Xining arrival day:

Pick-up service from the airport and acclimatization. Joint Dinner in the provincial capital of Qinghai.

Xining – Kumbum Monastery – Qinghai Lake:

After breakfast we start with our trip. Before we get to the nearby 3,800 meters Qinghai Lake, we take a break and visit the Kumbum Monastery (Ta He Si). The monastery dates from 1578 and is one of the six largest monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Qinghai Lake (Kokonor) is considered one of the largest salt lakes in the world.

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Qinghai-Lake – Yellow River:

From Qinghai Lake we go further to the Tibetan highlands and continue over a plateau inhabited by nomads and grazing yaks, before arriving on the shores of the Yellow river. The view of Qinghai Lake from the top is spectacular. We visit the Xiaqiong Monastery, which is one of the most important in this part of Tibet (Amdo).

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Yellow River – Tongren:

The journey takes us over Tibetan grassland to Tongren, where we spend the night in a hotel. Before we arrive in Tongren, we pass the monastery Achung Namdzong. It is one of the most important monasteries of the Nyingma school. Tongren is a center of Tibetan art and culture. Here you can purchase hand-painted Thangkas ( Tibetan paintings on animal skin ) or just watch the goings on the street.

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Tongren – Xiahe (Labrang-Monastery):

Labrang is one of the largest temple complexes of the Gelugpa school in the world. Several mountain slopes are planted with small one- or two-story accommodation and temples for the monks. The mountain slopes are surrounded by grasslands and around 2800m altitude. Today the monastery is one of the most important educational institutions of Tibet. In the 18th century, it became a trading center because of its location on the Silk Road. The monastery is located in a river valley.

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Xiahe (Labrang-Monastery) – Langmusi:

Langmusi is a small Tibetan village amidst grassland and coniferous forest and marks the boundary between the provinces of Gansu and Sichuan. The village is surrounded by small red and white painted monasteries, such as the Kerti Monastery, yak herds and pine trees. This night we stay in a small guest house.

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Langmusi – Kirti Gompa:

The road leads along the Yellow River on our way to the south. Soon we are back on almost untrodden roads surrounded by grassland, mountains, nomads, and the vast sky. Today’s destination is near the Kirti Gompa, another important monastery.

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Kirti Gompa – Sertar:

The Way to Sertar (or: Seda) leads over 50 km of slopes. The effort is worthwhile, because Sertar is a highlight of this trip. Sertar is the largest Buddhist educational institution in the world and was built up the hill over generations. The amazing view and the architectural extent cannot be understood only by looking at photos.

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Sertar – Aba:

Slowly but surely we are leaving the Tibetan grasslands and driving through pine forest and along small lakes to Aba where we will stay a longer time in our camp.

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Aba – Chengdu:

On the last day of driving, we get back to civilization. Chengdu is a large, modern, and vibrant city and also the provincial capital of Sichuan.

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 Chengdu Departure Day:

Transfer to the airport.