Airport pickup, visit Kuanzhai Alley. Check in hotel after dinner.

Stay overnight in Aba County

Depart Chengdu around 8:00. Enjoy western Sichuan landscapes, Tibetan-Qiang customs and Min River valley views along the way. Pass famous red-leaf scenic zone Miyaluo alongside Zagu River. Cross Zhegu Mountain Tunnel at 4448 meters, China’s highest road tunnel. Travel through Shuajingsi, the meeting site of the 3rd and 4th Red Army Armies in Long March. Cross Chazhen Ridge, watershed of the Yangtze and Yellow River basins, and overlook boundless Longriba Grassland. Horse riding available at guests’ own expense with negotiable prices. Arrive in Aba County in evening. Total distance: about 476 km, travel time: 8-10 hours.

 Stay overnight in Aba (altitude around 3200m, 80+ km one way)

After breakfast, head to pristine Nyenpo Yurtse, a land blending humanity, divinity and nature. Ride unique Hequ horses across the scenic area (horse riding fee excluded). Admire grotesque peaks and serene highland lakes. The site served as the ancient battlefield of King Gesar. It features magnificent mountains, nearly 1000 scattered lakes, cascading waterfalls and widespread legends of King Gesar. Return to the foot of mountain by horse in dusk, drive back to Aba County and view distinctive Tibetan villages en route.

 Overnight in Tangke (altitude over 3000m)

Visit prestigious Tibetan Buddhist Langyi Temple and Gerdeng Temple in early morning. Witness vivid religious scenes of lamas drinking butter tea and attending morning classes. Drive to the First Bend of Yellow River in afternoon and enjoy gorgeous dusk scene

 Set off for Langmusi Temple at Sichuan-Gansu border in early morning. Tour Flower Lake on Zoige Grassland in afternoon, named after blooming aquatic flowers. It is China’s largest and flattest wetland grassland and a plateau wetland biodiversity reserve dominated by black-necked cranes. Walk on floating bridges, appreciate lakeside blossoms, interact with water birds and trace black-necked cranes. Settle in Zoige County at night.

 Stay overnight in Chuanzhusi

Drive to Chuanzhusi after breakfast. Visit Wanxiang Daci Falun Forest (Maiwa Temple) on the way. Taste plateau scaleless fish for lunch in Waqie. Reach Chuanzhusi via Galitai in afternoon.

 Tour ancient Songpan City after breakfast and experience ancient town charm. Take the high-speed train back to Chengdu, end of the trip.