Duration: one to three days 

Venture onto the mountain slopes, side valleys and snow-capped mountains in search of the local wildlife, including the elusive Snow Leopard. Follow the favourite prey of the apex predators, Blue Sheep and Yak;look for gatherings of vultures that often indicate a crime scene, or scan the hill sides and skyline for any silhouette…

The Snow Leopard is extremely well-camouflaged and difficult to spot but with patience and persistence, you may be lucky.  n Tibetan culture, spotting the Snow Leopard is a blessing. Whether or not your quest is successful in finding the mysterious feline, it will take you to areas offering stunning views of the magnificent scenery and offer chances of sighting the other exceptional wildlife in the area, including the Blue Sheep, White-lipped Deer, White Eared-pheasant, Himalayan Vulture and Golden Eagle.

And if you don't see one, just remember the words of Peter Matthiessen in his book named after this magnificent cat. When asked if he saw a Snow Leopard during his epic trek through the Himalayas with George Schaller,  he answered,“No. Isn't that wonderful?”

TrekA: ToTheAncientTower

Duration：4-5hours

Elevation：3900-4150m

Level：Easy

Route：Stone momument —— Distant look to Buddha Mountain —— Temple —— Ancient Tower

The Jirigou Ancient Tower is a Cultural Relics Protection Unit of the Qinghai Province with a history of about 700 years.Among three original towers, two can still be found today, with one of them remains intact. On the way, you can enjoy a splendid view of the snow mountains, Danxia landscape covered with Tibetan junipers that are hundreds of years old, and the meandering Lancang river cutting through the Namsei valley.

TrekB: BuddhaMountain

Duration: 3-4 hours

Elevation: 3900-4100m

Level：Medium

Buddha Mountain is the landmark of Angsai. With the change of sunlight, the mountain shows different faces of a Buddha. During the trip, please avoid touching the stone, which may cause damage.

TrekC: EggMountain

Duration: 1 hour

Elevation：3900-3950m

Level：Easy

Egg Mountain is close to the road with easy access. From Egg Mountain, you have a view of one of the most famous scared mountains of the area —— Naibon sacred mountain.

On this excursion, you will live the life of a yak herder. You will experience herding through several means of transportation. In the morning, after milking the yaks, take the traditional way, riding on horseback to take these animals to the grazing areas. Of course, after herding a while, you will need a break with yak milk tea and yoghurt. This will enable you to continue on horseback to explore the township of Angsai.  Later in the afternoon, try the modern way.. most families ride motorbikes now!

While you will be stunned by the natural beauty of Sanjiangyuan during the daytime, you will be enchanted by night. Due to the low-levels of light pollution, Sanjiangyuan is a wonderful stargazing location. On clear summer nights, when the skies are the darkest and clearest, embark on a journey to explore the mysteries of the universe and enjoy the starry show of the Milky Way, star clusters, nebulae and meteors.

To Yushu/back to your city

1. Airport: usually via Xining or Chengdu.

2. Bus: from Xining, taking 11 hours or so.

3. Driving.

Meet your guide in Yushu

Your guide will pick you up at the airport or your hotel.The journey from Yushu to Namsei is around 190 km on sealed road and it usually takes 3-4 hours (an additional 3-4 hours should be allowed during icy weather). 

Meet your guide in Zaduo

You can drive or take a bus to Zaduo and the guide will pick you there. The journey from Zaduo to Namsei is around 30 km on sealed road and it usually takes 40 minitues. 

* Driving into the valley is not allowed, you can park in Yuzhu or Zaduo. It is better to meet the guide in Yushu if you are not driving.

From Angsai Township, there is an unpaved cliff side road which will lead you into the heart of the valley——where your adventure begins.he journey from Angsai Township to your host family takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. 

The rugged mountain roads, with unexpected conditions, are for the adventurous traveler. Our guides are experienced in driving, but bumpy car trips can be inevitably uncomfortable.Please take full consideration of  the road conditions in Angsai when planning your trip.

Most host families will provide Tibetan food such as tsampa (also known as fried noodles), yogurt, buttered tea, air-dried meat, etc., and also cook stir-fried vegetables, rice, noodles, noodle soup and other foods. If you have special dietary requirements, please inform us in advance Get in touch with the host family and they will do their best to accommodate your needs.

Once arrived, you will be staying with your host families and living with them for the rest of your trip. The pristine  nomadic lifestye is well preserved here and the living conditions can be described as VERY BASIC comparing to urban standards. The locals keep the nomadic tradition of living in tents in the summer and change locations once every few months so that their yaks can go to fresh pastures. They move back to winter settlements at late September and stay there until the following April or May. 

Depending on the host family and the season of stay, you may sleep in a government-built container hut, in the large bedroom of the host family, or in an adjoining room, or in a large tent with them. Each person will have their own bed, but everyone stays in the same room. Quilts will be provided, but it is still recommended to bring your own sleeping bag.

Electricity Supply

Most homes have solar for charging cameras and cell phones.

Water Supply

All domestic water is brought from a nearby stream and boiled for consumption. There are no bathing facilities.

Toilet

Some homes have built toilets outside the house, if your family does not have one, you will need to find a secluded place outside. Please ask your host family where to go if you are not sure and remember to bring back any used toilet paper and leave it in a rubbish bin. 

Internet and cell phone reception

Cell phone signal is very limited throughout Angsai.Only a few areas can receive cell phone signal (communication or internet).Make sure to contact your family and friends before entering Angsai to avoid any inconvenience.  Meanwhile, you can enjoy an uninterrupted holiday in Namsei. Your host can also take you to places for internet if needed. 

Naemsei has a typical plateau climate, with little temperature change throughout the year, and a large temperature difference between day and night,  with abundant sunshine.

The average altitude here is about 3800 meters, and the highest altitude can be over 4800 meters, so it will be very beneficial to spend 1-2 days to acclimate.

Many potential visitors ask what they should bring to the Valley of the Cats. The list below is used by some of the regular visitors. Some items are essential (e.g. a good quality sleeping bag) and others are a 'nice to have'. This list is intended as a guide and can be tailored according to personal requirements and preferences.

It is cordycep season.

Please prepare cash and pay to the guider after you arrive.

There is no fixed route and you can schedule your daily trip with your guide according to your interest.

If change date only, you can email us. If you need to change fellow travelers, please reorder.

Cell phone signal is very limited throughout Angsai.Only a few areas can receive cell phone signal (communication or internet).Make sure to contact your family and friends before entering Angsai to avoid any inconvenience.  Meanwhile, you can enjoy an uninterrupted holiday in Namsei. Your host can also take you to places for internet if needed.

You can not use your own car during the visit.

The community has adopted a strict rotation among all 21 host families to ensure each family has equal chances to host visitors. All visitors must stay with the allocated host family and should not change host family without the community’s consent. All the families have received same training, and are familiar with their local resources. Your host family will do their best to provide you the experience of a lifetime.

Although tricky to spot, snow leopards are seen through out the year in Angsai. There is a steady population of at least 40 snow leopards (according to camera trap individually recognized ) living in this area. 

January to March is the mating season for snow leopard, during this period, the leopards have increased activities, and locals even hear them growling to attract mate; female snow leopards give birth during May to June, and as early as late August, the cubs of this year start to move out of the den with their mother, but the mothers are protective and more alert and elusive and harder to spot during this period.

In Angsai, summer is the most comfortable season for humans, however due to increased rainfall, landslides can happen frequently. Whilst in winter, temperature can drop to -20c with ice and snow covering the valley, snow leopards tend to come to lower elevations following their prey-herbivores, whom come to lower altitude for grazing.

The valley of cats provides amazing natural resources and conditions needed to meet a snow leopard, but it also takes luck and patient to encounter with these mysterious creatures in the wild. Your local family will try their best to help you find one .