Discover history, experience culture, understand faith and meet the people who call Tibet home.
At Snowland Travel, we value the perspectives of people living in Tibet. We introduce you to its rich history, enduring culture and faith, and the rhythms of everyday life.
Choose your preferred departure date. We will confirm whether arrangements are available.
Enquire about this itineraryTour codeSNOWLAND TRAVEL-019
Observe nature while connecting grasslands, lakes and monastery culture. Enjoy the contrasting scenery of Gansu, Sichuan and Qinghai. Go beyond the sights to learn about local history and everyday life.
We introduce the scenery alongside the history and stories cherished by local people, rather than treating it simply as a backdrop. We plan with care for both time at each destination and time spent travelling.
We introduce temples, architecture and natural sights with attention to regional cultural differences. We respect religious events and daily routines, and do not enter places solely to take photographs.
We avoid packing the itinerary merely to fit a fixed number of days, adjusting it to the weather and site opening conditions. On days involving walks, we check distances and physical condition beforehand.
We are Snowland Travel, a Tibetan-run travel company. In Tibetan cultural regions, we value local perspectives; in areas such as Fujian and the Great Wall, we work with local partners to thoughtfully introduce each region’s history and culture.
| 出発日 | 2027: arranged around your preferred dates. Please enquire about fixed departure dates and tour operation status. |
|---|---|
| Duration & start/end points | 現地12日間／蘭州到着 → 西寧出発 |
| Recommended season | Trips are considered mainly from early summer through summer, after checking flowering, snow cover and road conditions. |
| Quotation basis | An illustrative locally starting and ending itinerary based on 6 participants sharing twin rooms. These are not confirmed minimum operating or advertised group numbers. |
Per person: a system-generated indicative estimate (prepared 29 October 2026 / subject to confirmation). We will provide a formal written price once hotels, group size, season, transport, permits, admission fees and other details are confirmed. Flights to and from Japan are not included.
The estimate assumes local transport and guide arrangements in the itinerary, listed accommodation and meals, and standard sightseeing admission. Routes including the Qinghai–Tibet Railway assume a train from Xining to Lhasa; Ngari flight and Nepal routes also include the itinerary’s flight sectors in the estimate.
International return flights, travel insurance, personal shopping and drinks, additional visits, tips, porters, horses, special pilgrimage transport and single-room supplements will be checked separately. Special arrangements in remote areas and sectors requiring permits will be specified in the confirmed quotation. This text does not establish final contract terms.
This is a sample itinerary starting and ending locally. International travel days from Japan or elsewhere are not included. Where the images do not establish the duration or full route, the itinerary has been developed as Snowland Travel’s own illustrative model.
| 日程 | Route | Visits & activities | Planned overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1日目 | Lanzhou arrival | Meet at the airport or station, transfer to the hotel and rest; review the onward plan. | Lanzhou ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Dinner |
| 2日目 | Lanzhou → Xiahe | Travel into Gannan, rest/walk in town and prepare for Labrang. | Xiahe ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 3日目 | Labrang and Sangke Grassland | Explore open monastery halls/kora and afternoon grassland plants/scenery. | Xiahe ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 4日目 | Xiahe → Langmusi | Cross Gannan grasslands to Langmusi, distinguishing the two provinces’ monasteries. | Langmusi ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 5日目 | Ruoergai and Flower Lake area | Observe wetland plants/birds from open paths and boardwalks; do not enter wetland habitat. | Ruoergai ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 6日目 | Ruoergai → Jiuzhi | Cross grasslands into Qinghai, choosing safe flower/plateau stops for conditions. | Jiuzhi ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 7日目 | Qinghai side mountain scenery → Maqin | No entry into the protected Nianbaoyuze interior is assumed; use authorised roadside landscapes. | Maqin ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 8日目 | Amnye Machen foothills | Observe peaks/alpine plants in approved foothills on a roughly 1-2-hour walk, shortened for weather/health. | Maqin ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 9日目 | Maqin → Gonghe | Travel through plateau grasslands/villages to Gonghe with regular breaks. | Gonghe ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 10日目 | Gonghe → Qinghai Lake → Xining | Enjoy open Qinghai Lake shores and grasslands, then return to Xining. | Xining ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 11日目 | Xining and Kumbum | Explore Kumbum/Xining to reflect on Amdo culture, following religious activity/access rules. | Xining ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 12日目 | Xining departure | Transfer for your departure after breakfast; very early departures may have a snack or no breakfast. | no overnight stay | Breakfast |
Travel order, stops, vehicles and trains may be adjusted according to bookings and local conditions. In-flight meals depend on airline operations and will be checked separately from the meals listed in the table.
Twin rooms for two are the standard. Hotels are selected after checking location, cleanliness, private bathrooms, hot water and suitability for rest. “Four-star” refers to local Chinese standards, which differ from Japanese hotel classifications. Equivalent-class hotels or properties without official star certification will be disclosed before booking.
Four-star hotels may be unavailable in remote areas. We identify these sections in the itinerary and individually check bathrooms, heating, electricity and hot water at available hotels. Overnight trains and basic pilgrimage accommodation are outside the four-star standard. If you require four-star hotels throughout, we will discuss changes to destinations, overnight stops and duration.
| Lanzhou | Lanzhou ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
|---|---|
| 夏河 | Xiahe ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
| 郎木寺 | Langmusi ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| 若爾蓋 | Ruoergai ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| 久治 | Jiuzhi ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| 瑪沁 | Maqin ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| Gonghe | Gonghe ／ available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| Xining | Xining ／ locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
Hotel names will be provided in the final itinerary before departure, after confirming reservations, operation and acceptance of foreign travellers. No specific hotel reservation has been confirmed at present. Single rooms depend on supplements and availability, and may not be obtainable in remote areas.
Meals are mainly Chinese cuisine, combining stir-fries with local ingredients, vegetables, rice or noodles and hot soup. In Lhasa and Amdo, we also provide opportunities to discover Tibetan food culture through momo, thukpa, tsampa, butter tea and more. Dishes are selected according to season and restaurant operations, with menus varying from meal to meal.
Meals in the sample itinerary: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners. The plan includes the onboard train meals and packed meals shown in the table.
Breakfast is generally a hotel buffet or set meal, with light meals on early departure days. Lunch is planned at a local restaurant or as a packed meal; dinner at a hotel or town restaurant. Meals are simpler in remote areas and along pilgrimage routes. Please discuss food dislikes, vegetarian needs and allergies in advance so we can check feasibility and any additional conditions.
Lianbaoyeze in Sichuan and Nianbaoyuze in Qinghai are separate areas. This model does not include entry to protected areas where access is restricted. Particular flowers, peak blooming periods or wildlife encounters are not guaranteed.
Trips generally start and end locally; arrival and departure times and transfer coverage will be confirmed. An additional overnight stay should be considered when connecting to an international flight after long-distance travel on the final day. For routes involving walking or pilgrimage, please review distances, elevation changes and accommodation conditions and consult us.
Visa and permit requirements vary by nationality, destinations and method of entry. For foreign travellers visiting the Tibet Autonomous Region, the travel company will confirm and arrange the required procedures and approved route. Travel onward to Nepal requires separate checks of entry conditions and border or flight operations.
Prepare warm layers, rain gear and comfortable walking shoes appropriate to the season and altitude. At high elevations, allow time for travel and rest. If your condition changes, tell your guide instead of prioritising the schedule. Please consult a medical professional before joining if you have existing conditions or health concerns.
Obtain consent before photographing people and follow photography rules inside temples. We value travel that does not disrupt religious rituals or residents’ lives and leaves plants and stones in place. At historic sites, we use areas that are open and maintained for visitors.
The process is: consultation → itinerary and formal quotation → review of conditions → booking → arrangements → final itinerary. Please confirm payment, cancellation and change terms, hotel names and included services in writing before booking.
Photography, temples, handicrafts, food and nature observation. Alongside visiting the sights, Snowland Travel offers time to get to know each place.
Discuss this route →Land of Snow · Journeys of the Heart
All tour prices exclude return flights between your point of origin and the local tour meeting and departure points. Air tickets are arranged and paid for separately.
SNOWLAND TRAVEL
