TRIPS

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Tibet

$ 3,255.00

Start in Amdo, home to thousands of Tibetans who are both part of China and apart from it where we visit Labrang in Xiahe, Repkong – the Artistic Capital of Tibet, the elegant Kumbum, and Qinghai Lake. A rail journey from Xining into the heartland of Lhasa. Continue on to visit Shigatse’s town-sized Tashilunpo Monastery, and finish with Gyantse and Tsedang’s many outstanding sights and sites.

Description

Day 1 Welcome to Lanzhou (D)
Arrive in Lanzhou, capital of China’s Gansu province and gateway to the vast desert wastes of the ancient Hexi Corridor. This evening, following dinner, enjoy a walking tour of the city’s main night market.

Lanzhou Legend Hotel

Day 2 Lanzhou – Xiahe (B/L/D)
Lanzhou is a new city – by the standards of China’s remarkable history – but it does have a fine provincial museum that showcases the rich and varied history of Gansu province. Once the great caravan highway between China and central Asia, the deserts of Gansu have yielded a trove of splendid art treasures, with many on view here.

This afternoon, drive to one of the most remarkable enclaves in China – the Amdo Tibetans of Xiahe. Here in the high grasslands of southern Gansu live the Amdo, proud herdsmen of northern Tibet.

Labrang Civil Aviation Hotel

Day 3 Labrang Monastery (B/L/D)
Today, visit Labrang Monastery, one of the great five “Yellow Hat” monasteries of Tibetan culture. Labrang rises from the bowl of the high valley of Xiahe like a mighty fortress, its white and ochre buildings recalling the once great power of the Buddhist theocracy. Within its walls are halls dedicated to the major deities of Tantric teaching as well as colleges for the study of esoteric philosophy, ritual dance and medicine. Its printing house continues to publish – using hand-carved wooden blocks – the sutras and philosophical texts of Tantric teaching.

Following your visit to the monastery, spend time in the thriving market, which supplies pilgrims with prayer wheels, holy beads, incense and other religious materials. In addition to the more common materials available, the market is often a good source for more adventurous and unique items – thangka (religious scenes of the Buddhas life), flint boxes (used by the Amdo nomads), amber, coral and turquoise jewelry – all prized treasures of the Amdo nomads. Later this afternoon, return to your hotel.

Day 4 Xiahe to Tongren – The Artistic Capital of Tibet (B/L/D)
This morning, transfer by road from Xiahe to Tongren through the mountain and canyon with colorful rocky cliffs from dark to light brown, deep red, light gray to almost black lined in different contrasts over the whole massif.

Arrive in Rebkong (Tongren), often called the artistic capital of Tibet where Buddhist monks and folk artists carry on the plastic arts of painting “thangka” and murals, crafting patchwork “barbola” and sculpting known collectively as the Regong arts inscribed by UNESCO in 2009 as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Characterized by a distinctively Tibetan Buddhist religion style and unique regional features, the Regong arts embody the spiritual history and traditional culture of the region and remain an integral part of the artistic life of people there today.

Visit the Wutun village, its two monasteries and the house of a local Tibetan artist’s family / workshop to experience life as they live it.

Regong Hotel

Day 5 Tongren – Kanbula National Forest Park – Xining (B/L/D)
Visit the Longwu Monastery, one of the leading monasteries in the Amdo Tibetan area, with more than 800 lamas living inside. Built in 1301, the monastery has many golden-eaved temples and labyrinthine alleyways, and a 40-foottall gilded statue of the founder of Gelugpa Buddhism, Tsongkhapa, one of the largest of its kind in Qinghai. This afternoon, on our way back to Xining, we stop en route at the Kanbula National Forest Park, winding down a road and you will be marveled by the views of the massive lake centered in the park surrounded by beautiful “Danxia” or red sandstone scenery.

Sofitel Xining

Day 6 Khumbum – Qinghai Lake (B/L/D)
Today, we will visit Taer Lamasery, also known as Kumbum in Tibetan. It is the holiest shrine for Gelukpa-sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism as its founder, Tsongkhapa was born here. The monastery was built in 1560 and covers an area of 100 acres. The most recent restoration work was done in 1979. There are numerous temples, halls, stupas, and dormitories for the monks constructed in a mixture of Tibetan and Chinese architectural styles. One thousand monks are at the Kumbum Monastery today.

Later afternoon, we drive to Kokonor (Qinghai) Lake, the largest lake in China through picturesque countryside, villages with many picture stops and cross over Sun-and-Moon-Mountain and listen to fascinating stories about the princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty and how the mountains and rivers of the area came by colorful names. As this mountain is the distinguish line between meadow and agriculture area, and from here you drive into the pastureland passing through meadows and Tibetan herdsman’s tents and arrive at the lakeshore of the blue lake Qinghai. It is the biggest lake in China, with an area of 4500 square kilometers surrounded by vast grassland and the snowcapped mountains in a distance, are homes for Nomadic Tibetan in Amdo.

On arrival check in at the Grassland Hotel.

Day 7 Qinghai Lake – Xining (B/L/D)
This morning you may want to get up early to view the magnificent sunrise. Enjoy a boat cruise on the indigo blue lake, which remains the same in the language of Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan. Followed by a visit to a Tibetan family before return to Xining.

Day 8 Xining /Lhasa by Train (B/L)
This morning, we will take an excursion outskirt to the Qutan Monastery, one of few Ming Temples survived and referred to by experts as “the imperial palace of the northwest”. The temple is located in a little village about two hours away from Xining and the murals painted along its corridors in the 15th century, about 400 square meters in extent, are one of the highlights of this temple. Return back to the city, we will visit Dongguan Mosque and the Museum of China Tibetan Medicine Culture.

Later this afternoon, board an overnight train to Lhasa, one of the most remarkable rail journeys experience on the planet. Sit back as the train travel westbound crossing grassland and entering acid Qaidam basin toward Golmud.

Day 9 Across Qinghai/Tibet Plateau to Lhasa (D)
Your morning starts with surreal and stupendous landscapes of source water area of the Yangtze, Mekong and more. Passing the elevated bridges and open steppes against a stunning backdrop of towering snow capped peaks. Early this afternoon, we arrive in Lhasa Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, lies on the Lhasa River’s north bank in a valley of the Himalayas and transfer to the hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure.
• Four Point by Sheraton Hotel

Day 10 Lhasa (B/L/D)

Visit the Potala Palace; an architectural wonder dominated the centre of Lhasa. Its vast inward-sloping walls broken only in the upper parts by straight rows of many windows, and its flat roofs at various levels are not unlike a fortress in appearance. Also visit the summer palace of Dalai Lama -Norbulingka and the Museum to get an insight of Tibetan Culture.

Day 11 Lhasa (B/L/D)

Visit the Jokhang Temple, spiritual centre and important pilgrimage site for pious Tibetans.
The Barkhor Bazaar, rich in colours and atmosphere, a perfect place to pick up a well-crafted Tibetan ornament.
Also visit the Sera and Drepung, both founded in the 15th century.

Day 12 Lhasa – Shigatse (B/L/D)

Travel to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city and the traditional capital of Tsang. Tour the labyrinthine Tashilumpur Monastery, the seat of Panchan Lamas and walk along the pilgrim route before sunset.
• Shigatse Hotel

Day 13 Shigatse – Gyantse (B/L/D)

Enjoy breathtaking vistas across vertiginous, snow-capped mountains as we travel to Gyantse. Visit Pelkor Chode Kumbum with 108 chapels illustrated with beautiful murals.
• Gyantse Hotel

Day 14 Gyantse – Tsedang (B/L/D)

Drive over Kamba La Mountain pass and skirt the turquoise Yamdrok Lake. Picnic lunch if weather permits. Tour Samye Monastery – the first temple of Tibet, Trandruk Monastery and Yumbulhakhang Palace dramatically posed over the fertile Yarlung Tsangpo Valley.
• Tsedang Hotel

Day 15 Tsedang (B/L/D)

Drive to Samye visit Samye Monastery – the first temple of Tibet, Trandruk Monastery, and Yumbulhakhang Yarlung Tsangpo Palace dramatically posed over the fertile Yarlung Tsangpo Valley.

Day 16 Tsedang – Lhasa Airport (B)

Transfer to Gongkha airport or onward flight.

SEASONALITIES
Low Season : Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, & Mar
Shoulder Season : Apr, May, & Jun
High Season :  Jul, Aug, Sep, & Oct



Based on minimum 10
$3,255
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Low Season: $3,255
  • L/S Single supplement: $1,025
  • Shoulder Season: $3,295
  • S/S Single supplement: $1,005
  • High Season: $3,815
  • H/S Single supplement: $1,305

Based on 6-9 passengers
$3,900
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Low Season: $3,900
  • L/S Single supplement: $1,075
  • Shoulder Season: $3,990
  • S/S Single supplement: $1,075
  • High Season: $4,575
  • H/S Single supplement: $1,350

Based on 2-5 passengers
$5,395
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Low Season: $5,395
  • L/S Single supplement: $1,075
  • Shoulder Season: $5,565
  • S/S Single supplement: $1,075
  • High Season: $6,145
  • H/S Single supplement: $1,350

Additional information

OVERVIEW

Unique 16-day private trip showcasing you the best of Tibet. For centuries, Tibet has been a far-off land shrouded in mystery. This unique trip gives a thorough treatment to the
immensity of the Tibetan history, arts, breathtaking landscape and intangible cultural heritages.

START / END

Day 1 Arrive in Lanzhou • Day 2 Lanzhou to Xiahe • Day 3 Labrang Monastery • Day 4 Xiahe to Repkong (Tongren) • Day 5 Repkong to Xining via Kanbula • Day 6 Xining to Kumbum Monastery to Qinghai Lake • Day 7 Qinghai Lake to Xining • Day 8 – 9 Xining to Lhasa by Train • Day 10 – 11 Lhasa • Day 12 Lhasa to Shigatse • Day 13 Shigatse to Gyantse • Day 14 Gyantse to Tsedang • Day 15 Tsedang • Day 16 Tsedang to Lhasa Airport

DEPARTURE

Private Trip, Guaranteed departure for minimum 2 travelers

HOTELS

Lanzhou: Lanzhou Legend Hotel
Xiahe: Labrang Civil Aviation Hotel
Repkong: Repkong Hotel
Xining: Sofitel Xining
Qinghai Lake: Grassland Hotel.
Xining to Lhasa: soft sleeper
Lhasa: Four Point by Sheraton Hotel
Shigatse: Shigatse Hotel
Gyantse: Gyantse Hotel
Tsedang: Tsedang Hotel

INCLUSIONS

Hotels with daily breakfast as listed in the itinerary
Meal specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, SD = Special Dinner)
Arrival and departure transfer services from Airport/hotel/airport
Transfer and ground transportation during the tours by air conditioned vehicles
Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary with English speaking local guide(s)
Entrance fees at sites/monuments (one time)
Intra-tour air/rail transportation based on coach class
Present applicable VAT/taxes.

EXCLUSIONS

International flights – Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
Tourist visa to the country visited in the itinerary
Insurance you may wish (which we urge you to purchase)
Personal expenses and gratuities.
Any other item not specified

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance.

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