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Inter-Cultural Arts Exchange

Litang Horse Festival: July 22-August 6

This tour immediatly follows the Naadam Festival in Mongolia. You may join both. Click here for details.

July 22 Arrival in Beijing. Transfer to hotel.

July 23 Fly Beijing-Chengdu. CA4104 dep Beijing 1640, arr Chengdu 1900. Met at airport and transfer hotel Dynasty, 4*. (If coming from the Naadam Festival you will fly Ulaanbaatar - Beijing CA902 dep ULN 1310, arr Beijing 1400; and connect to flight to Chengdu).

July 24 Morning drive along the Yarlung River, up stream to Kangding - the gateway town of the eastern Tibet of Kham Meal: B + L + D, Accommodation: 3* hotel; Distance & Driving hours: 365km on paved road; 5 - 6h

July 25 Kangding- Luhuo Along the Northern highway of Sichuan - Tibet, we head up the first pass of today Mt. Tseduo with altitude of 4238meters, Enroute we will enjoy spectacular nature views. We'll also visit the white Ming Yak Chorten, and the first monastery of Lhagang monastery. According to the legend, when Princess Wengcheng traveled to Tibet, she stayed overnight here, and the Jowo Shakyamuni image which she brought as her dowry to Lhasa was said to have spoken out aloud, requesting to be left in that idyllic setting! Subsequently King Songtsen Gampo constructed 108 temples in the direction of China mainland. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: 1* hotel; Distance & Driving hours: 310km on paved road; 8 - 9h

July 26 Luhuo - Kanze - Manigango In the morning we will start early to Kanze. We will visit Kanze monastery which was originally constructed by the Qosot Monglos Cira 1642 on a hilltop. It once had a population of 1500 monks; currently it has an estimated population of 700 monks and 3 tulkus. We also visit Den Gompa, which, since the 17th century, has been maintained by the Gelukpa, an important protector temple that survived the events of 1960s. It contains a revered image of Mahakala in the form Panjaranatha. After lunch in Kanze we will head north to Manigango the Wild Wild WestÉ Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: Guesthouse; Distance & Driving hours: 186km on paved road; 5 - 6h

July 27 Manigango - Derge Today we will spend some time at Xinlu Lake, traditional name is Yulhun Latso, one of the most beautiful lakes in all Tibetan Cultural Areas. It's shores arec overed with carved Mani Stones. The mountain and rocks surrounding the lake are said to assume the divine form of the Cakrasamvara Mandala to those who have pure vision to perceive them. In the afternoon we will driver over the highest pass of this whole trip Tro La - with altitude of 5050, but 2 year ago, the altitude was 4950meters. Meal: B + L + D, Accommodation: 2* hotel; Distance & Driving hours: 115km on paved & dirt road; 5 - 6h

July 28 Derge - Pelyul via Pelpung Monastery Today we will drive along the east bank of Jinsar River, heading south to Pelyul, en route we visit Pelpung monastery, which is the largest and main monastery of Karma Kagyu of Tibetan religion. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: Guesthouse; Distance & Driving hours: 175km on paved & dirt road; 7 - 8h

July 29 Pelyul - Kanze We drive along the side road, enjoy the stunning view of the middle of Kham. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: 2* hotel; Distance & Driving hours: 230km on paved & dirt road; 7 - 8h

July 30 Kanze - Nyarong In the morning, explore the region around the town. After lunch, drive along the Yarlung River downstream to the valley junction and then to the small town in the valley. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: Guesthouse; Distance & Driving hours: 105km on paved road; 3 - 4h

July 31 Nyarong - Litang Since we have spent days on the Tibetan plateau we can easily acclimatize to the high plateau of Litang, and are ready for the stunning festival of Litang horse - racing festival. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: Guesthouse; Distance & Driving hours: 205km on paved & dirt road; 5 - 6h

Aug 1-2: Litang We join the horse - racing festival, sharing the celebration with local nomads and monks. Enjoy the local Tibetan Dancing, Tibetan Traditional Fashion show, and the major program of this festival - Litang horse racing. The streets of Litang will be embodied with a mix of yellow hat Tibetan monks, Khampa men and women (cowboys and cowgirls) and smiley-faced Tibetan women decked in regional finery. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: Guesthouse

Aug 3 Litang - XinDuQiao XinDuQiao is wonderful site for landscape photographers; we will spend time here to record the beautiful view of Kham, Enroute if weather permits, the stunning view of the peak of Mt. Minyar Gangkar will be visible at the pass of Mt. Gaoershi. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: Guesthouse; Distance & Driving hours: 210km on paved & dirt road; 7 - 8h

Aug 4 XinDuQiao - Danbag We will pass Lhagang monastery again; visit to the vast mani stone pile & nunnery which is located beneath the holy mountain of Yarla Jartso. Afterwards we drive to Kangding following the Donggu River crossing through the narrow and deep Donggu Valley. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: 1* hotel; Distance & Driving hours: 135km on dirt road; 4 - 5h

Aug 5 Danba - Wolong Morning we will drive about 40km north from Danba to Qiongshan village. This village is located in a beautiful valley and faces east with altitude of 3100m. In the afternoon, drive to Wolong. Meal: B + L + D, Accommodation: 3* hotel, Distance & Driving hours: 175km on paved road; 5 - 6h

Aug 6 Wolong-Chengdu Visit the national reserve of Giant Panda. Meal: B + L + D; Accommodation: 3* hotel; Distance & Driving hours: 150km on paved road; 5 - 6h

Aug 7 Chengdu Transfer to airport for flight home.

PRICES

$2060 per person; ; single room supplement $330; Plus flts Beijing-Chengdu-Beijing

Included: accommodaton, meals as inducated, airport arrival/departure transfers, land trasnport Vehicle for 6-12 persons is a Ford Transit-mini bus with 18 person capacity.

Not Included: Intl flt, visa fee, departure tax, tips, travel insurance, personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, phone calls

Two Tour Discount: $100 (Nadaam Festival, Mongolia and Litang Festival)

Prices subject to change; Flight schedules subject to change
Fares for flts within China not available at this time

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