Every July, an ancient Tibetan town in western China, Jyekundo, hosts one of the world's greatest historical equestrian events - the Yushu Horse Racing Festival. This horse festival is a living link to the traditions of the ancient Kingdom of Kham, in present-day Qinghai Province. Tibetans from all over the Kham region gather here for a colorful celebration of traditional sport, song and dance. During the festival, we journey across time and history, staying on the vast Bartang Grassland as Royal Kham families have done for centuries, in luxury tents pioneered by WildChina. Our optional pre-trip extension to Tibet offers an insiders' view of Tibetan life and spirituality.

Explore the Yushu Horse Racing Festival's colorful horses and yak races amongst Nomadic families and monks from the surrounding monasteries dressed in their red robes and finery.

Admire the stunning limestone and sandstone cliffs during a hike along a pilgrimage route through Reshui Gou Valley.

Get blessed by a high lama at the Damkar Monastery before attending the monastery's Lama dances and special prayers that precede the Yushu Horse Racing Festival every year.

Explore Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet which brings pilgrims from all across Tibet, some prostrating themselves with each step until they reach the doorsill.

After exploring Lhasa on the optional excursion, head towards the festival on the world's highest railway, an engineering wonder, reaching heights of over 5,000 meters above sea level.

Main Program:

Day 1 / Monday, July 20 - Xining:   
Arrive in Xining; free time to relax and purchase last-minute items for the expedition; welcome dinner; overnight in Xining.

Day 2 / Tuesday, July 21 - Yushu:
Fly to Yushu; drive to the Bartang Grasslands; welcome dinner with Tibetan singing and dancing; overnight in Tibetan-style luxury tents on the Bartang Grasslands.

Day 3 / Wednesday, July 22 - Explore the Yushu Area:    
Visit the Damkar Monastery; optional visit to the local market; overnight in Tibetan-style luxury tents on the Bartang Grasslands.

Day 4 / Thursday, July 23 - Hike in the Yushu Area:   
Visit and place prayer stones at Gyanak Mani; Picnic lunch in Lepka Valley; hike in Lepka Valley to see cliff paintings and wild animals; drive to Bida Gorge; visit the Bida Nampar Nangdze Lhakang Temple; overnight in Tibetan-style luxury tents on the Bartang Grasslands.

Day 5 / Friday, July 24 - Hike in the Yushu Area:   
Hike the pilgrimage route through Reshui Gou Valley; visit a local Tibetan family’s tent; overnight in Tibetan-style luxury tents on the Bartang Grasslands.

Day 6 / Saturday, July 25 - Yushu Horse Racing Festival:   
Spend the entire day at the Yushu Horse Racing Festival; overnight in Tibetan-style tents on the Bartang Grasslands.

Day 7 / Sunday, July 26 - Yushu Horse Racing Festival:   
Enjoy the second day of the Yushu Horse Racing Festival; visit the Jyekundo Dondrubling Monastery; overnight in Tibetan-style tents on the Bartang Grasslands.   

Day 8 / Monday, July 27 - Xining:   
Fly to Xining; time permitting, visit the Qinghai Tibetan Medicine Museum; walk around the Kumbum Monastery; farewell dinner at a local restaurant; overnight in Xining.

Day 9 / Tuesday, July 28 - Depart Xining:
Transfer to the Xining Airport; journey ends.

Pre-Trip Optional Extension Itinerary:

Day 1 / Thursday, July 16 - Arrive in Lhasa:   
Arrive at Gonggar Airport in Lhasa; optional stroll on Barkhor Street; welcome dinner at a local restaurant; overnight in Lhasa.

Day 2 / Friday, July 17 - Lhasa:   
Visit the Potala Palace; visit the Jokhang Temple; visit a Tibetan Hospital to meet a Tibetan medical expert; observe busy artisans at work at the Dropenling Handicraft Development Center; overnight in Lhasa.

Day 3 / Saturday, July 18 - Hike Nearby Lhasa:   
Visit the Pabongka Monastery; hike up to the Tashi Choling Hermitage; hike to the Dode Valley; energy permitting, walk downhill to visit a nunnery; explore the Sera Monastery; visit the Sera printing center and try printing our own sutra text; visit the debate courtyard; converse with a Tibetan family over a cup of yak tea; overnight in Lhasa.

Day 4 / Sunday, July 19 - Overnight Train to Xining:    
Take the world’s highest railway to Xining; overnight on the train.

Day 5 / Monday, July 20 - Arrive in Xining:   
Arrive in Xining in the morning; join the main journey.