Ever since the overland route from Shangri-la to Chengdu was described as the back door into Sichuan, the route has intrigued many travelers and for good reason. It’s amazing that a week worth of travelling still only covers a small part of the Tibetan regions across western China. Still, it’s an amazing experience where we get the chance to see a wide variety of Tibetan culture, multiple glaciated mountain peaks, and a number of Tibetan monasteries, villages, roads, and alpine lakes.

This trip covers a lot of miles and though a lot of time is spent in the vehicle, every opportunity is taken to explore some places to get out and walk or visit with locals as we explore Garze prefecture in Southwest Sichuan.

Day 1: Depart Shangri-la. This day we drive through Benzilan town, a key point on the ancient tea horse road. Then we turn north through Derong county and on to Daocheng county where Yading Nature Reserve is located.
Day 2: This day is devoted to spending time in Yading Nature reserve. There is a park that offers hikes up between the three sacred Yading peaks: Chenrezig, Jampayang, and Chanadorje. We will then hike up to Milk Lake and Five Color Lake which is at an altitude of 4700m.
Day 3: Today we drive from Daocheng and on to Litang town. The drive goes over multiple high passes and there are some great stops along the way to see some high altitude lakes and granite boulder fields.
Day 4: This day is a high mountain road to a remote and ancient monastery at the foot of Mount Genyen. If you’re adventurous, there is a roadside natural hot spring that we can visit. When we get to the foot of Mount Genyen, there is a short 2 km hike up to the original Rengo Monastery. It’s a beautiful, remote setting and it’s obvious that very few travelers make it here.
This night, we will plan to camp at the foot of the mountain and will continue along the back road the next day.
Day 5: After packing up camp, we will continue along the back road to Batang county. Arriving in Batang signals a return to the upper reaches of the Yangtze river that we last saw in Benzilan on the first day. The afternoon can be spent exploring around Batang.
Day 6: Continuing a loop back to Litang, we will take the main highway that still offers high altitude passes and an amazing view of Sister Lake that is situated between Batang and Litang. In the afternoon, will visit the Chode monastery and the Litang Old Town that is well known as the birth place of multiple important Buddhist figures.
Day 7: The final day of your trip with TMG, if you are returning back to Shangri-la, we will drive straight through to get you back so you can continue your onward travel. If you will be continuing on the overland route to finish the back door into Sichuan, we will see you off to your next driver or to your bus to continue on to Tagong and Kangding. If you want us to help arrange your ongoing trip to other parts of Sichuan, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate.

Trip Options:
There are so many places to still explore around Southwest Sichuan that we can’t usually do all of them in one trip. But we can try! We can always add or subtract days or destinations.

Do the same trip, but in reverse. If you’re coming from the direction of Kangding, we can meet you in Litang and take you on this portion of your Wester Sichuan trip.

Begin the trip by going to Yangla in far norther Yunnan before taking the back road to Batang. Loop around to Litang and visit Yading in the last couple of days of the trip.

Do a longer hike around Mount Genyen.

Take 2 days and do the inner Kora in Yading Nature Reserve.

Do a home stay in Litang.

Arrange a Nomad home visit in Litang.

This part of Sichuan is close to home and belongs to the greater Shangri-la area, but we are familiar with other parts along the road and are happy to be your guide for the remainder of your trip on to Mount Gongga, Tagong, Kangding, and even to Chengdu.

Inclusions: Vehicle, guide, housing and entrance fees.

Exclusions: You will pay for meals yourself with our guide’s help in ordering and picking restaurants. Please budget to include your guide to eat meals with you.

Cost:

2 people: ¥7600/person

3 people:  ¥6000/person

4 people:  ¥5200/person

5 people:  ¥4600/person

Inquire for groups over 5