Amnye machen Trek

•  Group Size: 2 to 6 people

•  Elevation: Up to 4,900m

•  Start & endpoints: Departs from Xining, and ends in Xinin, Qinghai

• Average temperature: 15-20c

•  Best season: 1st June through 10th September 

• Service includes: Full board service

• Trekking level: Challenging
   

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

Tour and trekking itinerary

Day 01 

Arrive in Xining. Meet with your team at the airport and drive to your hotel. Visit a local food street. dinner at the Mazhong restaurant. Overnight in Xining. 
Day 02
Leaving Xining after breakfast, drive toward Qinghai. Two hours of driving. The altitude gained from 2,250m/6,750f. we will do a short hikes near the lake and visit Shala grassland. A picnic will be arranged at the grassland. After noon, we will some physical exercises by doing the short walk. Arrive in Chabcha in the early evening. 

Day 03

Drive to Machen via Rabgya Monastery. This day you will spend the whole driving through some large grasslands. You will reach Rabgya Monastery afternoon. This monastery is located by the first band of the Yellow River, this is also the biggest Yellow Sect Monastery in the region of Golok. This great monastery has over 250-year of history, it has become home to 500 Buddhist monks. After visiting Rebgya, drive another 2 hours to Machen, The capital of Golok Region. Stay at Dandar Hotel

Day 04

Drive to Tsanak Khamdo, The start point of the trek. Camp for the night 

Day 05 

Trek 8 hours to the entrance to the Halong Langri-chu valley and we will cross Tamchok Gongkha La Pass(4,600 m), the highest pass on this trek. Then trek on and camp.  The average altitude is 4,400 m. 

Day 06
Trek over meadows, along the riverside with frequent views of the sacred mountain, trekking for 20 km (7 hours) descending on the western side to a valley of interesting rock formations, the middle of the valley of Mowatowa. Here there are several meditation caves including the Retreat of the Great Nyngmapa master Zhabkar Tsokdruk Ringdrol. You then descend to the plains of Nganggi Shogdeb . See the yellow sand dunes of Jema Dride. camp at 3800M.  

Day 07

Trek for 8 hours, visit meditation caves, to Deleni, and the cliffs of Goku Chenmo,  Near the cliffs there are 2 rock towers Mopa and Torwa, offering 'torma' to the god. This marks the entrance to the "palace" of the protector Machen Pomra. Average altitude: 4,300 m. Camp for the night at 4000M.

Day 08

Trekking for 14 km (6 hours) to Jomolangra, you follow the gorge of the Qushian River. Visit Dolma Gur-Chu Spring, the trail following its course. the path leads to a spur where the king of Ling Gesar was said to tie his horse when resting at the pass. The view at the back offers an impressive panorama of the main peaks of the sacred mountain, the other side leading to a wide valley where there are gentle slopes and the meadows are green and full of wildflowers.   Average altitude: 4,300 m. Camp for the night at 3900M.You will spend the last 3 days of the trek along the side of the River Drakdar, which is to the NW of Mt. Amnye Machen in alpine terrain. Eventually, you come near the edge of a glacier.

Day 09

Trekking for about 15 km (6 hours) to Jiashinongke you will pass mane walls with sutras carved on them and Guri Gonpa, a branch of Dzongchen and Dodrub Chode of the Nyingma school, can be seen on the northwest side of the confluence of the 2 rivers Niwaga and Quxian. We will leave the trail to go and visit Guri Gompa;  Derges Dzongchen Gompa incarnate Lama came to Amney Machen at the beginning of the 20th century and spread Dzongchen teachings from a Tent monastery. The present Monastery which was destroyed was rebuilt at the present site in 1981 and now there are around 100 monks.  Average altitude: 4,200 m. Camp for the night at 3700M.

Day 10

Trekking for 18 km (6 hours) to Chablong. Walking down from Guri Gompa you will pass many mane stupas, hung with prayer flags, an altar and a throne from where many high Lamas have given teachings. After a full day’s walking, you will reach Dragto Lhatse Chogon at 4328M. Another mane stupa can be seen facing the glacier off the mountain's Dradul Lungsho peak, the northernmost and highest peak of Machen Kangri 's central set of peaks. On the way, enjoy the view of the grasslands and primitive bushes. Average altitude: 4,300 m. Camp for the night at 3700M.

Day 11

Trekking for about 22 km (8 hours) to Halong-Chu Valley, we will pass Drakdar pass (4700M), viewing the scenery of Rikhar Tongshang Glacier, from far, and see the three ice-covered peaks of the Amney Machen mountain in blessing.  Average altitude: 4,450 m. Camp for the night at 3800M.

Day 12

You will walk to the Halong-Chu Valley and meet our vehicles and drive 18 km to Chorten Karpo(White Pogoda) at Chuwarna. You will enjoy an easy-paced visit to the valley and in the afternoon meet with your drivers and drive to Tawu, exploring the open market and an interesting mani temple where all residents come for prayer and circumambulation. Stay in Dandar Hotel.

Day 13

Drive to Xining. Shower, repack and meet all for a goodbye dinner. 

Day 14

Drive to Xining airport and fly back home. The trip ends.

 

TOUR & TREKKING COST:
2,980USD/ 20,100RMB per person (private arrangement/ tour size: 2-6 pp)
Inclusions

• Full board camping service for the whole trekking period.

• 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.

• Meals

• 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,  train fare

• Personal entrance fee for any sight on the tour ( payable on the spot )
  
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