Western Sichuan In-depth Tour - 12 Days (Siguniang Danba Yarchen Gar, Derge, Yading, Kangding)

Tour Description
This is a 12-day adventure tour into the far most regions of western Sichuan including the snow-capped Mount Siguniang peaks, farming Tibetans of Danba Village, nomads people on the vast grassland, Holy shrine of Yarchen Gar Buddhist School, the remote paradise of Xinlu Lake, Holy center of Dege, the lost fairy land of Shangrila - Yading and the Khampa Litang and Kangding. This is a guided private trip starts and ends in Chengdu. Considering the remoteness and authenticity, this is truly a lifetime experience you will have.
Day 01 Chengdu Drive to Rilong(3100m), visit Shuangqiao Valley
A 5-hour drive from Chengdu to Rilong at the base of Mount Siguniang. We will start from Chengdu at your hotel in the morning by around 8.00 and drive towards west into the mountains. The road is in the former earthquake-zone and you may still see the damages on the mountains from the quake in 2008. The road was finished by end of 2016 and making the driving safer and quicker. We will climb from 500 meters above sea level to a 4000-meter tunnel over Balang Pass and then dive into the valley where Rilong locates. After arrive in Rilong, visit Shuangqiao using tourist buses or do some hiking along the valley. Rilong is a small town by the base of Mount Siguniang and usually a good stop place for hikers. Rilong is at 3100 meters. When you are in higher places, drink more water and keep warm.Day 02 Rilong drive to Tagong, visit Danba
Start by a 3-hour drive from the base of Mt. Siguniang and arrive in Danba. You will have 1 to 2 hours explore the beautiful and genuine Tibetan Village in Danba. The village here is built high up on the mountain and their houses are very famous. The local Tibetan Village was considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in China. The houses and watchtowers are their traditional constructions. The local hospitable people are very friendly and kind. After the visit, keep driving for another 3 hours to arrive in Taong, before arrive, visit Huiyuan Temple in Bamei, a traditional hometown of the 11th Dalai Lama. After arrive in Tagong, check in and relax.Day 03 Taong drive to Ganzi, stops along the way
In the morning if you like you can wake up early to see the Buddhists walking around the Tagong Monastery or maybe a little walking in the small town of Tagong before drive north words to Ganzi. Along the way you will be driving cross the ranches and forests. Stop for a couple of monasteries along the way. After arrival, if time allows, visit Ganzi Monastery in town. Ganzi Monastery is the biggest monastery in this area. After worth, go back to hotel and rest.Day 04 Ganzi drive to Derge
Today you will drive along the north range of Gangga Mountains with views of the lower range of this unexplored places. Arrive at Xinlu Hai (Yihun Latso Lake) and spend 1 hour here to visit this holy lake in this area. After the visit, drive across Chola Mountain with stunning views of Mt. Chola and go through the newly-finished tunnel to arrive in Derge, a far and exotic town of Tibet where you will have a visit to the printing school. After about 1 hour’s visit, go back to your hotel and check in and rest.Day 05 Derge drive to Yarchen Gar via Baiyu
Starts by 8am in the morning and drive along the upper Yangtze River where on the other side of the river is the Tibet. Arrive in Baiyu and stop to have a look of the Baiyu Monastery built on the mountain above the town. The town is very small and the monastery is stunning. Baiyu Monastery is an important monastery in Garze. After the visit, start to drive to Yarchen Gar.Day 06 Yarchen Gar drive to Ganzi
In the morning walk to visit the monk/nun areas, this whole complex is for religious people. Remember that the center part of this monastery is only open for women although male visitors are welcome to go in but local males never go in there. It’s more like a tradition than laws, so out of respect to local culture, you are not recommended to go inside over the river into the female monks dorms. You will have the full morning to visit Yarchen and after worth, drive back to Ganzi via Zhuodala and our through the mountains. Arrive in Ganzi and check in.Day 07 Ganzi drive to Litang, visit Cuoka Lake
Today is also a full day of driving where you will start by driving through the river gorge and pass Xinlong where you will have lunch and then continue to Litang while on half way, a stop to visit one of the most secluded places in China, the Cuoka Lake. The lake is situated by the foot of a mountain with beautiful local villages surrounded. After the visit keep driving to Litang, the highland town of China with an elevation of near 4000 meters.Day 08 Litang drive to Yading
Today you will keep driving south over a few mountain passes towards Yading. Short stops by the mountain passes including Haizishan, Tu'er Shan and Bowashan road passes that are over 4000 meters. The drive will take about 5-6 hours and you will see vast land of nomads places, Tibetan villages before you arrive in Yading. A visit to Bangpu monastery on halfway.Day 09 Yading Visit
Today start from your hotel and use the public bus by the entrance of the Yading Nature Reserve. Arrive and walk to Luorong Yak Ranch and walk to Niunai Lake (Milk Lake). Elevation climbs to over 4000 meters. Here you have splendid views of the two of the sacred mountains of Yading: Xianuoduoji and Yangmaiyong. These mountains are about 6000 meters’ tall and this place is well protected to remain its original looking. After Milk Lake you can keep walking to Wuse Lake, a bigger lake that is 100 meters higher than Milk Lake. And if you are a fit walker, you can even walk to the Songduo Pass, which is by the end of the valley and the highest place of the park at 4500 meters. Walking time is around 2-4 hours single way. A horse-riding is available if you get there early. An electricity car ride is involved during your visit before walking. After the walk, come back the same way back to Shangri-La town. Overnight in Shangri-La town.Day 10 Yading visit and drive to Daocheng
Today start from your hotel and use the public bus again by the entrance of the Yading Nature Reserve. Today you don’t have to use horse nor electricity car. The visit is to Pearl Lake by Chonggu Temple after your tourist bus ride. The Pearl Lake is by the foot of Xiannairi. It is a stunning lake with beautiful reflection of mountains around it. Xiannairi is considered by local people a Buddha with significance of religious sacredness. The walk is around half an hour to get there. After your photo and walking around there, come back the same way and ride to Daocheng. Overnight in Daocheng.Day 11 Daocheng drive to Kangding
Longest day of driving. Daocheng is a small city with an elevation of 3800 meters. With your walking on over 4000 meters in Yading Park, this height won’t be a challenge for you anymore. Daocheng is a nice city with colorful forest around it in fall. Today you will start to drive back to Chengdu using the same road. This is when you realize how far Yading is. But only the most beautiful view hides far and remote. Isn’t it? Another town is arranged for an overnight stay going back instead of Xinduqiao so you will have chance to see different places. Kangding is a historical town between the traditional Tibet and Chine and one of the important towns where ancient people do business on the Southern Silk Road. After around 8 hours of driving, arrive and check in hotel. Overnight in Kangding.Day 12 Kangding – Chengdu
Kangding is the traditional China-Tibet town throughout the history. It witnessed the change of itself and has a great significance between the historical relations between China and Tibet. You will have a late start today to leave you time to explore the town for about 1 hour before set for Chengdu. After half day’s drive arrive in Chengdu and check in your hotel in Chengdu. Tour ends.
Attractions Visited in This Tour
- Mt.Siguniang( four girls)
- Danba Tibetan Village
- Tagong
- Yarchen Vddiyanna meditation monastery
- Yading Nature Reserve / Mt. Chanadorje






