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Badain Jaran Caravan
An amazing adventure in Inner-Mongolia between camel riding and hiking.
From 11800RMB / person
8 days
Trek in deep Tibetan culture
Tibetan culture is spread all over the western part of China, overflowing the borders of the administrative region of Tibet. This Mount Gonggar trekking group tour will bring you to the west of Chengdu, to a part of Sichuan where Tibetan culture is deeply rooted.
Mount Gonggar isn't only a sacred mountain for Tibetan people, but also a beautiful and challenging hike!
Kham
Kham is a Tibetan region stretching from the north of Yunnan through Sichuan and the southern areas of Qinghai. It is one of the three historical provinces of Tibet.
Difficulty level of this trek
This trek is open to fit people with trekking experience. The difficulty comes mostly from the altitude (minimum 3500m to maximum 4950m) but also the kilometers per day.
Itinerary
Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province and meet your fellow travelers. You'll leave by car for Kangding, ancient merchants town and gateway of Tibet. You will then reach the meadows of Gesar and start a 6-day trek around Mount Gonggar. Enjoy the pure air of the mountains, the high altitude grasslands, alpine lakes, rivers and forests then go back to Kangding and Chengdu.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu - Kangding (altitude: 2600m) ~360km
This morning, take your flight to Chengdu. At the airport you’ll meet your driver, guide and fellow travelers and leave by car for Kangding. Your car will leave the humid and warm weather of Chengdu and climb up through the mountains westwards; you’ll also leave the dominant Chinese Han culture to reach the gateway city to Tibet. You’ll reach Kangding after about 5hrs drive.
Upon arrival, enjoy a meal altogether and a night in a comfortable guesthouse.
Day 2: Kangding - Laoyulin - Gesar Meadow - Trek day 1 to Ambalay (altitude 3500 to 3850m) (B)
After breakfast you will drive through Laoyulin (~27km) to Gesar Meadows (3500m high). There, at the end of a bumpy road in Gyazela valley, you will meet your porters team and start hiking.
Today is a 7km hike along the Riwuqie river (~4.5hrs), surrounded by alpine landscapes until you reach your campsite. Behind you, you’ll spot the visible Wuse Mountains among which the highest peak (Tianhaizi) is 6070m high.
Day 3: Trek day 2 Ambalay - Upper Riwoche (altitude ~ 4350m) (B)
Today while hiking you’ll enjoy beautiful views on the surrounding ice-capped mountains. Discover as well a variety of unknown flora as you slowly ascend. You’ll walk along the melted water flushing down a rocky stream.
Tonight after a 5hr trek you’ll set up your tents next to some local families’ camp for the next two nights.
Day 4: Trek day 3 Upper Riwoche - Zhimey Lake - Upper Riwoche (altitude max 4600m) (B)
This morning you will leave the animals to rest at the camp and you’ll head for a day hike to the glacier and Zhimey alpine lake at 4600m (~5hrs walk). Then you’ll walk down for a good rest at the camp.
Day 5: Trek day 4 Upper Riwoche - Riwoche Pass - Jiazela Meadow (altitude max 4950m) (B)
Today is the most physical day of your hike as you will cross over the Riwoche Pass at 4950m and walk for 6 to 7 hours. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks while you ascend the pass. You’ll leave the forest behind you and reach vast meadows. More peaks will appear before your eyes as you reach the top. Then, prepare for one river crossing before reaching the camping site for the night (~4200m).
Day 6: Trek day 5 Jiazela Meadow - Gonggar Monastery (B)
Today you will trek up and down through a forest all the way to Gonggar Monastery. This Tibetan monastery is a Buddhist Kagyupa site and has long been a base camp for Minya Gonggar expedition teams.
Tonight, after a 7 to 8 hours trek, you will stay at the monastery guesthouse.
Day 7: Trek day 6 Gonggar Monastery - Tsemey Village - Kangding (B)
This morning, you’ll start with a short walk around the monastery, waiting for Mount Gonggar to reveal itself in the morning light. Afterwards you’ll trek down to Tsemey village (~3hrs walk). There you’ll meet your driver and drive back to Kangding.
Day 8: Kangding - Chengdu Departure (B)
Today, your driver will take you back to Chengdu airport (~280km and 5hrs drive) and you’ll take your evening flight back home.
Information
Inclusions:
- Hotel, guesthouse, camping with breakfast
- Driver when mentioned
- Meals during the trek
- English speaking guide
- Price based on 4 participants minimum
Exclusions:
- Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Other meals than during the trek
- Personal expenses
- Tips to the driver, guide, locals
- Insurances
Join now our Mount Gonggar trekking tour
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