Founded in 1709, Labrang is one of the six great monasteries of the Dalai Lama’s sect. Although nearly all of its original structures and artifacts were tragically destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, Labrang still remains one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist sites and is home to around 1,500 monks. In addition to the chapels, residences, gilded temples, and monastic colleges, Labrang also houses a traditional printing press with 20,000 woodblocks.

The 30-minute drive to a local nomadic camp will take you on scenic journey through the area’s stunning pastures. The camp provides a rare glimpse at the day-to-day activities of nomadic culture, like yak milking. A nomad family will invite you into their yak hair tent for a picnic lunch to sample local cuisine cooked on a traditional mud stove, such as yak or lamb meat and Tsampa, a kind of porridge.

Guided by local nomads, Norden Camp’s daily horseback tours of the surrounding landscape offer a breathtaking glimpse at Tibetan nature and wildlife, all miraculously untouched by outside development. The area is home to many animals--hares, marmots, foxes, gazelles, numerous bird species and of course large herds of yak. The hills are covered in a carpet of wildflowers, stretching as far as the eye can see. From May to October, the flowering plants and bushes bloom in stages--pink, then yellow, then multicolored.

Norden’s outdoor tents are made of handspun and handwoven yak hair, the traditional material for nomad tents. Each tent takes over six months to construct. For added warmth, they are heated with wood stoves and the walls insulated with a layer of locally made yak felt. Norden makes the most of local nomad’s ancestral knowledge while adding contemporary elements for maximum comfort. Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the humbling tranquility of the Tibetan plateau, from gazing at shooting stars to waking up with the sound of calling birds.

Norden Camp’s beautiful cabins are furnished with Norlha’s luxuriously soft yak wool blankets and felted pillows. To experience the marvel of yak wool weaving firsthand, guests can visit the Norlha Atelier. The workshop is built in the traditional style of the area with wooden beams and pillars and a flat roof. The atelier includes two wings to house an office and sewing and knitting sections, a felting unit, a dyeing unit, a guesthouse, a visitor center, and a kitchen where meals are prepared daily for employees.