Amdo Shaman Festival Tour

Day 1-3: Xining – Qinghai Lake (Kokonor – Drotsang)

The first few days will include an exploration of the area around Xining on the northeastern frontier of the Tibetan Plateau. You will be picked up from your hotel in Xining and taken to explore the culture heritage sites and natural wonders of the Tsongkhha Valley. Enjoy a visit Gonlung, one of the four great Buddhist monasteries of the area, which lies in a minor side valley of the Tsongchu River. The picturesque valley of Gonlung was visited by the Third and Fourth Dalai Lamas, and the monastery was later founded in 1604. High-ranking Lamas hailing from this monastery used to serve as tutors to the Chinese Emperors. Then visit another local, and impressively well-preserved site important to the Chinese emperors, Qutan Temple. Built in 1492 on the historic Sino-Tibetan frontier, its layout and design is comparable to the imperial palace, featuring Ming dynasty style architecture and art. We also pay homage to the birth place of the eminent Buddhist scholar Tsong-kha-pa at Kumbum Monastery (Ch. Ta’er Si), where he was born in 1357. Today the monastery remains an important site for the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Finally, take a visit to the infamous Kokonor, also known as Qinghai Lake. This emerald blue, high altitude salt lake, lies at refreshing height 3200 meters and is home to a diversity of unique animal and plant life. It is not only largest, but one of the holiest lakes on the Tibetan Plateau.

Overnight: Hotel (Clean)

Day 4-8: Rebkong (Enjoy Shaman Festival Tour)

Rebkong’s mountain god festival is a special celebration which does not occur anywhere else in Tibet. Villagers gather at the community shrine for the ceremony in their best traditional costumes and jewelry. They beat rectangular drums while dancing in a circle in the courtyard. Once the local spirit medium who is to receive the spirit of the mountain god has entered a trance, the gods may speak through him. Participating spirit mediums will pierce their mouths and flesh with long metal needles. We will join the festivities in a number of villages, each with their own style of dancing and rituals. Rebkong also is famous for its traditional Tibetan thangkha paintings. To learn more about them we will visit the Rongwu and Sanggeshung monasteries, which house the masterpieces of local artists.

Overnight: Norpung Hotel (Standard)

Day 9-14: Sogwo Grassland – Taktsang Lhamo – Labrang Monastery

Most Tibetan nomads live on the grasslands of eastern Tibet. In particular, the pastures along the Yellow River and its tributaries are regarded as the richest, with thick grasses and wide pasturelands. This epic part of your journey will bring you to the high grasslands of Tsekok and Sokpo at a comfortable altitude of about 3700 meters and in a remote corner where only few tourists venture. You will have the chance to experience warm hospitality and taste flavorful milk tea and thick yogurt at the nomads’ summer campsites. From here we will travel onwards to Taktsang Lhamo, a small town in Amdo bifurcated by the Sichuan and Gansu Provincial border, and home to two monasteries nestled in a delightful, quaint valley. This secluded alpine terrain valley offers a splendid day for refreshment. Take a short trek up the headwater of White Dragon River and mountain slopes. Our last stop is Labrang Monastery, a large Buddhist university built in 1706. We will visit its grandiose temples to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and monastic life. Finally, we will accompany you to the city of Lanzhou for connection to your next destination by air or train.

Overnight: Hotel (Clean)

Day 15: Departure

Depart from Lanzhou to your next destination by air or train. Check all Amdo tours.