The area around Gongga (Minya Konka) was not affected by the earthquake and is very easy to reach from Chengdu with mostly pretty good roads. In 2008 the region was closed to foreigners and is relatively little visited at the best of times. Whilst Gongga itself is more or less impossible to climb (more people have died trying than have succeeded!), the area itself makes a good trekking destination and there are plenty of surrounding peaks for the more adventurous.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Chengdu

One of our guides will meet your flight for the short drive to your hotel near our offices. The afternoon can be spent buying last minute supplies or simply resting and freshening up before dinner with the Dragon Expeditions team in the evening.

400m ASL, twin share hotel, dinner

Day 2: Travel to Kangding (6 – 7hrs drive)

There’s now a good road from Chengdu to Kangding which in good weather can be travelled in just six hours. A far cry from just a few years ago when trips routinely took over a day. We break in Luding for a quick typical Sichuan lunch. Kangding itself is a fair sized town and, although traditionally a trading post on the border of Tibet and Han cultures is now pretty sinicized compared with later days on our trip. The town is in the base of a steep sided valley on the Zheduo river with an altitude of around 2700m. Surrounded by hills it features the world’s second highest commercial airport a short drive away from the town proper at 4280m. Needless to say there are plenty of opportunities to start acclimatising!

2700m ASL, dorm rooms, breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Tagong--Acclimatisation

We pass back through Kangding and over the Zheduoshan Road Pass to Tagong; the site of a number of Buddhist temples. Ambling around the town and temples helps with acclimatisation to the altitude.

3700m ASL, dorm rooms, breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Tagong – Yulongxi. Short walk above Yulongxi

Yulongxi village at around 4000m is about as far as it’s possible to get by road and is generally considered pretty remote. Our hosts have limited power and no telephone line or mobile coverage. We’ll stay in a local Tibetan home with time for an hour or two’s walk before dark.

4000m ASL, home stay, breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Yulongxi – Moxigou

The morning brings a start to our trekking proper with a slow ascent to the Yulongxi pass at 4602m. After crossing this pass we descend the valley and spend the night at a yak ranch in Moxigou at an altitude of a little under 4000m.

4000m ASL, camping, breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Moxi Gorge – Gongga Monastery

Gongga monastery at 3700m is traditionally the base of climbing expeditions in the area, although a camp a few hours walk up the valley actually makes a lot more sense for those wishing to extend the trip with climbing. The monastery usually has some basic accommodation available outside of times of religious festival, otherwise we are able to camp outside.

3700m ASL, camping/hostel, breakfast, dinner

Day 7: GongGa Monastery -----Base Camp of Minya Konka

Today will be tough uphill climb along the riverbed to the base camp to see Minya Konka up-close. You will ascend about 350m, and trails will be mostly loose gravels, your highest sleeping point. The horses/mules will be taking a different route, make sure we are self-equipped

Day 8: Base Camp /----GongGa Monastery

Descend all the way back down to Gongga monastery.

Day 9: Gongga Monastery – Bawang Lake

From the we’ll head back down via Zimei village then East to Bawang Lake where we camp for the night.

3500m ASL, camping, breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Bawang Lake – Caoke (hot springs, civilisation)

From Bawang lake and then to the road-head at Caoke. A reasonable hotel with hot springs lets us relax in the evening.

1800m ASL, twin share hotel, breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Caoke – Chengdu (8hrs drive)

An late start returns us to Chengdu by mostly good roads breaking for lunch in an ancient restaurant in Tianquan then a final group meal in Chengdu.

400m ASL, twin share hotel, breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: Depart Chengdu

breakfast

Equipment                             

Waterproofs Jacket and Trousers                            

Waterproofs boots                             

warm clothes                             

rucksack                              

Sunglasses, gloves, sun cream                             

hat

walking stick                                               

 tent, ground mats ,sleeping bags ( If you want  you can also rent tent, mats ,and sleeping bags from us)