Wild West Sichuan Adventure
Overview
The Wild West Sichuan Tour is an off-the-beaten-track trip for active travelers who are passionate about hiking and adventure. This area is regarded as the Real Shangri-la in the world with snow-capped peaks, mystical lamaseries, endless pasture, limpid lakes, deep gorges, lush green vegetations… On 8-day Chengdu to Xinduqiao and Daocheng Yading tour, experience the Tibetan Buddhist culture and witness the amazing scenery all along the trip, as you travel through the pristine towns of Kangding, Litang, Tagong, stand in awe before Mt. Haizi, Mt. Zheduo, and show respect to the mythical Changqing Chunker Monastery, Tagong Monastery and Muya Golden Pagoda.
Duration: 8 days & 7 nights
Destinations: Chengdu - Kangding - Xinduqiao - Litang - Daocheng - Yading - Litang - Tagong- Xinduqiao - Chengdu
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In the morning, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, then set off for Xinduqiao. Xinduqiao is known for its plateau pasture scenery. It’s considered to be a paradise for photographers and painters, due to the stunning landscape there. The drive today will pass through Ya’an city, Mt. Erlangshan and Kangding city, taking about 7hrs for 350km, offering different views from plain to the edge of Qingzang plateau. So you won’t be bored on road. Being in Xinduqiao with an elevation over 3,400m/11,154ft, it’s better to keep warm, drink more water, walk slowly, take good rest and not to drink alcohol, not to do strenuous exercise.
Meal: B, L, D
Get ready to feel the air pressure on the plateau! After a good rest, you will be transferred across high mountains over 4,000 meters above sea level: Mt. Jianzhiwan, Mt. Haizi and Mt. Gaorshi. The highest mountain pass reached 4,600 meters/15,092ft. Overlooking the ravine, you can catch a different feeling from the scenery on both sides of the road. Lunch at Yajiang town. In the afternoon, continue heading for the highest town of the world, Litang (4,100m/13,451ft above sea level). Visit Changqing Chunker Monastery (meaning Maitreya-Holy Wheel Temple) located in the western suburb of the town. You may see pious people pray or monks’ life, try to know more about Tibetan religion here. Then finally reach Daocheng County in the late afternoon.
Meal: B, L, D
Full day visit Yading Scenic Area today. First stop is Chonggu Temple (3,900m/12,795ft), and then, it is suggested to take green bus to Luorong Pasture at 4180m/13714ft. Here you can hire horse at own expense to Milk Lake (4,600m/15,092ft), you will see the blue Milk Lake quietly crouching under the holy Mt. Yangmaiyong. Hiking around 30min up to the top, you can enjoy the Five-colored Lake (4,700m/15,420ft), which is also the best area to overlook Mt.Xiannairi. Back to Chonggu Temple, walk about 1hr to the Zuomalacuo Lake (Pearl Lake) and enjoy the view of Mt.Xiannairi.
Meal: B, L, D
Drive to Litang, passing Yangshuyuan (3,650m/11,975ft) and Sela Pasture. Visit Benpo Monastery built under a mountain cave. Then drive over Mt. Haizi, witnessing the magnificent remains of ancient glaciers and widely dotted highland lakes. Arrive at Litang County in the afternoon, visit Changqingchunker Monastery (meaning Maitreya-Holy Wheel Temple) located in the western suburb of the town. As the most important temple of Gelupa Sect (yellow hat) in the south of Kham Region, it was originally under the control of the Bon religion but converted into a Gelupa Sect monastery in 1580 by the third Dalai Lama.
Meal: B, L, D
Today, depart from Litang to Xinduqiao via the new highway which pass by Jianziwan & Mt. Kasila. Have a stop in Tagong after 4hrs drive from Litang, for the visit to Tagong Monastery, known as "the small Lhasa Jokhang Monastery", Muya Golden Pagoda, and have a view of Mt. Yala in distance. Tagong is a small town at 3,800 meters / 12467 feet in altitude. It is known for scenic grasslands and local Tibetan Buddhist culture. Though Tagong officially lies in Sichuan Province, it cradles Buddhist monks for the vast Kham or even the whole Tibet. After the tour in Tagong, continue the drive for about 40mins to Xinduqiao.
Meal: B, L, D
After breakfast, departs Xinduqiao for a visit to Mt. Zheduo before heading to Chengdu along the Sichuan-Tibet Road. Mt. Zheduo is around 45km away from Xinduqiao. Known as the first pass into Tibet, the mountain is at an elevation of 4,298 meters / 14,101 feet. Zheduo Mountain is an important geographical boundary. The east side of the mountain is the mountainous area while the west side is Tibetan Plateau. Due to the high altitude, the climbing up to the view platform may cause altitude sickness. Please make sure your physical condition is fine for the climb. Also, please avoid fast walking, smoking and drink extra water. Proper climbing gear is necessary, such as mountaineering boots, alpenstock, sunglass, sunscreen, sunhat, long sleeve cloth depending on conditions etc. After the visit of Mt. Zheduo, continue the drive to Chengdu, through Ya’an city, for around 5hrs. Check in hotel, for a good rest.
Meal: B, L, D
At an appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel in Chengdu, and transfer to airport/rail station for your flight/train to next destination. End of your 8 days West Sichuan adventure tour.
Meal: B
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