An Exclusive Expedition to the Three-River-Source Region
Yellow River: Find the river's very first drop and understand the science of tracing its origins.
Lancang River: Experience unique rafting. Every paddle stroke helps save the river.
Yangtze River: Enter Hoh Xil and meet the guardians of the Sonam Dargye Protection Station.
Kunlun Mountains: Cross two sections of the range to witness the majestic Sister Peaks.
Flagship Wildlife: Spot snow leopards, Tibetan antelopes, Pallas's cats, Eurasian lynxes, black-necked cranes, white-lipped deer, and Tibetan wild asses.
Diverse Habitats: Explore alpine meadows, cold deserts, glaciers, wetlands, and more.
Mount Amne Machin: Perform the Weisang ritual, enjoy an off-road Kora, and meet the mountain's protectors.
Expert Guidance: Join professional wildlife observation and hands-on conservation.
Culture & Nature: Immerse in profound Tibetan culture and roam pristine nature reserves.
Three-River-Source National Park in Qinghai is situated on the world’s 'Third Pole,' the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Here, we will embark on a journey through the Danxia Canyon of the Yellow River, trek amidst interesting rock formations among the bare rocks of the high mountains, and follow the route of King Gesar along the shores of Gyaring and Ngoring Lakes, which are the source of the Yellow River.
The core of cultural outdoors exploration is venturing into unconventional travel destinations, immersing ourselves both in the local environment and in the local culture. As we follow the Yellow River to its source, we will find ourselves in places where Tibetan culture is preserved in its purest form.
Duration 8 days
Type Small-group travel
Level
Theme Habitat & Life, National parks in China
Group size 3 to 14 people
All day: Gather on arrival day and proceed to the hotel for check-in
Night：Enjoy a delicious dinner and pre-trip meeting. During the evening pre-trip meeting, we will provide information about the trip, as well as advice for first-timers to high altitudes
Accommodation : Xi'gang Airlines Airport Hotel (or similar)
Meal : (On Own); Supper (Welcome Dinner)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Theme: The Legend of Mount Amne Machin & Ecological Practices
Full Day: Venture into the Amne Machin glaciers to explore how climate change impacts the local ecosystem, and perform the traditional Weisang (incense burning) ritual to pay tribute to the sacred mountain.
Transport: 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle (5-6 hours)
Accommodation : Xi'gang Airlines Airport Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Feature Lunch)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Theme: The legends and ecological practices of Amne Machin
Morning: Visit the King Gesar History Museum to delve into the legendary tales of the local Tibetan hero. Get an overview of the Amne Machin mountains at the Amne Machin Exhibition Center.
Noon: Pay respects to Amne Machin through weisang.
Night: Arrive in Madoi.
Note: Today, we will reach an altitude of 4400m, allowing the body to acclimatize gradually.
Transport: 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle (6-7 hours)
Accommodation : Madoi Yellow River Source Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Feature Lunch)
Trekking Distance : 3 kilometers
Trekking Time : 1-2 hours
Reference Hotel Pictures
The Yellow River Source Hotel has attentive service, provides additional oxygen supply in its hotel rooms, and can meet all your basic daily needs. The hotel offers a variety of breakfast options, as well as facilities such kettles, humidifiers, refrigerators, safes, etc.
Theme: Crossing the Three-River Basin in a Single Day
Morning: Depart from Maduo and head to the Bayan Har Mountains, the natural divide between the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins. Explore the surrounding freeze-thaw lakes to spot waterbirds like the black-necked crane and animals such as the Tibetan fox.
Afternoon: Travel from Yushu (Yangtze River basin) to Nangqên (Lancang River basin). Journey through plains, rolling hills, and canyons to experience the complete transformation of the Sanjiangyuan landscape.
Transport: 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle (6-7 hours)
Accommodation : Hanting Hotel (Nangqên County Government Branch) (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Theme: Exploring the Lancang River
Morning: Venture into the Gaer Temple Grand Canyon for a spiritual meditation session with a Khenpo (Tibetan Buddhist master).
Afternoon: Embark on a spectacular rafting journey on the Lancang River, taking in the most breathtaking canyon scenery.
Transport: 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle (2.5-3 hours)
Accommodation : Hanting Hotel (Nangqên County Government Branch) (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Camp Meal)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Theme: Yangtze River Source Safari
Full Day: Embark on a continuous safari from Nangqên, transitioning from the Lancang River source region into the Yangtze River source area. Track and search for wildlife, including Tibetan foxes, wolves, Tibetan gazelles, and Tibetan wild asses.
Transport: 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle (5-6 hours)
Accommodation : gesar hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal)
Trekking Distance : 1 kilometers
Trekking Time : 2-3 hours
Reference Hotel Pictures
Theme: Exploring the Yangtze River Source & Hoh Xil
Full Day: Travel via the Chumar River, Hoh Xil Protection Station, Budongquan (Unfrozen Spring), Yuzhu Peak, and Yuxu Peak, en route to Golmud.
The vast Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is now part of the Yangtze River Source section of the Sanjiangyuan National Park. Its scattered saline lakes serve as an indispensable water source for the Yangtze River. Here, we will learn the inspiring story of Tibetan antelope conservation and witness national first-class protected species, such as Tibetan antelopes and wild yaks, galloping across the sun-baked wilderness.
Transport: 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle (5-6 hours)
Accommodation : Atour Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal); Supper (Farewell Dinner)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: A unified airport transfer will be arranged at 9:00 AM for everyone's return journey.
Transport: 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle (2.5-3 hours)
Accommodation : Own arrangement
Meal : Breakfast
| From | Until | Pricing | Status | Book your Adventure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat. 01/08/2026 | Sat. 08/08/2026 | $1,864 | Confirmed 7 places left 5 registrants | Book |
| Sat. 15/08/2026 | Sat. 22/08/2026 | $1,864 | Enlisting 14 places left | Book |
| Sun. 20/09/2026 | Sun. 27/09/2026 | $1,864 | Enlisting 14 places left | Book |
Can't find the date that suits you?
Contact our experts1. All the accommodation mentioned in the program, including 7night(s) hotel;
2. All the meals mentioned in the program, including 7breakfast(s), 6lunch(s), 2 dinner(s);
3. Local service team mentioned in the program;
4. Natural Highlights mentioned in the program, including ANEMAQEN, Dinvine Lake, Wetlands and sand dunes, Drafting, 隆宝湿地与鸟类, kunlun mountain pass, Kekexili;
5. Cultural Highlights mentioned in the program, including Divine Mountain Prayer, Ga'er Temple, The Ashoka Tower, yuzhu mountain;
1. Transfer to/from City of Arrival or Departure;
2. Activities not mentioned in the program;
3. Single supplement;
4. All drinks, except water and tea provided in some restaurants or hotels;
5. Personal consumption;
6. Others items not mentioned in the program, 2 lunch(s), 6 dinner(s), etc;
7 Days from $1,864/pers
6 Days from $1,459/pers
7 Days from $1,459/pers