The Kham region of Tibet is located in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Xizang, Qinghai, and Yunnan. Kham is known for its verdant grasslands, craggy mountains, and pure rivers. The most famous Tibetan horse festivals take place every summer in Kham, where Tibetans compete and show off their riding skills. Tibetans from Kham have a reputation for being as loyal as they are tough. Many carry traditional swords and walk with a swagger, but are quick to invite you into their yak-hair tents for a cup of butter tea.
Kham is best for travelers interested in seeing wild Tibetan animals in their natural habitats, attending horse festivals, circumambulating the holy Mt. Kawa Karpo, staying with nomads, visiting small monasteries, camping, and bird watching in the forests.
-
Khampa Heartland
An Adventure Deep into the Rugged East
Route: Xining ⇒ Kumbum Monastery(Ta’er si) ⇒ Qinghai Lake(Kokonor) ⇒ Dredzong Monastery ⇒ Jyekundo(Yushu) ⇒ Jyekun Monastery ⇒ Gyanak Mani Stone ⇒ The Princes Wencheng Temple ⇒ Sershul Monastery ⇒ Dzogchen Monastery ⇒ Manigango ⇒ Yilhun Lhatso Lake ⇒ Dege ⇒ Dege Parkhang Printing House ⇒ Yangtse River ⇒ Pelyul Monastery ⇒ Garze ⇒ Litang ⇒ Lhagong ⇒ Dartsedo(Kangding) ⇒ Danba ⇒ Chengdu
Tour Duration: 17 days
-
The Land of Four Rivers and Six Ranges
From the Yellow River to Snow Mountain Caves
Route: Xining sightseeing ⇒ Qinghai Lake ⇒ Dredzong Monastery ⇒ Jyekundo(Yushu) ⇒ Wengcheng Temple ⇒ Jyeku Monastery ⇒ Gaden Monastery ⇒ Surmang Monastery ⇒ Nangchen ⇒ Gar Monastery ⇒ Gyodrag Monastery ⇒ Motoi ⇒ Tso Kyarang & Ngorang Lake ⇒ Amnye Machen ⇒ Xining
Tour Duration: 11 days
-
Civilizations of Eastern Tibet
Ancient Tribes and Local Traditions
Route: Xining ⇒ Kumbum Monastery ⇒ Qinghai Lake ⇒ Tsigorthang ⇒ Dredzong Monastery ⇒ Mt. Amnye Machen ⇒ Lake Kyarang & Ngarang ⇒ Matoi ⇒ Jyekundo(Yushu) ⇒ Nambar Nangzel or Wencheng Temple ⇒ Jyeku Monastery ⇒ Gyanak Mani Stones ⇒ Sershul ⇒ Sershul Monastery ⇒ Dzogchen Monastery ⇒ Manigango ⇒ Yilhun Lhatso ⇒ Derge ⇒ Katok Monastery ⇒ Pelyul ⇒ Pelyul Monastery ⇒ Yachen Gar ⇒ Garze ⇒ Dawu ⇒ Nyakchuka ⇒ Litang ⇒ Chaktreng(Xiangcheng) ⇒ Shangri-la ⇒ Sumtsenling Monastery ⇒ Lijiang
Tour Duration: 15 days
-
Yushu Horse Festival
Singing, Dancing, and Horse Racing
Route: Xining ⇒ Tibetan Medical Museum ⇒ Gunlung Monastery ⇒ Kumbum Monastery ⇒ Qinghai Lake ⇒ Chabcha ⇒ Jyekundo(Yushu) ⇒ Jyeku Monastery ⇒ Gyana Mani Stone ⇒ Horse Racing Festival Site ⇒ Matoi ⇒ Lake Gyarang & Ngorang ⇒ Xining
Tour Duration: 12 days