This is a unique journey through the three states of the Tibetan world, Amdo, Kham and Ü-Tsang – each with its own cultural and linguistic traditions. Some sites, which are just opening up to international visitors, can only be reached on foot and therefore a number of moderate walks(up to 6 hours) have been arranged.
The journey begins in the remote alpine landscapes of Kham where 6,000mpeaks cast shadows over a patchwork of ancient warring kingdoms around the first bend of the Yellow River. Continue into Amdo with its herds of yaks and lush expansive pastures. Visit the colourful Geerdeng and Sezhi Monasteries on the banks of the Bailong River where Tibetan pilgrim flock from the surrounding wilderness. Travel by boat up the mighty Yellow River to the famed 5th-century Bing Ling grottoes. From Lanzhou, the party travel by rail on one of the world’s most dramatic train journeys across the spectacular Tibetan plateau to Lhasa. The Qinghai – Tibet railway is a miraculous feat of engineering and one of the world’s great train journeys as you pass from Amdo province into Ű Tsang.
Lhasa is the medieval capital city of Tibet and its spiritual home. The sumptuous Potala Palace dominates the town and every facet of Tibetan ritual is practised. From Lhasa make an awe-inspiring journey across a dramatic landscape dotted with beautiful palaces and ancient monasteries to Gyantse and en route cross two giddying Himalayan Passes. Return to Chengdu before flying home.
The walks do not require any special technical abilities but will involve about 4 - 6 hours of walking per day over uneven and in places steep ground.
The journey has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Alumni of Oxford University and their friends and family. Please note that Distant Horizons has sole responsibility for the operation of this tour. The Universities have no direct control over the operation of any tours.
Maximum Party Size: 20 Trip Price to be confirmed.
Trip Leader: Professor Charles Ramble
The journey will be accompanied by Professor Ramble who is a former lecturer in Himalayan Studies at the Oriental Institute of Oxford University. He lived in the Himalayas for fifteen years, working as an anthropologist and a naturalist, and has travelled and researched extensively in the region. He is the author of some fifty articles and several books on the culture and history of the Himalayan countries and has accompanied five very successful journeys for the alumni since 2014.