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Special Tibetan Connections Trip

Limited Time Offer

Join Alessandro Boesi and Tashi Phuntsok on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Kham Tibet. From May 24 to June 10, 2024, experience the beauty of unvisited regions, trekking through breathtaking landscapes. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and spirituality of Tibet as you explore monasteries and hermitages. Interact with the local population and create lasting memories. Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with the extraordinary nature and people of Tibet.

Itinerary

Day 01

Arrive in Chengdu 


Day 02

Drive from Chengdu – Dartsedo. Lunch in Dartsedo, then continue drive another 2 hours to Tawu. Overnight in Tawu. 
Day 03

We will have a simple breakfast at the hotel. on the way, we will stop to visit Manu nunnery, then drive another 3-4 hours to Zongsar. Arrive in Zongsar in the evening. Overnight at a local guesthouse.

Day 04 – Explore Zongsar. 

  • Highlights: Visiting Tibetan traditional Medicinal center, Traditional Tibetan herbal incense makers, black pottery makers.   

  • Approximate travel time: 4-5 HRS

  • Average altitude: 3,700m 

Day 05 – An extra day in Zongsar 

Day 06 – Mesho – Tsokuwa Lake – Karmu Taktsang. 

  • Highlights: trekking, enjoy the view of Tsokuwa Lake, remote retreat. 

  • Approximate trekking time: 4-5 HRS

  • Highest point altitude: 3,900m 

  • Camping site altitude: 4,000m 

Day 07 – Karmu Taktsang-Turuma pasture- Dupu Valley.

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

  • Approximate trekking time: 5-6 HRS

  • Highest point altitude: 4,700m 

  • Camping site altitude: 3,900m

Day 08 – Dupu Vallley – Gagu retreat-Tashi.

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

  • Approximate trekking time: 4-5 HRS.

  • Highest point altitude: 4200m .

  • Camping site altitude: 3,900m

Day 09 – Tashi Thang Village - Horma valley.

  • Highlights: trekking, enjoy the view of Tashi Thang valley. Trekking through mountains where you thelocal collect herbs.

  • Approximate trekking time: 4-5 HRS.

  •  Highest point altitude: 4300m 

  • Camping site altitude: 4,100m         

Day 10 – Horma Valley - Kurpo Valley.

  • Highlights: trekking, Trekking through the mountains, valleys, and small villages. 

  • Approximate trekking time: 4-5 HRS

  • Highest point altitude: 4500m 

  • Camping site altitude: 4,200m

Day 11 – Kurpo Valley-Palpung Monastery 

  • Highlights: trekking, Visiting Palpung monastery, and small Khampa villages with a great Tibetan style houses.

  • Approximate trekking time: 3-4 HRS

  • Highest point altitude: 4,400m

  • Camping site altitude: 4,200m 

Day 12 – Derge Town.

  • Highlights: Visiting Derge Printing house and Gonchen monastery. 

  • Approximate travel time: 3 HRS.

  •  Average altitude: 3700m 

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 center for 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.
Afternoon, we will discover more deeper part of Derge town and surroundings. Overnight in Derge. 
Day 13 – Derge – Dzogchen.

  • Highlights: Visiting retreat center, picnic lunch at Ngongtso Lake.

  • Approximate travel time: 4 HRS

  • Average altitude: 3700m 

After breakfast, we will start to drive toward Mani Gango. We will drive through Trola Mountain tunnel, and we will visit small retreat center near Yulong Lhatso Lake follow by visiting Nyongtso. We will take a short walk near by the lake and enjoy the surroundings. Out team will arrange a simple picnic lunch near the lake. After a nice picnic lunch, we will continue drive another 1 hour to Dzongchen.  Overnight in Dzogchen

Day 14 – Dzogchen-hike around the monastery
Today, we will visit this great monastery. It is the mother monastery of Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhim. Simple picnic for lunch. Afternoon, we will hike around the monastery and visit Hermitage. Return to Dzogchen in the evening. 

Day 15 – Dzogchen-Dartsedo. 
Today, we will drive towards Darted. This is going to be a long drive. we will stop a couple of time along the way for lunch and short visits. Overnight in Datosedo. 

Day 16 – Dartsedo-Chengdu.  
We will drive to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
 

View detailed program

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).

  • 8. 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.

Price includes.

  • 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.

  • Transportation 

  • All meals.

  • Hotel & guest house.

  • Staff, porters, and equipment transportation from DAY 06-11.

  • Oxygen cylinder with mask and regulator for emergency use.

  • Hotel reservation.

  • Travel agency service surcharge

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

Price does not include.

  • All kind of beverages.

  • Personal trekking gear.

  • Staffs tips.

  • Airfare, airport tax, any train fare

Food during trip and trek

Food on the trip we will be testing Chinese and Tibetan cuisine, as well as some simple snacks and refreshments to keep us going throughout our travels.

During our trek, we will be preparing our own breakfast and dinner.

For breakfast, we will be enjoying fresh coffee, tea, bread, eggs, Dril (female yak) cheese, and jams. This will provide us with the energy and sustenance needed to tackle the day's challenges.
Lunch will be a packed meal, there will sandwiches, fresh fruits, dried nuts and energy bars. Allowing us to continue our journey without the need for frequent stops.
For dinner, we will be enjoying red wine and Gruyee, include a variety of dishes, such as rice with mixed vegetables, pasta, and quinoa with lentils,  This will provide us with a delicious and satisfying end to our day.  

Photos of the trip 

At Tibetan Connections, we offer unique travel and trekking experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in traditional Tibetan culture. We have been working closely with local nomads for over two decades, hiring their horses and yaks for our trekking expeditions and utilizing local guesthouses for our accommodations. When you book a trip with us, you also benefit the local communities, as we believe in sustainable tourism that supports the people and the environment.

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