Derge Trek

Description

Derge was the capital of the 5 major kingdoms of eastern Tibet in Kham. Derge Trek is to begin from Dzongsar village, which is hidden in the valley next to the Jinsha River for hundreds of years. This trek will end at Manigango, a wild-west small town. It is said that Manigango was the Battle field that The King Gesar conquered the evil. We will explore the hidden valleys in Kham, and enjoy the scenery there during this trip

Be advised: included yaks are used for carry tent, food and other camping gears, staff’s bags, and each client has 20 kg free carried bags; if you may need yaks to carry your extra bags, we can assist you to rent one, you can pay local

Itinerary

D1 Arrive in Chengdu

Meet your guide at the airport or train station, drive to your hotel to check in. In the afternoon feel free to take a relaxing sightseeing visit to the traditional Chinese teahouse at People’s park.

Overnight: Minshan Lhasa Grand Hotel — Include | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D2 Chengdu to Xindu-qiao via Kangding

We will depart early today, the drive may take 8 – 9 hours total. we will drive directly to Kangding, in which we will make a short stop, wandering around this town for a minutes to stretch your legs, and having lunch here, then after, we will depart for Mt Dzeto (4323m). This is the first pass of this trip, it is also the sign that you set your foot on the east Tibetan Plateau. then after we will descending all the way to Xinduqiao, small tibetan town which becomes popular for its picturesque view

Overnight: Jin Qiu Mu Ma Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D3 Xindu-qiao to Garze (Kanze) County

We will get up early to appreciate the morning view of this quiet Tibetan town. After having breakfast, we will be back on the main trail heading west to Lhagang — a small Tibetan town built by the road, where we will visit to Lhagang monastery, a Nyingma pa sect monastery. Then we will continue the drive all the way to Garze (Kanze) County , enjoy the nature scenery along the drive. We will pick some spots to stop stretching legs, and relaxing;

Overnight: Tang Gu La Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D4 Kanze to Pelyul

The overall distance from Garze (Kanze) County to Pelyul County is about 230 kilometers on a paved and dirt road. The watershed pass cuts through the glacial Kawalingring range, which divides the Yangtze and Yarlung basins. While crossing the watershed pass (4,320 meters) and heading towards Pelyul, there are spectacular upland lakes and grasslands of gentian and edelweiss, among others. We need to arrive in Pelyul county early in order to prepare some supply, including vegetable, meat…;

Overnight: Cha Qing Song Duo Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D5 Pelyul to Dzongsar valley

The drive from Pelyul to Dzongsar valley may take 3 hours, once we arrive in, we will take a short tour of Dzongsar monastery, which was founded in 1275. It had been a Nyingma pa and a Kagyu sect temple, and was the site of a Bonpo shrine. Dzongsar monastery, the now Sakyapa monastery was the home of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1821-1894) and Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro (1896-1959). During the lives of these two extraordinary spiritual leaders, Dzongsar Monastery became a center for the non-sectarian approach to the study and practice of Buddhism, and great lamas of all four Tibetan traditions studied there. The Monastery has been rebuilt in recent years following its destruction under Communist rule. The present Dzongsar Khyentse, Thubten Chokyi Gyamtso, supervises the Institute where 250 monks are being educated.

In the afternoon, we will prepare for the trek, meeting our local Tibetan Crew, hiring yaks, and select stablemen, be prepared for the trek that begins the next day

Overnight: Local guesthouse — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D6 Trek Day 1 — Dzongsar valley to Valley junction (6.5 hours walk)

In the morning pack your luggage onto the animal carrying the baggages. Then, along Mesho-chu Southward, which is about 2 kilometers before reaching Yuba village we’ll cross a wooden bridge on Mesho-chu. We’ll reach a small hill, leave the main trail to the first unknown pass, then descend to the valley. This lush, green valley is about 8 kilometers long where you’ll turn north to Redakla pass that leads you to the valley junction where you’ll camp.

Overnight: Tent — Include | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — Include

D7 Trek Day 2 — To Nenang Gonpa (6 – 7 hours walk)

After having breakfast you’ll load your gear, then ascend to the Redakla pass, then descend to the valley to Tingchu for about 8 kilometers., Over 3 passes en route you’ll head north to Nenang gonpa.

Overnight: Tent — Include | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — Include

D8 Trek Day 3 — Nenang Gonpa to Medow camp

The trail today is flat where there are several rivers to crossing through. The walk is pleasant, and along the road we may see wildlife including, deer. The camp is located at one meadow by a small stream beneath the highest pass of this trek, also known as Dzen.

Overnight: Tent — Include | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — Include

D9 Trek Day 4 — Complete this trek, Arrival Garze

You’ll depart early in the morning where the altitude goes up to 5,000 meters to the pass of Den-La from the Meadow camp at 4,100 meters. A period of 3 hours is needed to cover this distance. We’ll have a picnic at the pass, where the snow covered mountains are visible including, Mt. Tro La, Mt. Rongme Peza, Mt. Gongri Neto. Descending along the rocky trail, to the first stage, a a lake that resembles a blue-diamond descends to the bottom of the valley. Along Dzen-chu to the entrance of the valley, crossing a wooden bridge, our vehicle will be waiting next to the wooden bridge. And then we will drive about 100 kilometers to Garze for overnight, We will have a nice shower tonight

Overnight: Tang Gu La Hotel — Include | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — Include

D10 Garze to Kangding

We’ll begin our return trip. In the moring, we will first drive to visit Kanze monastery, and for the full view of Kanze township; then we will be on the main road heading towward east to Kangding, which is cradled along the raging Dzetuo River. The river’s continual rumble can be heard in its alleyways where nomads from the West to sell Tibetan herbal medicine, Khampa knives, traditional Tibetan garments, and yak butter tea. For centuries the town has held the status of “Gateway to Tibet.”

Overnight: Liu Liu City Gesanghua Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D11 Kangding to Chengdu

Today, we will drive back to Chengdu, we will firt arrive in Luding county, in which we will spend some time to visit the popular site of Luding Iron Bridge, then after we will be on the highway return to Chengdu.

Overnight: Minshan Lhasa Grand Hotel — Include | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include

D12 Chengdu Departure

Your journey ends today, we’ll drive you to airport for your departure

Overnight: Not included | Breakfast — Include | Lunch and Dinner — Not include