Nagchu Horse Racing Festival Tour
- Duration:
- 7 Days
- Route:
- Lhasa-Namtso-Nagchu-Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel. |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery |
| 4 | Lhasa- Namtso(4718m) - Yampachen , 430km, Approx. 8hrs | Nyenchen Tangula Mountain Ranges, Namtso Lake |
| 5 | Damxung - Nagchu 170km, Approx. 3hrs | Nagqu Horse Racing Festival |
| 6 | Nagchu – Lhasa 342km, Approx. 7hrs | Nagchu Horse Racing Festival |
| 7 | Lhasa departure | Send off to the airport/train station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseWhen you arrive in Lhasa, our staff will pick you up at Lhasa Airport/ Railway Station and transfer you to the hotel. From the airport, it takes about 1.5 hours. From the train station, it only takes 20 minutes. Afterward, it's better to relax and take it easy on the first day to get acclimatized to high altitude and alleviate the jet lag. You might go to the local market and wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
On your third day, you will be feeling much more acclimatized to Lhasa’s high elevation. It is an excellent idea to spend the day exploring the Potala Palace, which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The superb collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. It is best to explore the inside of the Potala in the morning for 2-3 hours. Afterward, you can walk the pilgrimage route around the Potala Palace.
In the afternoon, you will head to the Jokhang Temple, which is well known as the center of the Tibetan Buddhism, features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, and golden sutra streamers. Also, you can see a great many of pilgrims praying in front of the temple and do kora with local pilgrims.
After visiting the Jokhang Temple, you can stroll in the old alleys of Barkhor Street, where you may drink the sweet tea, chat with locals to experience the real-life in Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Attraction:
- Potala Palace
- Jokhang Temple
- Barkhor Street
On your third day, you will be feeling much more acclimatized to Lhasa’s high elevation. It is an excellent idea to spend the day exploring Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. In the morning, the first station is the Drepung Monastery, which is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries that housed for more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the great fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala. It was known for the high standards of its academic study and was called the Nalanda of Tibet. Later, you will visit the biggest monastery kitchen in the monastery and enjoy a Buddhist sculpture carving workshop near Drepung.
Then after lunch, you will head to the Sera Monastery, which is another one of the ‘Great Three’ Gelug monasteries. It is famous for the Buddhism activities of "Monks Debate" for around 3 to 5 PM in the afternoon. Also, inside the monastery, the three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha is the hot attractions.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Attraction:
- Drepung Monastery
- Sera Monastery
In the morning, we drive to the holy Namtso Lake along the Qinghai-Tibet. On the way to Namtso, you will have a far view of Nyenchen Tangula Mountains. Enjoy the view of the vast grassland and spectacular natural scenery.
You'll arrive at Namtso Lake after passing NagelaPass(5150m), it covers a total area of more than 1900 square kilometers, being the second largest salt lake in China. At an elevation of 4718 meters, it is also the highest altitude salt lake in the world, the furthest depth being more than 33m. Besides, you can enjoy the view of Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Nagela Pass, you can see the stunning view of holy Namtso Lake. If the weather is good, you will have a chance to enjoy the marvelous sunset view of the lake. Then we will drive to Dangxiong for and accommodation. Starting from 2019, all the guesthouses at the lakeside will be removed due to environmental protection.
Stay overnight in Yampachen
- Attraction:
- Namtso Lake
- Nyenchen Tangula Mountain
Today, you will head to Nagchu to watch the annual Nagqu Horse Racing Festival. There, you can enjoy a spectacular horsemanship and taste many Tibetan delicacy. Tens of thousands of herdsmen pour into the vast grassland and dotted with tents to enjoy the Festival which is included riding competition, yak race, tug of war, stone-lifting and Tibetan operas. This is really a grand and lively Horse Racing Festival that you should not miss.
It is also the traditional occasion for horse trade. The buying and selling of horses at these fairs attract the Tibetans. You can taste traditional Tibetan food in different tents and explore some unexpected goods.
Stay overnight in Nagchu
- Attraction:
- Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
In the morning, you will continue to enjoy Nagchu Horse Racing Festival which is lasted for about one week.
After lunch, you will head back to Lhasa along with the beautiful villages and vast paint.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
- Attraction:
- Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- All meals listed in the above itinerary;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Free use of sleeping bag;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 3-10 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 5-10 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.2%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
My TIBET experience with Great Tibet Tour was very brilliant. It was the 2nd-time visit to TIBET but Shigatse and Gyantse. The hotel you chose me at Shigatse had very Lovely Tibetan decoration. and Guides ( both 2 guys) were very kind and gentle. So I could relax. ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Aral***
2019-01-31
Dear sir/madam, My name is Arald and I’m intresred in exploring Tibet and see the Nagchu Horse Race in August this year. I’m living in Hong Kong and consider to come by train from chengdu and take the plane back home. I’ve a China visa for business purposes which I believe isn’t valid for a touristic trip. Most likely I travel alone, hence I prefer a small tour group. I have a flexible schedule and was thinking to spend approx 10-12 days travelin around half August. I like 5 star hotels for cities like Lhasa and don’t mind very basic accommodation either. I love nature, hiking and new cultures. I’m keen hear your suggestion:-) Best regards, Arald Kapteijns
Due to Tibet's unique background, apart from a Passport and a Chinese Visa, all foreign tourists allowed to enter Tibet must have Tibet Travel Permits. We could surely get all your necessary permits to Tibet after your tour booked with us. As your Chinese visa is for business purposes, you also need to send me your certificate of Employment in China, then we will use your passport and China visa copies as well as certificate of Employment in China to apply for them from Tibet Travel Bureau before tour starts and get them to you usually within 12 working days. Once I get it for you, I will send the copy of Tibet Permits to you by email so that you can board the train from Chengdu station.
According to your request, how about having our 8 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Mt. Everest Group Tour plus 3 days Nagqu Horse Racing Festival private tour?
Asked by Fede***
2017-06-27
Dear staff, I'm currently looking for a Tibet itinerary during the next August in the period 3-17. The perfect tour length would be 7 days (but a couple of extra days would be ok just in case) and I would like to focus on monasteries and local life. I've seen that there are some festivals during summer, are there any during that period? We are 3 people. Guest houses are preferred over hotels. Planning to reach and leave Lhasa from Beijing by train, no problems about buying tickets on our own. Thank you in advance.
Dear Federico Ficarelli, according to your preference & schedule, taking our 7 Days- Nagchu Horse Racing Festival Tour is perfect, this spectacular festival falls usually in mid-August each year, I will email you with details shortly.