Festivals & Cultural Tour in Tibet and Sichuan

Festivals & Cultural Tour in Tibet and Sichuan Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Chengdu

Welcome to China! You will be picked up from the airport or railway station, depending on how you arrive in Chengdu. Head to your hotel to settle in, and if you have time, take a stroll around the area to get acquainted with the city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chengdu
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Wolong Nature Reserve, Mt Siguniang and Danba

This morning, the group will drive to the UNESCO-protected Wolong Nature Reserve, an enormous area that encompasses ancient forests and bamboo groves. It’s home to many species including the iconic panda. From there, you will pass through the Balang Shan Tunnel on the way to Maobiliang, where you will stop off at a viewing platform with stunning views of Mount Siguniang. Continuing through the mountains by car, you will make your way to the region of Danba and visit Siguniangshan Town.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Siguniangshan Town (2,100 m / 6,890’)
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 3 Tibetan Village of Zhonglu and Bamei

First thing in the morning, you will walk through the historic village of Zhonglu, which is well known for its countless ancient wooden blockhouses. You will also visit the block towers in the village of Suopo, before driving through the Yak Valley to Bamei and the Panoramic views of Yala Mountain.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bamei (3,500 m / 11,482’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Mask Dance Festival and Xinduqiao

After breakfast, jump right into today’s activity of the Mask Dance in Huiyuan Temple. This monastery, built in the 18th century, has cultural significance being the place where the 11th Dalai Lama was born. Learn about the fascinating traditions here through dance. When the performance ends, you will drive to Yajiang through Xinduqiao, which is often considered a photographer's paradise thanks to the beautiful scenery of the mountain pass.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Xinduqiao (2700 m / 8,858’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Yajiang to Litang and Litang Horse Racing Festival

Day 5 begins with an early morning drive to Litang, a highland city that is situated 4,014m above sea level and was the homeland of the 7th Dalai Lama. Here, you will take part in a grand horse racing festival that occurs over a period of 7 days in July/August. There are a number of activities that are a part of the festival, including horse racing, horsemanship, dancing, singing, costume shows, and trade markets.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Litang (4,014 m / 13,169’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Litang Horse Racing Festival and Renkang Old House

Another day of experiencing the fascinating horse racing festival awaits, followed by the chance to visit the historic Litang Monastery if time permits. This religious building was converted from the control of the Bon to Gelug Sect by the 3rd Dalai Lama in 1580. From here, you will also experience Renkang Old House, which was the residence of the 7th Dalai Lama.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Litang (4,014 m / 13,169’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Tsoka Monastery and Garze Monastery

Today’s destinations are the Tsoka Monastery, Tsoka Lake, and later, the Garze Monastery. Located in Mari Village, Tsoka Monastery is a wonderful religious centre with traditions inherited from the Kagyu and Nyingma sects of monks, while nearby Tsoka Lake is a small 3km² body of water that means “the black lake water in rubbles” in Tibetan. The water here is very clear, reflecting the image of the sky and surrounding landscape on its surface. Later, you’ll drive to the Garze Monastery, built by the Qosot Mongols in 1662. It sits atop a hill overlooking their castles. You’ll see monks who live there and have a unique opportunity to witness their practices. Stay the night in a hotel near the Garze Monastery.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Garze Monastery (3,390 m / 11,122’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Dargye Monastery and Yihun Lhatso Lake

Once you finish breakfast, you’ll be heading into higher altitudes to spot some gorgeous scenery and visit the Dargye Monastery. This monastery, founded in 1642 and built on a hillside, will set the tone for a spiritual day of visiting attractions. After the monastery, drive to a breathtaking vivid blue alpine lake, Yihun Lhatso, at the base of Chola Mountain. The lake sits at 4040 m / 13,255 ft, with wild native species of trees dotting its perimeter—keep your eyes peeled for white-lipped deer sauntering by for a drink. Spend a bit of time strolling around the lake, taking pictures, and soaking in the magical scenery before getting back in the car to continue to Dege. Here, you will visit the Dege Printing House, a cultural icon in the area that is home to a traditional engraving and printing technique recognized by UNESCO as an intangible piece of cultural heritage.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Yihun Lhatso Lake (3,270 m / 10,728’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Dzongsar Monastery and Duopu Valley

After breakfast, the group will make the drive to Maisu Town, where you will learn about traditional Tibetan crafting techniques that have been preserved for generations. Here, you will visit Dzongsar Monastery and its surrounding workshops to take part in a variety of crafts such as copper casting, wood carving, and color painting. After experiencing this rich cultural heritage, you will discover the natural beauty of the Duopu Valley at the foot of Chola Mountain.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Maisu (3,600 m / 11,811’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Mask Dance Festival at Katok Monastery and Hepo Knife Workshop

With an early start, day 10 of the tour will begin by driving to Katok Monastery to witness the Dance Festival, where the monks dance with traditional Buddhist masks, chanting to expel evil spirits. They will unveil the Thangka, a painting of a deity upon cotton or silk when the sun is at its peak at noon. In the afternoon, you will drive to Pelyul, stopping on the way to visit a Tibetan knife workshop if time permits. Here, in Hepo Town (referred to as the armoury of King Gesar), you will visit a Tibetan family that utilizes a variety of traditional metal forging techniques to construct their knives.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hepo Town (3,006 m / 9,862’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Pelyul Monastery andYarchen Gar Nunnery

In the morning, you will visit Pelyul Monastery and the famous Nyingma sect, before continuing your journey through the snow-capped peaks of the Tibetan Plateau to stop at Yarchen Gar. This is considered one of the largest concentrations of monastics in the world, with the majority being nuns associated with the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It’s also known as “The City of Nuns,” earning its name by the sheer size of the complex that houses 10,000 nuns. Explore the complex at your leisure, taking time to see the enormous religious statues, monuments, and temples among the tranquil gardens. Be respectful as you walk past nuns deep in their practices of meditation, reading scriptures, or accomplishing daily duties. After a few hours of wandering through this palpably mystical complex, you will make your way towards Luhuo, stopping briefly to take in some stunning views of Kasa Lake along the way.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Luhuo (3,860 m / 12,664’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Mask Dance Festival at Tagong Monastery and Muya Golden Pagoda

Day 12 of the tour begins with an early morning drive to Tagong, where you will visit the Lhagang Monastery. Here, you will be an audience to another Dance Festival performed by monks of the Sakya sect. Upon completion of the performance, you will make your way to the Muya Golden Pagoda, where you will enjoy panoramic views of Yala Mountain against the sunset, while admiring the sky’s colorful spectacle as a backdrop to the gold-roof temples.
Overnight Location: Duwang Hotel (3730 m / 12,237’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 Mask Dance Festival in Lhagang Monastery and Gyergo Nunery

Head outside to enjoy the sunrise at Yala Mountain, before experiencing the prayer activities and mask dances at Lhagang Monastery. In the afternoon, you will visit the Gyergo Nunnery and the sacred walls of Hepingfahui around it.
Overnight Location: Duwang Hotel (3730 m / 12,237’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 Tagong Horse Racing + Xinduqiao

Wake up with extra enthusiasm because this morning, you will see a traditional horse race. From the Tagong Monastery, the monks chant their scriptures and pray for the horses, then the riders will hit the path in the direction of the holy Yala Mountain. Don’t forget to take pictures! Pack up into your transportation and head along the Sichuan–Tibet Highway and stop at Xinduqiao for an uninterrupted panoramic view of Gongga Mountain, known as the “King of the Mountains in Sichuan”—that should give you an idea of its might and majesty. Get back in the car and continue driving through high altitudes, including Zheduo Shan Pass at 4298 m / 14,101 ft, then through the 4.1-km tunnel of Mount Erlang to Ya’an, a city renowned for its rain. Get a great night’s sleep after nearly two weeks of spiritual exploration.
Overnight Location: Holiday Inn Express Ya’an City Centre
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 Departure

Enjoy your final breakfast with the group and take a short morning tour around the old town of Ya’an, a significant post on the Silk Road. Pack up and receive your transfer to the airport or railway station in Chengdu to bid farewell! Zaijian!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast