MONGOLIAN NOMADS, TIBETAN HORSEMEN: Litang Horse Festival

23 Days
Beijing * Ulaan Baatar * West Altai Mountains * Chengdu * Litang * Shanghai

Travel among the hearty nomads of Mongolia to the wild Litang Horse Festival of the Tibetan Cowboys. The proud Mongolians with their equestrian skills live mostly in gers (circular tents) in one of the few remaining true wilderness areas in Asia. Stay in a ger camp with breathtaking views of distant rolling hills clad with pine forests, where animals roam freely and man-made structures cannot be found!

Arrive in Ulaan Baatar with its small town feel, view exquisite art at the museums and listen to their unique throat singing. Visit Ganden Monastery, the only practicing Buddhist monastery during the Cultural Revolution. In the western Altai Mountains be astounded by the glaciers and steep slopes of the Bayan Olgi - Mongolia's "roof of the world". Stay in gers and spend time with the hospitable pastoral nomads. Visit with the friendly Uriankhai, Tuvans and Durvud families, and the Kazakhs known for eagle hunting - a tradition that goes back almost 2000 years!

Look for giant panda bears at the panda reserve in a wild and natural setting. Drive past forested mountains and grasslands, to the high plains of Litang stopping at local Tibetan and Qiang dwellings along the way. Litang's few dusty streets are crowded with a mix of yellow-hat sect Tibetan Buddhist monks in crimson robes, handsome Khampa Tibetan men with heavy yak skin jackets and rosy cheeked Tibetan women with chunky hair ornaments. Celebrate the most spectacular horse festival, with horse races, horseback stunt demonstrations and dance competitions, amidst troupes dressed in regional finery in a carnival-like atmosphere.

6-Day Legendary Lhasa extension available

TOUR CODE: MT
TOUR DATES:
2012: Jul 17 - Aug 8 Festival
2013: Jul 17 - Aug 8 Festival

2012 TOUR PRICES:
Land Package: $7750 (5+ members)
+$1030 (3-4 members)
+$1240 (2 members)
Single Supplement: $1690

Approx. International Air: $1055 (Los Angeles / Beijing, Shanghai / Los Angeles)
Approx. Internal Air: $2485

Trip Grading | More Info

Pre or post tour extensions available - call 1-800-825-1680 to plan your next adventure!