Amdo and Kham Overland Tour

The heartlands of Kham feature ranges of snow mountains, virgin forests, verdant grasslands, and ancient tribes of Tibetan warriors. Travel to a distant Khampa town where an enormous pile of stone carvings featuring Buddhist prayers draws pilgrims from all over the plateau.

The heartlands of Kham feature ranges of snow mountains, virgin forests, verdant grasslands, and ancient tribes of Tibetan warriors. On this trip, visit remote monasteries and fields of blooming flowers along the shores of turquoise lakes. Travel to a distant Khampa town where an enormous pile of stone carvings featuring Buddhist prayers draws pilgrims from all over the plateau. Barter with nomads in the local market, watch traditional scripture printing at the parkhang, and taste traditional food in the fortress-like homes of the Gyarong Tibetans.

On the trip, we discover the cultural and natural highlights of the Tibetan area Amdo-Kham in provinces Qinghai and Sichuan. Firstly, we come to Qinghai Province, visiting the culture center in the Tibetan area Amdo and visiting Kumbum, which is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Qinghai, and which is also known as the "Tibetan Academy of the World". Qinghai Lake is one of the largest salty lake in Tibet Plateau. We will travel at the upstream of the Yellow River, and meet Ngolok Tibetan, and pay religious homage to holly mountain Amnye Machen range and source of Yellow river are the best places to witness wildlife. Yushu is the Tibetan Area Kham of Qinghai Province. The Yushu Horse Racing Festival that begins on July 25 every year is the largest traditional folk festival in Qinghai Province. We continue to the north along the Tibet Ancient Tea Path.

The landscape of the Tibetan area Kham and Amdo is characterized by over 6000 m high mountain ranges, plateaus and deep gorges of mighty streams. Farmers and nomads live in the mountainous Kham. Monasteries with shiny gold roofs and castle-like houses with defensive towers, mani stones with colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the unmistakable black yak hair tents are scattered across the expanse of wild plateaus where snow-covered peaks surmount. Flower-strewn alpine meadows, forests, crystal-clear rivers and lakes give the mighty scenery a soft appearance. White clouds float in the deep blue sky and submerge the landscape in soft shadows.

The Tibetan cultural areas are divided into three parts: Tibet Autonomous Region/ Xizang, Amdo in the northeast (large part of the provinces of Qinghai, south Gansu and northwest Sichuan) and Kham in the southeast (Chamdo Prefecture of Tibet, Yushu Prefecture of Qinghai, west Sichuan and northwest Yunnan). This discovery tour takes you through the Tibetan areas Amdo and Kham in western Sichuan which includes the Aba (Ngawa) Autonomous Prefecture of Tibetan and Qiang Minority and the Ganzi  (Garze) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. This area is characterized by many green mountains and extensive pastures. Lush plants thrive here and numerous wild animals live here, many of which are rare specimens such as Panda, Snub-nosed Monkey and David Deer. There are also a number of medicinal plants and mineral resources. And the area is particularly rich in water resources. In this area you will feel different religious atmosphere from Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), because both Nyingmapa Sect and Jonangpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism dominate in this area.

On this trip we would like to recommend the hidden cultural and natural highlights in the Tibetan areas Amdo and Kham in western Sichuan:

 

Highlights;
• Qinghai Lake, the biggest lake in Tibet Plateau

•  Discover east Tibetan Area Amdo and Kham

• Holy Mountain Amnye Machen Range and Glacier
• Holy Lakes Jyarang & Ngorang lakes
• World’s largest Mani stone piles
• Derge traditional Tibetan printing house
• Mountain meditation caves
• Dzongsar authentic Tibetan skills and Kham culture
• Ancient Monasteries, virgin forests, snow capped mountains
• Gyarong authentic Tibetan stone houses and great towers


Details
• 17-day trip begins in Xining Qinghai Province and ends in Chengdu, Sichuan.
• 15 nights in hotels and guesthouses
• Average altitude of 3300 meters
• Highest pass during this trip is over 5000 meters

 

Tailor-make this tour

This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest. 

 

Day 1: Xining -- Qinghai Lake -- Chabcha (210km / ~4-5 hrs drive)

  • Morning Departure: Leave Xining early, ascending onto the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau. Feel the air grow crisp and cool.

  • Vast Grasslands & Nomads: Your first encounter with the "Changtang" (Northern Plains). Watch for clusters of black yak-hair tents, herds of yaks and sheep like moving carpets on the hills, and solitary nomads on horseback. The sky here feels immense.

  • Qinghai Lake (Tso Ngonpo): Visit not just the lake, but engage with it. Walk along a quiet stretch of shore, listen to the waves of this saline inland sea. Look for flocks of Bar-headed Geese and Brown-headed Gulls.

  • Chabcha (Gonghe): Overnight in this Tibetan town. A gentle introduction to plateau living. Enjoy your first bowl of thukpa (noodle soup) in a local restaurant.

  • Altitude Note: ~3200m. Rest well to aid acclimatization.

Day 2: Chabcha -- Mt. Amnye Machen -- Maduo County (470km / ~7-8 hrs)

  • Journey West: A long but spectacular drive across rolling grasslands, following the Yellow River headwaters region.

  • Mt. Amnye Machen Range: This sacred mountain range, abode of the great protector deity Machen Pomra, dominates the horizon. Its four main peaks, often shrouded in cloud, are a spiritual heart for Tibetans. We'll stop at a prime viewing point, where you'll likely see pilgrims performing kora (circumambulation) from a distance.

  • Amnye Machen Glaciers: See the glistening tongues of ice creeping down from the peaks. The scale is humbling.

  • Thousands of Lakes, Maduo Grasslands: Arrive in Maduo County, known as the "Source of the Yellow River." As evening approaches, the low-angled light turns countless small lakes and braided river channels into a mirror-like mosaic.

  • Altitude Note: ~4300m. Move slowly, hydrate constantly.

Day 3: Maduo -- Tso Jyarang & Tso Ngorang Lakes (200km / ~4 hrs)

  • Wildlife Safari: Today is for the eyes. Scan the vast, open plains for Tibetan wild ass (Kyang)galloping in herds, solitary and formidable wild yaks, and with immense luck, a distant Tibetan wolf. Foxes and numerous pika are common.

  • Holy Lakes Tso Jyarang & Tso Ngorang: These twin jewels, one sapphire blue, one jade green, are nestled in a remote basin. We'll walk their shores in contemplative silence, absorbing the profound serenity. Colorful prayer flags strung between cairns whisper in the wind.

  • Remote Monastery & Stupa: Visit a small, atmospheric monastery. Its white stupa against the blue lake and endless sky creates a perfect photographic and spiritual composition.

Day 5: Maduo -- Jyekundo (Yushu) (340km / ~6-7 hrs)

  • High Passes: Today we cross several high mountain passes (likely over 4500m). Stop, breathe the thin air, and tie a prayer flag to a la-dze (cairn) to offer blessings for safe passage.

  • Shuwu Town & Monasteries: A welcome break. Visit one of the active monasteries here, witnessing the daily life of monks.

  • Great Rivers & Holy Mountains: The landscape begins to change, with deeper valleys carved by the Tongtian River (upper Yangtze) and more pronounced mountain ridges.

  • Arrival in Yushu: Feel the energy shift. Yushu is a bustling hub of Khampa culture—a vibrant mix of traditional and modern, with Khampas in traditional chubas (robes) wearing Stetson hats and riding motorcycles.

  • Altitude Note: ~3700m. A slight descent for comfort.

Day 6: Jyekundo (Yushu) Exploration

  • Gyama Gönchen (Yushu Temple) & Nambar Nangzan Temple: Explore this historic temple complex. Nambar Nangzan, dating to the 7th century, holds ancient energy. Climb the hillside draped in a breathtaking cascade of colorful prayer flags, offering panoramic views of Yushu.

  • World's Largest Mani Stone Mound - Xinzhai Mani: A mind-boggling site. Over 2 billion stones, carved with mantras over centuries, form a small city of prayer. Walk the pilgrim path around it, listen to the constant click-clack of devotees adding new stones. The scale is a testament to faith.

  • Khampa People: Engage with the proud, charismatic Khampa people. Visit local markets, observe their distinctive braided hair adorned with red tassels and turquoise.

  • Cultural Evening: Perhaps enjoy a local meal with momos (dumplings) and butter tea.

Day 7: Yushu -- Sershul (130km / ~3-4 hrs)

  • Zachuka Nomads: Pass through the territories of these nomadic communities.

  • Sershul (Shiqu) Monastery: A powerful Nyingma monastery rising from the plains, home to hundreds of monks. The deep, resonant sound of ritual horns and chanting fills the air.

  • Sershul Mani Stone Pile: If the Yushu Mani is the largest by volume, the Sershul Mani is often cited as the longest continuous wall of mani stones. Walking alongside this serpentine river of carved prayers is a uniquely moving experience.

Day 8: Sershul -- Dzogchen Monastery (170km / ~4-5 hrs)

  • Nomadic Valleys: The drive is through valleys thick with yaks. Life here feels timeless.

  • Arrival at Dzogchen: The approach to this paramount Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practice center is stunning. The golden roofs of the monastery complex glow against a backdrop of sheer, snow-capped mountains and cliffs dotted with meditation caves.

  • Settling In: Check into simple monastery guest quarters. The atmosphere is one of intense, focused tranquility.

  • Evening Atmosphere: As dusk falls, join the monks for the murmuring evening prayers in the main hall, lit by butter lamps.

Day 9: Dzogchen Monastery Immersion

  • Morning Prayers: Optional attendance at the mesmerizing early morning puja (prayer ceremony).

  • Meet a Master: A rare opportunity for a brief audience or teaching from a resident lama (arranged respectfully in advance).

  • Pilgrimage Hike: Hike up the Dzogchen Valley. Visit ancient meditation caves where renowned masters like Patrul Rinpoche attained realization. The trail passes a powerful waterfall and serene holy lakes. The views of the glaciers and peaks are unparalleled.

  • Visit the Nunnery: Interact with the nuns at a nearby nunnery, witnessing their dedicated practice.

  • Reflection: A day to absorb the profound peace and spiritual power of this place.

Day 10: Dzogchen -- Manigango -- Yilhun Lhatso -- Derge (220km / ~5-6 hrs)

Theme: From Mountain Lake to Printing Wisdom.

  • Holy Lake Yilhun Lhatso: A stunning alpine lake, considered a terma (hidden treasure) site. Its colors change with the sky, and it's framed by snowy peaks. Walk the kora path.

  • Tro-la Pass (5050m): A dramatic high pass with breathtaking views of the Tro-la range. Short stop due to altitude.

  • Derge (Dege): Descend into the cultural treasure chest of Kham.

  • Derge Parkhang (Printing House): A UNESCO-caliber site. Enter this ancient, smoky wooden building where over 300,000 wooden printing blocks for Tibetan scriptures are stored. Watch master printers at work, using methods unchanged for centuries. The smell of ink and old paper is unforgettable.

Day 11: Derge -- Dzosar Monastery (120km / ~3 hrs)

  • Derge Gonchen Monastery: The main monastery associated with the printing house, an impressive architectural complex.

  • Palpung Monastery (or caves): Visit this important seat, perhaps seeing its renowned meditation caves.

  • Dzosar Monastery: Renowned for its exquisite Tibetan handicrafts—thangka painting, metal statuary, and embroidery. Observe artists at work and appreciate the devotion poured into each sacred object.

Day 12: Dzosar -- Pelyul -- Yachen Gar - Garze(340km / ~6-7 hrs)

  • Drive along the Zachu River (Yalong River): A beautiful, winding valley drive.

  • Pelyul Monastery: A quick visit to this significant Nyingma monastery perched on the hillside.

  • Yachen Gar: Prepare for a unique experience. This is not a traditional monastery but a vast, informal encampment of practitioners—reportedly one of the largest in the world, with thousands of nuns (anim) and monks. The valley is a sea of simple log huts. Witness a remarkable, intensive environment of study and meditation (note: photography restrictions are often strict, especially of individuals).

  • Scenic Drive: Over another high pass with panoramic views.

  • Garze Monastery: A large and influential Gelugpa monastery with a commanding presence over the town.

  • Garze Market: Immerse in local life. A vibrant mix of nomads selling herbs and yak products, traders, monks, and townspeople. A great place for candid photography and feeling the pulse of contemporary Kham.

Day 13: Garze -- Drago -- Danba Zhonglu Village (340km / ~6-7 hrs)

  • Changing Landscape: Leave the high grasslands, descending into the forested, deeply carved gorges of the Gyarong region.

  • Zara Mountain & Stone Houses: See the distinctive fortified Tibetan watchtowers and stone farmhouses clinging to cliffsides—architectural marvels.

  • Arrival in Zhonglu Village: A fairy-tale setting. Check into a traditional Tibetan guesthouse run by a local family. The village is a living museum of Gyarong culture.

  • Evening Light: The sunset on the ancient towers and peach orchards is magical.

Day 14: Danba Zhonglu -- Day Hike to Sokpo Village

  • Full-Day Hike: A moderate hike through stunning terrain. Cross a high pass with incredible views of the valley, descend through forests and deep gorges.

  • Sokpo Village: Explore this even more remote village, famous for its concentration and preservation of ancient stone towers (some over 1000 years old).

  • Cultural Interaction: Visit local homes, be invited for butter tea, and learn about the unique history of the Gyarong Tibetan people.

  • Return to Zhonglu: A satisfying end to your active adventure.

Day 15: Danba -- Four Sisters Mountains -- Chengdu

  • Four Maidens Mountain (Siguniang Shan): A final, majestic send-off. Stop at a viewing platform to behold these four iconic, elegant peaks.

  • Balangshan Pass: One last high pass with souvenir stalls and grand views.

  • Descent to Chengdu: A long descent from ~3000m to 500m, watching the landscape transform from alpine to lush, subtropical farmland.

  • Arrival in Chengdu: Evening arrival. The tour concludes amidst the warmth, bustle, and spicy aromas of Chengdu. A dramatic and fitting end to an epic journey.

Map coming soon...