Day 1: Arrive in Xining [2270m]
Arrive in Xining and get settled at your hotel.
Day 2: Xining – Qinghai Lake – Gui’de / Trika [2205m] 350km 6 hours
In the morning drive out to the south shore of Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China. Qinghail lake also called Kokonor Lake in Mongolian and Tso Ngonpo in Tibetan. Located in Qinghai province on an endorheic basin, Qinghai Lake is classified as a saline and alkaline lake. We will take a shortcut bumping road which take you directly to the lakeshore where you enjoy a peaceful time or choose to take a horse and ride on the lake shore. Then we drive east to Gui’de. On the way you will see rolling green hills, nomads herding yaks and sheep, sand dunes, and stunning views of the Yellow River. Stay overnight in Trika.
Day 3: Gui’de – Machen [3700m] 340km 5-6 hours
Head out to Machen, the capital of Golok Tibetan Prefecture, the most rugged area in all of Amdo. Watch rolling green hills turn into snow mountains. Along the way, stop off at Ragya Monastery, a branch of Sera Monastery in Tibet Autonomous Region. Ragya is located at open red clay valley on the Yellow River side. There is a half hour circumambulation path around the monastery which you can go with local pilgrims. Stay overnight in Machen.
Day 4: Machen – Mt. Amnye Machen – Huashixia [3900m]
In the morning, visit Khorkhan Temple, a small, local monastery. Continue on to Mt. Dolma Ri, which is covered with Mani stones and prayer flags. Then drive towards west to Mt. Amnye Machen, we will stop at bottom of this majestic snow mountain, walk to glacier or hike up to a mountain to have a panoramic view of Mount Amnye Machen. In the late afternoon, we drive to Huashixia. Overnight in Huashixia.
The accommodation in this small nomadic town is very basic.
Day 5: Machen to Jigdril(Chi:Jiuzhi) [3628m] 230km 4 – 5 hours
Drive out to Jigdril county to visit Taklung monastery, a Nyingmapa monastery affiliated to Pelyul Monastery. Main attraction in this monastery is an Assembly Hall, a potala style temple named after the residence of Avalokiteshvara on the Mount Potalaka, a protector cheple and a large Tara stupa and an enormous statue of Padmasambhava. Stay overnight in Jigdril .
Day 6. Jigdril – Mt. Nyenpo Yultse and Lakes – Jigdril [3628m]
Driving towards southwest about 30km, you will get to Mt. Nyenpo Yultse, which rises 5933m above sea level, it become the holy mountain of southern Golok. It is also revered as birthplace of the Golok tribes. This snow capped mountain surrounded by several crystal-clear lakes such as Lake Tsochen and Tsochung, Lake Tso Nagma and Nojin Tso.
You can camp one or two night at the bottom of snow capped mountain at the shore of lakes during the summer time
Day 7: Jigdril – Taktsang Lhamo (Langmusi) [3300m] 260km 5 hours
In the morning, drive to Taktsang Lhamo Monastery. Taktsang Lhamo is the name of a town which has two monastery located at the two sides of the white dragon river. One monastery called Kirti monastery founded by Kirti Rinpoche in 1472. and the other monastery called Sertri monastery. In the afternoon, drive through large, rolling grasslands where nomads herd their animals. Stay overnight in Taktsang Lhamo.
Day 8: Taktsang Lhamo [3300m]
This day will be an optional day. You can go hiking or horseback trekking. Tsatsang Lhamo offers great hiking and riding. Stay overnight in Taktsang Lhamo.
Day 9: Taktsang Lhamo to Labrang (Xiahe) [2900m] 190km 3 hours
Drive through vast Amdo grassland and see the beautiful Sangkok grassland, where nomads take their yaks and sheep to graze. While talking a walk through town, get a glimpse of daily life in a Tibetan village. Stay overnight in Labrang
Day 10: Labrang – Repkong (Tongren) [2495m] 120km 2 hours
In the morning, a monk will give you a guided tour of Labrang monastery, intimately describing the symbolism of Tibetan Buddhist deities and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. Labrang is also cosider to be the cultural. Religious and trade center of Amdo region of Tibet. and in the afternoon, drive to Repkong and pass through many small villages. Stay overnight in Repkong.
Day 11: Rebkong [2495m]
In the morning visit Rongwu Gongchen Monastery, which is one of the largest monastery in Amdo region and originally was a Sakya monastery and later turned into a Geluk monastery. Afternoon visit upper and lower Shangge Shong Monasteries, the home and center of Tibetan Thangka paintings. as well as a few artist villages. Watch artists paint thangka, traditional Tibetan scroll paintings. . Stay overnight in Repkong.
Day 12: Rebkong – Shachung monastery – Xining [2270m] 190km 3 hours
Drive back to Xining along the Yellow River. Take a short detour to Shachung monastery. Shachung Monastery is founded by Choegyi Dundrup Renchen, the first teacher of Lama Tsongkapa in 1349, it is one of the most beautiful monastery in Tibet. You can see several bending of Yellow river in the valley from the mountain top where the monastery located. Afterwards drive to Xining. Stay overnight in Xining.
Day 13. Depart from Xining
Driver will send you off at the airport or train station
