8-Day Northern Sichuan and Southern Gansu Tour

Sun Buddha of Langmusi Temple
Jiuzhaigou Nuorilang Waterfalls
Ruoergai Grassland in the Flower Season
Sangke Grassland in Xiahe
Labrang Monastery in Xiahe

Tour Outline: 8 Days & 7 Nights
Chengdu(1 N) - Songpan(1N) - Jiuzhaigou(2N) - Langmusi(1N) - Xiahe(1N) - Lanzhou(1N)

Overview
Itinerary
Service Inclusion
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Trip Overview

This is one of the most beautiful itinerary in the Three Pole plateau. You can enjoy the colorful lakes, spectacular and multi-level waterfalls and verdant forests in Jiuzhaigou; see the different shaped and colorful calcified ponds and caves in Huanglong; hike on the beautiful Huahu Lake at the Ruoergai Grand Prairie, one of “Top 10 Most Beautiful Wetlands”; and learn about the Buddhism cultures in Langmusi Temple and Labrang Monastery.

[Jiuzhaigou] Visit the fairy land with colorful lakes, multi-level waterfalls, verdant forests, and snow-capped mountains;
[Huanglong] See the different shaped and colorful calcified ponds and caves along the 7km valleys;
[Ruoergai Grand Prairie] Enjoy beautiful view at this prairie which is one of "Top 10 Most Beautiful Wetlands" in China;
[Huahu Lake] Hike around and enjoy the landscape for about two hours;
[Langmusi Temple] See the amazing landscape and learn about its history and culture;
[Labrang Monastery] Witness the monks studying and debating about Buddhism in the monastery.

Best Time to Visit

All year round
Physical Demands

Very leisure tour; zero physical demand

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 at hotel in Chengdu.

Day 2: Chengdu - Songpan (B, L)

The Statue of Dayu at Wenchuan County

The Statue of Princess Wencheng and Sontzen Gampo

Today after breakfast, we will drive from Chengdu about 6 hours to Songpan, passing through Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, Mao County. Upon your arrival at Songpan, check in at a local hotel. The rest of day is your time to explore Songpan Ancient Town.

Today drive 310km, about 6 hours
Altitude: Songpan (3500m)
Internet & Wifi
Songpan local hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Songpan - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou (B, D)

Five-color Ponds in Huanglong National Park

Five-color Ponds in Huanglong National Park in winter

Today, we will drive to visit Huanglong National Park, where densely scatters thousands of travertine color-ponds and flow streams. You will marvel at Huanglong Temple and fabulous Five-color Ponds. After sightseeing in Huanglong, transfer you to your hotel in Jiuzhaigou, near the gate of the scenic spot.

Drive 57km (Songpan - Huanglong), 127km (Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou)
Altitude: Huanglong (3100m-3900m), Jiuzhaigou (2000m)
Internet & Wifi
Jiuzhaigou local hotel
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Jiuzhaigou (B, L, D)

The Mirror Lake of Jiuzhaigou

The Bird's View of Nuorilan Waterfall

Today, you will have a full day to explore the Jiuzhai Valley. There are 9 Tibetan villages in the valley, so called the name. Its best-known feature is its dozen of blue, green and turquoise-colored lakes. Jiuzhai Valley consists of three valleys – Rize Valley, Shuzheng Valley and Zechawa Valley, forming a shape of “Y”. It is said that there is no other place as peaceful as in Jiuzhaigou all over the world.

Take the sightseeing bus in the scenic spot
Altitude: Jiuzhaigou (2000m-3200m)
Internet & Wifi
Jiuzhaigou local hotel
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Jiuzhaigou - Tangke - Ruoergai - Huahu Lake - Langmusi (B, L, D)

Viewing Deck of the First Blend of Yellow River

Huahu Lake of Ruoergai County

After breakfast, we drive from Jiuzhaigou to Tangke to visit the First Band of Yellow River in Tangke, which is a great S-shape before moving north into the great Ordos Loop. Then drive on the beautiful Ruoergai Grand Prairie which is famous as one of “Top 10 Most Beautiful Wetlands” in China.

In the afternoon, we will explore the Huahu Lake (Flower Lake), the best highlight of Ruoergai Grand Prairie. The lake area is also the natural reserve for migratory birds. Hike around and enjoy the landscape for about two hours, and then drive northward to the Langmusi Temple, which is located on the border of Sichuan and Gansu. Check in your hotel in Langmusi town.

Drive about 431km
Altitude: Huahu Lake (3468m), Langmusi Temple (3600m)
Internet & Wifi
Langmusi Town local hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Langmusi - Xiahe (B, L)

Sun Buddha of Langmusi Temple

Sangke Grassland in Xiahe

Langmusi town is only composed of one main street with a stream known as “White Dragon River” passing by the street. After breakfast, you will go to visit Kirti Gompa, on the southern hill of Sichuan side, and another temple - Sertri Gompa on northern hill of Gansu side.

After lunch, we will drive along the G213 back to Xiahe. Upon your arrival in Xiahe, check in your hotel. And then drive to visit Sangke Grassland, about 18km southwest of Xiahe County. Surrounded by the mountains and cut through by a river in the middle, Sangke Grassland is a natural prairie, which looks like a green carpet rife with numerous colorful flowers. Then drive back to your hotel in Xiahe.

Drive about 185km from Langmusi to Xiahe
Altitude: Xiahe (3200m), Sangke Grassland (3000m)
Internet & Wifi
Xiahe local hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Xiahe - Labrang Monastery - Lanzhou (B, L)

Labrang Monastery in Xiahe

Today, we will drive to visit the Labrang Monastery, one of the "six great monasteries of the Geluk sect of Tibetan Buddhism". The monastery is the most important Buddhism monastery outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Here, you will see the monks studying and debating about Buddhism. After that, drive from Xiahe to Lanzhou, via Linxia which is famed as the "small Mecca".

Drive 232km from Xiahe to Lanzhou
Altitude: Xiahe (3200m), Lanzhou (1520m)
Internet & Wifi
Lanzhou business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Visit in Lanzhou, Lanzhou Departure (B)

After breakfast, we will explore the most popular itinerary along the Yellow River. Visit the First Bridge on Yellow River which has more than one hundred year history. Then head for the grand Yellow River Mother Statues, which stand for the beauty of oriental women. Finally, enjoy an interesting time in the Yellow River Ancient Waterwheels Park.

In the afternoon, be escorted to airport/ train station for your next destination.

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: one night in Chengdu business hotel, one night in Songpan local hotel, two nights in Jiuzhaigou local hotel, one night in Langmusi local hotel, one night in Xiahe local hotel, one night in Lanzhou business hotel;
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 (7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 3 Dinners);
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 availability 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);
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!