Hidden Garzê | Shantour

Hidden Garzê
3-Day In-Depth Tibetan Culture Adventure

Escape the crowds and uncover the spiritual soul of Western Sichuan, without the complex travel restrictions of entering Tibet. This 3-day journey takes you deep into Garzê’s hidden valleys—where ancient watchtowers, snow-capped peaks, and vibrant Tibetan villages await.

Craft prayer flags, join Bon rituals, stay in traditional homestays, and dine under the stars on fresh yak hotpot. With local guides leading the way, you’ll connect with sacred landscapes and centuries-old traditions most travelers never reach.

Designed for curious explorers and cultural adventurers, this is more than a trip—it’s a rare invitation to experience the magic of the Tibetan Plateau.

✓ Local bilingual guides (English & Chinese)

✓ Small-group in-depth tours focusing on culture and connection

✓ Authentic stays at traditional homes and yak ranches

✓ Carefully crafted itineraries with full-service support from start to finish

💰 USD 1,200 per person

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Itinerary

Full Description

Day 1: Chengdu - Luding - Zhonglu Village

Morning: Begin your unforgettable journey into Western Sichuan's Ganzi region and reach Luding.

Lunch: Local lunch in Luding.

Afternoon: Discover Suopo village, known as the “Land of a Thousand Watchtowers.” You’ll see stone towers, the oldest ones over a thousand years old. It's an iconic symbol of Tibetan heritage and architecture. Arrive in Zhonglu, a traditional Tibetan village, where heaven and earth meet. Visit Neolithic archaeological sites and ancient stone coffin tombs that reveal a deep and mystical history.

Dinner: Authentic Tibetan meal with highland barley and dairy products, complemented by organic seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Accommodation: Traditional Tibetan homestay at the foot of Mount Mo’erduo.

Day 2: Zhonglu - Mount Yala - Tagong Grassland

Morning: Start the day in the Tibetan Nature & Culture Workshop: Dive into the ancient Tibetan Bon religion with a hands-on, nature-based ritual journey: Handcraft colorful prayer flags using natural dyes. Then hike in the Sacred Spring Park to collect materials for worshiping the mountain and visit the sacred spring to hang your handmade flags as an offering of blessings.

Lunch: Local lunch with organic food.

Afternoon: Travel along Panda Avenue through forests where wild pandas roam. After 80km of scenic driving, ascend to the best viewing point for majestic Yala Snow Mountain, a sacred peak of the Tibetan Plateau.

Dinner: Enjoy a unique highland dinner featuring local yak hotpot, under the open sky.

Accommodation: Traditional yak ranch nestled between Yala and Mount Yamu.

Day 3: Tagong - Kangding - Chengdu

Morning: Visit one of the most classic Tibetan Buddhist temples—Muya Temple, the complexes of the Nyingma. Explore its monastic college, Tibetan medicine hospital, prayer wheels, etc.—this is a sacred highlight of any deep Tibetan journey. Drive along the legendary G318 road, the most famous road trip route in China, we'll arrive at Zheduo Mountain Pass, the first major gateway into Tibet Autonomous Region, sitting at an altitude of 4,268 meters. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the highlands.

Lunch: Local food in Kangding

Afternoon: Return to downtown Chengdu and drop off at hotels. End of your Hidden Ganzi cultural adventure.

Pricing

Group of 1-4 People: $1,200 USD per person
Group of 5–7 People: $1,100 USD per person

Addtional Information

Inclusion

✅ Transportation:

Private off-road vehicle transfers along the whole trip.
Pick-up and dropp-off service in Downtown Chengdu (within 2nd Ring Road).

✅ Meals (if vegetarian option is needed, please inform us before the trip):

Day 1: Half-board (lunch and dinner, organic food).
Day 2: Full board (include Yak hotpot).
Day 3: Half-board (breakfast and lunch).

✅ Accommodation:

2 nights in a traditional Tibetan homestay (2 people per room, an additional fee will apply if a private room is needed).

✅ Guides: English-speaking certified mountain guides familiar with local culture and geography.

✅ Activity: The half-day Tibetan Nature & Culture Workshop.

✅ Personal travel insurance.

❌ Additional activities: Any additional activities not specified in the itinerary.

❌ Transportation: Anywhere off the itinerary and pick-up or drop-off outside of Downtown Chengdu.

❌ Personal expenses, including emergency evacuation or early withdrawal from the trek due to physical exhaustion or health issues.

❌ Tips: Tips for driver, guide, or local handlers (based on service satisfaction).

Notes

Please carefully and thoroughly read and evaluate this itinerary and all related details, especially the important notes highlighted. If you are unable to comply, we kindly ask that you refrain from registering or participating.

Contact: We'll share the guide contact with you upon confirmation of your registration. Please leave your phone number/WhatsApp/WeChat/Email in your registration so that we can contact you before the trip.

Group Requirement: Minimum of 2 people to form a group. Merged itineraries or cancellations may apply if undersubscribed. Notification will be given to you 24 hours before departure. Please see the Cancellation & Refund policy for details.

Important Notes!!!

Please follow safety precaution and local rules during the trip;
This trip include a religion-related experience, please be respectful to local people, culture, and religion;
There are unforeseen safety risks which may result in itinerary change, personal injury, property damage, or harm to third parties and their property;
This journey will be on the altitudes ranging from 2,300 to 3,800m altitude , please check with your doctor whether you are suitable for this trip;
The road winds through steep mountains and remote valleys, where mudslides or landslides may occur in certain weather conditions. The itinerary will be prone to cancellation or change due to the hazard. Please see the Cancellation & Refund policy for details;
Please keep a safe distance from animals such as yak and wolfs to prevent risk of being attacked;
Be cautious with health-related risks due to existing medical conditions, illness during the trip, intentional harm by others, or accidents occurring in remote areas lacking timely medical aid or emergency response.

Not suitable for

For safety reasons, participants will not be accepted under the following (but not limited to) conditions: Diagnosed with contagious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, severe respiratory illnesses, high-altitude illnesses, or mobility impairments;

Cancellation & Refund Policy

If you cancel your trip within 7 days before departure, the following cancellation fees will apply:
- 6 to 4 days before: 20% of the total trip cost
- 3 to 1 day before: 40% of the total trip cost
- On the day of departure: 60% of the total trip cost
If you withdraw during the trip, the full payment cannot be refunded.
If the trip is canceled due to not meeting the group requirement, road conditions, or natural hazards, the full payment will be refunded, and a 10% discount will be granted to your next trip booking with us.
If the trip itinerary has to change during the trip due to road conditions or natural hazards, an alternate itinerary will be discussed and decided by the group. If there is a difference in the tour cost, the balance will be refunded accordingly, and a 15% discount will be granted to your next trip booking with us.
You may transfer your spot to a third party who meets the registration requirements listed in this notice. Any additional costs will be borne by the original participant and the transferee.
Any costs related to withdrawal or rescue due to personal reasons (including illness, fatigue, or other unforeseen personal incidents) must be borne by the individual.
For all other matters not specified, please refer to the Domestic Travel Contract issued by the China National Tourism Administration.

What to bring

Long Pants: 1 pair.
Down Jacket or Fleece Jacket: 1 piece.
Raincoat: 1 piece (disposable or plastic raincoats are prohibited).
Comfortable Shoes, Ideally Hiking Boots: 1 pair.
Hat: 1 piece.
Sunglasses: 1 pair.
Important Documents: ID card, small amount of cash.
Toiletries: Sunscreen (SPF30+), garbage bags, personal hygiene items.
Electronics: Camera, mobile phone, batteries, power bank.
Essential Medications: Personal prescription medications, cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, gastrointestinal medicine, and anti-allergy medication.