8-day West Sichuan Trekking Tour

In the morning, we will arrive at Chengdu Airport, and then drive to Kangding, the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and an important historical area where Tibetan and Han people meet. On the way, we will visit the Luding Iron Chain Bridge. This bridge, located on the Dadu River, is a treasure of Chinese ancient architecture. It was built in the 44th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1705) to strengthen connections with Tibetan culture. On May 29th, 1935, the Chinese Red Army reached Luding Bridge during the Long March. Despite facing a hail of bullets, the Chinese Red Army's 22 warriors acted as pioneers of the commando and successfully overcame the bridge's guards, marking it an important historical monument of the Communist Party of China.

Drive to Tagong, which means "the Buddha's favorite place" in Tibetan and is also known as "Little Lhasa." First, drive over Zheduo Pass (4298 m), the first mountain pass on the Sichuan-Tibet highway. This pass is often referred to as the "Khampa first pass." On a clear day, you can see the main peak of Gongga Mountain (7556 m, also known as Minya Konka or "the King Peak of Sichuan") from the viewing platform at Zheduo Pass. 

Next, visit Xinduqiao Town, known as the "Paradise of Photographers." This small town is located at the junction of the northern and southern routes of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa). When the weather is good, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the main peak of Mt. Gongga from the viewing platform in Xinduqiao.

Upon arriving at Tagong, visit the Lhagang Monastery (Tagong Si) of the Sayka Sect, an important holy place for Tibetans in the Kham area. Legend has it that the Wencheng Princess built the statue of 12-year-old Jowo Sakyamuni in the Tagong Monastery, identical to the one in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Don't miss the chance to visit the impressive Gyergo Nunnery and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui. Also, from the hillside next to the Muya Golden Pagoda, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Zhara Lhatse (5820 m, also known as Jara or Yala).

After breakfast drive to Moshi Geopark in Bamei Town. It is a center of geological science, a geological wonder, and one of the birthplaces of the culture of King Gesar. It is  China's only plateau stone forest landscape, covers an area of 5 square kilometers, and is about 3,500 meters above sea level. Afterward, drive to Mosika Village of Tibetan nomadic tribes in the steppe. The people here lead a quiet and simple life. It is an excellent place to watch the sunset, sunrise, and stars. The chance of meeting marmots is very high. May-September is the most beautiful season in Mosika, flowers cover the mountains, and it's just like a fairyland.

Sleep until you wake up naturally in the morning, or get up early to take pictures of the morning scene of the Mandala of Mosika on the northern slopes of Mosika. After the sun comes out, look for Mosika's most famous marmot in the village. After the Mosika tour, pack up the equipment and start hiking to Gechonggou Valley. There are two lakes (Hai Zi) in this valley: Gucen Tso and Xiao Haizi. Gucen Tso is the holy lake of the local people in Mosika. It takes about 3-4 hours to walk to the campsite by the Gucen Tso Lake, it is crystal clear and full of flowers and green grass in summer. It is a rare star camp.

Guchong Valley extends from east to west, and when the sun rises in the morning, light and shadow slanting into the morning fog of Gucen Tso, it is an amazing scene. Today trekking to Xiao Haizi Lake and over the Shuanglianhai Pass (4600 m), then you’ll see an invisible valley, which is Cuolanggou Valley. Below the pass is the colorful Shuanglianhai (Two Connecting Lakes). A big river from the lakes stretches eastward like a giant dragon. Down the river, we’ll arrive at camp by Shangxiahai (Upper and Lower Lakes) in the afternoon.

Sleeping in the morning until you wake up naturally. It is possible to see the sea of clouds, white rainbows, and other wonders in the morning at Shangxiahai Camp. Today is an easy day. After breakfast, pack up the equipment and start crossing the Niuganmafeihai Pass (4600 m). En route, you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of Cuolang Valley. After crossing the pass, you‘ll see the most beautiful lake on this trekking tour: Niugan Mafei Hai (Ox Liver and Horse Lung Lake), it was also called Zhen Qingren Hai (Real Lover Lake), and it looks like two lingering lovers hugging each other tightly. Arrived at the lake in the afternoon set up camp and began to enjoy this peaceful place without any disputes. If you have enough energy, you can also trek about 1-2 hours to the west pass to overlook the Yanjing Hai (Glasses Lake).

In the morning, take a walk by the lake and visit the island to take pictures. After breakfast, we will trek to Sun Valley (Taiyang Hegu). Then, we will drive to Qingren Hai (Lover Lake) to see the beauty of "Sichuan Kanas". In the afternoon, we will drive to Barkam.

In the morning, we will drive to visit Taoping Village of the Qiang Minority. Over 2,000 years ago, the nomadic Qiang people moved from the adjoining areas of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces to the Minjiang River valley in Sichuan. They gradually transitioned from a nomadic to an agricultural society. The Qiangs used rocks from the nearby mountains to construct sturdy stone residences and blockhouses, which served as a defense against invasions by other groups. These stone structures were built without designs or blueprints, relying solely on experience passed down from ancestors and taught by senior villagers. The entire stockaded village of the Qiangs is neatly arranged, with residences and blockhouses scattered in varying heights and a pattern resembling an eight-trigram battle array. Despite enduring winds, rains, earthquakes, and thunderstorms for hundreds and even thousands of years, they are still in good condition. After the visit, we will drive back to Chengdu and transfer to the airport.