Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege in Kham

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19 Days Private Tour Chengdu – Dujiangyan – Wolong – Siguniangshan Town - Danba – Bamei - Dawu – Luhuo – Garze – Manigango – Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege – Pelyul – Garze – Yarchen Gar – Garze - Luhuo – Tagong – Xinduqaio - Kangding – Luding - Yaan – Shangli - Dayi - Chengdu

On this trip, we will enjoy the leisure life in Chengdu firstly. Then we will departure to Tibetan Area Kham in west Sichuan, visiting the irrigation project in Dujiangyan and pandas in Wolong - the first panda reserve in China. Cross over Balang Mountain, visit Siguniang Mountain, and enter the most beautiful village in China – the Jiaju Tibetan Village in Danba, where Jiarong Tibetans live. We continue to the west along China Panda Road, via Daofu, Luhuo and Ganzi to Yilhun Lhatso (Xinlu Hai Lake), the hiking starting point.

We set out from Xinlu Hai Lake for our 9 days’ hiking tour. On the way, we will enjoy the original ecology of the mountains from Xinlu Hai Lake to Dege. We walk in the world of high mountains, are accompanied by blue sky, clean river, lake, snow mountain, meadow and forest all the way. The glacier of Chola Mountain (Que'er Shan) stretches from the five thousands elevation down to lakeside and grassland directly. We go through Maisu Region, the hometown of Tibetan crafts, and visit Dzongsa Monastery to know Dzongsa Tibetan incense and clay figurines. And we have the chance to observe the protected rare animal white-lipped deer. Our hiking destination is Pelpung Monastery (Babang Si), honored as “the little Potala Palace”.

And then we will visit the Dege Scripture Printing House, the head of the three major Tibetan cultural centers. Afterwards, we go to Baiyu along Jinsha River (the upstream of Yangtze River) to visit the magnificent Pelyul Monastery (Baiyu Si) of Nyingma Sect. The most attracting highlight is the Yarchen Gar that is the largest place for female meditation practice and where we can feel the pure religious atmosphere. Afterwards we go to Tagong, which is “the Buddha's favorite place” and is also reputed as “Little Lhasa”. Following Khampa Tibetan, we turn the prayer wheel of Tagong Monastery and listen to their sounds of reading in the Gyergo Nunnery. Walk onto the hillside by the Muya Golden Pagoda and wait for the sunrise and sunset of Holy Mountain Yala. On the way back to Chengdu, we will go through Xinduqiao and climb onto the observation platform to overlook the main peak of Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka, 7556 m). Finally, we visit Luding Iron Chain Bridge where the Chinese Red Army combated during the Long March.

Highlights

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege in Kham

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Chengdu

Enjoy Chengdu leisurely daily life, Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People’s Park

In the morning arrival in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, home town of giant panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon stroll in the beautiful old block of Chengdu - Wide Alley and Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi), they are the relics of the Manchurian garrison since 1718 and consist of 3 parallel lanes with the old classical houses, which are unique in southern China just like the northern Chinese architectural style presented by Hutong. After a careful renovation in June 2008, the pubs, teahouses, restaurants and guesthouses concentrate here, and in no time at all, it becomes the "lobby of leisure capital Chengdu". A walk here gives you a first impression of the "city of loafers". Then visit the People’s Park in the city center, have a seat in an old teahouse, enjoy your covered-bowl tea in a comfortable environment with bamboo chair and bamboo table, the tea culture of Chengdu is well known throughout China.

Overnight at 4*Xinliang Hotel

Kuanzhai Xiangzi

DAY
2

Chengdu - Dujiangyang - Wolong - Siguniang Shan Town

Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Wolong National Nature Reserve, Shenshuping Panda Base, Sunset of Mt. Siguniangshan

In the morning drive to Dujiangyan to visit the Irrigation System, which was built around 250 BC by Li Bin, a governor of Shu Prefecture in Qin State. The great project still works well today after more than two thousand year’s function, which not only puts an end of the water disaster to the local people but also makes Chengdu Plain “the land of abundance”. While visiting the water conservation work, you may find that the methods of harnessing the river the ancient people used are so simple but useful. In 2000, Dujiangyan became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that drive to Wolong National Nature Reserve. 52 km long from east to west and 62 km wide from south to north, the whole area is 200,000 hm². It is one of the China earliest natural reverses, which is rated the preservation zones network of “mankind and living beings” by the Organization of Education, Science and Culture of United Nations (UNESCO). The virgin forest, second bush forest and bamboo groves are very green. There are over 4,000 kinds of high-level plants, 24 kinds of them are valuable plants, such as Gongtong (Chinese dove tree), red China fir, Lianxiang and so on. There are more than 450 kinds of vertebras, 45 kinds of them are rated national focal preserved animals, such as giant panda, golden monkeys, antelopes, white-mouth deer etc. The natural beautiful scene is quiet and secluded. Visit Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, about 50 pandas live here, it is the largest breeding center for giant pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction, wildness training, etc. Then drive to Siguniang Shan Town (former Rilong) through the Balang Tunnel, if the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful landscape of sunset of Siguniang Shan Mountain at the Maobiliang.

221 km
4 hours 10 minutes
Overnight at Yunshang Hotel

Breakfast

Sunset of Mt. Siguniangshan

DAY
3

Siguniang Shan Town – Danba

Sunrise of Mt. Siguniang, Shuangqiao Valley, Wori Tusi Manor, Tibetan village Jiaju

If the weather is good, you’ll get early to enjoy the great panoramic view of Mt. Siguniang Shan at Maobiliang at sunrise. The Siguniang Shan Mountain (also Four Sisters Mountain, Four Girls Mountain, Four Maidens Mountain) has four over 5000 m peaks, legend has it that each peak represents a girl of the 4 sisters. The highest peak, Yaomei Feng, the youngest girl and at 6250 m, is also known as the “queen of Sichuan's peaks”. Soft hiking in the Shuangqiao Valley (Double-bridge Valley) of the Siguniang Shan Mountain, the scenery is concentrated and charming. Afterwards drive to visit Wori Tusi Manor, the former official residence of the local Tusi, a kind of imperial kingship leader. After that drive to visit Tibetan village Jiaju, the most beautiful village of China. In Danba, the local people are called Jiarong (Gyarong) Tibetans. Walking and visit in the Jiaju village. There are more than one hundred buildings with the same architectural style, a complete and unique character of Jiarong Tibetan residences. Under the blue sky, the Tibetan residences decorated in red, white and black are strewed at random but also in school from the bottom to the middle slope of the valley.

110 km
2 hours 26 minutes
Overnight at Mantuoluo Hotel

Breakfast

Tibetan Village Jiaju

DAY
4

Danba – Bamei – Dawu – Luhuo - Garze

Block towers in Suopo, Kasa Lake

Danba has long been acclaimed as the Kingdom of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses. In the morning visit the ancient block towers in Suopo. They were made of clay and block and look fine from outside with solid thick walls. Then drive to Garze (Ganzi), the real cultural and religious center for the Tibetans living in Sichuan. In Tibetan "Garze" means "white and beauty", named after the famous temple in the county. On the way have a rest by the Kasa Lake.

329 km
6 hours 4 minutes
Overnight at Qingke Hotel

Breakfast

Luhuo

DAY
5

Garze – Dargye Monastery – Manigango - Yilhun Lhatso

Garze Monastery, Han-Chinese Monastery, Dargye Monastery

In the morning visit the Garze Monastery of Gelukpa school, it was originally constructed by the Qosot Mongols in 1662 on a hilltop overlooking their castles of Mazur and Khangsar. The monks will usually debate at around 9 am, it lasts about 40 minutes. Then visit the Han-Chinese Monastery. It is the oldest architecture in Garze built by Han-Chinese in 1274, the Han-Chinese and Tibetan buildings symbolize cultural integration and solidarity of Han-Chinese and Tibetan people. In the afternoon drive via Manigango and Dargye Monastery to Xinlu Hai Lake (Yilhun Lhatso). The Dargye represents the Gelukpa school and was founded in 1642. The Xinlu Hai Lake (Yilhun Lhatso) is located at the foot of Chola Mountain (Que’er Shan, 6168 m), 4040 meters above the sea level, with an average depth of 10 meters and a maximum depth of 15 meters. There are plateau spruces, firs, Chinese weeping cypresses, azalea trees and meadows around the lake. It is also a preserve for wild animals like white-lipped deer. Short walking by the lake Yilhun Lhatso.

105 km
1 hour 45 minutes
Camping

Breakfast Dinner

Dargye Monastery

DAY
6

Trekking Yilhun Lhatso – Dzen Tso Lake

Trekking starts. Learn about nomads’ life, camp near Dzen Tso

Today you say goodbye to the lake Yilhun Lhatso (Xinlu Hai Lake). Trek on the grassland along the river for about one hour and then enter a narrow valley. While walking along the brook, the elevation rises gradually. On the way, pass by some black Yak-haired tents of the nomads, who remove with their cattle following the change of season. After simple lunch, keep on walking until come to Dzen Tso a beautiful small lake and set up our camp (4325 m).

Trekking about 15 km, 6 hours
Camping (4325 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege

DAY
7

Trekking Dzen Tso – Dzen La – Ting Chu Valley

Dzen La pass, Ting Chu valley

Walk upward along the loose, narrow road. About 30 minutes later, have a last look of the blue lake and our campsite. Keep on walking upward and finally reach Dzen La pass, about 5180 meters above sea level, the highest point of this route. The scenery is wonderful! Walk down the mountain slope and descend the Ting Chu valley. Set up our campsite on the grassland by the river (4250 m).

Trekking about 12 km, 5 hours
Camping (4250 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege

DAY
8

Trekking through Ting Chu River

Ting Chu River, Hot spring

Walk along the clear Ting Chu River. You will see a monastery on the other bank of the river stands on a grand slope. But no way to get across the river. On the way, meet a hot spring. The water temperature is just as good as you can take a comfortable bath. At last, you settle yourselves on grassland by the river (3980 m).

Trekking about 15 km, 6 hours
Camping (3980 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege

DAY
9

Trekking Ting Chu – Redak La – Meshuo Valley

Through bushes and valley, over Redak La and Jungan La pass

After walking for 20 minutes, you see two stupas and prayer flags just in the midst of the way. The former road merges into the river and you cross the river over a simple wooden bridge. The bushes here grow well, as tall as tree. Meet some Tibetan girls, who are intended to dig medical herbs. Walking through the valley, you will find the elevation reducing greatly and bushes changing into pines. Pass by a Tibetan village and turn right up the mountain; begin walking up again. Anyhow, the slope is not so long and soon you can reach Redak La pass (4100 m) and enter Meshuo valley. Keep on walking and get across another pass Jungan La (4165 m). Finally, you walk through some farm fields and set up our camp on the grassland by the river (3770).

Trekking about 15 km, 6 hours
Camping (3770 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege

DAY
10

Trekking Meshuo – Dama Village – Rongmei

Valley, brook, Dama village

Walk down through the small narrow valley and soon you see a village. Strangely, you see no people and the small temple lies lonely. Keep on walking and you see a highway the first time during the trip. Get across a bridge and walk along the highway for about 1 hour and reach Dama village, where you start walk up again toward Rongmei. The turbulent brook through the valley impresses you deeply. At last you set up our camp in a small grassland by the brook (3850 m).

Trekking about 17 km, 7 hours
Camping (3850 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege

DAY
11

Trekking Rongmei – Rongmei Kamo Pass – Dzongsa Monastery

Rongmei Kamo - a secrete meditation center, climb on the steep summit to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, Dzongsa Monastery

Walk upward through forests, meadows and villages. About two hours later, you see the shocking Rongmei Kamo, a secrete meditation center built on a steep hill. No visitors are allowed to enter. The colorful prayer flags at the foot of the hill flow in the winds, make you remind of the ancient battlefield. It is said Padmasambhava from India the founder of the Nyingma Sect once practiced Buddhism in the meditative caves here. Keep on walking until reach the end of the valley. If you get across the mountain cliff in front of us you can visit a beautiful lake after walking 2 hours. Since that visit is not in our program, you turn left and begin to climb the steep mountain slope full of bushes, grass and broken stone. After two-hour’s hard climbing, reach a pass Rongmei Kamo as high as 4680 meters. Standing on the summit, you can view the mountain ranges undulating forward in all directions. When you look down, you might be frightened by the sharp steepness of the slope. Anyhow, it is safe even as you run down the grassland. Enjoy the wonderful scenery while walk down carefully. You should pay much attention for a section of road covered with broken stones. Several small houses built on the steep cliff, are for the meditators. Here is a question, how could they live on such an unavailable place? Walk down and down and reach Dzongsa Monastery (3690 m) at the foot of the hill. The monastery of Sakya Sect was built in 1253 and well famed with its Buddhist institution around Tibetan area. Tonight, it is available to stay at a guesthouse, without private toilet.

Trekking about 23 km, 9 hours
Overnight at a simple guesthouse (3690 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege

DAY
12

Trekking Dzongsa Monastery – Campsite

Trek in unbelievable scenery

Though today’s journey is long and tiring, the scenery of the forest, valley, brook, snow mountain and meadow on the way is beautiful and impressive. Cross through the tall bushes growing in the brook and the broad grassland dotted with cattle and nomads, finally set up our camp (3755 m) at the foot of a small hill.

Trekking about 20 km, 8 hours
Camping (3755 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking from Yilhun Lhatso to Dege

DAY
13

Trekking Campsite – Pelpung Monastery

Qietexi village, Pelpung Monastery

Trek downhill for about one hour and reach Qietexi village located at the foot of the Pelpung Monastery (3850 m, Babang). Pelpung was built in 1717 and is the largest monastery of Kargyu Sect in Dege area and famous for its Buddhist meditation center. Set up camp nearby the temple. Have a break today.

Trekking about 5 km, 2 hours
Camping (3850 m)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY
14

Trekking Pelpung – Go Ze La – Xiega Village, drive Xiega – Dege

Go Ze La, Xiega Village

I believe, you will recall today’s journey in your later life. Several times you think you get to the summit but soon find higher passes in front, and soon find the passes are not so difficult as you imagine. Say goodbye to the monastery and walk down and up the Go Ze La (4620). After get over the pass, walk down all the way. Pass by the Xiega Village and see river again. Walk on the earth road along the river and meet drivers waiting for us. Transfer to Dege city about 25 km far away. Have a rest in Dege.

Trekking about 15 km, 6 hours
Overnight at 3*Ling Gesar Hotel

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Dege Printing House

DAY
15

Dege - Pelyul

Dege Printing House, Dege Gonchen, Pelyul Monastery

In the morning visit the Dege Printing House which has always been well reputed as the cultural treasury at the foot of the snow mountain. It is the biggest printing house in Tibetan area. Another program is visit the Dege Gonchen, meaning “temple”, a monastery of Sakya sect. It was built in 1448, today about 300 monks live here. In the afternoon drive to Pelyul (3006 m) and visit Pelyul Monastery (Baiyu Si) nearby the county seat. This famous Nyingma Sect monastery had played a great role in history and held many subsidiary temples. Then enjoy the grandiose panoramic view of Pelyul Monastery from a hillside when the weather is good.

97 km
2 hours
Overnight at Kunrui Hotel

Breakfast

Pelyul Monastery (Baiyu Si)

DAY
16

Pelyul - Yarchen Gar - Garze - Luhuo

Yarchen Gar (Yaqing Si)

Today drive to Luhuo, on the way visit the Yarchen Gar (Yaqing Si) of Nyingma sect, a big nuns’ world! About 20000 nuns live, learn and meditate here. With 4000 meters above sea level, Yarchen Gar is the largest meditation place for women in the world. After reaching parking lot at Yarchen Gar, walk about 10 minutes to the hillside at the north of Juemu (a title for nun in Tibetan) Island. There is a vast Padmasambhava statue, and in the southwest orientation, you can overlook the grand panorama of whole Yarchen Gar and even Juemu Island. Then go downhill to riverside along small wooden houses where nuns practice meditation. One the way, everywhere you can see that these nuns are sitting in meditation, or scripture debating, or reading quiet, or chatting and relaxing. Yarchen Gar is divided by river into areas for Zhaba (monk) and Juemu (nun). River bank area is for Zhaba, island for Juemu. Cross the bridge on the river and get into Juemu Island, the core zone of Yarchen Gar. Here, the nun’s low and small meditation houses are very intensive and covered the whole peninsula. You can have a walk here and immerse yourself in the pure religious atmosphere of nuns' meditation place.

344 km
6 hours 59 minutes
Overnight at Tianzhu Hotel

Breakfast

Yarchen Gar (Yaqing Si)

DAY
17

Luhuo – Dawu – Bamei – Tagong

Lhagang Monastery, Gyergo Nunnery and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui, sunset of Yala Mountain

Drive to Tagong, visit the Lhagang Monastery (Tagong Si) of Sayka Sect that is surrounded by three hills symbolizing three Budhisattvas. It is said that the blessing of a reserved Jowo Shakyamuni image left by Wencheng Princess in this monastery to the pilgrims, which resembles that of seeing the Lhasa Jowo Shakyamuni image itself. And then visit the impressive Gyergo Nunnery and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui. From the hillside next to the Muya Golden Pagoda, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Zhara Lhatse (5.820 m, also Jara or Yala), when the weather is good, the scenery at sunset is especially spectacular.

177 km
3 hours 8 minutes
Overnight at Duwang Hotel

Breakfast

Nunnery of Hepingfahui in Tagong

DAY
18

Tagong - Xinduqiao - Kangding - Luding – Yaan

Sunrise of Yala Mountain, Zheduo Shan Pass (4298 m), Luding Bridge

If the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful landscape of sunrise of Yala Mountain. Then drive to Xinduqiao, a small town on the road juncture where the northern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) and the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) meet. Cross over Zheduo Shan Pass (4298 m) to Kangding, the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the important juncture of Tibetan and Han People in history. Keep driving to Luding and crossing through the 4.1 km long tunnel of Mt. Erlang Shan to Yaan, here visit Luding Chain Bridge. Luding Chain Bridge (Iron Chain Bridge) on the Dadu River is a treasure of Chinese ancient architecture. The bridge was built in the 44th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1705) in order to enhance the connection with Tibetan culture. On May 29th, 1935, the Chinese Red Army reached Luding Bridge during the Long March. Facing a hail of bullets, the Chinese Red Army, with 22 warriors as the pioneers of the commando, destroyed the bridge’s guards in one fell swoop, which is an important historical monument of the Communist Party of China. Afterwards drive to Yaan, the famous rainy city.

293 km
6 hours 3 minutes
Overnight at 4*Holiday Inn Express Ya'an City Center

Breakfast

Sunset of Yala Mountain

DAY
19

Yaan – Shangli - Dayi - Chengdu

Shangli Ancient Town. Travel to next destination

In the morning visit the Shangli Ancient Town. Old Town Shangli is called an “Ink and Wash Landscape” painting. Situated in the Western Sichuan Basin, the town was once the important post on the Silk Road of the South and the Ancient Tea-Horse Trail in history. In the afternoon drive via Dayi back to Chengdu, transfer to airport or railway station, leave Chengdu.

178 km
2 hours 59 minutes

Breakfast

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Private travel, great experiences! Please contact us for your tailor-made travel offer.

With individual China Tibet travel, you can decide when, where and how you go on tour by yourself. What's more, you can choose the length of travel and whom you go with.

Information

Hotel, program and itinerary are subjected to change with prior notice.
We must point out that you counter a basic tourism infrastructure in this region. You stay overnight mostly at simple hotel/guesthouse and tent. Long journeys on bad roads and trekking on high altitude and delays require good physical fitness, resilience and flexibility of the participants. Program and route changes due to unforeseen events are expressly reserved. If you desire the unknown and have an understanding of contingency, this is the right trip for you.

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