Aquabatics

Adventure Tours
TIBET WHITEWATER/CULTURE AND MULTISPORT EXPEDITION

A new destination for us in 2011.  This itinerary combines the rich and varied culture and religion of this part of China, along with the best kayaking, rafting and horse trekking in this spectacular part of the world.
We are running this as a kayakers trip and a non-paddlers trip together so paddling and non paddling friends, family, partners etc can experience this amazing country together.
See Tibet as few do, by raft, kayak, horse and camping in remote and rural areas

Schedule:

Trip ID Dates REGISTER/INFO
TIB_KAYAK

Sept 18th - 30th 2011

 10 spots left
TIB_MULTISPORT Sep 18th  - 30th 2011 Click Here

Prequisites:

  • Moderate level of fitness
  • Class II - IV whitewater kayaking skills (only if you are on the kayaking trip)
  • Minimum 15 years of age (unless otherwise arranged)

Notes:

  • This is available as an anytime departure for groups of 4 or more.

Cost:

6 to 9 pax:   $3395 CAND + $500USD internal flight

10 - 15 pax: $2995 CAND + $500USD internal flight

16 + pax: $2695 CAND + $500USD internal flight

Doesnt include international flight to Chengdu, please email us at [email protected] for a detailed itinerary, inclusions exclusions etc

Basic Itinerary:

  • Day 1:

    Arrive in Chengdu, China
    Here we will meet our local Chinese translator and transfer downtown to our hotel - rest and relax then go out to experience a Chinese banquet style dinner

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 2:

    Flight from Chengdu to Lhasa

    Arriving at Lhasa’s Gonggar Airport, we’ll be met by our local Tibetan guide and take the scenic 1 hr long drive to Lhasa. You may start feeling the effects of the high altitude, so it’s best if you have a relaxing afternoon, and drink plenty of water. In the evening, your guides will pick you up and take you to one of Lhasa’s better restaurants for dinner.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 3:
    Temples, Monastaries and Markets
    This morning after breakfast at the hotel, you’ll meet your guides and head into Lhasa’s old quarter and tour the Jokhang Temple. Built in AD 650, this ancient temple is home to some of Tibetan Buddhism’s most venerated statues. You’ll walk alongside the Tibetan Pilgrims, some of whom will have come thousands of km’s to worship at the sacred temple. After the tour of the temple, join the pilgrims for a Kora, or holy walk around the outside of the temple. For Buddhists, 108 laps of the temple is guaranteed to bring long life and good luck.  (We don’t recommend 108 laps today!) The market stalls surrounding the Jokhang, have been in place since the early days of the temple. The Barkhor is one of the best places for souvenir shopping in Lhasa, but bargain hard!
    After lunch we’ll head to Sera Monastery to watch the monk’s debate as they have every day since the 14th century. The Sera monks are renowned for their intelligence and political acumen. The debates are said to train the mind and are very entertaining to watch. 
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 4:
    Potala Palace and drive to Tolung Valley
    This morning you will join your local guide on a tour of the Potala Palace which needs no introduction. We then visit the Norbulinka Palace, the park-like summer home of the Dalai Lamas.
    We’ll then pack up and depart Lhasa for the Tolung Valley.  We’ll set up camp at the take-out of the Tolung Chu.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 5:
    First Day of Rafting/Kayaking - Tolung Chu - Class II/III
    The Tolung Chu is a fast flowing Class II/III river flowing through super scenic rural Tibet.  This will act as a great warm up run, and a good first day paddling at altitude.  We will have a late lunch back at camp after our days paddling.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner

  • Day 6 - 7:
    Rafting/Kayaking - Upper Drigung Chu - Class III/IV
    Today we will be up pretty early to make the drive across to the Drigung Valley, we’ll have an early lunch at camp before heading up to run the beautiful Upper Drigung Chu.  This is a step up and is in the Class III/IV range.
    • Day 7:
      Kayaking or Horse Trekking - Lower Drigung Chu - Class III/IV

      There is a sporty Class V canyon just below camp, so we will do a vehicle assisted portage around that and put on the Lower Drigung Chu.  This run is a Class III/IV section that drops through 2 short bed rock gorges.  The non paddlers (or paddlers looking for a change of pace) will head out for a super cool guided horse trek for the day.
  • Day 8 - 11:
    Drive to Reting Tsangpo - Rafting/Kayaking
    We pack up this morning and continue our drive up onto the Tibetan Plateau, where the road winds past yak herds and nomad encampments to our put-in on the Reting Tsangpo. After a picnic lunch, we gear up and begin our river journey, spending the afternoon in the rafts. We’ll camp by the river where ever we choose.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 12:
    Day 9 - 12:  Rafting/Kayaking the Reting Tsangpo
     Starting high on the plateau the Reting begins as an alpine stream before quickly building in volume and intensity.  If snow melt and rain brings the water up this run has superb play waves and is a great introduction to big volume Himalayan style boating. 
    The river provides a great mixed of relaxed floating and whitewater action suitable for everyone (in rafts) and good intermediate kayakers.
     As we float down the valley we encounter rare juniper forests that culminate in the spectacular forest surround Reting Monastery.  We’ll hike up to the monastery to explore.  We take-out where the Reting meets the Kyi Chu or Lhasa River      After lunch on Day 12 we will be off the river and heading back to Lhasa
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 13 - 18:
    Departure Day - Fly to Chengdu from Lhasa
    Transfer to Lhasa airport for flight to Chengdu and onwards home.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner