Tibet
In Search of the Source of the Mekong
Trip Overview
- Rugged Road Travel, Horse Trekking
- 3 Nights Hotels, 6 Nights Camping, 6 Nights in Basic Guesthouses
- Plus 2 Days Travel To and From Your Home
The Mekong River is one of the most important river systems in the world and its source is located in the remotest regions of Qinghai Tibet. In 2003 the formerly closed Tibetan regions of Southern Qinghai, where the river springs to life, were opened to foreign visitors for the first time in decades.
This year for the first time, Mick O’Shea, our head guide in Asia, will be leading an expedition across this remote region, historically known as Kham, to reach the spiritual source of the Mekong River, high in a remote corner of eastern Tibet. He and our Tibetan friends will lead this unique adventure through a region of ancient monasteries and nomadic yak herders, where Buddhism flowers and eagles soar.
This exploratory journey ventures where few outsiders have traveled before. We start in Chengdu, China with a visit to the panda breeding sanctuary for an orientation into the wildlife and geology of the region. From there we set out across the plateau, passing through regions of lush natural beauty and enjoying the drama of the mountainous Tibetan landscape. Our route takes us through significant Tibetan cultural centers such as Derge and Garze, where we will have an opportunity to learn about the Tibetan people, their history and civilization.
Finally, we reach a point where the map will no longer guide us, and we join our nomad guides to take us into the mountains and valleys beyond. We must travel by horse to reach the source of the Mekong River, known locally as the Zachu. We will follow the river from its snowy source as it descends through deep valleys and canyons, joining with other rivers and growing into the mighty force that reaches across southeast Asia. We’ll camp at night in tents under the nearby stars, and travel by day through this remote Tibetan wilderness.
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17 days
2008 Dates
Sep. 30 – Oct. 16
2008 Fees
Land Cost
Group size 8-12: $4,090*
Group size 6-7: $4,390*
Single Supplement: $450
Internal Flights
$120
*Price does not include international airfare or mandatory trip insurance. Prices are given in US Dollars.
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