11 Days Minya Konka (Mount Gongga) Pilgrimage Trekking Tour

Trekking Tour at Minya Konka (Mount Gongga)
Trekking Tour at Minya Konka (Mount Gongga)
Trekking Tour at Minya Konka (Mount Gongga)
Trekking Tour at Minya Konka (Mount Gongga)

Tour Outline: Chengdu (1N) - Kangding (1N) - Gyazela (1N) - Upper Riuchi (1N) - Reddomaine (1N) - Winter Pasture (1N) - Gongga Gompa (1N) - Shangmuju (1N) - Kangding (1N) - Chengdu (1N)

Overview
Itinerary
Service Inclusion
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Trip Overview

Situated on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Minya Konka (7,556m) is the highest peak in Sichuan Province, so called "King of Shushan". It is also one of the most sacred mountains to Tibetan Buddhists in Sichuan.

This adventure trekking tour combines the experience of real Tibetan culture, with a spectacular trek through the beautiful valleys of Gyazela, Moxi to Konka Monastery below the ice-fluted shark's fin of Minya Konka itself. Impressive mountain panoramas and austere glaciers, babbling brooks and river torrents, azure blue lakes, enchanting mixed woodland, grazing yaks and their nomadic herders, chortens, mani walls, prayer flags and elaborately decorated Gompas, are contained in this holiday.

Mount Gongga: also named as Minya Kongka, to experience of the real Tibetan culture;
Trekking: 6 days trekking tour, from Gyazela, Upper Riuchi, Moxi Valley, Winter Pasture, Gongga Gompa;
Camping: 6 nights camping in the 4 season tents suitable for the camping in highland region.

Best Time to Visit

All year round
Physical Demands

Physical demand & necessary equipment for high altitude camping and hiking

Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

Upon your arrival at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, our tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel in Chengdu downtown. The rest of the day is yours to relax and have a good rest.

Direct International Flights to Chengdu

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport offers more than 65 international airlines ranked the fourth domestic airline after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The direct airlines directly link Chengdu with Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, London, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Anchorage, Paris, Frankfurt, Seoul, Bangkok, Tokyo and more.

Stay overnight in Chengdu

Day 2: Chengdu - Ya'an - Luding - Kangding (B)

Erlang Mountain Tunnel

The Luding Bridge at Luding County

After breakfast at your hotel in Chengdu, we will start your journey in western Sichuan. Drive on the Chengdu-Ya'an Expressway to the so-called "Rain City" - Ya'an; turn to G318, you will enjoy the beautiful natural sceneries. After driving through Erlangshan Tunnel, a sunshine day with blue sky will turn out, and then you reach to the Dadu River Grand Canyon which is the largest one in western Sichuan. Along the way, you will enjoy the views and landscape changing from plain to mountains.

Stay overnight in Kangding

Drive 325km, about 6.5 hours
Altitude: Chengdu (540m), Kangding (2900m)
Internet & Wifi
Kangding business hotel
Breakfast

Day 3: Kangding - Laoyulin, Trek to Gyazela (B)

Trekking at Minya Konka in Summer

Trekking at Minya Konka in Autumn

After breakfast, we drive about 20km to Laoyulin, south to Kangding, to meet our porter team and then start our trekking tour on the bumpy road in the Gyazela Valley. Beside there is the visible Wuse Mountains among which the highest named Tianhaizi Peak with an altitude of of 6,070 meters. Along the river, we witness the incredible alpine landscape from rugged horse trail into pristine wildness until we reach our campsite at a meadow by the foot of rough rocky mountains at Gyazela.

Stay overnight in a campsite

Drive about 20km, trek about 5 hours
Altitude: Gyazela Valley (3400m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Camping
Breakfast

Day 4: Gyazela - Upper Riuchi

Weather is rather unpredictable as the terrain rises dramatically. We may wake up in dense fog or bright sunlight or sometimes a brash this morning. Today we can view not only the ice-capped mountains but also a variety of unknown flora as we ascent. Melted water flushs down the rocky streambed where many rocks have been polished edgeless. Jiazi Peak, Melcyr Schan, Reddomaine Peak and Peak of little Konka are visible today but the floating mist may possibly veil the snow peaks in drizzling seasons. Camp after rocky terraces at another spacious yak-pasturing meadow. We have streams rustling through our campsite, with old huge mountain on the other side.

Stay overnight in a campsite

Today trek about 6 hours
Altitude: Upper Riuchi (4350m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Camping
Meals: No

Day 5: Upper Riuchi - Reddomaine Camp

Trekking Tour at Minya Konka

Ride a Horse at Minya Konka

Today is more physically demanding to cross over the Riuchi Pass which has an elevation of around 4900 meters. More Reddomaine views when we ascent to the pass. More peaks become visible as we reach the top. Glaciers and snow show a light blue color in distance offering honorific pictures. Camera break at the pass where mountains rolling further and further into faintness. Resume our discovery trip down in the Moxi Nazha (Moxi Valley), a valley of plenty rhododendron and dense bushes and properly-shaped pastures. Snow peaks after snow peaks behind green mountains apprear along our trail. We camp at a temporal settlement used by local herdsmen in the valley.

Stay overnight in a campsite

Today trek about 7 hours
Altitude: Riuchi Pass (4900m), Moxi Valley (4100m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Camping
Meals: No

Day 6: Reddomaine Camp - Winter Pasture

One whole day trek in the Moxi Valley. Millions of flowers in this alpine valley bloom in spring and summer time. There are two chilly rivers (small) crossing before more flowers and greenery. Rhododendron bushes scatter on both sides of the trail when we reach today's campsite. It is also a herdsmen settlement.

Stay overnight in a campsite

Today trek about 5 hours
Altitude: Moxi Valley (4100m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Camping
Meals: No

Day 7: Winter Pasture - Gongga Gompa

Minya Konka Trekking Tour

Witness the Minya Konka

Today trek through primitive rhododendron forest on the trail of gradual ups and downs. Muddy underfoot until trail becomes wider where it is decorated by hundreds of prayer flags. These Tibetan Buddhists prayer flags waft the trail leading us to Gongga Gompa.

Read the bilingual "Notice" before step towards the Gompa at the prayer-flag doorway. Gongga Gompa is a Kargyupa monastery that has long been a campsite for Minya Konka expedition teams and a good place for meditation. Gonga Gompa offers excellent views of Mount Minya Konka, one of the killer mountains in eastern Tibet for climbers, the highest in Hengduan Mountains: 7,556 meters. Visit the Gompa Temple when available.

Stay overnight in a campsite

Today trek about 5 hours
Altitude: Gongga Gompa (3750m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Camping
Meals: No

Day 8: Gongga Gompa - Shangmuju Village

A little walks around the Gompa, waiting the Minya Konka shows itself in the morning light. Leave late in the morning and retrace the track we traveled the previous day. Trek ends in Zimeiyakou Camp when we have our lunch and a possible family visit if available. Transfer to Shanmuju Village by local vehicle en route catch the last splendid view of Minya Konka at Zimeiyakou Pass. Overnight camping or at the guesthouse in the village of Shanmuju.

Stay overnight in a campsite or guesthouse

Today trek about 3 hours, drive 1 hour
Altitude: Shangmuju Village (3750m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Camping
Meals: No

Day 9: Shangmuju Village - Kangding

Gongga Gompa

Zimeiyakou Pass

Tibetans in this area are called Minya Tibetans on a historical basis. Constructions and many traditions are of a distinctive character in Shangmuju. Have a walk in the village if intersted before we drive back to Kangding for another stopover to Chengdu.

Stay overnight in Kangding

Today drive 180km, about 4 hours
Altitude: Kangding (2900m)
Internet & Wifi
Kangding business hotel
Meals: No

Day 10: Kangding - Chengdu (B)

After breakfast in your hotel, we will drive back to Chengdu. On the way, you will continue to enjoy the appealing landscapes changing from plain to mountains. Then be transferred to your hotel in Chengdu downtown, have a good rest for the tiring treking these days.

Stay overnight in Chengdu

Drive 325km, about 6.5 hours
Altitude: Kangding (2900m), Chengdu (540m)
Internet & Wifi
Chengdu business hotel
Breakfast

Day 11: Chengdu Departure (B)

Today is the free time for you to explore Chengdu city, until be transferred to the airport to take your flight to your next destination.

Drive 18km to airport
Altitude: Chengdu (540m)
Hotel: No
Breakfast

Price Details & Guide

Price Inclusions

Private transportation to the destinations and sites listed in the itinerary; ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route; car gasoline, road toll and in-transport refreshments (free bottles of water, air pillow and headscarf) are included;
Lodging: two nights in Chengdu business hotel; two nights in Kangding business hotel; six nights camping in Minya Konka scenic area (sleeping bag is not included);
Private experienced English-speaking trip leader;
Airport/railway station pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the itinerary;
Meals listed in the itinerary (2 Breakfasts);
First aid kit;
A coverage of 300,000RMB Chartis travel insurance;

Price Exclusions

International and domestic flight/train to Chengdu (Note: we accept the domestic flight/train tickets booking to Chengdu from other cities in advance, check the updated ticket availibility and cost with your travel consultant);
Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in the 3rdpole region cost 3~10USD per person);
Sleeping bag;
Tips and gratuities for the trip leader and driver;
The expense of a personal nature like alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc;
Optional activities and excursions not specified in the itinerary;
China Entry visa fees;

Itinerary Alteration

Once we receive your tour deposit, which is followed by signing the contract, your reservation is secured with legitimacy. Our staff will reserve the accommodation, vehicle, site tickets, meals and more, and pay the deposit for our suppliers. So if you want to alter to another itinerary, you need to cover the deposit we've paid, while no service charge is needed if you make some changes on the itinerary you booked.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If you cancel the tour beacuse of your personal issues, you will be liable to pay cancellation charges that are bounded by 3rdpoletour.com cancellation policy as follows:

1.) If you cancel the tour more than 30 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 10% of the total land cost per person;
2.) If you cancel the tour 15-30 days prior to your trip start date, 20% of your total land tour cost will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
3.) If you cancel the tour 7-15 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 30% of land cost.
4.) If you cancel the tour 7 days prior to your tour start date, you will forfeit 50% of land cost.
5.) If you fail to show up or cancel at your scheduled arrival time without prior notice or later than that, you will forfeit 100% of the land cost.

If the tour has to be cancelled because of the natural disaster or the government restrictions that is beyond both parties control, we will charge only USD50 per person, this is just the service fee and larbor fee during the preparation. This is a rare occurrence!

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