North Tibet: Naqu Horse Festival (9days) Tour Code:T-C0901CD

Duration: 9 Days 
Route: Chengdu-Lhasa-Naqu-Dangxiong-Namtso-Chukmo-Lhasa-Chengdu-China
Attractions: fly to Lhasa visit Stone Giant Buddha, Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, and Barkhor street. As well as Appreciate Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery. Then go to Naqu, Dangxiong, Namtso lake, Chukmko enjoy the the beautiful Tibetan natural scenery. Later go back to Lhasa.

Itinerary

Day 01: arrive in Lhasa

Meet at Chengdu airport in the morning. Then fly to Lhasa. As soon as you arrive at Gongar airport our local guide will pick up you and take you to Lhasa on the road visit the Stone Gaint Buddha. Then check into hotel firstly, take a rest in afternoon for high altitude. Overnight in Lhasa. (L/D)

Day 02: Lhasa

Getting up at about 8:00am , after using breakfast, drive to visit the wonder of the world---Potala Palace. Finish sightseeing at about 12:30, after using lunch outside Drive back to the hotel to take a rest. About 15:00, drive to visit Jokhang Temple-the most famous and oldest building in Lhasa. Then visit Barkhore Street, the business center of Lhasa. The whole day visiting will finish at about 18:00, taking dinner and having rest after while. overnight in Lhasa. (B/L/D)

Day 03: Lhasa

Drepung Monastery has an enormous hall with thousands of silk-bound scriptures covering 1,800-sqm(5,906-sqft) of wall space. Here we will witness thousands of lamas chanting en masse, with their passionate voices reverberating through the ancient halls as the flames of yak butter candles flicker under their breaths. overnight in Lhasa. (B/L/D)
Sera Monastery, one of the three main temples of Gelukpa Sect, is located at the foot of Mt. Purbuchok. Each afternoon, the monastery's 300-strong lamas hold a debate session in the garden, at times engaged in a heated discussion over spiritual questions.

Day 04: Lhasa-Naqu

Under good road conditions, the 315 km journey from Lhasa to Naqu should take approximately 6 hours. Though the journey is long and at times arduous, there is no such thing as an ugly road in Tibet. We will pass beautiful temples and shrines and encounter herdsmen and pilgrims as we traverse deep valleys and drive across rugged passes. We should reach Naqu Grasslands by dusk, providing us with a wonderful opportunity to watch the sun go down while sipping hot tea and eating tsampa (the staple Tibetan food) with the nomads. overnight in Naqu. (B/L/D)

Day 05-06: Naqu

Grab your horse or your camera, (we do not suggest both) and enjoy a long day of festivities and races at the annual Horse Racing Festival, which is held in August each year. Rows of tents cover the vast green grassland, hosting more than 10,000 spectators from afar. In addition to the various equine events, such as shooting on horseback and cross-country racing, the festival also provides an opportunity to watch regional folk dances. In the evening we will gather around the campfire for more singing and dancing. overnight in Naqu. (B/L/D)

Day 07: Naqu-Daxiong-Namtso-Chukmo

After breakfast, we will leave the racecourse and drive south for 6 hours to arrive at the Lake Namtso-Chukmo in Zhaxi Peninsula. The lake basin, located at an altitude of 4,718 m(15,479 ft), can be cold in the evening but our cozy sleeping bags and campfire should keep us warm and comfortable all night long. overnight in Chukmo. (B/L/D)

Day 08: Namtso-Chukmo-Lhasa

We will get up early to explore the peninsula and its bird sanctuary, where we may get a glimpse of the rare black-necked crane. There are many caves to explore, including those along a 100-meter mani stone wall. We will return to Lhasa in the late evening. overnight in Lhasa. (L/B/D) 

Day 08: Lhasa
Go to airport then fly back to Chengdu. All of the trip ends. (B)

Time: August 20 to 26

What's On: Tens of thousands of herdsmen in their holiday best go camping outside of Nagqu City. On the vast expanse of grassland are scattered many camps, lasting several miles. After a grand opening ceremony, various recreational and trade activities will start, such as horserace, yak race, tug of-war, carrying rocks, doing sgor-gzhas (Tibetan group dance), and performing Tibetan operas.

During the month of August over 10,000 people will cross high passes of more than 4000 m (13123 ft) by foot, horse and jeep to make their way to Naqu Racecourse, to run their horses, eat, drink and enjoy themselves during the annual horse festival holiday. This racecourse, at 4500 m(14763 ft), is undoubtedly the highest located racecourse in the world. Crowded along the hillsides are white tents housing monks, pilgrims, nomads, and city dwellers who come from Lhasa and all over Hor, the urban and farming communities of northern Tibet. During this time of festivities and dance, everyone dresses in their finest and most colorful clothing and adorns themselves with chunks of gold and turquoise jewelry. After the races, we will camp by Lake Namtso-Chukmo, Tibet's largest saltwater lake, which is also considered one of its most sacred. Seventy km long and 30 wide, it takes pilgrims 18 days to complete a korla, or a circumnavigation, around the lake. Lake Namtso-Chukmo is also home to migratory birds between April and November; if we are lucky, we may be able to see the rare black-necked crane.

We can make hotel reservation for your in Chengdu, such as Lhasa Giant Hotel or Jinhe hotel(3stars) at rate of 46USD/room/night.

All above subjected to our confirmation.

Tibet Permit:
To travel to Tibet, you would need a valid Chinese visa & a special travel permit. Only those who join package tours are qualified to obtain the permit. To book the tour, you are requested to e-mail or fax us the photo page of your passport and your Chinese visa including the following messages: full names as shown in your passport, date of birth, occupation, gender and your passport number. Our Fax number is 86-28-86087200.