Overview
A six-day circuit of sacred Mount Genyen in southern Kham, crossing 5,000m passes to the famous Eye of Genyen and turquoise Xiaza Lake.
About This Tour
Mount Genyen (Genyen, 6,204m) is the third-highest peak in the Hengduan range and one of the holiest mountains in southern Kham, yet it remains far off the tourist trail. This circuit traverses what many consider the most beautiful alpine scenery in West Sichuan: vast emerald grasslands grazed by yaks, ancient monasteries clinging to the slopes, glacier-fed turquoise lakes, and a string of high passes above 5,000m. The trek's signature sights are the Eye of Genyen (Genyen zhi yan), a perfectly round glacial pool that stares up like a watching eye from the mountain's flank, and the brilliant Xiaza (Shazha) Lake set beneath jagged ice peaks. Pilgrims have circled this sacred mountain for centuries, and prayer flags, mani stones and remote hermitages punctuate the route. The combination of pristine wilderness, deep Tibetan spirituality and postcard-perfect grassland scenery makes Genyen a connoisseur's trek, rewarding fit, acclimatized travelers willing to cross serious altitude. Best from June to October. Private tour, priced per person, with a full mountain crew. Itinerary may adjust based on weather, road and border-area regulations. Good to know: • Best season: June to October; July-August are greenest, September-October clearest and cooler. Heavy snow closes the high passes in winter and spring. • Fitness level: high. Expect 6-8 hour days on rough, often pathless terrain, crossing several passes above 5,000m with major daily ascent and descent. • Altitude: a very high trek; camps sit around 4,000-4,600m and passes exceed 5,000m. Strong acclimatization is essential. We build in acclimatization, carry oxygen and a pulse oximeter, but prior multi-day high-altitude experience is strongly advised. • This Sichuan route requires no special border permit, but bring your passport for scenic-area registration. A four-season sleeping bag rated to -12C or colder is essential for the high camps. • Remoteness: Genyen is genuinely wild with no facilities on the trek and limited mobile signal; weather can change rapidly, bringing rain, hail or snow even in summer. • Bring sturdy broken-in waterproof boots, trekking poles, full rain and warm down layers, sun protection, and any personal altitude medication after consulting your doctor.
Itinerary
1
Day 1: Chengdu to Litang｜The Long Climb West
A long but spectacular drive west from Chengdu deep into Kham, around 650km over two stages; most groups break the journey, but the route climbs from the Sichuan basin over a succession of high passes onto the Tibetan plateau, passing Kangding and crossing the Zheduo and Gao'er Si passes (both above 4,000m). Snow peaks, yak pastures and prayer-flag-draped passes mark the ascent. You arrive in Litang (4,014m), one of the highest towns in the world and a historic Tibetan trading and monastery center. Settle into your hotel and rest; the altitude here demands a quiet first night. Overnight in Litang. Breakfast and lunch included. Hydrate well and avoid exertion to begin acclimatizing.
2
Day 2: Litang to Lenggu Monastery｜Acclimatize and Approach
Spend the morning in Litang acclimatizing, visiting the imposing Litang Chode Monastery and feeling the pulse of this devout Tibetan town at over 4,000m. After lunch, drive roughly 3-4 hours toward the Genyen massif and the trailhead near Lenggu (Lhenggu) Monastery, a remote and atmospheric gompa set beneath the holy peak at around 4,000m. Meet your horse handlers and crew, who load the pack animals for the days ahead. A short walk to the monastery introduces the spiritual heart of the trek. Camp or stay in basic quarters near Lenggu. Overnight near Lenggu Monastery (around 4,000m). Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. The full circuit begins tomorrow.
3
Day 3: Lenggu to Xiaza Lake｜Into the Sacred Mountain
The trek begins with a strong day of around 14-16km over 6-7 hours, climbing from the monastery through open grassland and yak pasture beneath the steepening flanks of Genyen, gaining roughly 600-800m. The trail crosses streams and moraine as the 6,204m peak and its glaciers come fully into view. Your goal is the dazzling Xiaza (Shazha) Lake, a turquoise glacial lake cupped beneath jagged ice walls, where you make camp on the meadow above the shore at around 4,500m. The afternoon is free to rest and photograph the lake as the peaks glow at sunset. Camping overnight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. The thin air at this height makes a slow, steady pace essential.
4
Day 4: Xiaza Lake to the Eye of Genyen｜The High Crossing
A demanding high day, around 12-15km over 7-8 hours, crossing the trek's first major pass above 5,000m amid moraine, snow patches and prayer flags, with the whole Genyen massif arrayed around you. The descent leads toward the trek's most famous sight, the Eye of Genyen, a perfectly round, deep glacial pool resting in a hollow on the mountainside that mirrors the sky like a watching eye. Spend time at this extraordinary, sacred spot before continuing to a high camp at around 4,400-4,600m on the far side of the massif. Expect cold, fast-changing weather at altitude. Camping overnight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Today is the physical and visual high point of the circuit.
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Day 5: Circuit Traverse｜Passes, Lakes and Grasslands
Continue the loop around the mountain, around 14-17km over 7-8 hours, crossing one or more further high passes near 5,000m before descending into broad emerald valleys and grasslands on the southern side of the massif. The scenery is the stuff of West Sichuan legend: rolling alpine meadow, scattered glacial tarns, grazing yaks and the ever-present pyramid of Genyen behind you. You may pass remote hermitages and herder camps where Tibetan families still summer with their animals. Drop to a final trail camp on the grassland at around 4,100m for the last night under the stars. Camping overnight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. A long but exhilarating day through some of China's finest mountain scenery.
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Day 6: Trek Out and Drive to Litang｜Departure
A final trek of around 8-12km in 3-5 hours completes the circuit, descending grassland and valley back to the road head where your vehicle waits. Bid farewell to the horse handlers and mountain crew, then drive back to Litang for a hot shower and a proper bed, or begin the onward journey toward Daocheng/Yading or back toward Chengdu per your plan. The drive offers a last sweep of plateau, monasteries and snow peaks. Stop for a celebratory meal to mark the completion of one of China's most beautiful and least-traveled circuits. Overnight in Litang or onward. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner at leisure. Your guide assists with onward transfers. A fitting end to the Genyen circuit.
What's Included
✓ Included
English-speaking professional trekking guide Private vehicle and all listed transfers from and to Chengdu (via Litang) Hotels in town plus full camping on the trek Camping equipment (tents, dining tent, kitchen, mats) Pack horses/yaks, handlers and trekking support crew All meals as specified (B/L/D on trek) Listed scenic-area and monastery entrance fees First-aid kit, pulse oximeter and supplementary oxygen
✕ Not included
International and domestic flights China visa Travel insurance (must cover trekking above 5,000m and evacuation) Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag Tips and gratuities for guide and crew Meals not specified Personal expenses Single supplement
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.
Traveler Reviews
4.6★★★★★Based on 185 reviews
Chloe Z.🇬🇧 UK★★★★★2024-07
A seamless, personalised tour of China. We could not have asked for more.
Felix C.🇨🇭 Switzerland★★★★★2025-09
We saw all the highlights of China without the crowds. Worth every penny.
Lena E.🇸🇬 Singapore★★★★★2024-09
Beautiful scenery around China and a guide who made the history come alive.
Laura G.🇧🇷 Brazil★★★★☆2025-10
Flexible, friendly and professional. We would book this China tour again in a heartbeat.
Paul I.🇪🇸 Spain★★★★★2024-10
A trip we will never forget. China with a passionate local guide is the way to go.