Chang Tang and Qing Tang Nature Reserve
A wildlife and nature tour to China’s best preserved natural reserves in the Tibetan Plateau…
The Chang Tang region is one of the last great expanses of wilderness left on Earth. Covering a good part of the Tibetan Plateau, this area of more than 400,000 square miles consists of broad, rolling alpine steppes broken by hills, glacier-capped mountains, and large basins studded with wetlands and saline lakes. Travelling to the high altitude Tibetan Plateau is a trip of a lifetime and the wildlife encounters people can have here are truly exceptional. This trip will take in the culture and historical sights of Tibet.
The nature reserve is the second largest protected area on Earth. The reserve covers approximately 115,000 square miles in the northwestern part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. It provides protection for a unique assemblage of wildlife, several species of which are endangered and endemic to the Tibetan plateau—such as the Tibetan gazelle, kiang, wild yak, wolf, snow leopard, and the Tibetan antelope, or chiru.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Lhasa; transfer to hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing Lhasa Potala palace, Jokhang temple/Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Drive from Lhasa to Namtso Lake / Overnight at guest house
Day 04: Excursion near the lake/ Overnight at guest house
Day 05: Drive from Namtso to the Bangka town (280 km & 6-7 hours)/ Overnight at camp
Day 06: Drive to Nyima town (250 km & 6 hours)/Overnight at camp
Day 07: Drive to Lake Damrayongtso (300 km & 7-8 hours)/Overnight at camp
Day 08: Drive to Chan tang area (5 hours) / Overnight at camp
Day 09: Excursion to Chang tang area / Overnight at camp
Day 10: Excursion to Chang tang area/ Overnight at camp
Day 11: Drive to Qing Tang area / Overnight at camp
Day 12: Excursion around Qing tang / Overnight at camp
Day 13: Drive to Tsuchen town (300 km & 7 hours)/ Overnight at guest house
Day 14: Drive to Shigatse (350 km & 8 hours)/ Overnight at hotel
Day 15: Drive to Shegar (224 km & 6/7 hours)/ Overnight at hotel
Day 16: Drive to Zhangmu (181 km & 5 hours)/ Overnight at hotel
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu (123 km & 4 hours) / Overnight at hotel
Day 18 : Depart Kathmandu
Cost: Contact US
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01 Arrive Lhasa (3660m)
You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650 meters). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude.
Note: There is no fixed program arranged for today.
Day 02 Sightseeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.
Day 03 Sightseeing in Lhasa
After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest.
Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your guide
Day 04 Drive to Namsto Lake (4780 m) 250 km; 3 hours’ drive
After breakfast you will be driven towards Namsto Lake along with the Tibetan guide. On the way you will pass by the Tibetan Nomads village and settlements. En route you will see Yak, Sheep other animals grazing on the grassland. After few hours drive, lunch will be served either at a restaurant or our Tibetan cook will rustle up a meal. Later you will check-in to a guesthouse and explore the place.
Day 05: Drive to Bangka Town (4900 m) 280 km; 6/7 hours’ drive
Today your next destination is the Bangka town. Your journey starts after breakfast. You will be driven along Tibetan grassland where you can see wild animals (antelope, wild donkey, etc.). Lunch will be served either at a guest house or our staff will prepare. If group size is /exceeds 8-10 pax, lunch will be prepared by our staff. After lunch it will take approximately 3 to 4 hours to reach Bangka town. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 06: Drive to Nyima town (4700 m) 250 km; 6/7 hours’ drive
After breakfast, your journey continues. While driving towards Nyima towns you will come across a small lake named Sling Lake. After an hour’s exploration around the lakeside, table will be set for lunch at the lake side. After 2 hours’ drive from Sling Lake, you will reach Nyima town. Accommodation will be either at a guesthouse or in a camp.
Day 07: Drive to Damrayongtso Lake (4800 m) 300 km; 5 hours’ drive
Today we move towards Damrayongtso, all the while enjoying the Tibetan landscape and wildlife. Your lunch will be served en route, at a suitable place. Overnight in a camp.
Day 08: Drive to Chang Tang Nature Reserve (4800 m) 5 hours’ drive
Today we reach our destination – Chang Tang National Park, which is 5 hours drive away. Our Tibetan staff will serve lunch of the way; overnight at camp near by national park. During free time you can explore around the park. Dinner will be served by staff.
Day 09: Excursion around Chang Tang
Today there’s a full day excursion around the park. During the exploration try to locate as many animals as you can and capture them for posterity in your camera. During the summer months you will be lucky to see various mammals in the park. The nature reserve is habitat for Chiru, Tibetan gazelles, kiang and wolves, foxes, brown bears and possibly the very elusive Snow Leopard. Later in the evening you will be served dinner at the camp, prepared by our staff.
Day 10: Excursion around Chang Tang
Our crew will set up camp at a different location, to help you explore more areas of the park. Watch the antelope, yak, wolves, foxes etc. in their natural habitat. Later dinner will be served by our staff.
Day 11: Drive to Qing Tang (4750 m) 180 km; 4 hours’ drive
After breakfast you will be driven towards Qing Tang nature reserve which is around 4 hours drive from Chang Tang. You will cross Tibetan settlements, encounter various wild animals, and pass by the wandering Nomads. After lunch your journey continues till you reach Qing Tang National Park. Overnight at camp.
Day 12: Excursion around Qing Tang
A whole day set aside for excursion around the Qing Tang Nature Reserve. Overnight at camp.
Day 13: Drive to Tsuchen Town; 6 hours’ drive
After breakfast you will pack your belongings and move away from the enchanting wildernesses towards Tsuchen town. You pass by picturesque Tibetan villages. Lunch will be served at local restaurant. After arriving in Tsuchen, you check-in to a guesthouse, get refreshed and relax. Evening dinner & accommodation at guesthouse.
Day 14: Drive to Shigatse (3950 m) 350 km; 8 hours drive
We journey onwards and reach Shigatse – the second largest Tibetan city. You will visit monasteries & the local market. Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is the major attraction of Shigatse. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 15: Drive to Shegar (4050 m) 224 km; 6/7 hours’ drive
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape, driving past the small town of Lhatse and a mountain pass – Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar.
Day 16: Drive to Zhangmu (2300 m) 181 km; 5 hours’ drive
You will drive past Tingri crossing two mountain pass – the Lalung La pass at 5,124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush greenery of Zhangmu at 2300 m.
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu (1400 m) 123 km; 4 hours’ drive
Few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi River brings you to Immigration Control in Kodari. You bid goodbye to your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet your Nepalese escort who will drive you to Kathmandu. After 5 hours drive, covering 123 km, you finally reach Kathmandu.
Day 18 : Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. Or stay longer and take short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, cultural tour, or multi-activity tours. It will be our pleasure to assist you.
If you want to more information please contact enquiry@explorehimalaya.com
About the Author
Subodh Gurung
Explorehimalaya
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