Highland Expedition
Tibet Highland Tibet: (IT-TBRT02)
URL: http://www.hiddentrails.com/tour/tibet_highland_expeditions.aspx
Introduction
Tibet Highland
Tibet
A very special horseback trek into the lives, land and culture of the Tibetan Nomads. Ride along the divide between the Yangtze and Yellow River and through wild flower studded mountains.
This is a unique horseback ride on the high plateau of eastern Tibet that will take you back in time and put you on top of the world! Tibet became part of China in the
late 1950’s and the route takes you through the upland grasslands of
what is now Sichuan Province. The grasslands of Amchok in Sichuan Province are home to the "black tent" herders: Tibetans who graze their yaks, horses, and sheep on the lush rolling hills surrounded by the snow covered peaks of the Min Shan and Anye Machin ranges. In the company of our Dokpas "wranglers", we'll visit the nomad families, small hamlets and Buddhist temples. Ride out with individuals whose nomadic lifestyle, history and culture has been largely unchanged in the last 1000 years and journey along the great divide between the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. In June and July, the weather is warm following seasonal rains and the picturesque wildflowers explode onto the landscape!
One of the many unique aspects of this ride is the opportunity to visit the remote temples and monks at small temples and gain insight into the enduring nature of Tibetan Buddhism. Our guides are very experienced and have developed an extraordinary rapport with the nomadic locals with their 10 years of riding trip experience in the region. Your tour locally born leaders speak the local dialect fluently as well as being experienced horse and outdoors people. We take advantage of local guesthouses and the opportunity to clean up and sleep in a bed when we can, however, when traveling in the countryside
we are camping out, packing all our food and camping gear on pack
horses. All clients are expected to put up their own tents (provided)
and to assist standing night watch in certain areas where the
possibility of horse theft is high.
This is a horse packing trip without vehicle support.
Accomodation
Overnights are in local hotels, tents camps on the trail and some local guesthouses with the opportunity to clean up again and sleep in a bed!
You will
move camp every couple of nights. Along the way there should be
plenty of opportunities to spend time with the people you meet. During
the journey you will come across remote Tibetan monasteries and obtain a
glimpse of Tibetan Buddhism. Sometimes camp will be next to a nomad
family and you will see firsthand the lifestyle of the nomad, perhaps
being invited into their homes for fresh yak milk, tea and yogurt.
Overnight in tented camps and family houses.
Riding
The horses used are local Tibetan mountain horses. Small (12.3 hh – 14.3 hh), sturdy and surefooted. These are working horses, used on the open grassland for herding yaks and sheep. There is a maximum rider weight limit of 85kgs (190 lbs).
Tack is English style, but the horses respond to neck reining as in Western riding.
Pace will be dictated by the terrain. At the beginning of the ride there will be the opportunity to get used to your horse at all paces, but much of the riding over the plateau will be at a walk due to the steep sloping hills. 3 - 6 hours per day
Suitable for intermediate to experienced riders.
Equipment is carried by pack horses, so luggage needs to be kept to a minimum. The support crew is there to help but guests are expected to assist setting up and breaking camp.
Part of the enjoyment of this ride is spending time with the local people you meet along the way, which means that the timing can be unpredictable. In addition, severe mountain weather can disrupt the itinerary. This trip is not for you if you like things to run to a strict timetable.
Itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu
Arriving in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. Pick up at the airport and transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: Chengdu – Miyalou
Early in the morning driving from Chengdu to Miyalou. It is about 250 km and we reach in Miyalou at about 3 p.m in the afternoon. Miyalou is about 2300 m from the sea level and we use the day to acclimatization before we drive to about 3500 m next day. We over night in a local guest house with possibilities of using the hot spring for bath in the evening.
Day 3: Miyalou – Gomithang
Today we drive from Miyalou to Gomithang. A beautiful wide open grassland of Amchok Area where we meet our horse and wrangler team. It is about 230 km to drive and we will drive over a pass of 4000 m. Gomithang is about 3500 m above sea level and we will be there among the Tibetan nomads. In the afternoon we try to practice our horses to get used for our next BIG NATURE adventure. Over night in Tent camp.
Day 4 to 11: 100 Miles (approx!)
We start our horse riding here on Gomithang with wild flower covered grassland, hills and valley. Where we ride you see countless animals (yaks, sheep and Horses) with black tents of Tibetan Nomads. We will try the life style of Tibetan nomads and enjoy freshly milked Yak-milk, and yogurt. We will see lots of wild animals and cross rivers and streams. We visit untouched Tibetan monasteries to have in site look of Tibetan Buddhism. Over night in outdoor tent camps and at Tibetan family home guesthouses.
Day 12: Last Riding Day
Today we reach Hongyuan county (a real western cowboy city) by horse and meet our Car there for driving to Soktsang monastery where we will have a marvelous evening next to Yellow river. Over night in Local Tent hotel.
Day 13: Hongyuan (Soktsang) – Chuanzhu Si
Today we drive to Chuanzhu Si where we take the flight back to Chengdu. Overnight in a Hotel.
Day 14: Chengdu
In the morning we will visit Panda breading Centre and the Chinese Herbal Medicine Market. After Lunch free for Individual activity. Over night in 3 star Hotel.
Day 15: Departure Chengdu
Airport transfer for your home flight
Equipment is carried by pack horses or yaks so luggage needs to be kept to a minimum. The support crew is there to help but guests are expected to assist setting up camp.
More so than other rides, the following itinerary is definitely an outline plan and is subject to change.
Rates and Dates for Highland Expedition
Rates include:
Fullboard from Chengdu to Chengdu; all transport
from Chengdu onwards incl. flight from Chuanzhu si to Chengdu . Horse and Yaks for the riding part. 3 star Hotel in Chengdu and local guest houses in Miyalou and Songpan. The rest in tents and at Tibetan family homes.
Rates Note:
Rate may be adjusted according to the Chinese currency exchange.
Rates Note:
Rate may be adjusted according to the Chinese currency exchange.
Transfer and Other Options:
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2012
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Transfers from Chengdu are included
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Dates Note:
Rates do not include:
International Flight from your home to Chengdu and Return. Tips for driver, guide and cooks and
Tibetan cowboys who help us on the trail.
Other Info
Meeting: Chengdu
Airport: Chengdu
Transfer: from Chengdu
Climate: The weather in June and early July should be mild with day time temperatures between 15ºC (59ºF) to 25ºC (77ºF) falling to 5ºC (41ºF) to 10ºC (50ºF) at night. September is mostly sunny and dry with day time temperatures around 20ºC (68ºF) and night time temperatures between 5ºC (41ºF) to 10ºC (50ºF). Mountain storms can occur at any time of year with strong winds and driving rain, so be prepared for all weather and wear clothing that can be layered.
What To Bring:
Dress is very informal, but Tibetan culture dictate a degree of modesty in the cut of the clothing worn. Please bring long trousers along as normally it is not considered as respectful to wear shorts in Tibetan communities.
For packing it is better use sea-bags or normal Rucksacks with waterproof (if not water proof it is advisable to pack things in a big plastic bags on the inside of your sack). Normally we put 3 Rucksacks on a Packing horseback during the trial. The guest should keep a small bag with them where they can put their cameras and personal belongings (such as passport, money). We will provide some saddlebags where they can store mineral water (but they are limited so we cannot promise ever rider gets their own!).
For Laundry: Services are available at the hotels but you will need to bring two or three changes of clothing for the camping portion of the trip. While in Tibet we will have weather in the 60's and 70's during the day, but nights will be cold.
For Money: The tour is covered food / lodging and transport from arrival to departure in Chengdu – so you will need no money for these parts. However it is very individual on what else you choose to spend on and we would suggest to have some cash - they recommend about 500 EUR / 350 US. Guests can withdraw money from an ATM in Chengdu, but there is a limit to 3000 CNY per day (about 300 EUR). One can also use credit cards to cash withdraw in the bank in Chengdu or exchange traveler checks there (however the bank gives very poor rates and they charge bank fees). So it is advisable to bring cash with you and exchange it on the street where we can get better rates and no bank fees – in this case the handlers like to buy Euro and USD.
Electricity: Except our camping nights, we will have access to electricity to recharge our batteries, etc. However please be sure you have a universal adaptor! One should bring enough chips/memory cards or films for cameras from Europe.
Telephone: One can bring his or her own mobile phone. And most of the time it will have signals but be aware that there is international roaming costs when you make calls or receive calls while you are in China/Tibet. There will be one Chinese Mobile Nr. where one can call the guests in case of emergency.
Internet: In Chengdu and some towns we will be able to check emails in a public internet café. However during the riding we will not able to have access to Internet.
Useful items:
Small binoculars, travel alarm clock, sun screen, earplugs, journal and pen, pocket knife (put in checked luggage, not allowed as carry‑on), lightweight snacks like granola bars, fruit bark, jerky, trail mix, nuts, tea bags (if you can't start the day without), vitamins, water purification tablets.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate and please do NOT mention Tibet on the visa application as this may cause problems!) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Comfortable riding jeans or Jodhpurs |
| Riding boots or trekking boots (well broken in) or ankle-high riding shoes or "paddock boots" meant for endurance rides or ‘ride & ties’. These work especially well when worn with a pair of ‘half chaps’ (knee-high leather gaiters). They have a riding heel, but are comfortable enough to be used for your city and village footwear too. |
| Rubber overboots, especially if your riding boots have leather soles. |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Good rain gear: water and wind proof jacket and rain pants or “duster” (no ponchos) |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Pile jacket or down vest |
| Wool sweater or wool shirt |
| Warm gloves |
| wool cap or other warm hat |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
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| Underwear and socks |
| Long underwear for cold nights (polypropelene or capilene) |
| Women: Jogbra or other suitable sporty support |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Comfortable footwear for city and village walking (sturdy walking shoes or tennis shoes or lightweight hiking boots well broken in) |
| Swimsuit |
| Bandana or scarf |
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| For Camping trips: |
| Sturdy large duffel bag (30x15x14) |
| Sleeping bag (four‑season) |
Ground mattress
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
Towel & Moist Towelettes
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| Camera and enough extra films and batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
| Biodegradable campsuds |
| Minimum 1 liter water bottle (leather bota bags work great for riding) |
| Flashlight with change of batteries |
| Toilet paper |
| Extra baggage tags ("collecting" tags is popular with baggage handlers in Asia) |
| 5 large trash bags to line duffel and sleeping bag stuff sack |
| 6 small & medium zip loc bags for trash disposal |
| Luggage padlocks |
| 25 feet of nylon parachute cord (useful for tying rain gear and saddle bags behind saddle) |
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