Mt. Gongga Family Hiking Tour - 7 Days

Start from Chengdu and drive for around 3-4 hours to get to Kangding. We will use the new highway between Yaan and Kangding that was built in 2018. The total drive is around 280km. We will make stop along the way for toilet break and lunch stop. In the afternoon after arrival we will drive up to the road pass by Yajiageng and have acclimating walk up to the lake and try walk to over 4000 meters for better acclimating. This is oreintation walk so try not to stress yourself but rather slow down and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views while walking. You will gain amazing views of mountains and gorges while hiking by the lake near Yajiageng. We recommend to spend around at least 2-3 hours by around 4000m. After the walk drive back to Kangding and check in hotel. Feel free to explore the town of Kangding at leisure. Kangding is a mixed Tibetan and Chinese town with modern things available. You can choose to walk around the river that runs through the town, or watch the dancing people by the central square or do some shopping by the shops for next days supplies. Have good rest and prepare for the next day's activity.

Total Walking 4km between 3900m and 4000m. Easy Pace.

Overnight in hotel by 2600m.

This is another day's acclimating by sleeping higher. In the morning start by a drive from your hotel in Kangding for about 2.5 hours and arrive in Tagong. On the drive way we will make a stop by around 4300m by Zheduo/Yala Road Pass to take a short walk at even higher altitude. The views change while we drive to Tagong Grassland. Landscape is different in Tagong as in Kangding. Here in Tagong we will see more nomads on rolling grassland with manyy yaks and tents. After arrive in Tagong Grassland we will start to walk more to see its best things in Tagong. Lead accross the seemingly unending grassland dotted with Yaks, horses and local Tibetans we start walking above the village of Anigongma. We will see Snow-capped high mountains add a beautiful back drop to the meadows far below. We will visit working monasteries and experience their way of life through talking to the monks with your guide as interpreter. Please note today's walking is also acclimating so don't stress yourself too much.

Walking around 4-6km between 3800m and 4100m. Easy Pace.

Overnight hotel in Tagong by 3700m.

In the morning wander through Tagong complete with its ‘cowboys’ on horseback riding down the main street and visit a special Buddhist temple Tagong Monastery. Tagong Monastery is a 1200-year old monastery in Kham, one of the oldest around here. Learn the history and culture about the monastery by your guide. By 10am drive back to Kangding for 2.5 hours and continue for another 40 minutes drive to the start of the trek and meet your porter. After one night stay at around 3800m and two days' walking at 4000m you should feel okay for longer walks. Minya Konka Hiking starts at around 3600 meters by end of the road where car can't go. From now on the hiking will be in complete wilderness. The walking starts by gradual ascent by the riverside with pine forest and mountains around you. You'll pass by a red rock slide where you'll experience a small section of steep part before you get more open views of the valley and mountains around you. Arrive at camp site by 3800 meters in the afternoon. If there are delays on traffic then the walking distance and camping place are flexible since there are plenty of options for overnight camping, all are with good views and safe to camp.

Walking around 5km between 3600m and 3800m. Medium Pace.

Overnight camping by 3800m

Walk up in the fresh air with quiet sorroundings maybe only the sound of the river. It is usually chilling in the morning so recommended to have more layers before start walking. After having breakfast our guide prepared for you, have your day pack ready and continue walking up in the gradual valley of Riuqi. Leave the big packs and logistics to us, you will follow your guide to start hiking by around 9am or so. Follow the river you will see more mountains along two sides of the valley. The hiking trail is basically gradual and without any dangerous sections. The trail follows the river further into the Riuqi Valley with open views. Today you will arrive the camp by Liangcha where two rivers meet. Don't miss the river crossing points as we go higher. Liangcha Camp is at 3950m by altitude and you will see Mt. Tshiburongi by this camp. Mt. Tshiburongi is also called Little Konka, in contrast with the actual Mt. Minya Konka (the highest mountain in this range) due to its resemblence of a pyramid-looking appearance. By sunset we can see the golden glows on the westface of Mt. Tshiburongi. If arriving the camp early you can explore around the camp by the river and bushes while your guide prepaing your dinner. Liangcha is also a local nomads settlement where you will likely see local Tibetan people who work here as yak herders.

Total walking around 6km between 3800m and 3950m. Easy Pace.

Overnight camping by 3950m

Today is a detour up to see the lake by around 4400m. Today is the most challening day of hiking. While on the way up the hiking is a little challenging because it goes up for around 1km with steep sections. We may make stops along the way while going up. There is no need to rush today since we don't move camp so no need to do packing. We will use the same camp for another night. There are two major ascents in today's hiking. One starts from the river to get to the top for around 1.5km folowed by a flat part of 2km before another 1.5km ascent to the lake. Today's detour is set to get to the lake by 4400m however the views one can get on halfway by the flat part is also stunning. It is hard walk up but once you get higher the views are amazing: more snow-capped mountains you will see and the valley below is amazing. The furthest mountain to the right-most is Mt. Reddomian that is 6112m. The big mountains are Mt. Jiazi (6540m) and Mt. Grosvenor (6376m). The lower mountains are Mt. Tshiburongi (5928m) , Mt. Melcyr (5910m) and Peak 5804. An alternative destination for today's hiking is by the small stream by the flat part where we can see all the mountains. After a short break by the lake come back to camp the same way. Today is the hardest day of all days hiking if we reach the lake. After arrive the camp drink hot water and rest until your dinner is ready. While waiting please wear more clothes to keep warm since temperature drops quickly after sunset. If sky is clear we have chance to see the milkyy way by night.

Walking around 10km between 3950m and 4400m.

Overnight camping by 3950m

Today is a full day walking back to where we started the hiking for around 11km. You have another chance to see the views along the way if weather was not good enough. Walking back should take less time although you are recommended to slow down to appreciate the views. After arrive the road end, be picked up and send to your hotel in Kangding.

Walking around 11km between 3950m and 3600m.

Overnight hotel by 2600m

In the morning you are free to explore the town of Kangding if you want. We'll start by around 9-10am in the morning and drive back to Chengdu. Kangding is a very interesting Khampa town in Tibetan Sichuan with a long history. On the way back to Chengdu you will have a chance to have a short hike by the tea plantations in Yaan. After arrive in Chengdu check in to your hotel. Tour ends.