The essence of cultural outdoor travel is to venture beyond conventional tourist spots, immerse ourselves in remote places, and connect with authentic local life.
Few journeys offer such pure insight as crossing four off-the-beaten-path destinations: Garze, Dege, Yushu, and Guoluo.
From the hillside monasteries of Serta Larung Gar to the profound woodblocks at Dege Printing House, we trace the long history of Tibetan Buddhism, traveling farther north.
As crowds fade away, we enter regions where traditional Tibetan culture remains most intact.
Here, we find the legendary Songgesmani Castle and the ancient Songgesmani Prayer Wall of King Gesar, as well as the Bagesmani Prayer Wall, a Guinness World Record site.
The grasslands you pass through are the birthplace of King Gesar, steeped in history.
The temples you chance upon are sacred seats of the ancient Bon religion, where lamas are happy to share their stories with us.
When we return to the city, we are no longer the same people who set out.
That is the true meaning of travel.
Duration 13 days
Type Small-group travel
Level
Theme Adventure
Group size 6 to 19 people
Today is our meeting day.
After arriving in Chengdu, everyone will check into the hotel arranged by us.
Accommodation : Yin Xi Tang (or similar)
Meal : (On Own)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Depart from Chengdu by bus to Guanyinqiao Town, Jinchuan County, Aba Prefecture.
Afternoon: Visit Guanyin Temple, known as the "Little Potala Palace."
Accommodation : Zangting Yushang Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 3680 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Depart after breakfast, arrive at Serta Larung Gar Buddhist Academy around noon.
Afternoon: Visit the Buddhist Academy and the Sky Burial Site; then leave Serta for Garze.
Accommodation : Tianhe Tibetan Culture International Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 3700 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Depart after breakfast and travel to Baiyu County by bus.
Afternoon: Visit the lesser-known Yachen Gar Monastery.
Accommodation : (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 3939 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Visit Gatö Monastery, even more remote than Yachen Gar.
Afternoon: Head to the renowned Dege Printing House, known as the Encyclopedia of Tibetan Culture.
Accommodation : (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 4800 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Travel along the Northern Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G317), cross the steep and majestic Que’er Mountain, and enjoy a light outdoor hike at Yulong Lake (Yulong Tso).
Afternoon: Proceed to Maniganggo and visit Axu Grassland (Gesar Grassland), the birthplace of King Gesar. Then continue to Shiqu County, known as the “Sun Tribe”.
Accommodation : Shike Wangguo Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 4454 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Visit the Songgesmani Stone Scripture City, with a history of over 1,000 years, founded during the era of King Gesar and steeped in legendary myths.
Afternoon: Explore the Bagesmani Prayer Wall, a site listed in the Guinness World Records.
Accommodation : Gesar Wangfu Hotel Yushu (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 4454 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Gesar Wangfu Hotel Yushu is a boutique gem under the umbrella of the Hong Kong Grand Prosperity Hotel Group. Their hotels have a unique atmosphere. Spread across 22,000 square meters, the building is blend of of Eastern, Western, and Tibetan architectural styles. Inside, the decor is chic, elegant, and detail-oriented.
Morning: Head to the world of mani stones, 20 km from Jiegu Town — the Lebo Valley (Beautiful Valley) and the Princess Wencheng Temple, built in memory of Princess Wencheng.
Afternoon: We enter the Ancient Tang-Tibet Road and pass by Gangdoi Qowu Mountain.
Accommodation : Eco Wetland Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 3799 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Travel to Zizhu Mountain (Zijun Mountain) located in Jue’en Township, Qinghai Province.
Afternoon: Visit Zizhu Monastery, one of the highest-altitude monasteries in Xizang. It has become an important site for studying the ancient Yungdrung Bon religion of the Tibetan people.
Important Notice:
We are now entering the mysterious cultural area of the Bon religion.
We ask everyone to fully respect the customs of the monastery and the lamas.
Do not take photos without permission.
We hope you will have an authentic journey.
Authenticity begins with respect and protection for the local nature and culture.
Let us explore with curiosity and reverence for this ancient culture and the people who carry it.
Accommodation : Dingqing Chongcao Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 4800 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Travel to Chaqu Township, located in Biru County.
Afternoon: Explore the little-known Skull Wall and Sky Burial Site at Damu Monastery.
Important Notice:
We are now entering the mysterious cultural area of the Bon religion.
We ask everyone to fully respect the customs of the monastery and the lamas.
Do not take photos without permission.
We hope you will have an authentic journey.
Authenticity is based on respect and protection for the local nature and culture.
Let us explore with curiosity and reverence for this ancient culture and the people who embody it.
Accommodation : Birujiexiu Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 4050 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Depart from Chaqu Township after breakfast and head to Puzong Valley, Yangxiu Township.
Afternoon: Venture deep into Sapu Sacred Mountain, adjacent to the Bon religion area. Visit Samucuo Lake at the foot of the sacred mountain and enjoy a light outdoor hike.
Accommodation : Birujiexiu Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 5000 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Visit Namtso Lake, known as the “Heavenly Lake” — one of the Three Great Sacred Lakes in Xizang.
Afternoon: Listen to the waves lapping the shore of Namtso Lake, and reflect on the entire journey we have traveled.
Accommodation : Jiang Long Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 4718 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: Depart from Namtso Lake for Lhasa.
Afternoon: Arrive in Lhasa. Tour ends.
Note:
We will arrive in Lhasa relatively late in the day.
Please arrange your departure for the following day if possible,
or confirm your arrival time with us in advance.
Accommodation : Own arrangement
Meal : Breakfast
Highest Altitude : 4718 meters
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Contact our experts1. All the accommodation mentioned in the program, including 12night(s) hotel;
2. All the meals mentioned in the program, including 12breakfast(s), 0lunch(s), 0 dinner(s);
3. Local service team mentioned in the program;
4. Natural Highlights mentioned in the program, including Yulonglacuo Hiking, Gduojuewo, Mt.Sapu Hiking, Namtsu;
5. Cultural Highlights mentioned in the program, including Jinchuan Guanyin Temple, Seda La Rong Wuming Institute of Buddhism, Yaqing Temple, Dege Printing School, Gatuo Temple, King Gesar Grassland, Ba Ge Ma Ni, Song Ge Ma Ni, Le Ba Gou, Xinzhai Mani Town, Princess Wencheng Temple, Tangbo Ancient Road, Zi Zhu Temple, Chaqu Temple;
1. Transfer to/from City of Arrival or Departure;
2. Activities not mentioned in the program;
3. Single supplement;
4. All drinks, except water and tea provided in some restaurants or hotels;
5. Personal consumption;
6. Others items not mentioned in the program, 13 lunch(s), 13 dinner(s), etc;