Karmu Taktsang Trek

Group Size: 4 to 6 people
Elevation: Up to 4,700m
Start & endpoints: Departs from Chengdu, and ends in Karze.
Average temperature: 17-25c
Best season: June - September
Service includes: Full board service
Trekking level: Challenging

Trip Introduction

This is a very special trip. Departing from the bustling city of Chengdu, crossing the historical borderland of China and Tibet along the river of Daduhe, and ascending southwest bound, you will reach the destination of Derge, one of the cultural centres of eastern Tibet, the Kham region.

Derge is in the valley with rich plantations, its average elevation is from 3400 m – 4000 m. Comparatively, it is a warm area in Tibet, with plenty of oxygen from forestry, herbs, fields, and clean water. It is a great place for hiking. The landscape features beautiful snow-capped mountains, forestry, sparkling waters running through, nomads’ pastureland, fields of barley, and colourful wooden houses. Summer is as pleasant as any corner of the Tibet plateau can get. The Autumn colour here is stunning. We will have a light hiking day, picnic and camping at the spots of your choice. But what is so special about this place, is not just its natural beauty. The area is a cultural centre, with prominent century-old religious institutions and handicraft arts which are kept well and still very vibrant today. We will select two monasteries to visit. Sakya Dzongser monastery located on a mountaintop was built in the year 746. Its medical branch holds very high esteem across Tibet for its unbroken lineage in medical studies and effective medicines because of the abundant herbs, pollution-free environment, and local climates. Gagu retreat is a hidden hermitage on Mt. Gagu, home to nearly 1000 nuns and monks.

We will stay with the villagers or a local-run hostel. Tibetan black pottery making, carpet weaving, incense making, wood carving, Thangka painting, these arts and techniques are preserved very well here. We will visit the workshops, talk with the artisans, get hands-on and learn from the masters.
The highlight of all is Derge Parkhang Chemo (the Great Derge Print House). This world-biggest traditional printing house and library using over a million wooden blocks, has produced, and are still producing numerous Tibetan texts of religions, philosophy, astronomy, medicine and history.

Foods are local. We will have Tibetan and Chinese meals for most of the trip. On the camping day, we’ll prepare continental foods, coffee, and tea. Complimentary imported wine and Tibetan yak cheese are ready for the evenings.

So, your holiday week will be spent in the less travelled Kham valleys and mountains of eastern Tibet, with stunning views and vibrant culture.

This trip will allow you to see the great Kham Tibet, which is currently situated in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. This 10-day of breathtaking trip will take you to discover some of the most fascinating places in the far western part of Sichuan. It includes 4 days of challenging trekking from 3,600m/10,800f to 4,600m/13,800f and 3 nights of camping in the mountains. it is particularly designed for advanced trekkers.
Departing from the bustling city of Chengdu, crossing the historical borderland of China and Tibet along the river of Daduhe, and ascending southwest bound, you will reach Kham Tibet. The landscape features beautiful snow-capped mountains, forestry, sparkling waters running through, nomads’ pastureland, fields of barley, and colourful wooden houses. The area is a cultural centre, with prominent century-old religious institutions and handicraft arts which are kept well and still very vibrant today. The holy retreat is a hidden hermitage on Mt. Mela, home to nearly 1000 nuns and monks.

Testimonials

"We had an amazing time in Western Sichuan with Tibetan Connection. The feel is extremely authentic and we had the chance to experience local customs up close. The trekking is set in a beautiful mountain area with green pastureland and snow mountains in the distance. Tibetan Connection can really upgrade your trekking experience to the next level: each day is planned in detail and camping is made easier by using high-performance tents and tasty dinners cooked on the spot. Overall it has been a highly recommended adventure we hope all mountain lovers will choose to experience"!!

Flavia Cusaro,Simone Ciampi/ June 28,2021

We will stay with the villagers or locally-run Eco-friendly guesthouses. Visiting Tibetan black pottery making, carpet weaving, incense making, wood carving, Thangka painting, these arts, and techniques are preserved very well here. The highlight of all is Derge Parkhang Chemo (the Great Derge Print House). This world-biggest traditional printing house and library using over a million wooden blocks, has produced and is still producing numerous Tibetan texts of religions, philosophy, astronomy, medicine, and history. Foods are local. We will have Tibetan and Chinese meals for most of the trip. On the camping day, we’ll prepare continental foods, coffee, and tea. Complimentary imported wine and Tibetan yak cheese are ready for the evenings. So, your holiday week will be spent in the less travelled Kham valleys and mountains of eastern Tibet, with stunning views and vibrant culture.

Things that we prepare for the trek

Toilet papers.
Wet tissue.
Hand sanitiser.
Quick-dry hand tower.
Full camping equipment:
Tents.
Air mattresses for each person.
Air pillow for each person.
Camping lamps.
Dining sets (table and chairs).
Dining tent
Toilet tent.
All cooking equipment.
Plates, cups, bowls, spoons, forks, tissues.

Things that you need to prepare for the trek.

Clothes:

Cap/hat (covers neck and face from Sun).
Outdoor water-proof jacket.
Fleece (for morning and evening temperature / 10c-15c).
T-shirts, two (at least one long-sleeve for protection from Sun).
Quick-dry trousers.
Raincoat.
Trekking boots (waterproof is the best option. If it’s brand new, pls wear them and get used).
Cotton socks, two pairs.
Equipment:
Backpack, 20-25L (for your daily items, raincoat, packed lunch, water bottle, backpack rain cover).
Walking stick (1 for experienced trekker; 2 for beginner).
Water bottle (pls bring 1 or 2. We will fill the water one time before the trekking each morning and carry it by us).
Sunblock (SPF50+, PA+++).
Lipstick for sunscreen and moisture.
Sunglasses.
Headlamp (for your personal use. We provide the camping lamp for each tent).
Camera, and extra batteries for camera (no electricity during the trek).
Power bank for your cell phone charges.10. Sleeping bag.

Tour and trekking itinerary

Day 01 – The City of Chengdu  

Highlights: Meet your tour guides; historic tea houses; and spicy Sichuan Chinese foods.
Approximate travel time: 1 HR

Arrive in Chengdu. Meet your guide and driver at the airport and drive to your hotel in the centre of the city. A chance to challenge your taste buds for Sichuan’s renowned cuisine and a relaxed afternoon at the bustling old tea houses.

Day 02– Ya’an & Kangding, Historic Cities Connecting Mainland China & Tibetan Areas  

Highlights: Experience spectacular natural views along China’s famous Highway 318; sightseeing at a historic iron chain bridge across
the longest river in Asia.
Approximate travel time: 6-7 HRS

We will leave Chengdu after breakfast and drive to the city of Ya’an (English: Yak’s tail / Tibetan: Yak-Nga) using China’s ‘heavenly’ National Highway 318. Highway 318 is nationally renowned for its scenic views of Sichuan Province’s soaring mountain peaks, grand ravines, and picturesque Tibetan cultural sites.

Ya’an is an ancient Chinese city dating back to the Qin and Han Dynasties. Giant pandas were first discovered in Ya'an’s Baoxing County. Ya'an is also believed as the region where agricultural tea cultivation originated. We will continue our drive through Luding County. You will visit Luding’s famous and historic chain bridge that crosses the Yangtse River. We will wrap up our day by travelling to Kangding, the centre of the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Kangding (Tibetan: Dartsedo) marks the historical border between Tibetan civilization to the west and mainland China to the east. For many centuries, Ya’an and Kangding have acted as trans-regional trading hubs for Chinese and Tibetan traders. Some of the most widely traded goods include black tea bricks and yak wool. Overnight in Kangding.

Day 03 – Palmo Snow Mountain & Minyak Tibetan Villages

Highlights: Visit Palmo Snow Mountain at sunrise; tour Tibetan religious sites & villages; picnic on Tibet’s famous grassland plains.
Approximate travel time: 3-4 HRS

Leaving Kangding after an early breakfast, we will visit the nomadic grassland plains, where you will start to notice a drop in temperature. As we drive toward Balhagong (Chinese: Ta Gong), Palmo Snow Mountain appears in the distance. The mountain pass is 3800 meters high and is an amazing spot from which you can enjoy the morning sunrise. Afterwards, we will visit Lhagong Monastery, the centre for the Sakyapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in the area, located in a nomadic town. Visit Lhagong Monastery’s temples, examine Buddhist sculptures, and admire Tibetan paintings (Thangkas). We will continue our drive and pass through Tawu County. Tawu was once an important geopolitical region that served as a border between Tibet’s Minyak and Gyarong Kingdoms for hundreds of years. Even today, you will be able to see many of the watchtowers that safeguarded the Minyak Kingdom border as early as the 13th century.

The Tawu region is home to Minyak Tibetan Villages. These villages have unique architecture that differs slightly from most parts of Tibet. We will visit a couple of the families in the Minyak villages and have tea with the village elders. Afterwards, we will drive another hour to Drago and will check into your hotel.

Day 04 – Mawu Nunnery & Pilgrimage Walk

Highlights: Explore Tibetan Buddhist temples and Khampa villages; join a meditative Kora with local pilgrims
Approximate travel time: 1-2 HRS

We will walk to one of the region’s most important religious sites: Wela Nunnery. This temple, located only 25 kilometres outside of town, is always crowded with local devotees and practising nuns. It is one of the biggest Nyingma-sect nunneries in the area and has quite a spectacular view of the mountains. Late afternoon, we will drive to Karze town, 2 hours driving through some amazing landscapes. As you leave Drago town, Tibetan villages with Kham-style houses are situated on both sides of the road. The border between Drago and Karze is divided by Kasar lake. We will stop near the lake to enjoy the landscape. Continue driving another hour to Karze, another farming county, vast and surrounded by high snow-covered peaks. We will arrive in Karze around noon. Lunch in town, after lunch, we will use the whole afternoon to explore the surroundings. Overnight in Karze town.

Day 05 – Southern Kham’s Rocky Peaks & Narrow Gorges

Highlights: Discover breathtaking views of the Kham Region’s gorges, forests, and grasslands; interact with Mani Gango nomads.
Approximate travel time: 1-2 HRS

Today we drive towards the southern Kham region through narrow gorges that are crowded with Tibetan villages. These gorges are surrounded by breathtaking Trola range peaks which seem to touch the sky. We will stop for a breath of fresh air before driving to the top. There is a panoramic view of two different terrains: rough, Rocky Mountains on one hand and smooth, endless grasslands on the other. Throwing Tibetan wind-horse prayers into the thin air will protect us on our travels. Next, we will descend into another valley that is part of Derge Kingdom, full of natural wonders such as idyllic lakes and unique wildlife. We will spend some time here with local nomads and find the best possible place for a picnic. After lunch, we will travel further down the forested valley, where you will see the large wooden houses of the Khampa. It is Derge Town in the early evening. Check-in at your hotel.

Day 06 – Derge Printing house, Tibetan Market-Zongsar village.

• Highlights: Tour a historic printing house; experience Tibetan Street food & an open marketplace.

• Approximate travel time: 2 HR

We will walk to Derge Parkhang Chenmo, the Great Derge Printing House, one of the three major printing houses in Tibet. The Derge Parkhang is a living institution devoted to the printing and preservation of Tibetan literature and holds the greatest number of Tibetan woodblocks in the world. The printing house is one of the most important cultural, social, religious, and historical institutions in Tibet. Founded in 1729 by Demba Tsering, the fortieth King of Derge (1678–1739), the Derge Parkhang is an active centre for the publication of Tibetan Buddhist sutra, commentaries, and thangka, as well as works of history, technology, biography, medicine, and literature. The printing house has printed books using the same methods for almost three hundred years: utilizing hand-carved wooden block technology. We will eat lunch in town and continue discovering the great mountain town of Derge on foot. We will also visit a bustling local marketplace. After lunch, we will start to drive toward Zongsar. After leaving Derge, we will drive along the Yangtse river through some small villages of Khampas. We will stop for Gaytsa fort which was built in the 13th century as a fort. Today it became one temple for the local deviators. Continue to drive along the Yangtse river, we will turn into the valley where Zongsar is situated. Arrive in Zongsar in the early evening, we will meet with our host in Gyagong village. Dinner will be prepared in the yard where you can get a great view of the whole valley. After dinner, we will take a short walk around the village. Homestay at the village for the night.
Day 07 – Mesho – Tashi-Tang – Dupu Valley.

• Highlights: trekking, enjoying the view Gagu pass, remote retreat.

• Approximate trekking time: 5-6 HRS

• Average altitude: 4200m

Today, we will start our 3 days of trekking through a wildness of unknown regions in the region where you will see some of the most breathtaking snow-capped mountains, holy lakes and remote retreats.
Start our trek by driving to Kasa village about 20 minutes driving in distance. From the village, we will walk up to Gagu Rutrö retreat area. As we start to walk down along a steep trail to Tashi Thang, you will see the lower valley covered by rich forests and Dupu river rushing through. We will stop to have our packed lunch at a spot where you can get a great view of the whole region. After lunch, we will continue our trekking into the deep valley of Dupu. Arrive at our camp in side early evening. We will set up our tents not so far from the Dupu river and prepare dinner. Overnight in Dupu.
Day 08 – Dupu Valley-Turuma pasture.

• Highlights: trekking, enjoy the view of Ngadra Gongri mountain, the holy lake.

• Approximate trekking time: 6-7 HRS

• Average altitude: 4500m

Our team will prepare breakfast with coffee/tea, fried eggs and toast. Then we will start our second day of trekking. The landscapes will change dramatically as you leave Dupu valley. After 2 hours of the trek, the Ngadra Gongri mountains appear from the distance. By noon, we will be able to make it to the Shagmongla pass (4900m). Enjoy our lunch with a whole view of the Ngadra Gongri mountain. After lunch, we will start to descend into the lower valley of Turuma where the local nomads spend their summer. The temperature arises as you walk down into the valley. Before we end our trek, we will take a detour to visit Seling Yutso, a holy lake with prayer flags and stupas. It is another one-hour walk to reach our camping site. Your tents are already set up and coffee/tea and other snacks. are prepared. Dinner will be served around 7.30 pm. Overnight at the Turuma pasture.

Day 09 – Turuma pasture – Rongme Karmo Taktsang retreat – Gyalgong village.

• Highlights: trekking, enjoying the view of Ngadra Gongri mountain, remote escaped retreats.

• Approximate trekking time: 7-8 HRS

• Average altitude: 4300m

Today we will visit Rongme Karmo Taktsang retreat after breakfast. It is located less than an hour's walking distance from our campsite. Rongme Karmo Taktsang is one of the most sacred retreats for Buddhist practitioners. Many great Tibetan Buddhist masters have spent years at this pace to complete their retreats and meditations including Mipham Rinpoche who did a 13-year meditation there. After visiting this great place, we continue our trek into the lower part of the valley, then we will arrive at the Tso Koma Lake full the colourful prayer flags and another retreating place for the local devotees. We will have our lunch at the lake, and enjoy the landscape and quietness. There would be only birds singing, the wind blowing the trees and the waves of the lake. After lunch, we will continue to walk toward Rongme Village and arrive in the village around 3 pm and meet with our driver and drive back to our homestay. Refresh with a shower and dinner will be prepared at 7.30. Overnight at the Gyagong village.
Day 10 – Gyalgong village – Karze county.

• Highlights: Rich nomadic lands, opened grassland, incredible gorges.

• Approximate travel time: 4 HRS

Today, we will say goodbye to our host and then start to drive toward Karze county. Sershul county. Today we will

drive on a newly finished road, that allows us to see some of the most incredible gorges and high peaks. We will

set our last picnic lunch on open grassland. After lunch, we will drive another hour to Karze. Arrive in Karze in

the evening. Check-in our hotel. Meet me at the hotel lobby at 7.30 pm for dinner.

Day 11 – Karze County – Gesaer airport.

Today, we will drive you to the airport and fly out.

TOUR & TREKKING COST:
1,650USD/ 11,550RMB per person (private arrangement/ tour size: 4-6 pp)
Inclusions

Full board camping service for the whole trekking period.
Tibet permits and application charges
Guide and camping staff.
Cook and kitchen staff.
Porters with the camping equipment.
All staff and porters’ insurance.
Restricted area trekking permit.
Hotel & guest house.
Staff, porters, and equipment transportation from DAY 04-09.
Oxygen cylinder with mask and regulator for emergency use.
Hotel reservation.
Airport pickup and drop.
Welcome and farewell dinner.
Travel agency service surcharge

Exclusions

All kinds of beverages.
Personal trekking gear.
Staffs tips.
Airfare, airport tax, any train fare
Meals (before and after the trek)
Personal entrance fee for any sight on the tour ( payable on the spot )

A gentle note on confidentiality
For the past twenty-some years, we have enjoyed providing free information and consultation on anything our potential clients want to know about travelling in the Tibetan Plateau and the neighbouring areas. Our tailor-made itineraries according to the client's interests and budgets, are based on one-to-one communications and information we share. We, therefore, would like to ask you please not to share our itineraries with third parties and help us keep the itineraries confidential. This is your kind support to small businesses like us. In the current situation with quite devastating effects on tourism, we sincerely appreciate your understanding and support to continue doing a good job in service.

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Karmu Taktsang Trek