Central Tibet Multi Sport Expedition
After three days acclimatizing and experiencing the ancient sites of Lhasa, we pack up our expedition and head out of town. We explore some of the more unique monasteries near Lhasa before entering the stunning Drigung Valley and explore by mountain bike bike. We then traverse into the Reting Valley and meet our river guides for a wonderful four day river journey through the home of yaks and nomads to the famous Reting monastery and unique juniper forests. We’ll share our campsites with nomads and have ample opportunity to experience their culture and customs. The river starts out with easy grade 2 rapids and builds to grade 3 with occasional grade 4 rapids depending on the water levels.
We then drive through the Nyenchen Thanglha range to the famous Namtso Lake and explore the Tashi Dor pilgrimage site. Camping by the lake with the huge Tibetan sky above us brings the trip to a spectacular finish (for those on the 15 day trip) those on the 18 day trip will carry on to Chomokangar. Using local nomad guides and pack horses we establish a base camp in the valley and spend 3 days exploring the high alpine valleys, lakes glaciers and peaks.
We return to Lhasa with time for last minute shopping and a farewell dinner before flying back to Chengdu and connecting with our international flight. This trip is suited to adventurous folks with a reasonable fitness level and the desire to explore a remote part of Tibet using varying modes of transport.
Note: This itinerary is designed to be flexible based on road and weather conditions and the unexpected surprises of adventure travel in Asia.
Paddle hike and bike across the high Tibetan plateau, experiencing Tibet as few tourists ever will.
We then drive through the Nyenchen Thanglha range to the famous Namtso Lake and explore the Tashi Dor pilgrimage site. Camping by the lake with the huge Tibetan sky above us brings the trip to a spectacular finish (for those on the 15 day trip) those on the 18 day trip will carry on to Chomokangar. Using local nomad guides and pack horses we establish a base camp in the valley and spend 3 days exploring the high alpine valleys, lakes glaciers and peaks.
We return to Lhasa with time for last minute shopping and a farewell dinner before flying back to Chengdu and connecting with our international flight. This trip is suited to adventurous folks with a reasonable fitness level and the desire to explore a remote part of Tibet using varying modes of transport.
Note: This itinerary is designed to be flexible based on road and weather conditions and the unexpected surprises of adventure travel in Asia.
Paddle hike and bike across the high Tibetan plateau, experiencing Tibet as few tourists ever will.
Price
From: USD3999 per person (15/18 days)
Price Includes
- Chengdu airport transfers and hotel (arrival and departure, includes breakfast)
- Return flight from Chengdu to Lhasa
- Airport pick-up and drop off in Lhasa and all transport throughout trip. (Landcruisers + Gear truck for kitbags and expedition gear)
- Western guide.
- Local Tibetan guide (great English + excellent cultural knowledge)
- All travel and trekking permits. (including Tibet entry permit and Everest trekking permit)
- Entry fees to all monasteries and sights in Tibet
- All camping equipment (tents and mats etc but not sleeping bags)
- All activity specific gear and equipment (Rafting gear, mountain bikes etc)
- $482USD for return Chengdu/Lhasa Flight and Tibet Visa (based on minimum of 6 pax) - International airfare - Chinese tourist visa. - Travel insurance (mandatory) - All airport taxes. - Lunches and dinners in Lhasa. (Easily available from a range of restaurants) - Personal trekking gear and clothing. - Items of a personal nature (such as laundry, cigarettes, alcohol etc) - Tips to guides and drivers etc. (estimate about $5/day, pooled and shared amongst your staff) - Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, flight cancellations, road conditions or any other circumstances beyond our control.
Day 1: Arrive Chengdu, transfer to Hotel.
Accom: Xinling Hotel Meals: No Meals
Day 2: Morning flight to Lhasa. (3600m) Arrive in Lhasa from Gonkar airport.
Transfer to Gorkha hotel. Take the afternoon to rest before a welcome dinner later in the evening.
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b
Day 3: Visit Jokhang Temple, Barkor Market and Drepung Monastery (3600m)
Explore the Jokhang and Barkor in the morning then visit Drepung Monastery in the afternoon.
(Essential for acclimatisation)
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b
Day 4: Visit Potala, Norbulingkha and Sera Monastery
In the morning we visit the famous Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon we drive to the outskirts of Lhasa to visit Sera and view the monks debating.
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b
Day 5: Visit Druk Yerpa then Ganden Monastery.
Leaving early, we drive 45mins to Druk Yerpa Monastery. Druk Yerpa is hidden in a side valley not far from Lhasa and has spectacular meditation caves high above the monastery. We will have lunch here before driving one hour to Ganden Monastery. This spectacular site has stunning views over the Kyi Chu valley. We visit the chapels then join local Tibetan pilgrims on the high Kora hike. We then drive to the Drigung Valley and camp below the monastery.
Accom: Camping (4100m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 6: Drive to Drigung Valley and explore by mountain bike
To day we have the option of riding high into the alpine valley or exploring more monasteries and a nunnery. The Nunnery at Tidrum has hot springs. This can be decided based on the group’s interest and energy levels.
Accom: Camping (4100m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 7&8: Mountain-bike from Drigung Valley to Reting Tsangpo (4200m)
This morning we climb up out of camp and over a high pass to enter the Reting valley.
(You don’t have to ride all the way up the hill – you can put your bike in the truck if you want!) We then ride a wild descent down into the Reting Valley for our first glimpse of the river we will be rafting. The Reting Valley is home to nomads and villagers and each night, our campsites will be visited by the locals. They are incredibly curious and provide us with a rare insight to rural Tibetan life. We continue riding for a second day to our rafting put-in.
Accom: Camping Meals: b, l, d
Day 9: Put-in on Reting Tsangpo (4350m)
This morning we begin rafting on the Reting Tsangpo. Today the whitewater is easy but the river is fast flowing and we slide by yak herders and their villagers. We met another small tributary and the volume gradually builds. We ease into the expedition schedule of eating when we are hungry, stopping when we are tired and camping where ever we choose.
Accom: Camping Riverside Meals: b, l, d
Day 10: Reting Tsangpo Rafting (4300m)
Today we continue rafting deeper into the valley. The hustle and bustle of Lhasa is now a distant memory and we begin to encounter the true nomad people of Tibet (Drokpa people) many of these people still follow the nomadic lifestyle their forefathers have followed for generations. Living in yak hair tents, they graze their yaks in the surrounding side valleys, moving their camps to higher elevations in summer and lower elevations in the harsh winter. Today we also encounter some big rapids, interspersed by calm sections. We camp where-ever we choose as there is an abundance of beautiful campsites along this section of river.
Accom: Camping Riverside Meals: b, l, d
Day 11: Reting Tsangpo Rafting (explore Reting Monastery) (4200m)
Today we meet some of the larger rapids, big bouncy waves that look intimidating but once we get amongst them we discover that we are now paddling like a well oiled machine and no rapid is too big for us to challenge! We camp below the famous Reting Monastery. We can either explore the Monastery this evening or early in the morning. The Reting Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in the region. It is situated in a rare juniper forest and is currently undergoing restoration.
Accom: Camping Riverside Meals: b, l, d
Day 12: Reting Tsangpo Rafting (4100m)
This morning we challenge the last few grade III+ rapids before the river eases off and we find ourselves at the take out at Phodo. Here we meet our vehicles and drivers again.
We then drive to Lake Namtso for the most spectacular camp of the trip.
Accom: Camping (4700m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 13: Explore Tashi Dor then drive to Chomokangar camp.
The Tashi Dor Kora is the pilgrim route that all Tibetans visiting Namtso undertake at least once. You can circle Tashi Dor then climb to a great look out for 360 degree views.
As the Chinese tour groups arrive we leave and drive back over the pass for lunch. We drive towards Lhasa then turn off over another high pass to a remote valley with the spectacular 7000m Chomokangar looming above our camp. (You can ride down the pass if you want!)
Accom: Camping (4600m) Meals: b, l, d
Note: It is possible to leave the trip at this point via shuttle back to Lhasa. You would depart for Chengdu the following day, and then fly home from Chengdu on day 15.
Day 14: Chomokangsar West Flank (4-7 hrs hiking)
Today we hike up the foothills of Chomokangar aiming to get as close to the mountain as we can. As usual distance is deceiving in such big mountains and the peak stays tantalizing close but unreachable. Today we get stunning views of glaciers, glacial lakes and if we’re lucky, avalanches. At the end of the day we hike back to camp for a well earned rest.
Accom: Camp (4700m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 15: Dapla Valley Hike. (4-7 hrs hiking: Camp 4800m)
Today is another spectacular hike as we head up the Dapla Valley towards the jagged
Dapla Ri. Dapla Ri is a satellite peak of Chomokangsar and we follow the valley over glacial moraines to find amazing views of the glacial lakes below the peak. We think today’s hike is the most spectacular day you can spend in the mountains in Central Tibet. And that’s saying something!
Accom: Camp (4700m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 16: Lazy morning then return to Lhasa.
This morning the group can choose between a lazy morning or perhaps tackling one of the peaks above the Shugo La. You can choose as a group depending on motivation and energy levels. In the afternoon we return to Lhasa.
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b, l
Day 17: Transfer to Lhasa airport for outgoing flight to Chengdu
Accom: Xinling Hotel Meals: b
Day 18: Transfer to airport for international outgoing flight.
Accom: n/a Meals: n/a
Accom: Xinling Hotel Meals: No Meals
Day 2: Morning flight to Lhasa. (3600m) Arrive in Lhasa from Gonkar airport.
Transfer to Gorkha hotel. Take the afternoon to rest before a welcome dinner later in the evening.
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b
Day 3: Visit Jokhang Temple, Barkor Market and Drepung Monastery (3600m)
Explore the Jokhang and Barkor in the morning then visit Drepung Monastery in the afternoon.
(Essential for acclimatisation)
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b
Day 4: Visit Potala, Norbulingkha and Sera Monastery
In the morning we visit the famous Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon we drive to the outskirts of Lhasa to visit Sera and view the monks debating.
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b
Day 5: Visit Druk Yerpa then Ganden Monastery.
Leaving early, we drive 45mins to Druk Yerpa Monastery. Druk Yerpa is hidden in a side valley not far from Lhasa and has spectacular meditation caves high above the monastery. We will have lunch here before driving one hour to Ganden Monastery. This spectacular site has stunning views over the Kyi Chu valley. We visit the chapels then join local Tibetan pilgrims on the high Kora hike. We then drive to the Drigung Valley and camp below the monastery.
Accom: Camping (4100m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 6: Drive to Drigung Valley and explore by mountain bike
To day we have the option of riding high into the alpine valley or exploring more monasteries and a nunnery. The Nunnery at Tidrum has hot springs. This can be decided based on the group’s interest and energy levels.
Accom: Camping (4100m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 7&8: Mountain-bike from Drigung Valley to Reting Tsangpo (4200m)
This morning we climb up out of camp and over a high pass to enter the Reting valley.
(You don’t have to ride all the way up the hill – you can put your bike in the truck if you want!) We then ride a wild descent down into the Reting Valley for our first glimpse of the river we will be rafting. The Reting Valley is home to nomads and villagers and each night, our campsites will be visited by the locals. They are incredibly curious and provide us with a rare insight to rural Tibetan life. We continue riding for a second day to our rafting put-in.
Accom: Camping Meals: b, l, d
Day 9: Put-in on Reting Tsangpo (4350m)
This morning we begin rafting on the Reting Tsangpo. Today the whitewater is easy but the river is fast flowing and we slide by yak herders and their villagers. We met another small tributary and the volume gradually builds. We ease into the expedition schedule of eating when we are hungry, stopping when we are tired and camping where ever we choose.
Accom: Camping Riverside Meals: b, l, d
Day 10: Reting Tsangpo Rafting (4300m)
Today we continue rafting deeper into the valley. The hustle and bustle of Lhasa is now a distant memory and we begin to encounter the true nomad people of Tibet (Drokpa people) many of these people still follow the nomadic lifestyle their forefathers have followed for generations. Living in yak hair tents, they graze their yaks in the surrounding side valleys, moving their camps to higher elevations in summer and lower elevations in the harsh winter. Today we also encounter some big rapids, interspersed by calm sections. We camp where-ever we choose as there is an abundance of beautiful campsites along this section of river.
Accom: Camping Riverside Meals: b, l, d
Day 11: Reting Tsangpo Rafting (explore Reting Monastery) (4200m)
Today we meet some of the larger rapids, big bouncy waves that look intimidating but once we get amongst them we discover that we are now paddling like a well oiled machine and no rapid is too big for us to challenge! We camp below the famous Reting Monastery. We can either explore the Monastery this evening or early in the morning. The Reting Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in the region. It is situated in a rare juniper forest and is currently undergoing restoration.
Accom: Camping Riverside Meals: b, l, d
Day 12: Reting Tsangpo Rafting (4100m)
This morning we challenge the last few grade III+ rapids before the river eases off and we find ourselves at the take out at Phodo. Here we meet our vehicles and drivers again.
We then drive to Lake Namtso for the most spectacular camp of the trip.
Accom: Camping (4700m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 13: Explore Tashi Dor then drive to Chomokangar camp.
The Tashi Dor Kora is the pilgrim route that all Tibetans visiting Namtso undertake at least once. You can circle Tashi Dor then climb to a great look out for 360 degree views.
As the Chinese tour groups arrive we leave and drive back over the pass for lunch. We drive towards Lhasa then turn off over another high pass to a remote valley with the spectacular 7000m Chomokangar looming above our camp. (You can ride down the pass if you want!)
Accom: Camping (4600m) Meals: b, l, d
Note: It is possible to leave the trip at this point via shuttle back to Lhasa. You would depart for Chengdu the following day, and then fly home from Chengdu on day 15.
Day 14: Chomokangsar West Flank (4-7 hrs hiking)
Today we hike up the foothills of Chomokangar aiming to get as close to the mountain as we can. As usual distance is deceiving in such big mountains and the peak stays tantalizing close but unreachable. Today we get stunning views of glaciers, glacial lakes and if we’re lucky, avalanches. At the end of the day we hike back to camp for a well earned rest.
Accom: Camp (4700m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 15: Dapla Valley Hike. (4-7 hrs hiking: Camp 4800m)
Today is another spectacular hike as we head up the Dapla Valley towards the jagged
Dapla Ri. Dapla Ri is a satellite peak of Chomokangsar and we follow the valley over glacial moraines to find amazing views of the glacial lakes below the peak. We think today’s hike is the most spectacular day you can spend in the mountains in Central Tibet. And that’s saying something!
Accom: Camp (4700m) Meals: b, l, d
Day 16: Lazy morning then return to Lhasa.
This morning the group can choose between a lazy morning or perhaps tackling one of the peaks above the Shugo La. You can choose as a group depending on motivation and energy levels. In the afternoon we return to Lhasa.
Accom: Dekang Hotel (3600m) Meals: b, l
Day 17: Transfer to Lhasa airport for outgoing flight to Chengdu
Accom: Xinling Hotel Meals: b
Day 18: Transfer to airport for international outgoing flight.
Accom: n/a Meals: n/a
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