Mt. Mingya Gangkar trek is a less visited part of Tibet trek. You will be flying to Chengdu and start Tibet trek. Chengdu is the largest city in the western China and city has different kinds of ethnic groups including Tibetan, Chinese Muslim, Yi ethnic and the majority are Chinese. Driving to Minyak Gangkar mountain through Yangan and Dartsedo. Passing beautiful Tibetan villages and Xindoqiao junction where you can drive to Kanze county and Serta Buddhist unniversity and the road left side is the way to Minyak Gangkar snow mountain.
Minyak Gangkar snow mountain is the highest mountain in Kham region, the far eastern Tibet. The snow peak of Mount Minyak is 7556m high above sea level. This Tibet trek starts at Kangding known as Dartsedo in Tibetan. Dartsedo is the capital city of the Kardze prefecture and a Tibetan nomadic area bordered to Sichuan but nowadays, it is a small city where there are different ethnics of Tibetan, Chinese etc.
From the point of religious believers, Mt Minyak Gangkar is one of the most sacred Snow capped mountain in the Kham region and from the view of the tourists, it is a very attractive and high snow mountain which provides a fantastic Tibet trekking route where you can be in the nature, extremely beauutiful view of snow capped mountain, grassland, Tibetan farmers with their beautiful fertile of agricultural land.
You can visit more remote monasteries, Tibetan family visits and some activities with local Tibetans in order to get more deeper understanding of the life style and culture of Khampa people in Tibet makes this Tibet trek more unique and localized.
Day 01: Arrive in Chengdu
After arrival in Chengdu airport, pickup and transfer to your hotel, assist to check in. Relax in the rest hours of this day
Day 02:Chengdu-Kangding, Dartsedo in Tibetan, 2580mts/360Km
Chengdu to Kangding,2580mts: Drive 360km on paved road, into hill country and crossing through the Mt. Erlang tunnel, En-route we will stop by to visit Luding Iron Bridge. Then arrive at the gateway town of the Eastern Tibet of Kham – Kangding, which is cradled in a narrow gorge along the raging Dzetuo River. The river’s continual rumble can be heard in its alleyways where nomads from the west come to sell Tibetan herbal medicine, Khampa knives, traditional Tibetan garments, and the ever-popular yak butter tea. For centuries the town has held the status of “Gateway to Tibet”, after arrive in Kangding take an easy walk in order to acclimatizing to the altitude, visit to Anjue monastery.
Day 03: Kangding
We visit the monastery called Nagchu in Dardo county and it was originally built by the 5th the Dalai Lama so it has over 400 years history. The monastery is a Geluk monastery and it has 30 monks nowadays. They have statue of Tsongkapa, Maitreya and Nechun oracle in three different chaples respectively. Afternoon we will let student do some shopping for the trekking with our cooks
Day 04: Kangding to Laoyuling, 3110mts, 14Km drive (Nyalung-go in Tibetan)
Drive to Laoyuling (Nyalung-go in Tibetan ), 3110mts, where we will find a nice camp nearby the village of Nyalung-go. We will talk with locals to get our horses for the camping equipment. Visit the villages and walk around the village.
Day 05: Trekking to the foot of Yagya Gela pass, 3590mts, 4- 5 hrs
Today we will get up early to enjoy the sunrise in the beautiful green scenery and trek 2 hrs to the first camp site of Minyak Gangkar and another 3 more hours to reach to our camp site, the foot of Yagya Gel pass. We will have beautiful view of snow capped mountain.
Day 06: Trekking to Upper Riwoche, 3770mts, 5 hrs.
we will take the left to over the pass of Riwoche, 3990mts, approxmately another 5 hours to arrive at our camp for today; enroute we will be able to enjoy the stunning nature view of the snow captured peaks, which are all above 6000m.
Day 07: Trekking to Moxi Valley,4360mts, 6 hrs
Today is the difficult day due to the high altitude of the pass called Buchu la, 4500mts , it need some times to approach the pass and get over it, Camp at Moxi Valley. Today you will enjoy the most beautiful view of several snow capped peaks which are over 6000mts
Day 08: Trekking to Gangkar monastery 3830mts, 6-7 hrs.
the trekking trail is descending almost all day long, the monastery of Gangkar is about 3830 above sea level, it was built in 13th century by the 1st Repoche of Gangkar monastery, it is also one of the 3 holy places of Karma Kargyu Sect of Tibetan Religion, you may prefer to sleep in tent or the guesthouse of the small monastery.
Day 09: Rest and Charity work at Gangkar monastery
it is recommended to have day break at this wonderful site, where you may start to explore the east slope of Mt. Minya gangakr, which allows you to approcah this highest peak in southwest of China. We will do a half day charity work in the monastery where students are divided into a couple of groups, some clean the main monastery and some help to clean the monks rooms.
Day 10: Trekking to the foot of Tsemei La or Tsika, 3470mts, 4 hrs.
Trek along the Tsemei village and this spot is one of the best spot to view the sunrise of Mt. Minyar Gangkar, we will spend one last night of this trekking at this spot.
Day 11: Trekking & To Xinduqiao-Lhakang 3050mts 3-4 hrs.
Today we will continuously descending to Tsemei village, where our vehicle will be waiting at; then load up baggage, we will drive to Xinduqiao, which is a small Tibetan tow, and becoming well known nowadays for its beautiful nature view. Continue drive to the west to Lhakang.
Day 12: Stay in Lhakang and visit Lhakang monastery
Visit Lhagang monastery which is one of the 108 small temples, built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in order to press down the branches of the Supine Ogress. The monastery has over 1300 years history and the most sacred statue of the monastery is Jowo Shakyamuni which dates back to the 7th century. As per the history, the Jowo Shakyamuni was built in Lhagang according to 8 years Jowo after the image of Jowo Shakyamuni magically spoked when it arrived in Lhagang saying that she did not want to move from there but as per the King Songtsen Gampo’s strong wishes to bring the statue to Lhasa, they built the present statue of the Jowo in Lhasa for the stead of the onw which is in Jokang today.
The monastery was originaly a Kagyupa sect and then in around 12th cnetury, the monastery was gradually transformed into Sakyapa sect. I thas over 30 monks noadays. Afternoon, We will visit some nomad camps from Lhagang to the south west and there is a big Bhuddist community after around 15Km from Lhagang where all the locals, monks and nuns gather to make thousand offering of flowers, water etc. We had lunch in a Coffee shop runs by an Americam lady, married to a Tibetan nomad. She served really good western food.
Day 13: Drive Lhagang-Kangding-Chengdu (500m/490km)
From Lhagang or Tagong grassland, we drive in to the rich fertile valley and then through many beautiful Tibetan farmers houses along the road and finally get to Dartsedo after the high pass over 4000mts. Continue to Chengdu on the same back.
Day 14: Chengdu to the airport for departure
Transfer to Chengdu airport for flight to onward destination.
| City | Night (s) | Hotels / Camps |
| Chengdu | 01 | Holiday Inn |
| Kangding | 02 | Tourist Lodge |
| Laoyuling | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Yagya Gela | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Upper Riwoche | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Moxi Valley | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Gangkar | 02 | Tourist Lodge |
| Tsemei La | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Lhakang | 02 | Tourist Lodge |
| Chengdu | 01 | Holiday Inn |
– 13 nights accommodation as mentioned in the program.
– 1 Local Tibetan English speaking guide.
– Transportation by good conditioned mini van.
– All entry fees to the sites and monasteries.
– Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– All camping equipments except sleeping bags.
– All camping fee.
– Cook and assistant with all utensils.
– Different kinds of snack like biscuit, cheese, dried and fresh fruit during the camp.
– Pack horse and horse men for the trek.
– Oxygen in the vehicle and during the trek in case needed.
– All taxes.
– International Airfare.
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.