Day 1: Xining-Qinghai Lake South Shore

Drive out to the south shore of Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China. Take pictures of the blooming yellow flowers along the shores of the lake and visit the nomads herding yaks and sheep.

Day 2: Qinghai Lake – Dredzong Monastery

Drive up to the green hills above Qinghai Lake and take in the beautiful scenery. Continue on to Dredzong, a remote Buddhist monastery set on the side of a rugged mountain at over 3600m. Dredzong provides excellent hiking opportunities.

Day 3: Dredzong Monastery – Maduo

Drive through nomadic grasslands to the small town of Maduo, which lies at 4350m. Take a short walk up to see prayer flags on the hillside.

Day 4: Maduo – Kyaring and Ngoring Lake/Yellow River Source Area – Huashixia

Travel from Maduo to Kyaring/Ngoring Lake, one of the main sources of the Yellow River. See wild donkeys and Tibetan antelopes. Take a short hike on the 4500m hill between the two stunning lakes.

Day 5: Huashixia – Amnye Machen near Dawo Sholma

Drive to the north side of Amnye Machen, the holiest and most beautiful snow mountain in Amdo. Nomads live on the grasslands surrounding the mountain.

Day 6: Huashixia – Chabcha

Drive from Huashixia through the rolling grasslands to the mid-sized trading town of Chabcha.

Day 7: Chabcha- Chika (Gui’de)

Go from Chabcha to Gui’de to catch stunning views of the Yellow River.

Day 8: Chika – Jokhang Monastery – Kumbum Monastery – Xining

Travel from Guide back to Xining, stopping off at the Jokhang temple and Kumbum monastery along the way. In Tibetan, Kumbum means one hundred thousands Buddhas. It is the famed birth place of Je tsongkapa, the reformer of the Gelupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Kumbum is home to over 600 monks and has some great hills around the monastery to hike.

Once in Xining, your driver will drop you off at the train station or airport.

Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.