Tibetan Trek in Sichuan: From Peaks to Prairies

Upon arrival at Chengdu Airport, your guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel. After your flight, enjoy some relaxation before sharing a convivial dinner . This is an opportunity to discuss the upcoming program while discovering the spicy flavors of Szechuan cuisine, renowned for its bold and aromatic character.

An early departure for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will take you to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you'll observe these iconic animals at their most active time. This visit, featuring both giant and red pandas, also provides insight into the conservation efforts underway to protect them.

In the afternoon, we'll travel to Dujiangyan , an impressive irrigation system over 2,000 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This still-functioning site is a testament to Chinese hydraulic engineering. Walking along its verdant paths, you'll discover magnificent Taoist temples and a harmonious landscape where nature and tradition intertwine.

Departure for the village of Taoping , an iconic site of Qiang culture, renowned for its labyrinthine alleyways and stone watchtowers dating back over 2000 years. This visit offers an immersion into the history and traditions of this minority, in the heart of a striking mountain landscape.

In the afternoon, we'll travel to the Heishui Mountains in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. After a three-and-a-half-hour journey, you'll receive a warm welcome from the Tibetans who will accompany you on this equestrian adventure. Meet your horse and experience the high plateau environment for the first time – essential preparation for the upcoming rides.

For two days, you will immerse yourself in an unforgettable trekking adventure through the spectacular mountains of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Accompanied by packhorses carrying your belongings and provisions, you will explore the vast pastures where Tibetan herders graze their yak herds.

The landscapes reveal an impressive diversity: dense forests clinging to mountain slopes, alpine meadows ideal for galloping, mountain passes offering breathtaking panoramas, and high-altitude lakes with vibrant colors. You will progress through this wild nature, trotting along mountain flanks, galloping across high plateaus, and stopping to admire the beauty of these unique places.

Each evening, you'll set up camp at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, under an exceptionally clear starry sky. Around a campfire, you'll share convivial meals, including yak meat, and experience total immersion in Tibetan culture. These two days of camping will offer the opportunity to feel a profound connection with nature and enjoy an authentic and transformative experience.

You will begin the final leg of this grand equestrian journey. You will continue to explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Aba Mountains, enjoying last gallops across the high plateaus and the final, stunning panoramas. This will be an opportunity to fully savor the moments of freedom and escape offered by this timeless adventure.

In the late afternoon, you will arrive at your final destination, where you will find the comfort of a bed and breakfast in a local's home. This night will be an opportunity to rest after these intense days, to share your memories over a warm meal, and to relive the highlights of your adventure in a friendly and welcoming setting.

For this final day on horseback, you'll explore a new valley in the Aba mountains, alternating between dense forests, open meadows, and panoramic ridges . This last immersion in the vast highlands offers breathtaking landscapes and a unique sense of freedom.

The experience continues with authentic encounters with Tibetan nomads . You can participate in traditional activities , such as yak hunting or horse races across the plateaus, where speed and agility define these shared moments. Depending on the conditions, these challenges may also punctuate your journey, making each stage unpredictable and rich in emotion.

At the end of the day, return to the gîte , an opportunity to savor the memories of this exceptional adventure before returning to civilization.

Early in the morning, you will depart Heishui for a new stable located in Ruoergai, still in the heart of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Along the way, you will stop to discover Tibetan cultural treasures. You will visit the majestic Maiwa Monastery , a spiritual place of great serenity, and the famous World Peace Tower, where colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind, imbuing the site with Buddhist symbolism. These visits will immerse you in the mystical and sacred atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism .

Arriving in Ruoergai at the end of the day, you'll be struck by the contrast with the mountainous landscapes of Heishui. Here, vast grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, offering a peaceful and majestic setting where nature and sky seem to merge on the horizon. Ruoergai is also famous for its horse racing festival, a vibrant event that reflects the importance of the horse in Tibetan culture.

At the stables, you'll meet the local team, choose your new horse, and take some time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. This initial contact will allow you to calmly prepare for the equestrian adventure that will begin the following morning in this unique setting.

Early in the morning, you'll set off on the trail from base camp and enter the vast Ruoergai grasslands, where herds graze in pristine immensity. The scenery is unchanging: tall grass swaying in the wind, mountains on the horizon, and a feeling of infinite space.

In the late afternoon, you will reach the lands of Tibetan nomadic communities: this is the time to experience an authentic exchange, because after a day's work on their respective lands, families often gather to share a meal, music, or stories around the fire. You will experience a bivouac in the heart of nature, without infrastructure, completely integrated into the landscape.

This morning, the horse will take you on a new route through the region's iconic wetlands: marshy expanses bathed in soft light at a high altitude of 3,600 m. These ecosystems are a refuge for many species, including the famous Red-crested Crane which nests on the plateau.

You might also spot plateau hares, Tibetan foxes, or even broad-winged birds of prey gliding above the marshes. At the end of the day, return to a more comfortable environment for a well-deserved rest after this immersion in wildlife.

For this final day on horseback, we'll head towards the sandy highlands of Ruoergai, bathed in golden light. Late morning, a picnic lunch awaits you at a scenic viewpoint , offering a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding meadows and mountains. This peaceful setting will be perfect for savoring a final moment of contemplation amidst the vast open spaces.

The afternoon will be marked by a highlight: a free gallop along the Huang He (or Yellow River), the second largest river in China. A mythical river and the cradle of Chinese civilization, it rises on the Tibetan Plateau before winding its way for thousands of kilometers to the sea. Galloping to the rhythm of this legendary river provides a unique feeling of freedom and power.

The day's horseback riding ends around 3:30 pm, allowing you time to relax in Hongyuan, a charming Tibetan village where monks in saffron robes mingle with travelers in the streets. You can stroll through the alleyways, explore the shops selling local Tibetan crafts, or simply soak up the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere before a convivial dinner.

A day's drive to Chengdu , through the vast Hongyuan grasslands , where the landscapes unfold, a tapestry of wide expanses and breathtaking panoramas. Several stops at viewpoints offer the chance to savor the wild beauty of this region one last time and capture these moments.

Late afternoon arrival in Chengdu . Free time to relax, stroll through the lively neighborhoods, or pick up some souvenirs. A smooth transition before returning to the comfort of your hotel for the night.

For those whose flight is scheduled for late afternoon, the morning is a great opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of Chengdu one last time . People's Park is the perfect place for a relaxing break in the heart of the city. There, you can watch locals practicing tai chi, water calligraphy , or even attend the famous Singles Fair .

Don't miss the experience of a Chinese tea ceremony , where you'll be introduced to this ancient art in a peaceful atmosphere. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport and departure, leaving you with unforgettable memories.