TTC-T-11: Nakchu Horse Racing festival
According to a Tibetan myth, the gods will descend from the heaven on the 22nd of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar annually. All monasteries will be opened at this day to the needy. Prayers and sutra chants will be given. At the time of this festival, thousands of nomads throng to Nakchu pasture riding fine horses, and trading the local products. Thousands of nomads bring tents and form a great "tent town".
Festival Date:
August 10th - 16th
Please contact us for the exact dates on Gregorian calendar.
| Tour Style: | Small Group Tour |
| Start: | Chengdu |
| Finish: | Chengdu |
| Duration: | 10 days |
Area visited: | Central Tibet |
Highlights:
- The traditional Chinese teahouse at People's park.
- Potala Palace
- Jokhang temple
- Barkhor Bazar
- Sera monastery
- Drepung monastery
- Nechung monastery
- Namtso Lake
- Giant Panda Sanctuary
Altitude:
Chengdu: 500m
Lhasa: 3650m
Namtso Lake: 4720m
Nakchu: 4500m
Please contact us for pricing information.
Detail program:
Day1: Arrive in Chengdu
After arrival at Chengdu airport, pickup and transfer to your hotel, assistance in checking in. Relax for the rest of this first day by visiting the traditional Chinese Teahouse at People's park.
Altitude: Chengdu: 500m
Day2: Chengdu to Lhasa.
Fly to Lhasa, the guide will meet you at the airport, and transfer you to Lhasa city with about 1h30 driving (100 km). On the way, we'll visit to Nie Tang Buddha, a Buddha image engraved in the mountain face. Afternoon an easy walking visit to Luophuk lingkar - the summer palace of Dalai Lama:
Altitude: Lhasa: 3650m
Day3: Lhasa
We visit Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Barkhor Bazar.
Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Stunningly dominating the skyline of Lhassa atop the crest of Marpo Ri hill, the seventh-century Potala is considered Lhasa's most holy destination for a pilgrimage. Winding up the hill, a stone path leads to the 14-story, 1000-room. Each day, thousands of pilgrims give the prayer wheels lining the path a clockwise spin as they make their way up to the entrance.
The Jokhang Monastery is the home of the statutes of the revered Buddha, Shakyamuni. While all Buddhist statutes are magnificently robed in colorful brocade adorned with pearls, turquoise, coral, and silver, solid gold bowls of holy water rest before Shakyamuni as well as offerings of yuen (money) and khatas (scarves) left by pilgrims.
Altitude: Lhasa: 3650m
Day4: Lhasa
Visit Sera, Drepung, Nechung monasteries.
Sera is one of the three largest monasteries of Gelugpa, sits at the foot of Hill Tatipu. It is as prestigious as Drepung and Ganden, which had a longer history. Sera in Tibetan means Wild Rose Garden since opulent wild rose woods once grew around it.
Drepung monastery. Drepung once housed 10,000 monks, If we're lucky, we'll quietly ease into a dark columned hall to see and hear the lilting, booming chanting of the sutras, or perhaps sit under a willow tree and watch as the monks engage in theatrical debate.
Nechung Monastery the seat of Nechung, Tibet's State Oracle. Major decisions of the state are made in consultation with the Nechung Oracle.
Altitude: Lhasa: 3650m
Day5: Lhasa to Namtso Lake
Deaprture from Lhasa, along Amdo-tibet highway for about 160km to reach Damshang, where the road turns to northwest about another 60km to reach Namtso Lake that lies beside snow-capped Mt. Nyainqentanglha, the son of Namtso and leader of sacred mountains. The lake with the highest sea level in the world is far away from the pollution of modern civilization. Natural wildlife -- animals, birds and fish -- is a summer attraction.
Driving hours & distance: 180km on paved road, about 3 - 4 hours
Altitude: Namtso Lake: 4720m
Day6&Day7: Namtso Lake to Nakchu
After reaching at Nakchu, attending to the unforgettable festival at such high town.
Driving hours & distance: 180km on paved & dirt road, about 4 - 5 hours
Altitude: Nakchu: 4500m
Day8: Nakchu to Lhasa
Drive along Nyainqentanglha mountain range to enjoy the breataking view of the high plateau, return to Lhasa
Driving hours & distance: 380km on paved road, about 7 - 8 hours
Altitude: Lhasa: 3650m, Ganden monastery: 4240m
Day9: Lhasa to Chengdu
Drive from Lhasa Gangkar airport, by morning flight from Lhasa to Chengdu, after arrive in Chengdu, transfer to Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base, one of the most important centers in the world for the conservation of the Giant Panda.
Altitude: Chengdu: 500m
Day10: Chengdu to the airport for departure
After having breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to airport for your departure (transfer timings will depend on the flight schedule)
| 
