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VULTURES & YAKS

This journey takes along a dramatic progression of landscapes and cultures. Geographically, we move from lush mountains along the Minjiang River to windswept grasslands of the Tibetan plateau and eventually the desert terrain of Gansu. Culturally, we progress from the isolated culture of the Qiang people, who draw influences from Tibet and the Han cultural spread, to the wilds of Tibet, where cowboys on horses lead herds of yaks. We also tread into the soul of Tibet in monastery towns that hold ancient temples that serve as hubs of Buddhism, home to hundreds of Tibetan monks. It’s a journey that straddles the cultures and landscapes that makes western China a cauldron of cultural and natural evolution.

We will visit the following places:

Maoxian

The Qiang villages, sometimes called the People of the Clouds, are an ethnic group that lives in 1000 villages along the Minjiang River valley. They have a history that stretches back thousands of years, and the live in small villages high up in the mountains that consist of low squat buildings and the famous old defensive towers – the high towers offered safe refuge to the Qiang at a time when the area was besieged by bandits that roamed and terrorised this region. Many Qiang still wear their old costume, which consists of black apparel and splashes of colour, and strikingly black turbans. Using Qiang villages as trail-head villages, we will venture higher in mountainous wilderness: we will trek into a valley of mixed forests, high grasslands, lakes, and saw-toothed granite peaks that top 4,000 metres. We will ride horses to get up high in the mountains, and wallow among pure wilderness.

Songpan

A former garrison town protecting the bottleneck of the vast valley that stretches down to Chengdu along the Minjiang River, the former defensive wall and gate-towers of Songpan survive to this day. There are also some other evocative historical structures – most eminent is a covered bridge whose roof has intricate carvings of dragons and other symbols, and an old wooden mosque. The town is also exotic and colourful in its own right, with an array of bizarre shops catering for the Tibetan and Qiang inhabitants.

Ruoergai

Rouergai has one of the world’s largest pastures, a wide yawn of open space and Tibetan nomads who live in encampments of yak-hide tents surrounded by herds of yaks, with undulating ridges fringing the grassland. The grassland is also home to a wetland of international significance, home to dozens of species of nesting birds, including rare cranes and eagles and vultures. We will visit the wetland, which has open bodies of water as well as reed beds, and we’ll also get close to the nomads. 

Tiebu

Tiebu is a hidden place. An easily-missed mouth of a gorge snakes down into a river valley hemmed by cliffs, and eventually opens into a massive valley that is rung by mountains covered in conifer forests. The slopes are home to lots of spotted deer and soaring birds of prey, as well as three Tibetan villages that nestle in creases among the mountains. It all makes a pastoral scene of Tibetan peasants, and it feels like a discovery, as few outsiders ever visit the area. We’ll camp near the river (or stay in host’s house, depending on the group’s preference) and spend then spend some time visiting local people’s houses, observing village life, and walking in the forests in easy day rambles.  

Langmusi & Labrang

A scruffy Tibetan village, Langmusi offers a faithful glimpse of the Tibetan lifestyle as well as two old monasteries. Then we will continue to Xiahe, a monastery village that’s home to the Labrang Monastery – one of the largest and culturally important Buddhist monasteries found anywhere. The massive monastery was founded in 1709, and it continues to embody a wealth of Tibetan and Buddhist heritage – within its sprawl, there are several temples halls and a high pagoda and hundreds of monks. Many of the monks come from afar, studying Astronomy, Esoteric Buddhism, Law, Medicine and Theology in the six colleges set in the monastery complex or village. We will stay overnight in Xiahe, ensuring we will have enough time to explore the monastery and soak up the Tibetan way of life.

Start & Finish: Chengdu and Lanzhou (capital of Gansu province)

Duration: 13 days

Trekking: 3 day-treks

Difficulty Level: Treks are relatively easy; longest daily hike is 6 hours. Travellers only need to carry personal belongings such as camera during treks. No special fitness is required. 

Prices: Highest-end prices start at RMB14,500 (€1,550 or US$2,100) total per person for two travellers; RMB13,000 each for three travellers, RMB9,990 for four participants, and then continues to fall commensurably thereafter depending on the size of the group. The price is all-inclusive; the only things that aren’t covered are incidental or superfluous personal expenses.

Crew & Vehicle: Vehicles range from a jeep (SUV) or seven-seat aircon van for a group of up to 4 travellers, then 10-seater or 17-seater mini-bus for larger groups. The crew consists of professional driver, tour leader and guide, as well as local guides and porters where needed. 

Accommodation: Three or four-star hotels in towns and some other areas, guesthouses in small villages, camping on two nights. 

Dynamic Prices & Flexible Arrangements: Since we mostly cater for private groups, the itinerary here is a default or suggested itinerary that we usually alter depending on the clients’ budget and preferences. The prices quoted above are for a full complement of crew and mid-range hotels. You can change these arrangements to something that suits you better – find out more about ways with customised arrangements at Dynamic Pricing.

Detailed Info: For any questions or more details about this tour, please write to us.

Terms & Conditions: For the general terms and conditions that govern our tours and operation, and Frequently Asked Questions, please go to Nitty Gritty (FAQs).

Travel Independently: Would you prefer to travel in a more independent spirit to the places where we work, which are mostly locations beyond the main tourist circuits? We can help you arrange the logistics so that you can focus on enjoying the trip instead of using up your stamina in frustratingly trying to solve logistical tie-ups. Bear in mind that it may be impossible or very hard to find public transport to destinations where we operate, and it’s equally hard trying to find local guides and accommodation unless you speak the language and have local contacts. We can take away the hassles by fixing all these logistics, but you can still travel at your pace and unattached from general guide. Find out more at Travel Independently.