Horse Racing Festival

Trip Overview

Outline Itinerary

Day 01 25th July Arrival in Chengdu Flight arrival in Chengdu (from Bangkok, or Singarpore), Shuangliu airport pick up and transfer to Jinjiang Hotel (5*)

Day 02 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 03 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 04 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 05 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 06 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 07-08 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 09 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

Cost Details
Dates and Prices Start and End dates – Flexible Tour Cost: For best and reasonable cost, contact us

Trip Cost Includes

• Accommodation in twin share.

• Daily Breakfast.

• All transportation by a 4WD Toyota Land-cruiser Jeep.

• English speaking Local Guide.

• Tibet permits.

• Sightseeing Admission Fees.

Trip Cost Does Not Include

• International and internal air fare

• Airport Taxes

• Chinese visa fee

• Lunch and dinner except indicated.

• Drinks, tip and other expenses of personal nature.

• Travel & Health Insurance.

• Medical Immunizations.

• All extra expenses caused due to nature or unforeseen events.

• Excess baggage charges.

• Optional tipping to local staffs, hotels etc.

• Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone etc)