Fully-supported bike & hike tours across Sichuan province of China since 2013

Kham Tibet Overland

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Our Kham Tibet Overland tour has been specially designed to provide travellers with a mix of Tibetan culture and history, set amongst the stunning scenery of the Tibetan Plateau. Little visited, the Tibetan region of Kham is one of Sichuan’s best-kept secrets and this tour will provide an intimate look at one of the most fascinating cultures in the world.

Departing from Chengdu, we will drive to the foothills of the Tibetan Plateau to visit the stunning Four Sisters mountain range. From here, we will drive up onto the ‘roof of the world’ and make our way through the region to the border of the ‘Tibetan Autonomous Region’. Kham Tibet is less travelled than central Tibet, ensuring that the joys in this journey lie not only in the views but also stumbling across authentic and meaningful encounters with the local Khamba Tibetans and their culture.

Still technically inside Sichuan, no special permit is required to travel Kham Tibet, meaning you are able to experience all the joys of Tibet, with more freedom and without the extra travel permit. 

Highlights of the Trip
  • Giant pandas - China’s most adorable animal
  • Travel Kham Tibet without an extra permit and more freedom
  • Experience Tibetan Buddhism and Khamba Tibetan’s nomadic way of life
  • Drive along the origins of the Yangtze river and the border of the Kham Tibet Autonomous Region
  • Four Sisters Mountain National Park, Xinlu Holy Lake and the Chola Mountain Range
  • 7th Dalai Lama’s Birth Place; Yarchen Gar - one of the largest active Buddhist Monastery and Nunnery in the world; Dege Sutra-Printing House.
Is This Trip Right for You?
Comfort
Fitness
Altitude
Food
Safety

Due to the remote nature of Kham Tibet, we will often have to cover large distances each day, which some travelers may find tiring. Having said that, the scenery is stunning, our car is comfortable and the nature of the area means that we are never far from a pit stop, whether it be a particularly gorgeous view, or a religious and cultural site of interest. We have done our best to select the best hotels in each area, all of 3-star quality and above and clean with western bathrooms. During the day times, toilet facilities may be sparse or basic.

This trip is suitable for most levels of fitness. There are a couple of sites which require light hiking, which some might find strenuous due to the altitude of Kham Tibet – if this is the case, guests can opt out, or ride a horse.

The Kham Tibet trip is almost all at serious altitude (3000m+). Those who are aware of altitude sickness problems, or have health issues, should consult a doctor before joining. We will do all we can to assist you with adjustment to the altitude and will offer extensive pre-departure advice.

Tibetan and Sichuanese food are world class! We have done our best to select the best places to eat at each of our stops. Please bear in mind, that due to the remote nature of Kham Tibet, some meals, particularly lunches might be basic. As always, our car is full of snacks and water to keep you fueled during the day. Should you have any dietary requirements, please contact our team to let us know how to accommodate you.

As always, our team will be keeping a close eye on you during the trip and we are fully prepared for emergencies. We will have a first aid kit, multiple assistants and emergency radio capability. We take care of everything so you can enjoy the journey with peace of mind.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive at Chengdu

Having greeted you at the airport, we will take you to your hotel for you to refresh and relax. In the evening, we will hold a welcome dinner – here we can discuss any final questions you may have about your Kham Tibet trip, whilst sampling some of the best dishes that Sichuan cuisine has to offer and looking forward to the upcoming journey.

Overnight: Chengdu
Chengdu Altitude: 500m

Day 2Chengdu – Wolong Giant Panda Base – Four Sisters Mountain

Departing from your hotel in the morning, we will first drive to Wolong Panda Base. Set within a huge nature reserve, the base is dedicated to rehabilitating pandas back into the wild. We will spend some time to visit China’s most adorable animal, before completing the rest of the drive to the Four Sisters Mountain range.

As the name suggests, the Four Sisters comprise of four mountains lined in a row, each over 5000m. Each rising higher than its neighbouring sister, the largest peak has an altitude of over 6000m. You will have some time to relax and take a wander in the small town, set below the sisters towering above.

Driving Distance: 231km, 4 hours.
Overnight: Four Sisters Mountain Town
Four Sisters Mountain Town Altitude: 3160m

Day 3Four Sisters Mountain Sightseeing

Already at over 3000 m in altitude, today will be all about enjoying the stunning alpine scenery found around the Four Sisters’ National Park. We will take our time to do some light hiking within Changping Valley, which provides stunning views of the mountains and surrounding peaceful nature. If you wish, it is also possible to see the valley on guided horseback.

Overnight: Four Sisters Mountain Town
Four Sisters Town Altitude: 3160m

Day 4Four Sisters Mountain - Danba

Waking underneath the Four Sisters’, we will spend the morning visiting Shuangqiao Valley. After lunch, we will take a 2.5 hour drive to Jiaju Village, set just outside of Danba.

Danba is perhaps one of the wealthiest Tibetan towns and in its surroundings, there are several traditional Tibetan villages. We will drive straight to Jiaju Village, which is famed as being one of the most beautiful villages in the entirety of China. For the remainder of the afternoon, we will explore the village and its many picturesque homes, before sleeping there for the night.

Driving Distance: 112 km, 2.5 hours
Overnight: Jiaju Village
Danba Altitude: 1893m

Day 5Danba – Ganzi

First, we will drive to Bamei and have a chance to visit Huiyan Temple. Continuing, our second point of interest today will be Ranggu Monastery, which is set beneath a mountain of prayer flags and has over 180 tantric paintings. From here the next section of the journey takes us through particularly beautiful Tibetan environment . We’ll see Tibetan homes, with ornate structure, carvings and paintings, displaying a wealth of imagery.

Historically having 277 halls and chambers, Luhuo temple used to hold over 1000 monks making it the largest in Kham Tibet, until an earthquake in 1973. The final section of our journey will take us past large mountains and a stunning lake.

Driving Distance: 330 km, 6 hours
Overnight: Ganzi
Ganzi Altitude: 3380m

Day 6 Ganzi Sightseeing

Set in a large valley, Ganzi is overshadowed by both the impressive Chola Mountain range and its monastery. Ganzi Monastery is almost as bustling as the town below. The monastery sits above the Tibetan old town with its winding alleyways, slowly snaking up the hillside.

Overnight: Ganzi
Ganzi Altitude: 3380m

Day 7 Ganzi - Dege

From Ganzi our journey becomes more remote part of Kham Tibet. We will be able to see nomads tending to their yaks and continuing a way of life that hasn’t kept pace with the rise of modern China.

We first drive along the 317 road, which links Chengdu to Lhasa, to Manigange. Manigange, a nomad town and historic stopping point on the Tea Horse Road, is simple and small but set within stunning surroundings. With pastel coloured buildings and a very friendly population, it is the perfect place for us to break for lunch.

Not long after Manigange we reach Xinlu lake, which boasts some of the best alpine scenery of the trip. With many rocks inscribed with prayers, it is an exceptionally peaceful place. Locals and monks visit here more often to take advantage of a prime spot for meditation.

Driving Distance: 204 km, 4 hours
Overnight: Dege
Dege Altitude: 3294m

Day 8 Dege Sightseeing

Dege is an incredibly important cultural hub, both for Kham Tibet and all other Tibetan areas. Situated close to the border of Tibet it holds the Parkhang Sutra-Printing House. First established in 1729, it accounts for over 70% of Tibet’s literary heritage, printing everything from religious works to historical and scientific texts. You can still see people printing and inscribing stone to this day, as well as the many Tibetans circling to complete their prayers and pay homage to the site. The rest of the day is free to explore the old Tibetan districts of this border town to the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Overnight: Dege
Dege Altitude: 3294m

Day 9 Dege - Baiyu - Acha Village

Today we follow the Jinsha River, a tributary to the largest river in Asia, the Yangtze. As well as keeping the Tibetan border on our right-hand side and passing through deep gorges, we will have the opportunity to visit a very active monastery in Baiyu, a pleasant riverside town. We will also see another stark change in scenery as we leave the border behind us and enter the sublime grasslands of the Kham Tibet overland via a 4600m pass.

Driving Distance: 213 km, 4-6 hours
Overnight: Acha Village
Acha Village Altitude: 3859m

Day 10 Yarchen Gar Sightseeing

A short drive from Acha Village takes you to Yarchen Gar – the world’s second-largest Buddhist school with officially over 10,000 monks and nuns. The population is predominantly female, making it the largest Buddhist Nunnery in the world.

Established in 1985, many Monks and Nuns began moving here in the early 2000s from Larung Gar, also in Kham Tibet, causing the population to boom. Because of this unplanned development, the living quarters sprawl out in the valley around the river, in a fantastic mish-mash of red huts, resembling a colorful, intricate, and fascinating slum.

It is without doubt one of the most interesting Buddhist sites in the world and we will spend the day exploring the area, with its many temples and friendly population of monks and nuns.

Overnight: Acha Village
Acha Village Altitude: 3859m

Day 11 Acha Village –Xinlong

After passing through the grasslands, we will join a small country track, taking us through a valley with barely any sign of life. It is supremely beautiful and you can relax and enjoy the nature while we pass through the odd remote village on our way to Xinlong. In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk at Xinlong and stay overnight here.

Driving Distance: 166 km
Overnight: Xinlong
Xinlong Altitude: 3200m

Day 12 Xinlong - Litang

Leaving Xinlong in the morning, we are on our way to one of the highest towns in the world, Litang. A true wild west town in Kham Tibet. Litang is famous for not only being one of the highest towns in the world but also for its horse festival. Where thousands of Khamba Tibetans descend on the town for trading and racing.

We will have opportunities to visit the large Monastery at the top of town, one of the largest prayer wheels in Kham Tibet, as well as the birthplace of the 7th Dalai Lama. On top of this, Litang has been a historically important site for Sky Burials, a funeral rite, the burial site lies to the edge of town. Particularly adventurous travellers will also have the opportunity for a spa – there are some shallow, but natural, hot springs a short drive out of town.

Overnight: Litang
Litang Altitude: 4014m

Day 13 Litang - Xinduqiao - Tagong

Today will be our final full day on top of the roof of the world. Leaving Litang, we will make our way through the stunning scenery of the grasslands to Xinduqiao. Dubbed a ‘photographer’s paradise’, the scenery and lighting here are fantastic. We will spend some time here enjoying the beautiful rolling hills, mountains, streams and pastures before completing the drive to Tagong.

Again, Tagong is a religiously important town, complete with a large monastery and another Sky Burial site. A little outside of town is the Anni Gompa nunnery, which sprawls out over the valley and holds one of the largest examples of ‘Mani’ stones in Kham Tibet.

Driving Distance: 239 km, 5 hours
Overnight: Tagong
Tagong Altitude: 3700m

Day 14 Tagong - Kangding - Chengdu

Leaving the Tibetan Plateau behind us, we will make our way back to the bright lights and modernity of Chengdu. On the way, we will break in Kangding – a gateway city for Tibet, historically being an important trade post. Time and interest depending, we can visit one of the monasteries in town, or take a cable car up Paoma Mountain for a stunning view of the town and surrounding mountains. After lunch, we will drive the remaining distance to Chengdu and, after some time to refresh we will hold a farewell dinner to reminisce on our journey and have a final feast on the delights of Sichuan food.

D15Chengdu Departure

Your last day is free for you to relax and enjoy as you wish in Chengdu. Of course, please let us know if you have any special requests and we will always do our best to accommodate you. After spending your day enjoying the remaining time you have in Sichuan, we will take you to the airport and bid you farewell!

Price
All prices are listed in US dollars based on 2 people sharing one room. For larger groups, or specific requests, please contact us for our best offer!

Pricing

  • 1 Person: USD 5668
  • 2 People: USD 3020 per person
  • 3 People: USD 2630 per person
  • 4 People: USD 2365 per person
  • 5 People: USD 1940 per person
  • 6 People: USD 1800 per person
  • 7 People: USD 1730 per person
  • 8 People: USD 1560 per person
What’s Included:
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees of all tourist attractions as listed in the itinerary
  • Excellent English speaking tour guide service
  • Transportation: a comfortable car or bus and experienced driver’s service for the trip, and petrol fees, highway fees and parking fees of the vehicle during the trip
  • Accommodation of 12 nights from Day 2 to Day 13 based on twin-bed rooms in 3-star hotels
What’s NOT Included:
  • Accommodation on Day 1, Day 14 and Day 15 when you stay at Chengdu
  • Your personal expenses, such as if you buy souvenirs
  • Tips to guide and driver if you are happy with the service