ACTIVITIES

At Norden, no two days are the same. From arrival to departure, the rhythms of nature and seasonal shifts lead you on your journey.

Labrang is one of Tibetan Buddhism's most important monastic towns outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

One can wander the many streets lined with monks' houses, pass by the walled debate courtyard or circumambulate the monastery, a pilgrim path 3 km long that winds counterclockwise and begins with a row of prayer wheels.

There is a ‘fast’ lane for the more eager pilgrim, usually senior citizens who come to settle in Labrang after a life as nomads and who keep count of their rounds and their merits on their prayer beads.

LABRANG MONASTERY

NORLHA VISIT

Norlha’s Atelier is set into the hills of Ritoma Village. Artisans spin, weave and felt amongst the clattering rhythm of looms, plumes of juniper smoke and mantras recited. Here you can watch textiles become blankets and scarves, and visit Norlha’s sprawling showroom above.

PICNIC

Picnics are at the core of the Tibetan concept of leisure, as a source of enjoyment and relaxation during the summer months, to spend time with friends and relatives in a beautiful spot on the plateau.

Summer is marked by clusters of tents dotting the pasture, with days of cooking, eating and playing games, celebrating the short summer, the warm sun, the long days, and expanse of wild flowers.

HIKES

Norden staff can arrange hikes ranging from relaxed two-hour walks to more intensive full-day treks. After a short drive, trails open into vast, rolling landscapes where wild sheep, gazelles, hares, and marmots are often seen. In July and August, the Tibetan Plateau is blanketed in alpine flowers creating a spectacular display of seasonal colour.

NOMAD FAMILY HOME VISITS

About half an hour’s drive from the camp, guests can visit nomad families as they go about their daily routines. The best time to visit is in the early morning or evenings, when the yak herds return to camp and are milked. Enjoy breakfast or a cup of tea made with freshly milked yak’s milk, and share a glimpse of life on the grasslands.