Jyekundo Horse Racing Festival

Arrive at Xining train station or airport, your guide and driver will pick you up. Afterwards transfer you to the hotel, suggest you stay at hotel to have good rest for better acclimatization.

Today you will be given an opportunity to explore the Great Monastery of Kumbum, Kubum is a famous Buddhist, hand built monastery located just over 25 kms away from Xining, beautifully embedded into the jagged mountains. Traditionally used as the gateway for communication between West, South West and Central China, afterwards drive to Kokonor. The largest salt lake in Tibet and China.

Wake up this morning with an exceptional view of natural, picturesque Tibetan valleys. Follow the Yellow River, or the Machu as it is known in Tibet, all the way up to the source that is located in Mato County. En route, pass through the town of Zogan Rawa, where you can enjoy a spectacular, scenic view of the awe-inspiring rivers, lakes and valleys. Witness the Golok nomads hard at work as you wind up the beaten tracks towards Amdo grasslands. At a much higher altitude, this remote road will leave you speechless with the view of mountains that peak in the distance, amidst Tibetan wildlife that is renowned amongst bird-watching enthusiasts. The Holy Mountain Amnye Machen, at approximately 2600 feet, is the tallest mountain in its range, and provides brilliant picture opportunities for tourists.

Start your day in the town of Xiewu and the Tongtian River, where you will visit local families and experiment the local fresh dairy produce (cheese, milk and Yak butter tea), before reaching the elegant city of Yushu. This unique settlement is home to 76,000 people, comprised of Han, Hui, Salar and Tu nationals, among the predominant populous of Tibetans. Enjoy engaging with the locals who, through gestures and welcoming hands, will display their local customs and introduce you to their culture.

The focal point of your trip will come to light today with a cultural event that gathers nomads, school children and lovers together in a fun, festive and lively day. Centered around horse races, these seasonal festivals attract an influx of people coming from hundreds of miles away. Taste the local wine, dine on fantastic homemade food, sing and dance as you join the masquerade, and enjoy the craziness that surrounds the famous trading associated with all festivals. Gain an experience like no other as this intriguing festival enlightens you into the real, non-commercial side of Tibet.

Wake up, indulge in a tasty Tibetan breakfast and put on a pair of comfortable shoes. Today you will join the merry crowds once again as the nomads take off on their famous horse race to earn the reputable title. Enjoy a heartfelt lunch supplied by local families to regain energy for more dancing, cheering and singing.

Today you will leave the unforgettable town to explore the wonders of Sershul (3.5 hours away), where you will visit the famous Sershul Monastery. This fascinating landmark is home to the second largest, future Buddha statue in Tibet, the Maitreya Buddha. Enjoy the stunning scenery as you look over the mountains in the distance. Colorful prayer flags will give you an authentic feel to this incredible Tibetan site.

Wake up nice and early to head out on another scenic route as you make your way up to the beautiful glacial mountain of Derge Grand Canyon. En route, capture a breathtaking view of Manigange and Chola Mountain, where you can expect an outstanding view of Yulong Lhatso  Lake, and the heavenly white peaks of the cascading mountains and their glaciers. Take time to explore the Dzogchen Monastery that has a profound influence in the Nyingma culture. This Monastery has been famous for hosting traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings, since it was founded in 1685, and today holds a reputation for being one of the major centers for the preservation of Buddhist teachings and its artifacts.

In the morning drive along with the Yangtze river to the Dzongsar via Palpung. Palpung was founded by King Denba Tsering, a Buddhist religious leader of the Dege Kingdom which, under his rule, expanded to 25 tribes on the eastern plateau of former Tibet. The main assembly hall is the largest Dege-style Tibetan building in the world, with thick rammed earthen walls embellished and strengthened with inset logs, decorated window frames, and carved wood motifs. Afterwards drive to Dzongsar, visit Dzongsar, Dzongsar Monastery was founded in 746 by a Bönpo lama. Located on a promontory overlooking the great Khamje Valley in Derge, the monastery is the birthplace of the Khyentse lineage. Today it is a vibrant Tibetan community that includes a large monastery, a shedra (monastic college), a clinic, retreat centers, and a school. Dzongsar is home to both lay and monastic practitioners, who are dedicated to the study and practice of Dharma.

In the morning drive along with the Yangtze river to the Pelyul via Katok monastery. Katok or Katok Dorjeeden is one of the six principal monasteries of Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Katok Monastery was founded in 1159 by a younger brother of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo, Katok Dampa Deshek, at Derge, the historic seat of the Kingdom of Derge in Kham. In Pelyul visit the Palyul Monastery. It was built by Lhachen Jampa Phuntsog, the first Dharma King of Dege. It was constructed on a site which possesses all the essential auspicious signs and had been blessed by the presence of many great Mahasiddhas.

In the morning drive to Garzi via Azam Gar. The seat of Adzom drugpa with its ancient and original monastery. The monastery is one of the few that was not destroyed and reconstructed because during the cultural revolution the army used it as a store house for the food and ammunition. Afterwards drive to Garzi and visit Ganzi monastery or Ganzi monastery. The monastery was built in 1642. It once housed 1,500 monks. The pilgrimage circuit around the monastery was almost eight kilometres long.

In the morning drive from Garzi to Rongdrak via Lhagang. Visit Lhagang Gonpa or Minyak Pel Lhagang Monastery is a Sakya monastery located in Lhagang village, Dartsedo, in the Minyak region in Kham (East Tibet). Lhagang Monastery is regarded as one of the most famous monasteries in the region, mainly due to the Jowo statue kept there, which many believe is of equal importance to the Jowo statue in Lhasa. You can also see the Zhara Lhatse is the highest mountain in Minyak region of Kham. And It has an elevation of 5820m. And the unique sharp pointed shape made the Mt Zhara Lhatse itself more beautiful and holy. This mountain is also strongly connected with the stories of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). Once arrive in Danba.

Visit Rongdrak Tibetan Villages are known as the most beautiful villages all over China. famed for unique architectures. In Rongdrak, You can see the watchtowers established for more than a thousand of years during the kings of Tibet. The valley called Gyalmo Zawarong in Tibetan.

In the morning drive to Chengdu via Gulha in Tibtetan or Siguniang Shan in Chinese.