Mt. Genyen trekking

Akudropa means Uncle Nomad in the Tibetan language It was Tenzin's nickname when he was a
schoolboy.

Mt. Genyen Trekking Tour

The heart of this trip is a trek around Mt. Genyen, a pilgrimage site of immense local importance on the Lithang-Bathang border in southern Kham. You are afforded facets of unique nomadic culture, popular religion, contemporary urban life and mountain life.

Day 1 Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu and transfer to our hotel where we will check all the gear and settle payment for the trek.

Day 2 Dartsedo
Today we will drive 6-7 hours north of Sichuan; along the way we will pass through small towns such as Yaan, Siyang and Thanchun. Siyang is the convenient meeting point where all Tibetan truck drivers can make contact for transporting goods. On the Sichuan-Tibetan highway we begin our adventure at Dartsedo, the former gateway to eastern Tibet and a key loading station along the ancient tea caravan route. Until the mid-20th century, Dartsedo was the capital of the historic Chakla kingdom governed by a hereditary monarch.

Day 3 Lithang Cran
Today we continue northwest of Sichuan on a drive that will take us to Lithang, one of the highest towns in the world (4019 m). We will visit the 16th-century Lithang Monastery which was destroyed in the 1950s, and has now been rebuilt overlooking the town. The most important social event is the annual Lithang Horse-Racing Festival held annually during 1-4 August. It draws equestrians, folk dancers and wrestlers from all parts of the Tibetan highlands. We ride through the vast grasslands of this region, the birthplace of two Dalai Lamas (nos. 7 and 10) and camp on the pastures where we get more than a glimpse of contemporary nomadic culture.


Day 4 Likado Camp
We will drive about 4-5 hours north of Lithang town through beautiful landscapes that include majestic mountains and quaint villages. Dramla is the location of the trailhead where we commence our trekking. Dramla is a small village where the local villager’s governor office is located. We will trek to Likado which takes about 2 hours.

Day 5 Nyigo Monastery
Today we pass through the beautiful Shambala valley and a natural grassland stupa which is located on the north face of a hill. Nyigo was originally a Kagyulpa monastery but Mongolian forces came through the area and converted it to a Gelupa monastery. All the monks are from local nomadic families.



Day 6 Chujording camp
People believe there were one hundred monasteries in Chujording valley. You will see many dilapidated houses along the way—these may have been monasteries. You will explore those houses yourself.

Day 7 Chujording camp
Today we will go to Genyen glacier and return to Chujording. Genyen glacier is the most important and sacred hermitage for meditation of monks from different monasteries. Some monks do meditation for many years at the foot of Mt. Genyen. They subsist on food and other needs received from their families.

Day 8 Tapathong camp
Tapathong is an enormous meadow surrounded by three mountains including Mt. Genyen. There is a small hill of stones on the grassland which were put there by the Mongolian army. Each member of the army placed a stone and the hill of stones were to show how large of a force it was.

Day 9 Rawonon camp
Today we trek through grasslands and a small Pam tree forest which is the local nomad’s animal grazing area. Sometimes you can see many wild pheasants and marmites in the area.

Day 10 Thunon camp
Thunon is the nomad’s winter campsite and store; there are small huts in the area because the nomads need to store butter and cheese and to house the elderly and young children.

Day 11 Rathe hot spring camp
We will trek in the deep Rathe valley—a huge grassland without any trees where the nomads from Lithang and Bathang bring their animals to graze. You can enjoy the natural hot spring from the foot of Mt.Genyen.

Day 12 Tsadonshi camp
Today is our last day camp of this trip. We will enjoy the vistas of the southern part of Mt. Genyen and return through a valley of forests and camp at a nomad’s campsite/

Day 13 Lithang hotel
Today we will trek for some hours to Dramla village where our jeeps will meet us for the drive back to the Crane guesthouse. Enjoy the last day in the highest town in the world.

Day 14 Kangding
Drive back to Kangding and our hotel for a good rest.

Day 15 Chengdu hotel
Drive to Chengdu the end of the trip

Day 16 Beijing

Mt. Risum Gompo trekking

Mt. Risum Gompo Trekking
Category: hard Duration: 14 days
On trek: 10 days Style: camp, home stay
Trekking area: Yunnan, Sichuan

This trek is a combination of beautiful scenery and abundant cultures of different minorities such as the Naxi, Mosuo, Yi, Pumi, and Tibetan. The starting point of the trek is Lugu Lake, inhabited by the Mosuo minority; a branch of the Naxi, in Yunnan. The finish point is Yading Nature Reserve in Karze Tibetan Autonomous Region. There is a trinity of lofty snow-capped peaks standing in a triangular way; Mt. Jampelyang(5958m), Mt. Chenrezig(6032m) and Mt. Chanadorje(5958m). Revered by the Tibetans as an abode of the bodhisattvas' deities, the three peaks were sanctified by the 5th Dalai Lama as manisfestations of the Bodhissatavas Jampelyang,Chenrezig, and Chanadorje. Therefore, it is a very sacred pilgrimage site. .

DAY 1
We will meet in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, also known asthe "Spring City" because of the mild weather all year round. Dinner will be at a typical local restaurant situated in the remaining part of old Kunming.

DAY 2
We will take a morning flight (40min) to Lijiang(2400m),the kingdom of the Jom or Naxi, which is located in the northwest of Yunnan and bordering the Kham Tibet. We will stay in the Lijiang Old Town which has been designated as a UNICEF World Cultural Heritage site. We will spend a day exploring the town and its surroundings while allowing our bodies to acclimatise to the altitude.

DAY 3
Today we'll drive for 7 hrs to Lugu Lake which is the home of the Mosuominority, famous for the matriarchal families and its marriage system,"Walking Marriage". During the day we'll have a chance to enjoy spectacularviews of the Yangtze River and visit some remote minority villages suchas Lisu, Yi, Pumi etc. There is also a Yi minority town on our way, where wecan visit some Yi minority fortune tellers in their traditional costume.

DAY 4
After one night in a basic guest house by Lugu Lake(2600m), we will drive 1 hour in the morning to the starting point of the trek, via another interesting countryside big market and a temple to visit. Today we will trek for 4 hours, together with horses carrying our camping equipment and food. Today's destination is a traditional Mosuo village, famous for its big matriarchal families. We will stay in the homes of the matriarchal families—rustic accommodations but very interesting to see.

DAY 5
Trek 7-8 hours. We’ll leave Mosuo village to climb over a ridge of mountains (3200m) which is covered by pine tree forests, through Yi minority villages where we have chance to visit these families. The old Yi ladies there still believe that their souls will be taken away if you take photos of them. The campsite will be in the forest where a big campfire can be made. We will be entertained by traditional dances around the fire accompanied by horsemen’s songs.

DAY 6
Today is a tough day, a 9-hour-trek day. But what an incredible day! We’ll walk through big woods of Fir trees, Spruce, and many other unidentifiablebig trees. This is sanctuary for wild animals and birds. Then we will need to climb over a mountain pass (4200m), covered by big woods of different species of rhododendrons. They start blooming from March to August in batchs. There will also be some beautiful ponds where yaks roam around. Our tents will be set up in a great long valley with many blossoms and a crystal clear river passing through.

DAY 7
Trek 5 hours Today we'll step into the area of Sichuan province from Yunnan province. It will be an exciting exploration day in a big forest, with a large diversity of plants and flowers. We will set up our camp on a nice grassland situated at the foot of a couple of lofty mountains.

DAY 8
Trek 6 hoursFollowing the trail of yaks and shepherds, frequently, we can meet herds of sheep or yaks in the woods. Our destination is a Pumi village. The Pumi minority used to be warriors of Mongolian Kublai Khan. They settled here after the Mongolians defeated and conquered entire China. We will either camp near the village or homestay with Pumi to explore their story.

DAY 9,
Trek 8 hours Climb over a 3900m high ridge, through wood and bamboo forests then drop down to our campsite by a tributary of the Yangtze River. A beautiful Tibetan village is lying here with a view of the ridge and the spectacular river valley.

DAY 10,
Trek 5 hours We will follow a trail along the river for the entire day with a view of the river valley and great Tibetan villages on the way, and many mini water-power millers - so interesting to see. Also, we will come across some beautiful ruins of Tibetan bunkers. We will spend the night in tents on the rooftop of a Tibetan family.

DAY 11,
Trek 5 hours Today we will climb from 2000m high to 3500m to camp by a big Tibetan village. A great view of steep cliffs and deep and a steep valley on the way.




DAY 12,
Trek 8 hours Today is a very tough day but you will step into a picturesque world --you will realize that you are very close to the Yading Nature Reserve. The local people believe that if you speak loudly here you may cause a big storm, so it is important that we be quiet here. We will set up our tents on a grassland at an altitude of 4500m.

DAY 13,
Trek 6 hours Today you need to walk slowly from 4500m to the pass 4880m high, then drops down to 3000m -- this will be a big challenge! From the top pass the three spectacular snow-capped holy peaks will be in front of you. A moment hard to describe – this will be the high point in the trek! We will sleep in the sheds beside a temple in the Yading Nature Reserve, run by monks here, with a view of the three Yading snow peaks.

DAY 14,
Trek 2 hours In the morning we will hike around 2 hrs to the finish-point of our trek where our Jeeps will meet us. We’ll drive to Daocheng town where we will clean off all our dirty things and have a good rest. The afternoon will provide free time for walking around in the town.

DAY 15
Lithang We will drive 4 hours to Lithang.

Trekking season:
March to the beginning of July is the best time. But, with the exception of December to the beginning of February, this trek can actually be done year round.
The whole trek is mostly camping but 3 - 5 people can be arranged for home stay.
All the equipment will be carried by horses or Yaks, so we will be a kind of "caravan".

MIN 3 / MAX 14 participants

Kham Overland Tour

Kham Overland Tour

Day 1, Kunming , Dali
Meeting in Kunming the capital seat of Yunnan province. Drive four hour to Dali Bai minority autonomous prefecture. We would to explore the three hundred years old village called Xizou north of Erhai lake, where we will drink special tea call three test tea its typical of Bai minority in Dali. Over night to visit around Dali old town and foreigner street.


Day 2, Lijaing
Today we drive 5 hours to Lijaing on the way we ill cross many Bai and Naxi .Lijaing is comprised of the new town and old town. The Lijaing old town has a history going back more than 800 years, which was declared a world heritage site in 1998, and was once a confluence for trade along the old tea horse road .The Lijaing old town is famous for its orderly system of waterways and bridges.

Day 3, Shangri-la
Shangri-la is the part of Kham region (Eastern Tibet) the end of Tibet plateau and historical Khampa people’s tea trade tail. We will to explore the Shangri-la old town and Songtsen Ling, which is the biggest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province founded by fifth Dalai Lama since 1679.Its far away looks like Potala palace so people call it small Potala. Explore seven years old site temple Rigna out of town through many villages. Important of local Tibetan’s make incense when they going to do business or women has pregnant praying baby would has long life.


Day 4, Dechen
This trip will let you to explore the landscape and cultural in Yunnan, Tibet and Sichuan. Khampa Tibetan cultural and lifestyle regions .Today we drive 6 hours north of Shangri-la County, cross the Yangtze river and stop for lunch in Pentse La the half way of Deqing which was important tail head of tea trade from Dali to center Tibet. We would stop for ceinery spot of Yangtze river bend with road to Derong county; some people call it half moon bend. We would drive through snow coped mountain Pema 5396m. Over night we would in Deqing it’s a small town located foot of mountain Kawa Karpo standing over 6704 meters sea level.





Day 5, Gamchom
Today we drive to back to Gamchom village to explore the villager’s wood bowl craftiness. The people of Gamchom are very famous in painting and wooding works, during the 7th century Chinese princess Wincheng married for the King Tibet of Songten
Gampo that time on way to Lhasa princess and general minister Gurudampa felt love, they got a baby. They made a beautiful small box and putted baby in it, sent in the river than this village gets name Gamchon (small box).

Day 6, Chatren
Today we pass through Derong county the valley of Derong river its part of Karze Tibetan autonomous prefecture. Karze Tibetan autonomous prefecture covers eighteen counties. Chatren is a small town but it is a very interesting town, afternoon the street full of local people. Visit a local bar some times they performs local Tibetan dances and songs.

Day 7, Lithang
Today we drive to Lithang and get into the Haizi mountain. Lithang one of the highest county in the world which standing over 4000 meters from sea level. Most local Tibetans here are nomads. Lithang is very famous for the horse race at every first of August, with many traditional tents on big grassland and all people wearing traditional dresses.

Day 8, Lhagong
Today we drive east of Lithang, the important national road Sichuan to Tibet number 318.Lhagong which is an important Buddhism pilgrim site. There is coming every canner of Tibet for pilgrimage. Lhagong is located on a big grassland almost people are nomads.

Day 9,Tawu
Today we drive north of Lhagong to Tawu town t o explore the Nyitso monastery, which is one of the 13 famous Gelupa monasteries in Hor Kham.The Tawu local people speaks Tawu loka ancient words Tibetan language, which used be all Tibetans but today only people from Tawu use it.

Day 10, Dartsedo
Dartsedo was the kingdom of Jala gyalpo, one the four independent kingdoms in Kham (east Tibet) located in the tabutary of Dochu river, its round all mountains. Today Dartsedo is the capital site of Karze Tibetan autonomous prefecture.





Day 11, Mt Gongkar
Gonkar mountain cruise is deluxe and important pilgrim site for Tibetans and other minorities around its foot, which stands over 7640 meters highest mountain in Kham (east Tibet. Gonkar mountain means the king of snow caped. We would visit one of the lowest glaciers in the world.

Day 12, Chengdu
Centrally located in the western Plain, Chengdu is the capital site of Sichuan province with nickname Storehouse.

Day 13, End of trip

Tawu Nyitso Gompa

Tawu Nyitso Gompa
Nyitso Gonpa (monastery) has more than four hundred years of history and is one of the thirteen Great Monasteries founded by the Lama Hor Choe Gi Nganwang Puntso in the Kham region of Tibet. It consists of two large prayer halls, one medium size hall and two smaller halls. On the second floor are residences which have been used by the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama. In 2004 it was declared a protected heritage sight at the provincial level. It is located northwest of Tawu County on a hillside.
Before the Cultural Revolution one thousand nine hundred monks lived there. Today there are around five hundred. Inside the Monastery are around a hundred of the most significant and beautiful gilded statues of Buddha in the area. The ambience in the monastery is solemn and grand, the carvings and decorations inside elegant and magnificent.
Nyitso Gonpa is renowned for its annual ceremony at which giant butter carvings – jonga chopa or ‘butter flowers’ – are offered to the Buddha. This celebration occurs at the conclusion of the first fifteen days of the Tibetan lunar new year. Sakyamuni (the Lord Buddha) had debated religion for fifteen days before he won over all his opponents and this festival celebrates that final victory. The monks use about a thousand kilos of yak butter. They press it onto large wooden boards, mould it into shapes and colour it with various mineral dyes to represent images of mountains and streams, people, flowers, birds and animals, pavilions and terraces as well as religious stories and folk t

The monks of Nyitso Gonpa have a reputation for the study of Buddhist philosophy as for creating the most magnificent ‘butter flowers’. They debate philosophical questions in the large courtyard of the temple, which is paved with large flat stones.

The kitchen is extremely large. Several of the cooking pots can contain thousands of litres of water. It’s capable of feeding two thousand people. They serve butter tea. The monks bring tsampa and bread into the hall themselves. After prayers barley or rice porridge is served to the monks as well.