Characterized by extremely rugged mountains in parallel ranges extending from northwest to southeast, broken by very deep alpine gorges. The ranges are narrow and rocky with steep slopes and sharp ridges and high altitude nomadic grasslands, while some peaks are covered by glaciers. Eroded narrow valleys and deep forest limestone and sandstone gorges have been cut by the Salween, Mekong and Yangtze rivers and their numerous tributaries, hence the name traditionally given to the region of Kham: " four rivers and six ranges" In Kham religious and secular festivals have had great impact on the lives of the people since earliest times. Dege, which means 'land of mercy' in Tibetan, is one of the three key centers of Tibetan Buddhism, along with Xiahe in Gansu and Lhasa. Starting in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, this tour will take you across vast grasslands and along pine clad ravines to visit some of the most important lamaseries and pilgrimage sites in West Sichuan. The highlight of this trip is a three-day trek in Qiao'er Mountains, which will take you from Dzongsar Monastery to Yilhun Lhatso, a sacred lake considered by many as the most beautiful lake in Tibetan regions.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 Chengdu

Day 2 Chengdu to Kangding

Day 3 Kangding to Kanze

Day 4 Kanze

Day 5 Kanze to Dege

Day 6 Dege

Day 7 Dege to Palpung

Day 8 Palpung to Pewar

Day 9 Palpung to Dzongsar

Day 10 Dzongsar to Dopu Valley

Day 11-12 Dopu Valley to Yilhun Lhatso (Xinluhai)

Day 13 Yilhun Lhatso (Xinluhai) to Luhou

Day 14 Luhou to Kangding via Tagong

Day 15 Kangding to Chengdu

Day 16 Trip ends