East Tibet overland holiday, Kham & Amdo
| country: | Tibet |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you (best time to visit Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct) and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From US $2200 (15-19 days) excluding flights, based on two travellers. Price includes transport, guide, permits, accommodation in cities |
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
The vast and little traveled regions of eastern Tibet offer myriad possibilities for stunning journeys of breathtaking beauty. Snow capped mountains, deep forested valleys, crystal-clear lakes and rivers, vast barren plateau. Roads twist and wind and the vista around every corner will make you gasp anew. Isolated valleys, tribal villages and remote monasteries offer an incredible and unique glimpse of a rapidly changing world.
Between Lhasa & Chengdu or Yunnan
An incredible adventure from the spiritual heart of Tibet through some of the harshest and most dramatic landscapes the world has to offer. Isolated valleys, tribal villages and remote monasteries - an unforgettable and unique glimpse of a rapidly changing world.
Travel eastwards into Kham, one of the most isolated and least visited areas on Earth. This is a stunning journey of breathtaking beauty: snow capped mountains, deep, forested valleys, crystal-clear lakes, rivers, and incredible grasslands. Here the great rivers – Brahmaputra, Salween, Mekong, Yangzi, Irrawaddy - descend from the Tibetan Plateau, carving deep gorges through the mountains. The roads are rough and winding and the vista around every corner will make you gasp anew.
The northern route takes you via Tibetan Plateau's second largest saltwater lake, Namtso Chukmo, a spectacular site. Dominated by the 7110-meter snow peak of Nyenchen Thanglha, it teems with migratory birds and the cave hermitages at Tashidor are a popular pilgrimage destination. Then travel through the nomadic terrain of the upper Salween into the heartland of Kham.
Suggested itinerary - Day 1: Chengdu, Day 2-4: Lhasa, Day 5-6: Namtso, Day 7: Nakchu, Day 8: Sokshan, Day 9: Tengchen, Day 10: Riwoche, Day 11-12: Chamdo, Day 13-14: Dege, Day 15: Danba, Day 16: Wolong Panda Sanctuary, Day 17: Chengdu.
The southern route to Chengdu or Yunnan is one of vast altitude changes as you traverse deep river gorges separated by high passes before emerging onto the vast grasslands surrounding Litang - one of east Tibet's most fascinating towns. Or head south along the Mekong to Dequin and the Tibetan regions of northern Yunnan.
Suggested itinerary 1 - Day 1: Chengdu, Day 2-4: Lhasa, Day 5: Samye, Day 6-7: Gyatsa - Meling, Day 8-9: Lamaling - Nyangtri- Serkhyim La, Day 10: Rawok Tso - Pasho, Day 11-12: Zuogang - Markham, Day 13-14: Litang, Day 15-16: Tagong, Day 17: Chengdu.
Suggested itinerary 2 - Day 1: Chengdu, Day 2-4: Lhasa, Day 5: Samye, Day 6-7: Gyatsa - Meling, Day 8-9: Lamaling - Nyangtri- Serkhyim La, Day 10: Rawok Tso - Pasho, Day 11-12: Zuogang - Markham, Day 13: Dequin, Day 14-15: Zhongdian.
Northeast into Amdo
A journey of incredible contrasts - geographical and cultural. Rugged mountain ranges are separated by deep forested river gorges and high alpine pastures give way to the vast grasslands of Amdo. Nakchu stands amid a vast wilderness of grasslands frequented by nomadic herders - producers of absolutely delicious yoghurt. Nakchu has long been an important trading center for the region and becoming more with the arrival of the Qinghai-Lhasa railway.
Prior to the civil war between Lhasa and Shigatse the Sokshan region was a Bon stronghold, today however the Gomp, founded by a Mongol chieftain in the 17th century, is largely dedicated to Tsongkhapa. It is an impressive citadel-like structure styled on the Potala Palace, with both Red and White Temples. There is also a 12th century Nyingmapa monastery maintaining traditional practices.
Enter a world of juniper and conifer forests and alpine meadows carpeted with blue gentian and white edelweiss. Here are some of the richest pasturelands in Tibet as well as numerous monasteries, old and newly restored. This region too was once strongly Bon, although there are many important early Buddhist temples here, including the imposing Riwoche Tsuklakhang founded in 1276.
Yushu (Jyekundo) has been an important trading center for centuries as imported goods (tea, textiles, metalware, sugar...) are traded by mostly Muslim middlemen for nomad produce (hides, furs, wool, medicinal herbs..). Princess Wencheng stopped here on her way to Lhasa. Its main, hilltop, monastery was originally established in 1398 (on the site of a Bon temple) in the striking red-grey Sakya style.
Just south of Xining stands one of the 6 major Gelukpa Monasteries, Kumbum (Ta'er Si) was the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelukpa School. A beautiful monastery, quite Chinese in architectural style, kumbum is particularly famous for its elaborate butter sculptures.
Suggested itinerary - Day 1: Xining, Day 2: train, Day 3-5: Lhasa, Day 6-7: Namtso, Day 8: Nakchu, Day 9: Sokshan, Day 10: Tengchen, Day 11: Ratsaka, Day 12: Riwoche, Day 13-14: Sharda, Day 15-16: Yushu, Day 17: Domda, Day 18: Mato, Day 19: Xining.
Between Lhasa & Chengdu or Yunnan
An incredible adventure from the spiritual heart of Tibet through some of the harshest and most dramatic landscapes the world has to offer. Isolated valleys, tribal villages and remote monasteries - an unforgettable and unique glimpse of a rapidly changing world.
Travel eastwards into Kham, one of the most isolated and least visited areas on Earth. This is a stunning journey of breathtaking beauty: snow capped mountains, deep, forested valleys, crystal-clear lakes, rivers, and incredible grasslands. Here the great rivers – Brahmaputra, Salween, Mekong, Yangzi, Irrawaddy - descend from the Tibetan Plateau, carving deep gorges through the mountains. The roads are rough and winding and the vista around every corner will make you gasp anew.
The northern route takes you via Tibetan Plateau's second largest saltwater lake, Namtso Chukmo, a spectacular site. Dominated by the 7110-meter snow peak of Nyenchen Thanglha, it teems with migratory birds and the cave hermitages at Tashidor are a popular pilgrimage destination. Then travel through the nomadic terrain of the upper Salween into the heartland of Kham.
Suggested itinerary - Day 1: Chengdu, Day 2-4: Lhasa, Day 5-6: Namtso, Day 7: Nakchu, Day 8: Sokshan, Day 9: Tengchen, Day 10: Riwoche, Day 11-12: Chamdo, Day 13-14: Dege, Day 15: Danba, Day 16: Wolong Panda Sanctuary, Day 17: Chengdu.
The southern route to Chengdu or Yunnan is one of vast altitude changes as you traverse deep river gorges separated by high passes before emerging onto the vast grasslands surrounding Litang - one of east Tibet's most fascinating towns. Or head south along the Mekong to Dequin and the Tibetan regions of northern Yunnan.
Suggested itinerary 1 - Day 1: Chengdu, Day 2-4: Lhasa, Day 5: Samye, Day 6-7: Gyatsa - Meling, Day 8-9: Lamaling - Nyangtri- Serkhyim La, Day 10: Rawok Tso - Pasho, Day 11-12: Zuogang - Markham, Day 13-14: Litang, Day 15-16: Tagong, Day 17: Chengdu.
Suggested itinerary 2 - Day 1: Chengdu, Day 2-4: Lhasa, Day 5: Samye, Day 6-7: Gyatsa - Meling, Day 8-9: Lamaling - Nyangtri- Serkhyim La, Day 10: Rawok Tso - Pasho, Day 11-12: Zuogang - Markham, Day 13: Dequin, Day 14-15: Zhongdian.
Northeast into Amdo
A journey of incredible contrasts - geographical and cultural. Rugged mountain ranges are separated by deep forested river gorges and high alpine pastures give way to the vast grasslands of Amdo. Nakchu stands amid a vast wilderness of grasslands frequented by nomadic herders - producers of absolutely delicious yoghurt. Nakchu has long been an important trading center for the region and becoming more with the arrival of the Qinghai-Lhasa railway.
Prior to the civil war between Lhasa and Shigatse the Sokshan region was a Bon stronghold, today however the Gomp, founded by a Mongol chieftain in the 17th century, is largely dedicated to Tsongkhapa. It is an impressive citadel-like structure styled on the Potala Palace, with both Red and White Temples. There is also a 12th century Nyingmapa monastery maintaining traditional practices.
Enter a world of juniper and conifer forests and alpine meadows carpeted with blue gentian and white edelweiss. Here are some of the richest pasturelands in Tibet as well as numerous monasteries, old and newly restored. This region too was once strongly Bon, although there are many important early Buddhist temples here, including the imposing Riwoche Tsuklakhang founded in 1276.
Yushu (Jyekundo) has been an important trading center for centuries as imported goods (tea, textiles, metalware, sugar...) are traded by mostly Muslim middlemen for nomad produce (hides, furs, wool, medicinal herbs..). Princess Wencheng stopped here on her way to Lhasa. Its main, hilltop, monastery was originally established in 1398 (on the site of a Bon temple) in the striking red-grey Sakya style.
Just south of Xining stands one of the 6 major Gelukpa Monasteries, Kumbum (Ta'er Si) was the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelukpa School. A beautiful monastery, quite Chinese in architectural style, kumbum is particularly famous for its elaborate butter sculptures.
Suggested itinerary - Day 1: Xining, Day 2: train, Day 3-5: Lhasa, Day 6-7: Namtso, Day 8: Nakchu, Day 9: Sokshan, Day 10: Tengchen, Day 11: Ratsaka, Day 12: Riwoche, Day 13-14: Sharda, Day 15-16: Yushu, Day 17: Domda, Day 18: Mato, Day 19: Xining.
travellers' tales
Absolutely amazing trip, especially as it was organised through the local travel agent and used local guides. All the necessary permits were arranged and delivered with absolutely no fuss or bother and everything went like clockwork. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
 Project for the Blind commenced in 1998 in Lhasa with the opening of the first rehabilitation and training center for the blind in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Groups are encouraged to visit and make contributions both through interaction and financial. The main goal is the integration and acceptation of the blind in the Tibetan society, through the four major projects: Dickey Orphanage: This is a privately run and financed orphanage established by a local Lhasa woman in her own home. They expect to expand to much needed larger premises soon as the result of a private donation. She is currently supporting 55 orphan and abandoned children of all ages. Visiting the orphanage and meeting the family and children is a heartwarming experience for all. Schools: Whilst remote schools are financially supported by the government access to learning materials is often restricted by access to cities to purchase supplies. In some villages, eg Samye, leaders have developed relations with schools and purchase materials (exercise books, pencils etc) in Lhasa for delivery to the school. This is administered on an order taken on one visit, materials delivered next visit basis to ensure schools receive exactly what they need (learning to write in 3 very different scripts means differently ruled exercise books for each). Groups are offered the option to contribute to or cover the cost of such purchases. On this trip: |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |