7 days Tagong Nomad Life Experience with Horseback Riding
Itinerary
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Start the tour today by driving to Rilong in the morning. The drive takes about 4 hours. Enjoy the beautiful alpine scenery as you enter the mountain ranges of Western Sichuan. Climb Mt. Balang (4,400M) and stop at the Maobiliang view platform for the first panorama of the four peaks of Mount Siguniang. Afterwards, head to Rilong [3,200 m (10,500 ft.)], which is the primary base for visiting Mount Siguniang. In the afternoon, visit the Shuangqiao valley, one of the three famous valleys of Mount Siguniang National Park. This valley offers views of over 10 snow mountains, each over 4,000m high, with peaks, trees, grasslands, streams, and water drops in their pristine natural state, untouched by man.
Morning visit Changping Valley, another main valley of Mount Siguniang National Park to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Mount Siguniang. Situated at the foot of Mount Siguniang, Changping Valley is 3,600 m (11,811 ft.) above sea level. During your trek along the stream flowing through the valley, observe the four peaks of Mount Siguniang in the distance. As you traverse the mountain range, admire the steep ridges of the mountains, which draw travelers worldwide. Often referred to as the 'Alps of the Orient', a local Tibetan legend says that Mount Siguniang's four peaks represent four beautiful girls. As you cross the cypress pass of Changping Valley, discover ancient monasteries and learn about local Tibetan customs. In the afternoon, drive to Danba and explore the Gyarong Tibetan village. Delight in the beauty of Zhonglu Tibetan village and its surrounding vistas. If the weather allows, enjoy a stunning sunset.
After enjoying the sunrise at Danba Zhonglu village, you will hop on a hike from Zhonglu to Suopo Tibetan village, where you can admire the splendid watchtowers. This is a pleasant 3-hour moderate hike that involves crossing a pass, offering picturesque views of villages and the river at the mountain's base.
Meet your driver in Suopo and have a 3-hour drive to Tagong. The route from Danba to Tagong boasts stunning scenery, including the sacred Mount Yala, one of the most beautiful holy mountains in western Sichuan Kham area. Upon reaching Tagong, pay a visit to the Tagong Gompa, a quintessential Tibetan monastery on the grasslands. This temple is adorned with statues, painted walls, Thangkas, and the soothing aroma of incense, and you can witness monks in carmine robes. If the weather is favorable, enjoy a beautiful sunset over the holy Mount Yala.
Overnight at Tagong Khampa Nomad Ecolodge.
Morning ride up into the high Lhagang grasslands, stopping for a temple visit and lunch with a nomadic family – or, if the weather is nice, have a grassland picnic. Stay the night with a nomadic family.
Morning try milking yaks in the morning, then ride on to Gyergo Nunnery. Explore the sights there, including the temple, mani wall, and monk’s college. Stay the night with a family at Gyergo.
In the morning, ride up to high Meituk Tso, a lake with gorgeous views of high peaks. Enjoy lunch at the lake, then ride back to Tagong Khampa Nomad Ecolodge for overnight.
Note: Each day involves approximately 6 hours of horse riding and 2 nights of home stays. The package includes all meals (simple picnic lunch, family shared meals, accommodations, guiding, and horseback riding).
Savor a relaxing morning at the lodge, followed by a private transfer to Kangding airport (approximately 1-1.5 hours' drive) for your afternoon flight back to Chengdu, concluding your Tibetan nomad life experience.