Camping with Tibetan Nomads

Day 1: Xining – Shachung Monastery - Lo Dorjee Drak Cave – Rebkong [2480m] 230km

Today, we drive about 110km to the east from Xining to our first stop - Shachung Monastery where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yellow River in the opening valley. Then we descend into the valley and drive another 20km along the Yellower to our second stop - Lo Dorjee Drak Meditation Caves. Lo Dorjee Drak consists of a small monastery and many meditation caves located beneath a giant cliff, where great yogis and practitioners had meditated over many centuries. If you are into meditation, this is a powerful place to spend some time to meditate. Afterwards, drive to Tongren (Tib: Repkong) through a newly built highway in the deep valley. Tongren / Repkong is not only home to many monasteries that practice Tibetan Buddhism and Bon. But also the heart of traditional Tibetan arts. Repkong art originated in the 15th Century. We will stop by two famous artist monasteries called Sanggeshung Yagol (Upper Wutun si) and Sanggeshung Magol(Lower Wutunsi) to see how these incredible Thangkas are made.

Day 2: Rebkong – Mayshul Forest – Tsekog grassland - Camp Site [3660m] 150km

In the morning, we visit Rongwu Gonchen Monastery, which is the largest monastery in the region with 35 branch monasteries. Originally founded as a Sakyapa Monastery with about 1000 monks at the peak of its power. Now, it belongs to Gelugpa tradition and still hosts more than 400 monks. Afterwards, we continue to drive southwest through the Mayshul Forest, a virgin forest about 50km west of Tongren / Rebkong. After driving through a tunnel, the land became wider and you are in the nomadic region. Our guide will find a nice place with friendly nomads family to camp next to their nomads tents. If you are into night photography, this offers great opportunity to shoot stars in the clear night.

Day 3: Camping with Nomads and Explore life of Nomads

Experience firsthand the lifestyle of Tibetan nomads. Join nomads herding yak and sheep and making cheese, yogurt, and butter. Observing nomads daily works such as milking yaks, tie little yaks, collect yaks dung and dry them, herding yaks and sheep, cook on a typical nomads fire stove, exchange life stories with local nomads.etc. You also may have chance to ride horses or yaks, hiking up on a hill or just walking on grassland to have some quiet and beautiful times.

Day 4: Camp Site - Guide - Kumbum monastery - Xining [2270m] 320km

After outdoor breakfasts, we drive back to Xining. we will take a different route to embraces the best of Qinghai. On the way, we will see Yellow River bridge, Gui’de Geographic Park. Guide is one of the lowest place in QInghai Province. If time allows, we make a detour to visit Kumbum Monastery. Kumbum Monastery is the largest Monastery in Qinghai and the birthplace of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa Tradition in Tibetan Buddhism. Kumbum is one of the six great monasteries in Tibet and home to over 600 monks. Then drive 25km to the east back to Xining. We will drop you off at your hotel. Say goodbye to your guide and driver.