Route:  Chengdu- -Khangding-Chengdu 
Attractions: Mt. Gongga, Hengduan Mountains, Luding Bridge, Da Caoba (King Gesar's grassland), Shuangcha River, Gongga Temple (Minya Konka Gompa)

Highlights:
Rising to a height of 7,556 meters (24,784 feet), Mt. Gongga towers above all the other mountains of Sichuan Province, thus earning it the moniker, "King of Sichuan Mountains." This 12-day high-altitude trek (total trip is 15 days) not only provides breathtaking views, but also allows us time to explore the traditional Tibetan lifestyle of this area.

Towering to a height of 7,556 meters (24,784 feet), Mt. Gongga in western Sichuan Province offers stunning scenery, an abundance of beautiful plants and wildflowers, rich Tibetan culture, and of course spectacular trekking routes. Known as the "King of Sichuan Mountains", Mt. Gongga is situated in the rugged, seldom visited western part of Sichuan Province, within the Tibetan cultural sphere. Over the course of this 12-day trek, Tibetan guides lead us across three passes over 4,420 meters (14,498 feet), and through a variety of alpine terrains with lakes and meadows. We stop in Tibetan homes and share butter tea and tsampa with our hosts. The climax of the trip will be our visit to Gongga Temple, which in times past produced many famous lamas.
The preferred months for this trek are May, August, September, and October, when there is little rain and the mountain views are clearest. In May you have the added bonus of rhododendrons in bloom. You may also visit during the rainy season in July, when you can see wildflowers spreading over grasslands everywhere, but clouds may obscure your views of the high mountains, and you should be prepared to be wet.

Day 1: Chengdu
The program begins this afternoon when the tour leader thoroughly briefs us on the trip itinerary. After that, we go to a restaurant to sample the delicious and spicy cuisine for which Chengdu is famous. After dinner, we have time for any last minute shopping we need to do in preparation for the trek ahead.

Day 2: Kangding 2,765 meters (9,069 feet)
In the morning, we spend 6-7 hours on bus driving into the Hengduan Mountains to Kangding, one of Sichuan's "Wild West" cities. On the way we visit the famous Luding Bridge, a unique structure built in 1706, with nine iron chains spanning the roaring Dadu River. We can still see calligraphy by Emperor Kangxi at the east end of the bridge. In 1935 the Red Army successfully captured this bridge and broke through defending troops of the Nationalist (KMT) Government. The battle was considered one of the turning points of the Long March.
As we near Kangding, we find ourselves among grasslands, alpine lakes, virgin forest, glaciers and snow-capped mountains. The rushing Zheduo River flows through the center of Kangding. As the capital of the Ganzi Tibetan Ethnic Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, Kangding is a culturally rich area, home to several lamaseries in and around the city.

 

Day 3: Da Caoba (King Gesar's grassland) 3,720 meters (12,202 feet)
After breakfast, we drive half an hour outside of Kangding. At Yu Lin Village, we meet our packhorses and set off on foot. We hike up steadily along rushing Gyazi Chu. The extraordinary diversity of plants and trees is immediately evident. Today's trekking takes us about 4 hours; we take our time, resting frequently, as it is our first day of trekking. Most of the walk is gentle and easy. We camp in a meadow surrounded by the Da Caoba mountains.

Day 4:Jiazhela base camps 4,600 meters (13,120 feet)-Panpanshan mountain base camps(4100 meters)
Our route continues steadily up along the Shuangcha River. The vegetation changes as we gain altitude, with the dense forest thinning to open meadows and scattered scrub trees. In the afternoon we arrive at our campground in a small meadow by the edge of a clear, cold stream. Similar to yesterday, today's hike is gentle with only two or three brief sections of steep terrain.

Day 5: Panpanshan mountain base camps to Yulongxicun 3900 meters
Today, we rest in order to acclimatize to the high altitude in preparation for the next few day's of hiking. Depending on how energetic we feel, we relax, do some reading, or take a day hike.

Day 6:Yulongxicun-Yulongxi Ranch 4,600 meters(13776 feet)-Gongga Temple 3700 meters
Today, we trek about 2-3 hours over our second mountain pass, Yulongxi Pass (4,602 meters, 15,095 feet), where we have our last panoramic view of Mount Gongga. After 1-2 more hours of walking downhill, we camp at the foot of Mount Yulongxi near a small Tibetan village. En route, we see herders looking after their yaks. We may stop by the homes of some nomads for some yak butter tea and Zanba. This gives us a glimpse of what typical Tibetan life is like.

 

Day 7: Gongga Temple 3,700 meters (12,136 feet)
 

After 5-7 hours of trekking, we reach the revered Gongga temple (Minya Konka Gompa), which has 500 years of history and is considered holy by the Minya Tibetans who inhabit this area of Sichuan. The temple is small and simple, and seems to grow out of the landscape, with majestic Mount Gongga towering above it. We see murals in this temple portraying ancient people, wild birds and landscapes. We have a choice of camping inside the temple or staying in one of the simple guest rooms made available for pilgrims in the monastery..

Day 8: Yak Ranch 4,000 meters (13,120 feet)
Well rested, we hike 5-6 hours through the valley towards Yak Ranch at the foot of Mount Yulong. The trail retraces some areas we have traveled previously. In the late afternoon, we reach our campsite in the Yak Ranch area. We spend the night there and prepare to cross Yulongxi Pass tomorrow.

Day 9: Kangding 2,765 meters (9,069 feet)
This morning, our 4WD vehicles pick up us, and we drive back Kangding via Liuba and Xinduqiao. We drive about 8 hours through the countryside, dotted with picturesque Tibetan villages. We arrive in Kangding in the late afternoon and check into our hotel. After cleaning up, we have a sumptuous Sichuan meal-our first dinner in ten days not cooked over a camp stove.

Day 10: Chengdu
We set out for Chengdu in the morning, a bus journey which takes us 6-7 hours. We enjoy a farewell banquet in Chengdu.

 

Meal Code: B-Breakfast in the hotel   L-Chinese lunch in local restaurant D-Chinese Dinner in local restaurant

Group Size
minimum 2, maximum 12

Difficult
Price (Per Pax in US$):

Remark:
* Please also note: this itinerary is subject to change.
* We will change the price follow the market, and we make sure by e-mail.
* The above quotation is based on twin share. Single supplement will be charged only when you are the 3rd, 5th person in this group, and need to stay in one single room, which means no one in the group can share the cost of accommodation with you.
 Price quotation

The Package Includes:
* Daily private escorted tours with all entrance fees in the itinerary.
* Service of English speaking tour guide during all transfers and sightseeing
* Local transfers by company vehicle.
* Hotel accommodation based on twin share
* All local tax.

* All the meals are includes(.Chinese meals )

* Camping equipment 
 
The Package is Not Inclusive of:

* Airline tickets or train tickets
* Insurance
* All optional programs; 
* Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff.  
Due to the road conditions, weather and availability of room, Minor program changes sometimes are necessary, all above is subjected to our confirmation.

 We will ensure customers are provided with hygienic food and accommodation. 

 All participants with a medical condition requiring treatment or which may be affected by strenuous activity or altitude, heat, cold or particular foods must notify the company in writing in advance.

 Some trips require a high level of fitness. In this case, participants will be required to submit a medical and physical examination record. The company's or tour leader's judgment shall provide the final determination of an individual's fitness to embark upon, or continue with a trip. 

 All participants must be covered by a valid medical and travel insurance policy for the duration of the trip. 

 Physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all trips, especially those involving trekking and cycling.