Embark on a 15-day journey through the stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Sichuan and Kham Tibet. From Chengdu, head to "Kangding", a gateway to Tibetan culture, known for its scenic beauty and hot springs. Next, travel to "Ganzi", a town surrounded by majestic mountains and monasteries, offering a glimpse into traditional Tibetan life.

Continue to "Dege", home to the historic Dege Parkhang Monastery, renowned for its ancient scriptures. Then, journey to "Baiyu", a serene town nestled in a valley, perfect for hiking and exploring local monasteries.

Next, visit "Litang", one of the highest towns in the world, famous for its annual horse festival and the birthplace of the 7th Dalai Lama. From Litang, head to "Tagong", a small town with a stunning grassland and the iconic Tagong Monastery.

Travel to "Danba", known for its beautiful Tibetan villages and the ancient watchtowers. Finally, conclude your journey in "Siguniangshan" (Four Sisters Mountain), a breathtaking area offering hiking, stunning mountain views, and a chance to experience the natural beauty of Sichuan.

This 15-day itinerary combines cultural exploration, natural wonders, and unforgettable experiences in one of China's most picturesque regions.

Itinerary

Day 1

Activities: Arrival in Chengdu(500m)   Distance: 70km Drive :1hr 

Activity: Your guide will welcome you at  Chengdu Tianfu airport and then drive to hotel and check in. If time permits you can visit Manjushri temple and Jinli street.

Overnight: Buddha Zen hotel | Dinner

Day 2

Activities: Chengdu - Kangding(2600m) Distance: 280km Drive: 4 hours

Upon arrival in Kangding, explore Kangding town. Today is mostly to acclimatize altitude and

Kangding serves as the hub of Kham Tibetan Region, boasting a rich historical and cultural heritage. It is a vital town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and a place where multiple ethnic groups and cultures exist. Renowned for the song "Love Song of Kangding", it has been praised as the "Hometown of Love Songs". Through evolution, Kangding has developed a unique urban landscape and cultural atmosphere.

Overnight: Gesanghua hotel | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 3

Activities: Kangding - Daofu County(3200m)  Distance: 180km Drive: 4hrs

On the way visit Lhagang nunnery, Moshi park and then Longten grassland.

Moshi Park is a geological wonder renowned for its unique landscapes. Known as one of the plateau stone forest landscapes in China, it boasts stunning views of vast grasslands, serene wetlands, mystical ink-stone formations.

You can walk 1-2hrs in this park as a leisure walk.

 

Overnight: Mansor Resort| Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 4: 

Activities: Daofu County - Garze County(3400m)  Distance :170km, Drive :3hours

Today we will could stop at the Kasa lake and then we will arrive in Ganze in the afternoon. Then we will visit Ganze monastery and explore Ganzi town.

Garze Monastery is the largest Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Garze Prefecture, located on a hill near the county seat of Garze. The monastery boasts magnificent architecture and serves as an excellent viewing platform for overlooking the county town of Garze and catching a glimpse of the Kawaluori Snow Mountain

Overnight: Makyi Ami hotel | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 5

Activities: Garze County -Dzogchen monastery(3900m) -  Dege County(3200m) Distance:285km Drive:5hrs 

Today would be a long day as we will go to Visit Dzongchen monastery and there we can do short hike of about 2hrs and then we will drive towards Dege. On the way we will visit Yulhung Lhatso lake, a beautiful lake that is surrounded by snowy peaks of Mount Trola.

Dzokchen Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma School (Red Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism, and it has produced many great masters including Mipham Rinpoche and Paltrul Rinpoche.

We will arrive in the Dege town in late evening and have a good rest.

Overnight: Trola  hotel | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 6

Activities: Dege County - Dzongsar  (3600m) Distance:108km, Drive: 2 hours

In the morning we will visit Dege Printing house.  Dege Printing House, also known as the Auspicious Library of Wisdom, is a renowned cultural heritage site in Dege County, Sichuan Province, China. Established in 1729, it boasts a history of nearly 300 years and is famous for its preservation and printing of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and cultural texts.

In the afternoon we will drive along the Jinsha river(IUpper Yangtse river), on the other side of it is Tibet Autonomous Region, and then we will arrive at Dzongsar(Menshod valley). Locals call this place Menshod but many people use the name of the monastery to know this place as Dzongsar monastery is well known.

Overnight: Khyenle Guesthouse | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Activities:

Day 7 

Activities: Explore the valley of Artisans

We will spend a whole day to explore the whole valley. Right now it is known as valley of Artisans as there are more than 2thousand artisans in this valley working on 15different genres of arts including bronze casting, wood carving, Thangka painting, textile weaving and pottery making etc.

We will visit Dzongsar monastery and Buddhist institute and some artisan workshops.

Dzongsar monastery was initially founded in 746 AD by a Bon po practitioner. Over time, the monastery transformed from a Bon temple to a Nyingma and then Kadam school. In 1275, it was converted to the Sakya school by Dampa Pa.

The monastery has been home to renowned masters such as Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamyang Chokyi Lodro, who were instrumental in promoting the Rimé movement, which advocates the equal study and practice of all Tibetan Buddhist sects.

Overnight: Khyenle Guesthouse | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 8

Activities: Maisu Town - Kathok Monastery(4500m)- Peyul County (Baiyu in chinese )(3500m) Disrance:130km  Drive:  3.5hrs 

This morning we will drive to Kathok monastery and then spend some time there. Then we will drive to Peyul town. If time limits we can visit Peyul monastery also.

Kathok Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma school and holds a pivotal role in Tibetan Buddhism. It is founded in the 11th century by the great master Dampa Sangye and it is renowned for its profound Buddhist teachings and practices, as well as its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere.

 

Overnight: Baiyu hotel | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 9

Activities: Baiyu County - Litang County(4000m) 284km Drive: 5hrs

On the way from Baiyu to Litang, we can go to visit Tsopu valley scenic area. This scenic area is renowned for its abundant natural and cultural landscapes, featuring lakes, forests, rivers, canyons, hot springs, grasslands, and temples.

It will take 2-3hours to visit and then in the late afternoon we will drive two more hours to arrive in Litang.

 

Overnight: Holiday inn | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 10

Activities: Litang County - Tagong Town(3700m) Distance:224km Drive:4-5hrs 

This morning we will visit Litang old town and the Litang monastery. Then we will drive towards Tagong passing Kazila Pass of 4700m.

Then we will arrive in Yajiang County and then Ranaka(xindu qiao in chines)and then we will arrive in Lhagang.

We can make some stops on the way.

Overnight: Mandala hotel | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 11

Activities: Tagong Town - Danba County(2400m) Distance:123km Drive:3hrs

This the morning we will visit Lhagang monastery and then on the way we will visit Gather monastery at  Bamei. Then we will sleep in Danba Tronang village(zhonglu in chinese).

Lhagang monastery has history of roughly 600 years ago, making it over 1,300 years old.

It is said that in the 7th century, when Princess Wencheng married King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, she passed through the Tagong Grasslands and found the place ethereal and sacred. She then had a replica made of the twelve-year-old statue of Sakyamuni Buddha that she was bringing to Lhasa and left it there. Later, the Sakya sect built a temple to enshrine this statue.

Gathar monastery served as the residence of the Seventh Dalai Lama and stands as a historical testament to Tibetan-Han unity.

The Eleventh Dalai Lama, Kunchok Gyalpo, was born in a village near Huiyuan Temple and embarked on his journey to Lhasa from there, further enhancing the temple's reputation

Overnight: Han e hotel | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 12

Activities: Danba - Siguniangshan Mountain(3200m) Distance:113km Drive:2.5hrs

This morning we enjoy the beauty of this small village and  we could see many old watch towers in this village.

Then we will drive to Mount four girls and there we can visit Shuangqiao valley in the afternoon.

Overnight: Above the clouds | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 13

Activities: Siguniangshan Mountain - Changping Valley

Today would be a day mainly for walking in Changping valley. You could spend a whole day walking in the valley. You will picnic in the valley and then return back on the same way to the hotel.

Overnight: Above the clouds | Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 14

Activities: Siguniangshan- Dujiangyan irrigation system— Chengdu Distance: 210 km  Drive: 4.5hours

Today on the way we will visit Dujiagyan irrigation system and then drive to Chengdu.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is an ancient technological marvel that has been in operation for over 2,000 years. It was designed and built by Li Bing, the local governor of the Shu State, in the 3rd century BC to prevent flooding and provide irrigation for the Chengdu Plain. Today, it continues to irrigate farmland across western Sichuan, showcasing the ancient Chinese people's wisdom in water management.

Overnight: Buddha Zen| Breakfast | Lunch | dinner

Day 15

Activities: Fly back from Chengdu 

Today you will drive to Chengdu airport and fly back to your home. Your trip in Kham Tibet has came to end and we will say goodbye to your guide and driver.