XINING

Arrive in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province. A guide will meet you and take you to the Sofitel Xining for three nights. This highland city is a key centre for Tibetan culture and trade. The city is also home to a significant population of ethnic Han Chinese, making it a true meeting point of cultures. The ethnic Han majority shapes much of Xining's cultural landscape, while Tibetan traditions remain vibrant. After settling in, enjoy a homemade lunch and dinner prepared by skilled chefs, your first taste of Tibetan cuisine. Unwind and get comfortable. Xining blends Tibetan tradition with Chinese influence and is a great starting point for your journey into Western China’s cultural heartland. Be sure to explore the Tibetan quarter, a notable area where you can experience Tibetan culture within the city.

XINING

Start the day with a visit to Kumbum Monastery, also called Ta’er Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism and considered one of the most special temples in the world. Explore its peaceful grounds, golden rooftops and intricate prayer halls. Learn about the Yellow Hat sect and admire the religious art and architecture, which hold global significance in Buddhist heritage. After lunch, head to the Great Mosque of Xining, a symbol of the city’s diverse faiths. The mosque’s architecture and community life reflect the influence of Chinese culture and highlight Xining’s multicultural heritage. This day combines two very different yet deeply rooted spiritual traditions, giving you a broad perspective on the region’s unique cultural mix.

Meals Included: Breakfast

XINING

Today’s excursion takes you into the countryside, driving around 2.5 hours to Qinghai Lake, China’s largest saltwater lake, celebrated for its pristine beauty and high-plateau setting. En route, stop at Riyue Mountain (Sun and Moon Mountain), a historic pass marking the transition between farming lands and nomadic regions. Beyond the summit, the landscape opens into broad grasslands and classic Tibetan Plateau scenery, often dotted with seasonal wildflowers that brighten valleys and lakeshores. This route once formed part of an important trading corridor, and the sense of space is striking. With open skies, quiet horizons and shimmering water, the day offers a peaceful contrast to the city and a deeper connection to the natural landscapes that shape Tibetan highland life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

YUSHU

Fly to Yushu in the Tibetan Highlands, a mountain city with a strong Tibetan identity and multi-ethnic communities. On arrival, transfer to the Gesar Palace Hotel, a characterful stay styled like a traditional Tibetan tea house. Settle in and start noticing daily high-plateau life: prayer flags, monasteries on surrounding slopes, and the rhythm of nomadic culture shaped by yaks, sheep and horses. Your guide introduces the Yushu Horse Festival programme, explains local etiquette, and shares practical tips for high-altitude travel and acclimatisation. Enjoy a relaxed evening, explore nearby streets, and prepare for tomorrow’s festival celebrations.

Meals Included: Breakfast

YUSHU

Immerse yourself in the Yushu Horse Festival, one of the most vibrant celebrations of Tibetan nomadic culture. Meet friendly nomads and explore the lively festival grounds where tents become gathering points and market stalls. Watch traditional dancing, children’s performances, tug-of-war contests and yak races, then enjoy thrilling horse events where riders demonstrate classic Tibetan horsemanship and daring stunts. Expect a colourful scene of traditional dress and jewellery, with music and trading in the air. Sample home-cooked festival food and Tibetan drinks, and join warm cultural exchanges with local families. Return to your Yushu hotel in the evening to rest and reflect.

Meals Included: Breakfast

YUSHU

After breakfast, return to the festival grounds for the main horse races, a Tibetan tradition with centuries of heritage. Riders compete on fast, hardy high-altitude horses, including agile Tibetan ponies, showcasing speed, control and endurance on the plateau. Beyond racing, enjoy equestrian displays such as horseback target shooting and skill competitions, with participants dressed in ornate Tibetan costumes and bright ornaments. The atmosphere is festive and communal: cheering crowds, shared meals, and traditional music throughout the day. Spend time speaking with nomadic families to understand the pride, status and community identity linked to horse ownership and racing. In the evening, return to your hotel with memorable insights into Tibetan culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast

SERXU

Leave Yushu and drive around 3.5 hours to Serxu, a remote high-altitude town on the Tibetan Plateau surrounded by rugged mountains. The road crosses steep, sometimes very steep terrain, delivering dramatic views across wide valleys, high passes and open grasslands that define the Tibetan Highlands. On arrival, visit Serxu Monastery, famed for one of Tibet’s largest Maitreya Buddha statues, with prayer flags fluttering across a peaceful hillside setting. This region feels sacred and untouched, offering a true sense of remoteness. Overnight in a simple, comfortable local guesthouse in Shiqu County, an ideal base for village life, plateau tranquillity and acclimatisation.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DERGE

Start early for Derge, travelling through remote wolf and gazelle country with vast highland scenery and a strong sense of adventure. En route, pass Manigange and stop at Xinluhai Lake, framed by snow mountains and forests, for photographs and fresh plateau air. Continue to Dzogchen Monastery, a major centre of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in 1685 and renowned for spiritual study and teaching. Observe daily Buddhist life through ceremonies, prayer rituals and monastic practice, guided with cultural context. Arrive in the evening at Chaola Mountain Hotel, settle in, and enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner in this remote Tibetan region.

Meals Included: Breakfast

GARZÊ

Morning visit to the Derge Printing House, Parkhang, where centuries old woodblocks are still used to print Buddhist scriptures. Learn about the skill and patience involved in this sacred craft. After lunch, travel to Garzê, stopping en route at a traditional Tibetan medical centre to see how ancient healing practices are preserved. You will also have the opportunity to observe traditional butter processing, an important part of local nomadic culture and daily life. Arrive in Garzê and check into a Tibetan-style hotel. Group dinner tonight under the stars.

Meals Included: Breakfast

LITANG

Travel through the Yajiang Valley to Litang, located in Litang County within the Kham Tibetan Area, a nomadic town surrounded by high grasslands. The altitude here is over 4,000 metres so take it easy and drink plenty of water. Litang is known for its deep spiritual roots and as the birthplace of important Buddhist teachers. Check into the Litang Chongcao Hotel and enjoy the views of open plains and distant mountains. Meet local nomads and see how they live in harmony with the land. The upcoming horse festival is a major event for the nomads economy, supporting local livelihoods and boosting the region's socio-economic activity. The town is filling up with excitement as the horse festival approaches.

Meals Included: Breakfast

LITANG

Join locals at the Litang Horse Racing Festival, one of the biggest traditional Tibetan cultural events on the high plateau, typically held in August. The festival opens with a grand ceremonial programme featuring colourful costumes, parades and ritual elements that reflect Tibetan heritage and community pride. Litang is widely known as a famous horse-racing centre in the region, drawing riders and families from across the plateau. Browse the lively market for handmade crafts and local food, and chat with nomadic visitors who have travelled far to attend. With music, dancing and warm gatherings throughout the day, the atmosphere is infectious. Return to the Genie Hotel to rest.

Meals Included: Breakfast

LITANG

Today is the main festival day, focused on high-speed horse racing and traditional horseback skills, including target shooting events. The racetrack is ideal for dynamic photography, from charging horses to vivid festival dress. Between competitions, enjoy Tibetan opera, singing and dancing, plus ceremonial performances that bring the plateau’s living culture to life. The crowd cheers, stories are shared over snacks, and local pride is unmistakable as riders test speed and horsemanship. As the sun drops, winners are celebrated and the festival begins to wind down, leaving a sense of community and spectacle. Return to your hotel with lasting memories of this iconic Tibetan horse festival.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DANBA

After breakfast, drive to Danba along the historic Chengdu–Lhasa Highway, a key route into the Tibetan Kham region. The full-day journey (around 8 hours) passes through Kangding, once a yak-hide trading centre and a cultural crossroads where Tibetan and Chinese influences meet. Continue via Tagong and Bamei, travelling through rivers, grasslands and mountain scenery. Stop at Yak Canyon and visit Tagong Monastery, an important spiritual site in Kham. Stretch your legs on the wide Tagong Grasslands before descending towards Danba, famed for its ancient watchtowers and traditional Tibetan villages. Arrive in the evening and settle in amid mountain views and village life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DANBA

Spend the day exploring Danba’s historic Tibetan villages — Jiaju, Suopo and Zhonglu. Walk through lanes lined with stone houses and admire the tall watchtowers once used for defence and communication. Visit Dashika Nomad Camp to experience traditional nomadic life, including yak herding and learning local skills. Meet local families and learn about their traditions from farming to cooking and crafts. Your guide will share stories about the region’s history and unique buildings. For those interested, climb a watchtower for stunning views of the valley. Today is a peaceful and personal connection to Tibet’s past and present.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DUJIANGYAN

Leave Danba after breakfast and drive to Dujiangyan, passing by the Four Sisters Mountain. Along the way your guide will share the legend of this famous peak. Arrive at the Six Senses resort in Dujiangyan by late afternoon. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the facilities, including the opportunity to soak in nearby hot springs known for their calming and medicinal qualities. Choose to dine at the resort or try a nearby restaurant serving Sichuan cuisine. After days on the road, today is a perfect break to unwind in comfort.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Chengdu

Visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base in the morning and see giant pandas in a natural environment. Learn about conservation efforts and see pandas of all ages, from playful cubs to sleepy adults. After lunch, drive to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Check into your hotel, then take time to explore old Chengdu, where narrow alleys and teahouses preserve the charm of the old city. Be sure to visit the Tibetan quarter, known for its vibrant shops, temples, and unique cultural attractions. This final stop blends history and modern life, ending your journey on a relaxing note.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Chengdu

CHENGDU - DEPARTURE

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Tibet and Western China adventure ends today.

Meals Included: Breakfast