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