5 Day Horse Riding Tour: Sichuan Express Equestrian Escape in China
China Horse Riding Tour
Are you already in China and looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience? Have you planned a visit to Chengdu to meet the famous giant pandas and want to extend your trip with an authentic adventure in the surrounding mountains? Create unforgettable memories in pristine nature, surrounded by history, culture, and spectacular scenery.
Key information
- Rider Weight Limit: 188 pounds / 85 kilograms
- Horse Breed: Hequ horses
- Horse Height Range: 13.1 to 14.3 hands (135–150 cm)
- Tack Type: Traditional Chinese trekking saddles adapted for long-distance comfort
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- 2 riding days
- Ride through mountains, forests, alpine meadows, passes, and lakes
- Trotting along mountain ridges
- Galloping across high plateaus
- Visits to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Dujiangyan
- Excursion to Taoping village
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
Skill level
- Beginner
Styles
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (US$ 28 per person)
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (US$ 34 per person)
Accommodation
During the tour, you will spend one night in a three-star hotel (Chinese standard) in a double or twin room and three nights in simple guesthouses with double or twin rooms and shared bathrooms.
Program
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Meeting the giant pandas and discovering Dujiangyan, a UNESCO Site
China Sport Adventures will pick you up from your hotel in Chengdu. The day starts early with an unforgettable visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The morning is the ideal time to observe these adorable creatures, as they are very active. You will see giant pandas and red pandas in their natural habitat and learn more about the conservation efforts in place to protect these iconic animals. In the afternoon, head to Dujiangyan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This hydraulic engineering masterpiece, built over 2000 years ago, continues to regulate the waters of the Minjiang River. In addition to its historical role, Dujiangyan is a true cultural treasure, housing magnificent Taoist temples nestled in a stunning natural setting. The green trails, mountain landscapes, and sacred buildings offer a unique immersion into Taoist culture while admiring the perfect harmony between man and nature.
- Accommodation: Hotel in Dujiangyan
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes drive
Day 2: Discovering Qiang culture and first encounter with the Tibetan equestrian team
Your morning begins with a short drive of about an hour to reach the village of Taoping, an iconic site of Qiang culture. This village, over 2000 years old, is a true labyrinth of stone alleys and watchtowers, showcasing the ingenuity of this ethnic minority. Between tradition, history, and mountain landscapes, this visit immerses you in the authenticity of a lesser-known heritage. After this cultural immersion, you will continue your journey for three and a half hours to the stables, nestled in the mountains of Heishui, located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the Tibetans who will take care of you throughout the adventure. You will meet your mount, choose your horse, and familiarize yourself with the unique environment of the high plateaus. This preparation moment is an essential step before diving into the intense days of riding that await you.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes drive
Days 3 - 4: Great crossing of the Aba Mountains
For two days, you will ride through the majestic mountains of the Aba region on non-repetitive routes, featuring spectacular climbs and thrilling descents. You will explore vast pastures where Tibetan herders guide their yak herds. The landscapes offer impressive diversity: dense forests clinging to mountain slopes, alpine meadows perfect for galloping, mountain passes with breathtaking panoramic views and high-altitude lakes with vibrant colors. You will journey through this wild nature, trotting along mountain ridges, galloping across high plateaus, and stopping to admire the beauty of these unique places.
Each day, you will climb new peaks, reaching altitudes of up to 4,400 meters, while navigating between alpine passes, high-altitude meadows, and deep valleys. With daily elevation gains and losses of around 1,000 meters, each stage will immerse you in stunning panoramas. You will also have the opportunity to observe Tibetan riders in action as they guide their yak herds across these vast mountainous expanses.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Duration: 5 hours of riding per day
Day 5: Return to Chengdu
After a final friendly breakfast with your host family, you will hit the road early in the morning to return to Chengdu. Enjoy the journey as you take in the picturesque landscapes of the region one last time. You will arrive in Chengdu around 1:00 p.m., where you will be dropped off at the train station or your hotel, ready to continue your adventure in China.
- Meals included: breakfast
- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes drive
About the tour
This express itinerary is designed for those who want to explore the region in a different way. On horseback, discover breathtaking landscapes featuring high-altitude plateaus, deep valleys, and traditional villages in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.
The adventure immerses you in Tibetan and Qiang culture, with visits to ancestral villages, encounters with local families, and an authentic glimpse into their daily lives. Suitable for all levels of riders, this itinerary adapts to different riding abilities, offering you the chance to enjoy a unique equestrian experience while savoring the tranquility and beauty of the landscapes.
An equestrian adventure for everyone
Discover the majestic landscapes of Sichuan on horseback, even as a beginner. Tailored itineraries ensure a unique experience where everyone can fully immerse themselves in this adventure.
Authentic cultural immersion
Share the daily life of a Tibetan family in their guesthouse and learn about their ancestral traditions. During your explorations, also visit typical Qiang villages, renowned for their architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Between breathtaking nature and exceptional heritage
Marvel at stunning landscapes, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and encounter giant pandas in their natural sanctuary, creating a unique connection between history and nature.
An off-the-beaten-path experience
Embark on an unforgettable ride through Tibetan plateaus and secluded valleys, far from the usual tourist routes, where every moment is an invitation to escape and explore.
Horses
Discover the Hequ horses, a local breed emblematic of the Tibetan nomads and breeders of Sichuan. These robust and energetic horses are perfectly adapted to the varied terrains of the region. They embody the strength and agility needed to explore the mountains and vast steppes. In Heishui, where the terrain is rugged, the horses are accustomed to climbing and descending steep slopes. Their exceptional stamina allows them to trot with ease on mountain slopes and gallop on high plateaus. In Hongyuan, you will get to know horses that have adapted to the endless steppes of the prairies.
Their endurance and agility make them ideal companions for traversing these majestic landscapes. This unique experience offers you the opportunity to ride different horses, each adapted to its natural environment. In terms of equipment, China Sport Adventures provides traditional local leather saddlery, as well as Western or multipurpose saddles to suit your preferences. They will adjust according to the number of participants to ensure comfort and the best possible experience for everyone.
Equestrian guide and local team
Throughout the stay, the group will be accompanied by a bilingual guide fluent in French and English. This guide will play a key role, both in leading the group through tourist sites and facilitating communication with Tibetan nomads and herders during the horseback riding days. During the rides, a local nomadic guide, an expert in the region’s terrain and horses, will be present daily to ensure the group’s safety. Their deep knowledge of the landscapes and local culture will enrich every step of this adventure.
On bivouac nights, packhorses or mules will carry the group’s belongings during the day, allowing for a lighter and more enjoyable riding experience. Participants will also take part in preparing the horses each morning and unsaddling them at the end of each day - an experience that strengthens the bond with these valuable travel companions. In Heishui, accommodations are in a guesthouse run by a local Tibetan family. The group will be warmly welcomed in an authentic setting, where the hosts will share their daily lives and prepare traditional dishes, offering a unique cultural immersion.
Equestrian level and physical fitness
This adventure is designed for riders comfortable with all three gaits - walk, trot, and canter. The high-altitude plateaus of Heishui and the vast grasslands of Hongyuan offer breathtaking opportunities for autonomous gallops in a stunning natural environment. The nomadic guide always adjusts the pace of the rides to the participants' abilities and comfort, alternating between walking and trotting for an enjoyable progression throughout the journey.
Good physical fitness is essential to fully enjoy this experience. Consecutive days on horseback, combined with life at high altitudes (around 3,500 meters), require a certain level of endurance for both riding activities and moments of rest and exploration.
Location
The tour will take place in China.
Food
You will be served daily meals as per the itinerary included in the price.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
- Activities in Chengdu
What's included
- Horse riding tour
- 4 nights accommodation
- Meals mentioned in the program
- 1 horse per rider
- Guidance by a Tibetan nomadic guide during the riding days
- Accompaniment by a local French and English-speaking guide-interpreter
- Entrance fees to temples, monuments, monasteries, and UNESCO tourist sites included in the program
- Land transfers as described
- Rider protection insurance during the riding days
What's not included
- Helmet rental (10 EUR per participant per day)
- International flights
- Airport transfers (30 EUR one-way)
- Hotel deposits if needed
- Meals not included as described in the program
- Drinks
- Activities in Chengdu
- Tips
- Visa fees
- Cancellation or interruption of stay or loss of luggage insurance and assistance
- Registration fees
- Small group supplement for less than 4 participants (108 EUR)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
21 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 28 per person
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
55 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 34 per person
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.