This itinerary follows the footsteps of Veteran National Geographic filmmaker Karin Muller, venturing into Ambalay, the Tibetan name for the grassland area near Minya Konka, where Tibetan nomadic yak herders make their summer camp.
Minya Konka stands at the Eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau as a loyal sentinel guarding some ancient treasure. At 24,790 ft. it provides shade for over twenty other 19,000- to 20,000-ft. peaks seldom heard of, all of which have combined to form the Minya Konka range, a wonderland of beauty and rugged adventure.
The gateway to this alpine wonderland is the historic trading town of Kangding(8500 ft). From Chengdu, it is only a six hour ride by vehicle to this ancient mountain enclave. Alternatively, a short 30 min flight will drop you off at one of the highest airports in the world (14,042 ft), followed by a shuttle down into town. With plenty of local culture and day hikes, Kangding is the perfect place to acclimatize for a couple of days before striking out on a trek at a higher elevation.
The itinerary below outlines a 6/7 day trek around the west side of Minya Konka (known as Gonga Shan in Chinese), including travel to and from Chengdu. With the option of pack horses accompanying for the duration of the trek, it is the perfect adventure for those who want to carry nothing more than a day pack.
Maybe your time is more limited? Or perhaps you’re interested in a trek specific to an active family? We can tailor our treks in regard to both duration and difficulty. We warmly invite you to inquire regarding other options around Minya Konka or another destination on the Tibetan plateau.
Leaving Chengdu, today you head out of the Sichuan basin to penetrate deep into the mountains that guard the approach to the Tibet-Qinghai plateau. You enter a cultural change warp on your six-hour journey. Everything becomes new: landscape, climate, cuisine, language, customs, and of course, the people. On the first evening in Kangding (elev. 8500 ft.) you'll visit Ngachu monastery, followed by a community dance (feel free to join in!). Distance: 325km.
The first thing you notice the next morning is that everywhere you look goes up! Kangding is perched on the edge of the Tibet-Qinghai plateau. Following breakfast, a three hour hike will afford the best views of Kangding possible and the afternoon will include a fascinating introduction to this new land with a visit to the Tibetan Museum of Cultural History. A stroll through the markets later in the day will also give you an idea of why this town has been a key historical trading center between Tibetans and the Chinese.
After a good night's rest, it is an early start today to the staging point for our six-day trek around the western side of Minya Konka. Laoyulin (10,200 ft.) is located a short 30 min ride from town. Today's hike will follow a gentle 2-3 hr trail through a forested valley, and upward alongside the Riwuqie river to a high-elevation grassland (12,000 ft.). This is a beautiful setting to spend your first night away from civilization, surrounded by the grandeur of Minya Konka's foothills.
Similar to yesterday, today's hike continues at a gentle but steady elevation gain, with a few steeper grades along the way. The relaxed pace will allow for plenty of stops and further acclimatization for the days ahead, not to mention an abundance of photography opportunities. Tonight will be another night spent in the company of surrounding ridges and peaks (13,100 ft.) at the confluence of the Riwuqie pass valley and Panpan Mt. valley. With a small grassland at the base of the confluence, there are numerous nomad encampments tending their yaks in the surrounding area.
The pace will slow a little today as you ascend to a higher-elevation campsite in preparation for crossing the highest pass of the trek. Weather permitting, the route will afford views of surrounding 20,000 ft. peaks. Meadows and high-elevation scrub will replace the previous two days of forest as you venture further up and closer to the mountain (14,270 ft.). The campsite tonight is tucked in the bowl of the upper reaches of the Riwuqie pass. For those with energy to burn, there is an optional pre-dinner trek to a high-elevation glacial lake, with stunning views of one of the Minya Konka range's most beautiful scenes.
After an early breakfast, it is roughly a three-hour hike to the top of Riwuqie pass (16,200 ft.) to afford some of the best views of the whole trek. If the weather is on your side, you'll want to linger at the top and enjoy the surrounding views of glaciers, lakes, and almost more peaks than can be counted. Then it's on down the other side of the pass into Moxi valley. Moxi valley provides a well-earned downhill reprieve from the previous days of high-elevation uphill hiking. A 3-hour walk through a beautiful forested valley with interspersed meadows and views of surrounding peaks will take you to a yak herder's camp for tonight's rest (approx. 12,000 ft.).
Today's walk continues through the Moxi valley across an undulating landscape of meadows, pastures, rivers, and surrounding rock and snow. There is rhododendron in abundance throughout this area as you navigate several river and large stream crossings. After 4-5 hours of walking you'll camp at another lower elevation meadow before beginning a gentle upward trek to Minya Konka monastery in the morning (11,000 ft.).
Today's destination is one of the most isolated monasteries on the planet. Nestled into a steep valley on the western side of Minya Konka, it was built over 700 years ago and, although it endured a period of quiet following the cultural revolution, in recent years it has revived some. The afternoon affords an optional exploratory hike up the glacial valley above the monastery. Tonight there is the option of sleeping in the monastery itself or in an adjacent stone dormitory (12,300 ft.).
This morning involves retracing your steps away from the monastery down the forested slope to the river to continue south to the village of Zemei. After this two-hour downhill trek, you'll celebrate the completion of your trek and enjoy a short rest at a beautiful local guesthouse (11,500 ft.). The last leg of your Minya Konka adventure is by vehicle over two 4500m passes with stunning views of the main peak to the east. Your 4X4 will meet you at the guesthouse for this 4-hour drive back to Kangding via some beautiful nomadic settlements and trading towns enroute. Hot showers and western food are waiting at Zhilam guesthouse - the center of civilization in Kangding (8500 ft.).
After your best night's sleep in over a week and a belly full of a hot breakfast, it is back to Chengdu in time for your flight the next day.
This itinerary follows the footsteps of Veteran National Geographic filmmaker Karin Muller, venturing into Ambalay, the Tibetan name for the grassland area near Minya Konka, where Tibetan nomadic yak herders make their summer camp.
This four day trip is specifically designed with your weekend getaway in mind. We have taken care of all the details so that you can relax and enjoy your time away from the bustle of the city. With just a short 4 hr drive, you will quickly enter into a world of rest and relaxation, refreshed by the natural paradise of Siguniangshan National Park.
Enjoy the best of Tibetan culture and hospitality, while taking in the breathtaking mountain vistas and vast grasslands found only on the roof of the world. This quick four day trip offers you a glimpse into these remote areas that are so close, yet seemingly a world away.