Mt. Amnye Machen Kora

Amnye Machen has long been considered a sacred mountain and a place of pilgrimage. In the past, up to 10,000 Tibetans would make the 120-mile circumambulation of the mountain each year. The first European explorers described it as one of the great geographical discoveries of the twentieth century. On your journey to the holy mountain, drive by red clay mountains, sand dunes, and the Yellow River. Visit Ragya Monastery and a nomad tent near Machen before meeting up with the horses, yaks, and yak handlers that will accompany you. Together, begin hiking around Amnye Machen, stopping to receive blessings from Naga at a sacred river, visit meditation caves and the cliffs of Goku Chenmo, and camp in juniper forests. Enjoy a cup of tea at a hidden monastery, look out over glaciers from the Drakdar Pass, and celebrate the completion of your journey with a feast in the Tibetan town of Trika.

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Day 1: Arrive in Xining

Welcome to Xining! Transfer to your hotel and get settled.

Day 2: Xining to Machen(Maqing) via Ragya Monastery

Driving along the one of most beautiful roads in Qinghai, you will see Lhakyi Mountain, red clay mountains, Qinghai geographic park, sand dunes and the Yellow River. Visit Ragya Monastery and a nomad tent before arriving in Machen, the capital of Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Stay in Machen for the night.

Day 3: Machen-Tsanak Kamdu trek (alt: 4100m)

After the driver drops us off at the trailhead, we will begin our trek. As you climb over a mountain pass, you will catch your first sight of Mt. Amnye Machen. Continue hiking to Tsanak Kamdu, where you will meet up with the yaks, horses and yak handlers that will join you on the trek. Together, hike about 15 km (6 hours) along the Yonkhor-chu River to Langri. The Yongkhor-Chu River is the place where monks and traditional Tibetan medical practitioners receive blessings from Naga (a water god) after collecting herbs. You will often see the monks by the river doing their medical prayers. Continue trekking past some nomadic houses set among sparse juniper woods in the surrounding hills. Camp for the night.

Day 4: Trek 24 km (8 hours) (alt: 4400m)

Pass through Halong Langri-chu valley. Hike over Tamchok Gongkha La Pass (4600 m), the second highest pass on this trek.

Day 5: Trek 20 km (7 hours) to the rock valley of Mowatowa (alt: 4300m)

Day 6: Trek 22 km (8 hours) to Deleni (alt: 4300m)

Visit meditation caves and the cliffs of Goku Chenmo, which are said to mark the entrance to the “palace” of the protector Machen Pomra.

Day 7: Trek 14 km (6 hours) to Jomolangra (alt: 4300m)

Follow the gorge of the Qushian River. Visit Dolma Gur-chu Spring and the spot where King Gesar was said to have tied his horse.

Day 8: Trek 15 km (6 hours) to Jiashinongke (alt: 4200m)

On the way to Jiashinongke, visit Guri Monastery, a branch of Dzongchen and Dodrub Chode of the Nyingma school.

Day 9: Trek 18 km (6 hours) to Chablong (alt: 4300m)

On the way, enjoy the view of the grasslands and bushes.

Day 10: Trek 22 km (8 hours) to Halong-Chu Valley

Pass over the Drakdar Pass (4700m), where you can look out over the Rikhar Tongshang Glacier.

Day 11: Meet the driver in the Halong-Chu Valley

Drive 18 km to Chorten Karpo (White Pogoda) at Chumarna.

Day 12: Drive back to Trika (Gui’de) Town

Enjoy the landscape of the Yellow River Valley. In Trika, visit the Jokhang Temple and the King Gesar Arts’ Center. If you are up to photos, go to the old Yellow River bridge to see the sunset is also one of the highlights.

Day 13: Return to Xining

Visit the Qinghai Tibetan Medical and Cultural Museum, the biggest Tibetan medical and Cultural museum in China. The Tibetan style museum consists with 3 floors. The first floor exhibits ancient Tibetan medical instruments, painting or statue of 28 most influential medical scholars and doctors, Tibetan medicine materials, history of Tibetan medicine and astrology, etc,  On the second floor displays the giant Thangka, it’s 618m long and this incredible painting contains all the aspects of Tibetan life.  Stay in Xining.

Day 14: Depart Xining

Your guide will escort you to the airport.

Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.