keiko9066

2017-11-26 15:09:50

I recently traveled through China with my brother and he got to set the itinerary. I admit when he told me about the "stay with Tibetan nomads" trek he had found online I had some trepidation. I needn't have worried. Liyi, the owner of the company was fantastic at answering our emails right away and was very accommodating, even though it was late in the season and pushing into winter, never a welcoming time on the Tibetan plateau. Getting to Langmusi takes planning and at least one day, but once you are there, it is like another world. What a fascinating place and deserving of a day or two on its own.As for the trek, it is hard to describe without resorting to meaningless superlatives. We were on the three-day tour and all I can say is that it came close to life changing. You travel and live with a family of Tibetan nomads for the length of your stay. You help them herd their yak and sheep, you help them cook dinner, you help them with the yak dung (fuel), you go with them to get water from the nearby stream. You basically live with them as a nosey houseguest/helper. The nomads who led our group, Cairan and Zhaxi, were great, full of laughter, character and caring. They really want you to have a good experience and do whatever they can to make you feel comfortable. I don’t want to describe the experience in too much detail, because everyone should go through it themselves, but let me say a few things that stood out:--Stumbling out of the tent on a snowy morning and watching the sun rise over the mountains of Amdo amidst the sleepy yak herd is something that words will never be able to describe. --The people you stay with have almost nothing, possession-wise. To us ambitious, Western, wound tight, urban professionals tethered to our technology and modern amenities, their lives seem almost incomprehensible. Then it me like a ton of bricks on the second day that they smile, laugh and sing so much more than I ever do. More than I ever think of doing. --You will ride through a landscape so incredibly beautiful and otherworldly that you will choke because you have forgotten to breathe.--If Zhaxi is your guide, you will end up nudging your horse to overtake your travel companions so you can ride right behind him and listen to him sing his soulful Tibetan songs. Then in the morning you will be glued to his side as he chants his morning prayers. Both sounds will reverberate deep within you. --The nomad guides speak a little English, but not much. I speak Chinese and ended up becoming the interpreter for the entire group. I do believe you get a richer experience being able to communicate with them. This is when their sense of humor, quirky character and rich personalities emerge. --As a hygiene freak, I had a little trouble with the complete lack of water and private facilities. Then I got over it and I am a better person because of it. --When they ask if you want rice or noodles for dinner, say noodles then help make them. I promise it will be an unforgettable meal. --Bring altitude sickness pills. You will need them and you might not get lucky like I did, with fabulous, generous people on the trek with us. --On the second night, I awoke with a layer of snow on my face that had drifted into the tent during a snow and wind storm. It wasn’t the highlight of the trip for me, it was the highlight of my entire year.

781dand

2017-11-20 18:29:12

We (UK couple, 29/30yrs) had a great time on the 2 day horse trek in September. Liyi runs a very well organised operation, safe and professional, and the guides and horses were very happy too! We also had a great experience staying with the nomad family and this was a definite highlight of our 8 week trip in China!

roelp2013

2018-02-25 20:15:22

We have sone the two day trekking. This has been one of the highlights of our trip from east to west China. The woman who organises the trekking has everything worked out with the local nomads. She speaks English very well. Don't be scared by the rules and safety instructions you have to sign. You get three guides in your group of eight. They lead you into the mountains where you sleep with a family and share their food. I have trust problems with horses and the riding wasn't always easy. But you get quite the amount of freedom, you don't have to ride all the horses in a line. I would advise this trip to anybody who wants to participate in Chinese nomad life and enjoys spending some time in the desolate nature. I advise a two day trekking as it's cold in the mountains and the days are exhausting.

AlissaM33

2018-01-23 19:28:58

My husband and I traveled for 3 weeks all around China and our Langmusi horse trek was definitely the most unique and interesting part of our trip. We did 2 days on horse with our guide, and saw most of the surrounding area, and stayed the night with our guide in his nomadic tent with his family. They cooked us a typical dinner and served us Chinese tea all night. They taught us all about their lifestyle, even with limited English, and showed us their typical chores each day. It was so interesting, and fun to live in their home for 1 night. The 2 day, 1 night option was best for us - we got to see a lot but we're too sore to enjoy it, as it was our first time ever riding horses. Liyi, the manager/booker of the tours, was very helpful in explaining exactly what we'd get to do and what was included in the trek options.

danmon

2017-12-07 22:46:38

We had been in Asia for over six months, and this was one of our highlights. We did the two day / one night trek and it was amazing. We actually stayed with local nomads who still live the same way they have for hundreds of years. Neither of us had ridden a horse before, but the lesson was great and the guide we had was extremely helpful getting us used to riding. By the end of day two we felt like pros! Spending the night in the tent with the Nomads is one of the best cultural experiences we've ever had. The authenticity is the best part. There is no show or planned routine for tourists. You are simply a guest in their home and get to observe their everyday life. They made us homemade noodles for dinner which were great, and we had all the chinese tea we could drink!It is also worth mentioning that the owner of this company (Liyi) is the best English speaking person in town. Even if you aren't going on a trek, she is the best resource for anything in Langmusi or surrounding areas. They also own the Black Tent Cafe, so that is where you can find her.