Mt.Minya Konka Trekking

The Minya Konka mountain located in Kangding county, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Its mainpeak, with 7556 meters above sea level, is the highest peak of the Hengduan Mountains. In Tibetan Gong(kon) means snow and Ga(Ka) means white, which means white and flawless snow peak. Minya Konka is the easternmost peak among peaks with more than 7000 meters above sea level, and is the highest peak in Sichuan Province, so it is reputed as “The King of Mountains in Sichuan”. Over the past hundreds of years. Mt.Minya Konka has attracted extreme beauty, diverse plants and animal resources, and authentic ethnic culture of Minya Tibetans. Standing in the transition zone between the gorge area and Tibet Plateau. Mt.Konka is surrounded by a variety of landform that nature abundant plant species and provide ideal habitat varieties for a big number of mammals and birds including Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Tibetan Monal, and Tibetan Snow-cock. As the sacred mountain of Tibetans, Mt.Konka receives the highest respect and piousness from the Tibetan people and monks praying daily in the monasteries scattered in the depth of the mountains surround Mt.Minya Konka. It is the best place to feel the power of nature, seek peace and tranquility from our inner world and enjoy the beauty of plants, mammals, scenery, and Tibetan people.

We only choose the wild part where there is no road and we can enjoy the ultimate natural beauty. This trekking trip is made for people who hope to enjoy trekking in the real untamed part of Tibet Plateau. This trip can be customized to meet different needs for people who focus on birding, flower-watching, mammal watching, and escaping.

Please note that most places we will camp on this trip will be over 3.000 meters to 4.000 meters above the sea level and the highest mountain path we will cross over is 4,900 meters. Though we will have a good number of horses to carry all our logistics, it is still a challenge to trek on the high plateau.

Itinerary : Trekking at Mt.Minya Konka

Day 1: Chengdu – Kangding 2700m /270km /4hours

Journey starts in Chengdu. Our local Tibetan guide and driver meet you at your hotel in Chengdu and drive to Kangding, the capital city of Garze Tibetan Autonmous Prefecture. When you arrive in Kangding after 4 hours riding. Enjoy the views and landscape changing from plain into mountain ranges along the way.  Kangding is the main gate to Tibet Plateau. Acclimatize the high altitude.

Day 2: Day hiking in Kangding

Today you will visit the Kangding city and monastery in Kangding. Day hiking around Kangding is the best way to explore and acclimatize high altitude.

Overnight at Kangding.

Day 3:Kangding – Laoyulin Village—Langtsang pasture 13km/5-6hours walking

After breakfast we drive to Laoyulin 20 kilometers, meet our porter team and start our journey by the end of bumpy road in the Gyazela Valley. Behind us are the visible Wuse Mountains among which the highest named Tianhaizi peak with a height of 6070 meters. Along the river we witness the incredible alpine landscape until we reach our campsite at Langtsang River via Gesar meadow(2700 meters).

Camping (3780m)  Uphill 530 meters

Day 4: Langtsang River - Upper Riwoche (4350m) 9km/ 4-5hrs

Today we have views not only the ice-capped mountains but also a variety of unknown flora as we ascent. Melted water flushing down the rocky streamed where many rocks have been polished edge-less. Along the way, you can see the beautiful landscapes of Tainhaizi Snow Mountain at an altitude of 6070 meters, and the smal Konka Mountain at an altitude of 6027 meters. Here also offer great one day hike up to the glacier and alpine lake in the mountains. We will camp next to the local nomad family.

 Camping. (4350m) Uphill 570meters.

Day 5: Upper Riwoche – Riwoche Pass(4850m)--Moxi Meadow(4100m) 

Today is more physically demanding to cross over the Riwoche Pass which has an elevation of around 4850 meters. There is spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks and glacier lake, when we ascent to the pass. More peaks become visible as we reach the top. Snow peaks after snow peaks behind green mountains along our trail. Walk down to the fooot of Moxi Valley, and continue to trek to the end of the valley and camp by the river.

Trekking about 20 kilometers, 7-8hours, uphill 480m and downhill 730m

Camping (4100m)

Day 6: Moxi Valley - Yaha Pass (4900m) - Yulongxi  11km/4-5hours

Today we will trek through wild forest on the trail of gradual ups and downs all the way to Yulongxi. The trekking route to the Yaha Pass is extremely stunning landscapes of Minya Konka range along the way up to the pass. After the pass walk down to the Yulong valley and meet our driver and say goodbye to our horsemen. We will continue drive to Zemey pass(4550m). Which is a great platform to see Konka Peak. The linear distance from Zemey pass to the main peak of Konka Mountain is only about 5 kilometers. When the weather is good, wait for the sunset and enjoy the panoramic view of the golden Konka Peak. After enjoying it. Drive to Yulong Valley and overnight at local guesthouse.

Day 7: Yulong Valley - Xinduqiao - Lhagang(Tagong) 4hours

In the morning enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Yulong Valley, then drive to Lhagang grassland en route catch the last splendid view Konka Mountains. Upon arrival at Tagong grassland, visit the Lhagang Monastery of Sakyapa Sect. There is blessing of a reserved Jowo Shakyamuni image in this monastery to the Tibetan pilgrims. Then visit the impressive Gyergo Nunnery and grand Mani Wall. From the hillside next to the Minya Golden Pagoda, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Zara Lhatse (5820m). When the weather is good, the scenery at sunset is especially spectacular.

Overnight at Tagong. 180 kilometers. 4 hours.

Day 8: Tagong - Bamei - Danba Zhonglu Village  130km/3hours

If the weather is good, you will get early to enjoy the great view of Mt.Zara or Yala Mountain. Today drive to Danba Zhonglu village via Bamei. Danba has long been acclaimed as the Gyarong Tibetan Kindom of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses. They were made of clay and block and look fiine from outside with solid thick walls. Then drive along the Yak valley to Danba. Walking and visit the Danba Zhonglu villages.

Overnight at Danba Zhonglu Village.

Day 9: Danba Zhonglu - Four Girls Mountains 120km/3hours

After breakfast, drive to Four Girls Mountain, the mountain has four peaks over 5000 meters. Soft hiking in the Shuangqiao Valley of the Four Girls Mountains, the scenery is concentrated and charming.

Overnight at Rilong Town.

Day 10: Four Girls Mountain - Wolong – Chengdu 210km/5 HRS 

 Today we will drive back to Chengdu via Balong Pass. If the weather is good, you will have stunning view of Four Girls Mountain. Visit Panda Base in Wolong, about 50 Pandas live here, it is the largest breeding center for giant Pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction,wildness training, etc. Then drive to Chengdu. Transfer to airport or railway station, leave Chengdu.

Highlights:

• Traditional life in Chengdu
• Trekking to Mt.Minya Konka (7556m)
• Spectacular scenery and awe-inspiring Minya Konka Range
• Variety of landform including the glacier, alphine meadow, shrubbery, virgin forest, and subtropical forest during your trekking
• Explore some of the rarest alpine plants, birds, and mammals in Kham Tibet
• Trek in some of wildest places in Western Sichuan
• 4 days trekking at 7556 meters high Minya Konka in Kham
• Great view of Yala Mountain from Tagong grassland
• Tibetan Buddhism monasteries and nomads daily life
• Danba is one of the most beautiful villages in Kham
• Soft hiking in Shuangqiao Valley of Four Girls Mountain
• Panda in Wolong Natural Reserve

Map coming soon...