Itinerary

Day 1

Xiahe - Langmusi
You'll be picked up early in the morning at your hotel and your highland experience will begin. You'll become acquainted with your driver and your English-speaking guide. Since the people you'll meet along the way have such interesting traditions having a guide with you is a wonderful way to learn as much as you can about them.

The road in this area has been greatly improved the last few years. The landscape is hilly and from time to time you'll see snowy mountain tops. During the summertime the grasslands are a sea of flowers, for instance the rare edelweiss. Sporadically you'll see a small ‘village' in this thinly populated area. Half-nomadic Tibetans mostly live here with their herds of yak and sheep. During the wintertime they live in villages and in the summers they move their herds to the grasslands. From May – October you'll see many nomad tents on the plateau. You'll visit a nomadic family and some point you'll have to try the famous yak butter tea.
You'll arrive in Langmusi in the afternoon, at an altitude of 3800m, and you'll spend a night in a basic hotel. Langmusi is home to two large Tibetan Monasteries and therefore most of the population, aside from the Hui and Goloks, is made up out of Tibetan monks. West of Langmusi you'll find the sky burial plateau. A part of the Buddhist religion, is the belief in reincarnation, or rebirth of the soul in another human being or animal. At the moment that the human soul leaves the body (when someone dies), an empty shell remains (the body). This shell is offered to the vultures and other predator birds on a plateau outside of the village. If a sky burial ceremony takes place during your stay you can view it if you wish, but show respect by keeping your distance.

Day 2

Langmusi - Songpan
If a sky burial takes place, you can view it if you wish. More importantly, visit the main monastery in Langmusi during your stay. The temple usually has morning services. Your guide will lead you through the prayer hall where the highest priest of the monastery sits on a plateau, a type of throne. Anyone who passes him should bow their head in a show of respect.

Afterwards you're on your way to Songpan. Your journey will take you to a few different mountain passes and grassy plains. Even though the journey will be long, you won't be bored for a minute. There are many different types of animals in this area. You may see a group of vultures on a hill, a type of marmot may scurry away and there are many yak and sheep that cross the road in herds. From time to time you'll see trucks riding by with loads sticking out on all sides. Your driver will take a rest stop at a small Buddhist monastery belonging to the order of the Red Caps. More than 50km from Songpan you'll drive down to the Min River Valley. The landscape will change into green valleys, rock formations and farmland. Once you reach Songpan, you'll say goodbye to your driver and your guide. You'll spend two nights in a small basic hotel, the power supply may falter at times and it's best to bring along a flashlight.

Day 3

Songpan
Songpan is a small town on the banks of the Min River. The population is a mix of Tibetans, Hui Muslims and Han Chinese. A myriad of religions and traditions coexist here. At times you'll see someone walking around with a prayer Wheel and at other times you'll see someone walking by wearing a kippah and carrying a cell Phone. Even this remote part of China is modernizing.

The village is friendly and charming and features many little wooden houses along small streets. Most tourists who visit Songpan come here to trek into the hills surrounding the city, see Ice Mountain horseback trek. You won't need horseback riding experience to participate; the horses are tame and walk slowly. Every now and then you'll hear someone saying: 'Lowee, lowee' (foreigner) and you'll be greeted with a big smile. The area has quite a calm atmosphere. If you don't feel like going on a horse trek, you could also hike through the area or go on a day trip by horse to a small Tibetan Monastery.

Day 4

Songpan - Chengdu
On this long day of travel (about 9.5 hours) you'll descend through the rugged Min Valley and on to Chengdu by bus. You'll follow the Min River, which is quite a wild raging River during the rainy season. Eventually the landscape will become more cultivated. You'll pass villages and cities and you'll have an excellent view of this rugged landscape. During your drive you'll see the Qiang minority, recognizable through their colourful clothing. Once you arrive in Chengdu, a transfer will be waiting to take you to the bus station where you'll catch a bus to your hotel in the city.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Transport, accommodation, English speaking guide

Exclusions -

Meals and drinks, entrance fees