8 Days Amdo Tibetan New Year Monlam Festival

Professional English Speaking Guide

Max Group size of 12 people

All accomodations included

Our tours get great reviews!

We have over 15 years experience

Price of tour: $819*

* (Price can be 10% lower or higher depending on the season. Please tell us your preferred travel month in the booking form)

Short tour summary

Monlam also known as The Great Prayer Festival, it was established in Lhasa in 1409, by Tsong Khapa, the founder of Gelug tradition. It has been popular for a long time in the Gelug monasteries of Amdo Tibetan area, and becomes a major festival for local Tibetans. Every year, the ritual activities last for 15 days, from the third night of the first month to the 17th day(lunar calendar).

Tour highlights: Rebong arts | Charm dance | Lower Wutun Monastery | Gomar Gompa | Giant Thangka Display | Xiahe | Labrang Monastery | Liujiaxia Dam | Binglingsi Grottoes

Day by day schedule:

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Day 1: Xining Arrival

Picked up at airport or train station, and drive to hotel.

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Day 2: Xining-Tongren 160km, 2.5hr

Drive to Tongren, it’s known to Rebgong to Tibetans. Rebong arts are famous such as in Thangka painting, sculpture, engraving, architecture, and embroidery. Upon arrival, drive to lower Wutun Monastery, watch the Cham dance. In the afternoon, go to Gomar Gompa to join the circumambulation of future Buddha.

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Day 3: Tongren

In the morning go to Gomar Gompa to watch their Cham dance. The monastery is 400 years old, charming and also mysterious which looks like a medieval.

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Day 4: Tongren-Xiahe 110km, 2.5hrs

After breakfast, watch Giant Thangka Display in Nianduhu Monastery. In the afternoon, drive to Xiahe.

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Day 5: Labrang

Today thousands of Tibetan pilgrims flock to Labrang Monastery for its biggest annual draw. In the early morning, Tibetan monks carry the giant Thangka depicting Buddha to the ceremonial site. They then carefully unroll to reveal a 400 square meter thangka painting. People trek up to the mountain to see the rays of sunlight hit the Thangka to pray for a good year.

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Day 6: Labrang

In the morning, walk the inner Kora with locals. Later watch the Cham Dance, well trained monks wear colorful costumes and masks, dance to the music played by traditional instruments.

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Day 7: Labrang-Lanzhou

Drive back to Lanzhou, on the way, stop at Liujiaxia Dam, take speed boat to visit Binglingsi Grottoes, Bingling in Tibetan means “thousand buddha”. This amazing cultural heritage consists of more than 100 caves with 694 figures of Buddha sculptures and 900 square meters mural, it dates to 420AD of Western Qin.

Day 8: Lanzhou Departure

Airport and train station transfer service, trip finishes.

Included in the price

  • airport and train station pickup and drop service
  • experienced, knowledgable english-speaking guide
  • transportation whilst on tour
  • comfortable hotels, based on double occupancy
  • breakfast
  • entrance fee
  • bottle water
  • lots of fun people

Excluded from the price

  • flights or trains to Xining and out of Lanzhou
  • other meals
  • tips for guide and driver (30rmb-50rmb per person per day for each)
  • single room supplement fee 1400rmb (If you are alone and willing to share, we shall put another solo taveler with you in same room. We can’t guarantee the roommate)

Enquiry & Booking

Please fill out this short form and we will send you an itinerary and options to book this tour with us. Thank you for your trust and looking forward to welcome you on this amazing tour! 

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