Minya Konka West Wild Camping Trek – 5 Days

This is a driving-based wild camping trek by west of Minya Konka near Xinduqiao. There has been big rise of tourists and hikers in many popular and classic hiking places and spots in Minya Konka and some have been spoiled by the crowds. We set up this trek to offer a choice for travelers going to quiet, non-spoiled, authentic yet still beautiful places by west of Minya Konka. Please be aware of this before you sign up to this tour. This tour doesn’t go to the most famous places of Minya Konka.

Start from Chengdu and drive for around 3-4 hours to get to Kangding for lunch. We will use the new highway between Yaan and Kangding that was built in 2018. The total drive is around 360km. 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 Zheduoshan and have acclimating walk up to the lake and try walk to over 4000 meters for better acclimating. This is orientation 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 valley of Yele. We recommend to spend around at least 2-3 hours by around 4000m. After the walk drive down to Xinduqiao and check in hotel. Have good rest and prepare for the next day's activity.

We will need to do separate packing for the next days trekking with a small day pack for things necessary during trekking and the things needed for overnight in another separate & waterproof duffel bag.

Total walking 8km between 3800m and 4000m. Easy Pace.

Overnight hotel by 3400m.

Today we will start from hotel and drive for around 30 minutes to the hiking start point. Before arrive the hiking start point we will stop and have a visit to Riku Monastery first to see the cultural side of Minya Tibetans. We will visit the temple inside the village if available.

Start by the hiking start point at around 4000m and walk through the forests onto the more open shrub and grass mountain top to gain views from the west of Minya Konka Mountain Range. The walking up by the first part can be strenuous due to the ascent by high altitude above 4000m. You are recommended to start slow or at your own pace and accustom yourself gradually to the altitude and do not stress yourself too much. We will ascend from around 4000m to the highest by around 4400m by the high point over the ridge. During most time of our hiking we shall see the view of Minya Konka Range mountains when the weather is clear. The whole trek will be above 4000m with the highest at 4400m. We will end our trek by Guwa Monastery where we will have a visit to the big monastery while waiting for our ride to our camp. Guwa Monastery is a Gelugpa monastery with a history of over 400 years old. We may walk inside the village that is built on the mountain side by end of our trek today.

Afterwards we will drive to our camp in a quiet valley and set up our tent and prepare dinner.

Total walking 14km between 4000m and 4400m. Medium to Challenging Pace.

Overnight Camping by 3800m.

Today we will wake up in the quiet valley and breath the fresh air of nature. After breakfast we will then pack and start to hike. We will walk towards the end of the valley by the nomads settlement along the river by around 3800m and gradually ascend to the mountain pass by around 4200m through the forest. The ascending is short but steep. From the pass we shall have the view of Minya Konka mountains again if the weather is clear. We will have a long break by the pass to catch the great views of mountains and valleys. From the pass we will descend to the open and flat valley of grassland with nomadic Tibetan yak herding settlements. The walking after the pass is easy and nice. We will enjoy the quiet and wild nature of Minya Tibetan nomads highland with open views of mountains and hills, grassland and rivers.

Before arriving camp we will ascend on gradual grassland and camp by open grassland with views of mountains and if weather is good we shall have very beautiful sunset.

Total walking 14km between 3800m and 4200m. Medium Pace.

Overnight camping by 4100m.

In the morning we will have chance to to watch sunrise by our camp while preparing/having breakfast. You are free to explore around the camp including paying a possible visit to a local nomads family if available(in some seasons). We will set out and walk for around 2km to the mountain road and be picked up and drive to Lazen Monastery and start to walk from the end of road and walk up following the ridge line from around 4200m and arrive by the high point at around 4400m above the lake to gain panoramic view of the mountains. We will spend time by the lake and have great views of the mountains of Minya Konka Range. The views are very open during the whole hiking and we shall see the mountains far away almost all the way of hiking when the weather is clear.

After long stop and photo time by the lake we will then walk down to next to the lake and there is option to walk around the lake and walk down on the grassland with even also open views of the mountains and some nomads tent and usually grazing yaks. We will then arrive back to the trail head and camp for the night. For small groups in certain seasons we have chance to drive up to the ridge east to the monastery and camp on the mountain top to have panoramic views of Minya Konka Range if the road condition allows.

Total walking 2+12km between 4200m and 4400m. Medium Pace.

Overnight Camping by 4200m.

We will have a visit to the monastery in the morning and drive back to Chengdu in about 8 hours. We will make stops along the way before arrive back to Chengdu. Tour ends by dropping you off to your hotel in Chengdu.

Total driving 8h. Easy Pace.