Genyen Inner Kora Trek – 9 Days

Today is mainly a driving day. In the morning we will start from your hotel and drive for around total 6-7 hours to get to today’s destination by Xinduqiao. The drive will be on halfway for most of the part until we arrive in Kangding. We shall see the landscape change from plain to mountains. We will pass Kangding and have lunch there.

From Kangding the drive will be on the former national highway 318 that is winding. Elevation starts to rise from Kangding by around 2500m to the highest point by Zheduoshan Road Pass by around 4300m. We shall arrive by Zheduoshan Road Pass by around 2-3pm. We will make a long stop by the pass and do an acclimating walk up the ridge above the road.

First day into highland you are recommended to walk slow and to orient yourself slowly into the high altitude. We will walk from the car park to the highpoint of the ridge above the car park of Zheduoshan. The highest point we will get to today is at around 4500m. Total walking distance is 3km. We shall spend around 2-3 hours here to ensure enough time spent by high elevation. We will have splendid views of the mountains and valleys below and possibly cloud below our feet. Afterwards we will walk back to the car park and continue drive for around 40 minutes to Xinduqiao and check in to our hotel.

This is a ground tour. Some days involve long hours of driving and sitting in the car. Please make preparation in accordance including power bank for your phone, neck pillow, etc. Remember for the day activities you need to have a day pack with you. In the day pack we only take with us necessary items for the hiking during day time, including packed lunch or snacks, drinking water recommended 1L minimum, sunglasses, rainproof, warm-keeping clothes and hat, sun block and lip oil, important personal possessions etc. Note the warm-clothing and rainproof (for both yourself and your pack) may not be used while hiking but since weather changes quickly and hard to predict in the mountains, it's wise to bring these items with you all the time each day

Total driving 6-7h, walking 3km in 2-3h, easy to medium pace

Overnight at hotel at 3400m

Today is another day of driving. We will spend around 5-6 hours in the car. From Xinduqiao we will continue drive on the national highway 318. Today the drive will be on high altitude with some road passes over 4000m. We will make stops by the high passes. The high passes include Gao’ersi, Jianziwan and Kazila. Today is rather an easier day with not so much drive..

Stops by the high passes will help us to acclimate our body to the high altitude more. Walk slow while by the stops. We will arrive Litang in early afternoon. Litang is a high altitude town in western Sichuan and has a fame of “China Highland Town”. Its elevation is at 3950m. Litang is one of the nomadic parts of eastern Tibet with vast grassland of grazing yaks.

After arrival in Litang. We will first check in hotel and then go to visit Litang Monastery or Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling, or simply Choekhorling Monastery. Litang Monastery is an over 400 years old Gelugpa Monastery in Tibetan Kham. It is located at the northern suburb of Litang on a mountain side. Its massive complex of construction and delicate architectural technology make itself famous in northern Kham. As most of the other monasteries, it is also a collection of art works including pagodas, statues and many Tibetan books. Its sublime architecture and time-honored sacredness are known by the Kham Tibetans. There are three temples inside Litang Monastery. It is free of charge and available for visiting for most of the day time. Litang itself is an interesting "cowboy" like place in western Sichuan.

Driving 6 hours, visiting 1 hour; Medium pace

Overnight hotel by 3950m

We will drive into the mountains today. In the morning we will do a last-minute shopping if necessary. Litang has decent shops for snacks and basic mountain food. The drive from Litang to the beginning of trek takes around another 3 hours. We will drive over Tiejiang Mountain Pass where we will have excellent views of the Genyen Mountain Massif. Between the mountains are the flat part where local nomads live and herd yaks. We can see local families living in their black tents. The new road is a really good road that was built in recent years. The good road will end by the village of Lamaya. The drive is total around 3 hours before we arrive in Retti. We may need to switch to a local transfer in certain seasons from Zhangna, or Naigado due to possible hard road access. If available we will drive to the highland lakes by Tiejiang. There are two very beautiful lakes near the pass.

We will be dropped off at Retti Ranch and start to walk from there. Reti Ranch is the biggest yak ranch in Genyen, We will be walking on the flat grassland and we will see Mt. Genyen the whole way. During hiking we will have open views of the vast pasture and rivers. This valley is the entrance of the inner kora of holy mountain Genyen.

Today is the first day of camping we will get ourselves oriented by camping. Our campsite will be by a riverside.

Driving 3 hours, hiking 1-2 hour/3km; Easy pace

Overnight camping at 4000m

Start by walking along the river on the ranch for most of the day. In summer the trail may be cut by water in fall it is dry. You will see wild animals such as wild rabbits, marmots, cranes and other different birds during your today's walking. The walking will be in the open valley of Retti and on flat trail and little gradual ascents. With your right side being Mt. Genyen itself, the highest mountain of this range, you will be walking for most of the day at west side of Genyen by the riverside. You will camp further in the valley by Chade at the west of another mountain called Xiangba, the third highest mountain in Genyen and also a beautiful mountain covered in snow that is 5965 meters tall. Campsite is near a natural hot spring when you can enjoy a bath after one day's walk.

Walking 5-6 hours/12km; Easy pace

Overnight camping at 4300m

Today starts again with flat and gradual trail and you will cross the river for 3 times. River is up to knee deep in summer time and lower in fall. Today you will also be walking through some jungle sections. You will continue on walking by the west side of Mt. Xiangba and then Mt. Dorje Cha at its north. By the west of the valley you will have chance to see the glacier of Mt. Zadeng Bala, which is one of the three brother mountains at the west of the valley, the other two are Zadeng Haoma and Zadeng Gonma. Today you will camp Chachibu at the end of the main valley of Retti. Today we will ascend for around 200 meters and camp by the river junction.

Walking 5-6 hours/10km; Medium pace

Overnight camping at 4500m

Today is the difficult day of our inner kora trek. We will start by ascending a gradual stage and continue on ascending. Today you will ascend in total 3 big stages before reach the pass. First one is after the campsite and it is a minor and gradual one. From here we should see the fading glacier of Dorjecha by its north side as well as the glacier west to Mt. Ebamei. Second one is big and steep. After second stage, we will be at 4900m and are not far from the pass. The third stage is long but gradual. The second half of the second stage and the third stage will involve walking on rocks but safe to walk. The pass is at 5050m above sea level. After the pass, it is about 300 meters descending to today's campsite at Gapuma, a very beautiful campsite where we can see mountains all around the camp. We will be able to see the west face of Mt. Gompo Zhasu and its side peak. To the south we should see the north face of Mt. Xiangba, Mt. Xiaqioing and Mt. Phurba. Gapuma is a holy shrine in inner kora trek for local Buddhists.

Walking 5-6 hours/7km; Medium pace

Overnight camping at 4650m

From today on you will be walking downhill instead of going up. Today is also a mild day. We can start late to enjoy the views at the campsite where we can have views of several big mountains including Mt. Ebamei by east, Mt. Xiaqiong and Mt. Xiangba by the south and Mt. Hutsa by the east. This valley we walk is called Rengko Valley or Lenglong Valley, from the name of Rengko Monastery by its entrance. This is the core area of Genyen where few have explored. We will arrive Gunba and make camp by the beautiful meadow by the river junction north to Mt. Genyen. We will have open views of the mountains and valley. Feel free to walk around the camp to take photos.

Walking 5-6 hours/12km; Easy pace

Overnight camping at 4200m

Gunba Ranch is the east side of Mt. Genyen. Mt. Genyen looks more stunning from this side. As one of the 6000er in China, it is one of the mountains that famed for hard expeditions. Walking by the river and follow the prayer flags hung by monks and local Tibetan people and arrive at Rengko Monastery. There is also an old Rengko Monastery which was deserted and only has a couple of monks there. A stop at the old Rengko Monatery to have a visit before continue to the road head and being picked up and send to Naigado and see goodbye to your porter. Then continue on driving to Litang and have a good rest after this long trek. Overnight Litang hotel.

Walking 5-6 hours/10km; Easy pace

Overnight hotel at 3900m

Today is a full day drive back to Chengdu via Kangding. We will make stops for lunch and toilet. Your Genyen Trek ends by sending you off to your hotel in Chengdu. Please note you can combine this trek to other tours in Sichuan. Genyen is not a famous place to go visit or hike but rather an unexplored place for adventure traveling. So if you are looking for quiet places, or places that haven’t been spoiled to do some wild hiking, then Genyen will be our first recommendation to you.

Driving 9-10 hours, easy pace