A homestay with a Tibetan family in Amdo, in a house or nomad tent, gives you a personal experience of the daily life and culture of Kham & Amdo. Homestays offer an immersion experience — they're completely safe and always memorable!
Classic Amdo
4 Days
Amdo is one of the most beautiful regions of Tibet. Located in the northeast corner of the Tibetan Plateau, it features the grasslands around the upper reaches of the Yellow, Min, and Jialing rivers in the northeast. Multi-ethnic in nature (Tibetan, Mongolian, Hui, and Chinese), it has developed a culture of its own. Highlights include Qinghai Lake (Kokonor), the largest saltwater lake in Asia; the Amnye Machen mountain range.
For this itinerary, beginning in Chengdu and ending in Lanzhou or Xiling by SUV, you will visit:
Labrang Town (Xiahe): Muslim and Tibetan town with good facilities. 3-4 hours away from Lanzhou.
Tashikyil Monastery: A complex of temples and colleges built in the 18th century. Recent renovations accommodate 1,000 monks. There are six institutes of learning, gilded monuments, and 60,000 Buddhist texts.
Langmusi (Taktsang Lhamo): a small town in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountain ranges, green meadows, and alpine forests. Excellent for gentle hiking and horseback riding. Visit Kirti and Serti Monasteries.
Repkong: cradle of Amdo culture, world-famous for traditional Buddhist art and Tibetan medicine. Many small monasteries, art galleries, and studios to visit and appreciate. Also, a traditional Tibetan opera theatre and several colorful festivals. Every summer, the traditional week-long Repkong Shaman Festival that honors the local mountain god is held.
You can end your journey in Lanzhou or Xining. Lanzhou is a beautiful modern mountain city with the Yellow River flowing through the center. Xining is the capital of Qinghai and the largest city on the Tibetan Plateau. Large international airport.
Amdo Add-Ons
Qinghai Blue Lake (Kokonor): largest saltwater lake in Asia. Its teal blue waters cover an area of 4,317 sq. km., surrounded by vast summer grasslands and herds of yak and sheep along its shores. In July, the lake meadows bloom into a gleaming carpet of yellow rape flowers. Located at the crossroads of numerous migratory paths in Asia, the lake and Bird Island is a sanctuary for many species of rare birds.
The famous monastic complex of Kumbum was founded in the 14th century.
Thangkor Grasslands and the thriving monastic complex of Darthang. In the distance, great views of the extraordinary Nyenpo Yurtse mountain range.
Amnye Machen Trek: one of the four most sacred mountain ranges in Tibet. Ranging as high as 6,828 m/20, 605 ft, it is the iconic symbol of Amdo in Eastern Tibet. At Amnye Machen, pilgrims pay homage by walking around the mountain—approximately 105 km. With breathtaking views, rustic villages, and Buddhist monuments, trekking around the mountain takes 7-10 days and is best between June and September. It's also possible to drive and to visit only the key points of interest.
At Mura, you can go on a three-day trek—by horseback or walking. The route passes through Kongsar Kamdo, an immense grassland filled with wildflowers! Travelers are advised to wear sunglasses because without them, by the end of the day, you'll have flower blindness (similar to snow blindness). And don't forget—be on the lookout for happy marmots! Exclusive Road to Tibet trip for an intimate experience of nomadic life and culture.
