CE-TB-09

The Nagchu Horse Festival is the most important festival in north Tibet plateau. Nagchu is one of the highest, coldest and most windswept towns in Qiangtang Grassland. In this breathtaking spot on the road between Qinghai and Tibet, from August 10-13, more than 10,000 nomads, with their tents, children and animals come to participate and enjoy the colorful Nagchu Horse Festival.  A gathering of traders, pilgrims, dancers, gamblers, drinkers, and picnickers, Nagchu is a cultural fair representing a wide range of ethnic and tribal groups. There will be horse racing and acrobatics, dancing and singing at night, and the chang, or Tibetan beer will flow freely. 
Schedule:
D1_ Arrive in Lhasa.
Arrive in Lhasa, check in the hotel.
D2 _ Potala Palace ／ Jorkang Temple / Barkor Square  ( B)
In the morning visit Potala Palce, then visit Jorkang Temple and spend sometime shopping at Barkhor Square. 
D3_  Lhasa – Yangpachen – Namtso Lake ( B)
Morning drive to Yangpachen, where we will take a Hotspring dip followed by lunch.  Then drive to Namtso Lake. Night in Tashi Do guesthouse. ( B )
D4_ Namtso Lake – Nagchu  ( B)
Morning drive to Nagchu.  Night in guesthouse. ( B )
D5 10th  August   Chang Tang Nagchu–Chachen Horse Race Festival ( B)
Today, you will attend the Horse Racing Festival.
D6_ Nagchu – Namtso Lake ( B)
In the morning, attend the festival and proceed to Tashi Dor, situated in the south-eastern corner of the Namtso Lake.  Night in Tashi Do guesthouse. ( B )
D7_ Namtso Lake – Lhasa ( B)
In the morning we can take a hike around Namtso Lake, then drive back to Lhasa in the afternoon via Tsurpu Monastery which lies 44 miles before Lhasa.  Night in hotel.  
D8__Lhasa / Shigatse / Gyantse  (12,785ft, 156 miles, 6hrs)  ( B)
Drive to Shigatse via new road that runs parallel to the Yarlung Tsangbo River.  Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. Then continue to Gyantse.  
D9_ Gyantse / Lhasa ( 4040m / 13467ft , 86km / 57miles, 2 ½ hrs)  ( B)
After breakfast, visit the Pelkor Chode & Kumbum Monastery which are the highlights of Gyantse.  Then leave Gyantse to return to Lhasa via Yamdok lake. Arrive in Lhasa in the late afternoon. 
D10_ Lhasa ( B)
In the morning we will bid fare well and depart Tibet. END.