Nagqu Horse Racing Festival Tour

Altitude: 3,650m

Welcome to Lhasa, the sacred capital of Tibet and the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, your guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel in the city. The drive from the airport to Lhasa takes approximately one hour, following the Lhasa River through scenic valleys.

The remainder of the day is dedicated to rest and acclimatisation to the high altitude. At 3,650 meters, Lhasa demands respect—it is essential to take things easy, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and allow your body to adjust. Your guide will advise on gentle activities and monitor your well-being.

In the evening, you may take a short stroll in the neighbourhood to get your first feel of the Tibetan capital. Overnight in Lhasa.

Altitude: 3,650m

This morning, we explore Tibet's most iconic landmark: the magnificent Potala Palace. Perched atop Marpo Ri hill, this UNESCO World Heritage site was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of a united Tibet, and later expanded to serve as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. With its thousand rooms, chapels, tombs of the Dalai Lamas, and stunning views over Lhasa, the Potala offers a fascinating glimpse into Tibet's religious and political history.

In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine in Tibet. Built in 647, it is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet and houses the revered Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha statue. Here, thousands of pilgrims come daily to worship, prostrating themselves in devotion.

We then step outside to join the pilgrims on the sacred kora (circumambulation) around Barkhor Street, the bustling pilgrim circuit surrounding the Jokhang. This vibrant market teems with religious artefacts, traditional crafts, and local specialities—a perfect place to observe Tibetan life and perhaps purchase souvenirs.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Altitude: 3,650m

Today, we explore two of Lhasa's great monastic institutions. We begin at Drepung Monastery, once the world's largest monastery, often called the "Nalanda of Tibet." Founded in 1416, this sprawling complex was home to over 10,000 monks at its peak and remains a vital centre of Buddhist learning.

In the afternoon, we visit Sera Monastery, created in 1419 and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelugpa order. With roses planted throughout the complex, it is also called "the court of wild roses." Here, we witness the famous monastic debates, a lively and intellectual spectacle where monks sharpen their philosophical understanding through dramatic question-and-answer sessions, punctuated by synchronised hand-claps. This tradition, dating back centuries, remains an essential part of monastic education.

We also visit the Ani Sangkhung Nunnery, a peaceful garden-like sanctuary in the heart of the city where nuns print prayer books using traditional methods. Overnight in Lhasa.

Altitude: 4,500m+ | Driving: 320km, 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we depart Lhasa and begin our journey north toward Nagqu. The route follows the Qinghai-Tibet Highway through ever-expanding landscapes as we ascend onto the higher plateau. Along the way, we pass through Damxung, a small town at the foot of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains.

As we climb, the air thins and the vistas open dramatically—rolling grasslands stretch to the horizon, dotted with nomadic tents and grazing yaks. This is the heart of the northern Tibetan Plateau, a land of immense space and profound silence.

We arrive in Nagqu (4,500m+) in the late afternoon. Nagqu is the administrative centre of the largest prefecture in Tibet, a town that swells dramatically during festival week as nomads and their families pour in from across the region. After checking into our hotel, we rest and prepare for the excitement ahead. Overnight in Nagqu.

Altitude: 4,500m+

These are the days you've been waiting for. For two full days, we immerse ourselves in the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival, held on the vast grasslands surrounding Nagqu Town.

The Festival Grounds & Tent City

As we approach the festival site, we witness an extraordinary sight: thousands of traditional Tibetan tents, many painted with images of Buddhas and Buddhist symbols, stretching for miles across the grassland. This temporary city springs up as nomadic families arrive from across the northern plateau, bringing their horses, their finest costumes, and all the supplies needed for a week away from home.

The atmosphere is festive and welcoming—families cooking over open fires, children playing, elders gathering in circles, and everywhere the warm hospitality of the Tibetan nomads.

The Opening Ceremony

The festival opens with a grand ceremony. Colourful flags flutter against the brilliant blue sky as thousands gather. Riders in traditional attire, mounted on decorated horses, process around the racetrack. Monks chant blessings, and the air fills with anticipation.

The Horse Racing & Equestrian Competitions

The heart of the festival is the horse racing and equestrian competitions, showcasing the legendary horsemanship of the Tibetan nomads. For these families, horses are not merely animals—they are treasured companions, raised with great care and training over years, representing family pride and honour. Events include:

· Speed Racing: Horses thunder across the grassland in pure speed competitions, with riders urging their mounts forward with traditional whoops and cries. Events include 10,000-meter and 12,000-meter races that test both speed and endurance.

· Equestrian Skill Displays: The most breathtaking events showcase the riders' extraordinary control and courage. You'll witness performers:

  · Riding on only one side of the horse, their bodies suspended parallel to the ground

  · Leaning low to snatch white silk hada scarves from the grass at full gallop

  · Demonstrating precision archery on horseback, hitting targets while controlling their mounts

  · Executing acrobatic manoeuvres that seem to defy gravity

Beyond the Races

Throughout the festival, the grounds offer a wealth of cultural experiences:

· Yak Racing: One of the festival's most entertaining events, with yaks in all colours—black, white, and spotted—thundering across the grassland with surprising speed.

· Traditional Wrestling: Strong Khampa men compete in wrestling matches, cheered on by family and friends.

· Stone Lifting: Competitors demonstrate their strength by lifting and carrying increasingly large and heavy stones—a traditional test of power.

· Tibetan Opera Performances: Troupes may perform traditional Tibetan opera, adding artistic dimension to the festivities.

· Tug-of-War: Teams compete in this universal test of collective strength.

The Costume Exhibition

One of the festival's visual highlights is the spontaneous display of traditional dress. Families attend in their finest clothing—women adorned in heirloom costumes decorated with their most treasured pieces of turquoise, coral, amber, and silver jewellery, some pieces representing wealth passed down through generations. The racetrack becomes a living catwalk of Tibetan culture, a feast for the eyes unlike anything you've ever seen.

Evening Celebrations

As night falls, the festival transforms. Around campfires, people gather to sing and dance. The Gorshe (Tibetan group dance) is the most common, with people forming circles around fires, dancing in the Nagqu nomadic style. You may hear nomads singing in high-pitched voices across the darkness—ancient songs of the plateau. You are warmly invited to join in—gather round, take hands, and celebrate with your new friends under the vast star-filled sky.

Both nights are spent in Nagqu.

Altitude: 4,718m | Driving: 250km, 5 hours

After two unforgettable festival days, we depart Nagqu and journey south toward one of Tibet's most sacred sites: Nam Tso (Tengri Nor), the "Heavenly Lake."

We cross the 5,190-meter Lhachen La pass and descend to the lake's edge. Nam Tso is Tibet's largest saltwater lake, 70 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometres at an altitude of 4,718 meters. Its turquoise waters stretch to the horizon, backed by the snow-capped peaks of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains. Local legend holds that the holy lake and the holy mountain are lovers, together guarding the vast pasture and cattle.

We explore the Tashi Dor Peninsula, walking around the holy hill, passing centuries-eroded cliffs and piles of mani stones. If possible, we may visit nomads living in yak-hair tents on the pastures between the lake and the mountain, experiencing their traditional lifestyle.

In the late afternoon, we drive to Damxung for overnight accommodation. Overnight at Nam Tso Shenyang Manor Hotel or similar.

Altitude: 3,650m | Driving: 160km, 3 hours

After breakfast, we complete our journey back to Lhasa, enjoying the scenic landscapes of the Tibetan countryside one last time. Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will be transferred to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your onward journey, taking with you the memories of an extraordinary cultural adventure—the thundering hooves, the sea of tents, the warmth of nomadic hospitality, and the timeless traditions of Tibet's northern plateau. End of services.