7 Days Nagchu Horse Racing Tour
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Pace
- Moderate
- Group size
- 3–8 travellers
- Best season
- Early August — the races open on 10 August
The trip at a glance
The biggest horse festival in Tibet opens every year on 10 August on the grassland of Nagchu. This seven-day journey takes you there: three easy days in Lhasa, then north through the farming valleys of Linzhou and Reting Monastery to Nagchu the day before the races, so you see the whole first morning. The way back is on the national road — never the same road twice.
Three days in Lhasa first. Nagchu lies at about 4,500 m. The Potala Palace, the Jokhang and the Barkhor, Sera Monastery and the Tibet Museum give your body time to get used to the height.
Read the full overview
North by the quiet road. The road through Linzhou passes barley fields and wetlands where black-necked cranes feed, to Reting Monastery among its old juniper trees. Then a mountain valley leads down to the national road at Damxung, and on across the open grassland to Nagchu.
The races. On 10 August the Nagchu horse racing festival opens on the Gesar racecourse: speed races, riders picking up khata scarves at full gallop, archery, Gesar epic singers and a tent city several kilometres long. Read more about the Nagchu horse racing festival and all three horse racing festivals in Tibet.
- Lhasa
- Linzhou
- Reting Monastery
- Damxung
- Nagchu horse racing
- Lhasa
Where you go, and how high you sleep
The route, stop by stop
Lhasa → Linzhou → Reting Monastery → Damxung → Nagchu horse racing → Lhasa
- Arrive in Lhasa (3,650 m) — a quiet first dayDay 1
- Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor koraDay 2
- Lhasa — Tibet Museum and Sera MonasteryDay 3
- Lhasa → Linzhou → Reting Monastery → Damxung → NagchuDay 4
- The Nagchu horse races — opening day, 10 AugustDay 5
- Nagchu → Lhasa on the national roadDay 6
- Departure from LhasaDay 7
Day by day
Days 1–3 · Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa (3,650 m) — a quiet first day
Your guide meets you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa railway station with a white khata scarf and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for resting: walk slowly, drink plenty of water and let your body get used to the height.
Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor kora
The Potala Palace in the morning, then the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibet. In the afternoon, walk the Barkhor, the kora around the Jokhang, clockwise with the pilgrims and their prayer wheels.
Lhasa — Tibet Museum and Sera Monastery
The Tibet Museum in the morning, and Sera Monastery in the afternoon for the monks' debate in the courtyard (except Sundays). A third easy day in Lhasa prepares you for the grassland, about 850 metres higher.
Lhasa → Linzhou → Reting Monastery → Damxung → Nagchu
North through the farming valleys of Linzhou, past barley fields and wetlands where black-necked cranes feed, to Reting Monastery among its old juniper trees. Then through a mountain valley down to the national road at Damxung, and on across the open grassland to Nagchu, arriving the day before the races.
The Nagchu horse races — opening day, 10 August
A whole day at the Gesar racecourse from the morning: the opening, the speed races, riders picking up khata scarves at full gallop, archery, and the tent city and market where nomad families from all over northern Tibet meet.
Nagchu → Lhasa on the national road
Back to Lhasa on the paved national road across the grassland, about 310 km — a different road from the way north, with the Nyenchen Tanglha range along the way.
Departure from Lhasa
Your guide takes you to the airport or railway station. Tashi delek — safe travels.
What is included
Included
- Tibet Travel Permit and all other permits for the route
- English-speaking Tibetan guide
- Vehicle and driver for the whole trip
- Hotels in Lhasa and two nights in Nagchu
- Entrance tickets for the sights in the itinerary
- Airport or railway station transfers
- Oxygen cylinders in the vehicle throughout the trip
Not included
- Flights or trains to and from Lhasa
- China visa
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses and tips
- Single room supplement
Photos from this route
Pick your date
Questions travellers ask
When is the Nagchu horse racing festival?
Every year on 10 August. This tour reaches Nagchu on 9 August, so you see the whole opening day.
How high is this tour?
Lhasa is at 3,650 m, Reting about 4,000 m and Nagchu about 4,500 m. Three easy days in Lhasa first help your body get used to the height, and our guide carries oxygen.
Will we also see the Damxung horse race?
We pass Damxung on the way north, but this tour is built around Nagchu, the biggest of the horse racing festivals. We don't put two horse races in one tour — one is the highlight.
Where do we stay in Nagchu?
Two nights in a simple hotel in Nagchu town. Hotels there are basic and fill up before the festival, which is why we book early for the group.
Can this tour be private?
Yes. The same itinerary can run as a private tour for your family or friends, with your own guide and vehicle.
Would you like to take this tour with a small group? It runs on fixed dates with 3 to 8 travellers. The group assembles in Chengdu or Xining, and the tour ends in Lhasa. See the dates for this tour →
