Trips China Tibet

Tibet Ngachu Horse Race Festival & Namtso Lake

Tibet is a beautiful rugged, desolated, mountainous region with numerous snow-capped peaks, jade-green lakes, with a predominant Buddhist influence.

Nag Chu is located on the famous North Tibetan plateau. The northern Changtang highland in Tibet is a vast region flanked by the great Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges on the one side and the Gangdise Nyenchen Tanglha mountain ranges on the other. The topography of the region is one of rolling hills with basins and highland lakes. Steaming hot springs can also be seen in region. In the animist tradition, the Tibetans believe that there is a god embodied in every mountain and lake. The region is therefore full of mountains and lakes deemed holy with mythic powers by the local people.

The annual Ngachu Horse-race Festival, traditionally held at the town of the same name in August, is a window of highland culture and folklore activities. It is attended by tens of thousands of herders coming on horseback from as far as hundreds of kilometers away. A white tent city emerges from nowhere. Contests of archery on horseback and horsemanship and yak race will beheld at the festival together with performances by itinerant balladeers and dancers in addition to a lively swap market. Open all the year round, it offers interesting insight into local life style and folk activities to tourists.

Besides the Ngachu Horse Racing Festival, this trip covers the highlights of Tsetang, Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse as well as beautiful Namtso Lake.

Activities include overland drive, culture sightseeing, trekking, visit to alpine lakes. This is an overland tour which will appeal to the adventurous traveller who is looking for rugged cultural sights and activities which will bridge the gap between the typical tourists and locals.

Included

• 2-way internal / domestic return airfares between Chengdu & Lhasa including airport taxes
• Full accommodation arrangement ( hotels in Chengdu, Tsedang, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and guesthouse in in Namtso Lake ) with daily breakfasts
• Full transport arrangement & airport transfers in both 4WD ( in Tibet ) & van ( in Chengdu )
• Entrance tickets to the listed scenic spots as well as special travel permits for Tibet
• Either Chinese or English speaking guide service
• All expenses for guides, drivers, and vehicles
• Oxygen support for overland journey & trek in Tibet
• Complimentary use of sleeping bags and down jackets, if required

Excluded

• 2-way international economy class return airfares between Singapore & Chengdu & associated airport & other taxes
• Meals during tour except for breakfast which is provided with accommodation
• Tipping & gratuities to guide & driver
• Fees for photography inside monastery chapels & other places where extra fees are required
• Personal travel insurance, pre-trip medical immunizations, and all expenses of a personal nature

Beware that any trip to Tibet will involve high altitude travel and may be tough especially for most of us who live at sea level. The main deciding factor to whether you'll enjoy the trip or not will be your ability to acclimatize to the high altitudes within the prescribed trip period. We will provide oxygen support during the overland & trek period but do note that this is not a substitute for proper acclimatization which is subjective and cannot be pre-determined in each person.

At high altitudes between 4000m to 5200m, even an easy walk will push your lungs pretty hard if one is not well-acclimatized enough so sufficient acclimatization is one of the main criteria to an enjoyable & comfortable time on this outing. On certain days, the overland drives will be long so this trip may not be suitable for those who dislike long drives as well as unprepared people looking for a comfortable holiday. All participants must travel with an open mind and positive attitude. For many, however, the superb beauty of the Tibetan highlands will more than often not make up for whatever discomfort you may experience on the trip and leave you with lasting memories of this adventure of a lifetime.

All participants are strongly advised to join our weekly GCS to tune up their fitness for this trip.