of Taglung Monastery in Kham. Continue driving to Dengchen (148km),visit the Bon monastery of Dengchen and drive towards Sok via Barchen (120km). Enjoy the fabulous views of Nyenchen Tanglha (Tangula) snow mountain range, nomad camps and yak herds in the northern Tibet grassland. Another 238km drive to Nagchu, the capital of Northern Tibet, where you are well and truly in northern grassland of Chhangthang.
Enjoy two full days Nagchu, enjoy the biggest Horse Racing festival of Tibet, held each year from 10th till 16th August. Drive towards southwest to Namtso via Damxung and Chhangthang grassland, literally heavenly lake, which is the biggest lake in Tibet and the second biggest salt lake in China as well as the highest lake in the world(4748m). It’s one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, playing an important role among Tibetans.

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Trip Highlights

• Panda Bear Research Center, Dufu Cottages and Wuhous Temples of Chengdu.
• Gian Leshan Buddha-the largest cliff carving Buddha.
• Ngachu Gonpa Monastery, Dordrag Gonpa and Zhara Yutso Lake in Khangding.
• Litang Monastery and Horse Racing Festival of Litang.
• Gantse Monastery and Dakin Monastery in Gantse.
• Xinlu Lake in Manigagno.
• Traditional printing press of Derge.
• Galden Jampaling Monastery in Chamdo.
• Dengchen and Ritro Lhakhang Monasteries in Dengchen. • Sok Tsanden Gonpa and Kapgye Lhakhang.
• Horse Racing Festival of Nagchu.
• Holy Lake of Nam Tso.
• Potala Palace, Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Jorkhang Temple and Norbulingkha Palace in Lhasa

Itinerary

Day 1

25th July Arrival in Chengdu Flight

Arrival in Chengdu (from Bangkok, or Singarpore), Shuangliu airport pick up and transfer to Jinjiang Hotel (5*)

Day 2

26th July Chengdu sightseeing

1 full day sightseeing in Chengdu: Morning you will be guided to see panda bears in China Panda bears research Center. Then visit Dufu Cottage and Wuhou Temple in Chengdu. Evening to Qingyang Palace, view the antique Sichuan Opera-Face Changing in Shu Feng Ya Yun, tasting typical Sichuan snacks. Overnight Jinjiang Hotel (5*)

Day 3

28th July Chengdu-Leshan Giant Bhudda-Chengdu

A full day trip to Leshan (170km one way, 3 hrs roundtrip): Visiting Leshan Giant Buddha (the largest cliff carving Buddha with a sitting pose in the world, which is listed as the bi-hermitage on nature and culture in UNESCO) and floating in the river to view the panorama of the Buddha. Evening you can walk in Jin li ancient Street to enjoy the remarkable Sichuan folk items like clay sculpture, candied drawing, crafts, etc. Overnight Jinjiang Hotel (5*)

Day 4

29th July Chengdu-Kangding ( 256km, 7 hrs)

We embark on an exhaustive 4WD adventure trip to Ya’an, Luding and Kangding (Dartsedo in Tibetan, 256km). Kangding is a medium-sized Tibetan town in Sichuan. Today’s trip covers the attractions of Ngachu Gonpa Monastery, Dordrag Gonpa and Zhara Yutso Lake. Overnight Kangding Jiaotong Hotel (2*)

Day 5

30th July Kangding-Xinduqiao-Litang (4200m, 295km, 6 hrs)

Drive to Litang via Zheduo Pass (4298m), Xindu Qiao (bridge) and Yajiang. Overnight in Litang Minzhu guest house or similar.

Day 6

31st July Litang Sightseeing Sightseeing in Litang

Litang Monastery (ChangQingchun in Chi), which was established in 1580 by the 3rd Dala Lama, Suonam Gyatso. It is the biggest Monastery of Yellow Hat Sect in Tibetan Buddhism in Kham area, with its magnificent architectures, various religion utensils, multiform and exquisite status, etc. walk in the old city of the town. Overnight guesthouse or tent.

Day 7-8

1st Aug-2nd Aug Litang Horse Racing festival

Join the great Litang Horse Racing Festival, overnight in Litang guest house Litang horse racing festival begins on August 1 officially.

Day 9

3rd Aug. Litang-Xinlong-Gantse

Drive towards north-west to Xinlong, then to Gantse (330km), the traditional center of Kham, Shangri-La of Sichuan Province, overnight in Gantse Khampa Hotel.

Day 10

4th Aug Gantse to Derge

Visit Gantse Monastery and Dakin Monastery in Gantse, drive towards northwest to Dege via Manigonggar and Mt. Que’er (Sparrow, 5600m) as well as beautiful Xinlu Lake. Manigango has its exotic meadow with snowing mountains, and Xinlu Lake (4040m) is a sacred ice-corroded lake with great glacier besides, it has beautiful name in Tibetan called Yilong Lhatso which commemorates the legend of King Gesar and his lovely concubine.

Day 11

5th Aug Derge Sightseeing

Visit Derge Parkhang (Storehouse of printing blocks), Conchen Monastery and Tibetan Hospital. Derge Parkhang, established in 1729 by Derge’s King Tenpa Tsering. It is Tibet’s largest center for producing and storing religious texts. Overnight in Derge guest house

Day 12

6th Aug Derge to Chamdo

Drive towards west to Chamdo via Jamda, Gangba Valley, Jinsha River and Mt. Dalama (dirt road, 360km), overnight in Chamdo Kangsang Hotel or guest house

Day 13

7th Aug Chamdo Sightseeing

Visit Jampaling Monastery and Karo Ruins in Chamdo, overnight in Chamdo

Day 14

8th Aug Drive to Dengchen (4200m)

Drive towards southeast along the Nagchu Highway in northern grassland of Tibet, 108km to the Riwoche town (Ratsaka in Tibetan), visit the Riwoche Tsullakhang (29km north-east from town), important offshoot of Taglung Monastery in Kham. Continue driving to Dengchen (148km), Overnight in Dengchen Grain Department Guesthouse.

Day 15

9th Aug To Nakchu (4500m)

Morning visit the Bon monastery of Dengchen and drive towards Sok via Barchen (120km). Enjoy the fabulous views of Nyenchen Tanglha (Tangula) snow mountain range, nomad camps and yak herds in the northern Tibet grassland. Another 238km drive to Nagchu, the capital of Northern Tibet, where you are well and truly in northern grassland of Chhangthang. Overnight Nagchu Hotel or Tented Camp.

Day 16-17

10th -11th Aug Nakchu Horse racing festival

Enjoy two full days Nagchu, enjoy the biggest Horse Racing festival of Tibet, held each year from 10th till 16th August.

Day 18

12th Aug Nakchu-Damxung-Namtso Lake

Drive towards southwest to Namtso via Damxung and Chhangthang grassland, literally heavenly lake, which is the biggest lake in Tibet and the second biggest salt lake in China as well as the highest lake in the world(4748m). It’s one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, playing an important role among Tibetans. O/n lodge at lake side (basic condition with common toilet)

Day 19

13th Aug Namtso-Damxung-Yangpacheng-Lhasa

Early morning view the splendid sunrise at lake side, walk around to the Tashi Heritages. Drive towards southwest to Lhasa along the Qinghai-Tibet highway, you can take a bath in the Yangpacheng hot spring en route (bath tickets paid by yourself), it would be an unique experience for you to swim with background of snow mountains. Arrive in Lhasa, o/n in Lhasa Hotel (4*)

Day 20-21

14th-15th Aug Lhasa sightseeing

2 full days sightseeing in Lhasa with tourist mini-bus: Potala Palace, Jorkhang Temple & Barkhor street, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Norbulinka.

Day 22

16th Aug Depart Lhasa

Morning transfer to airport and fly out to Chengdu, and connect flight to Bangkok/Singarpore/Hongkong, etc. You can also fly directly from Lhasa to Beijing or to Kathmandu of Nepal Kingdom. Tour ends!!

Cost & Dates