Nyenchen Tanglha Traverse

A short flight to Tibet will give you a panoramic view of the snowy Himalayan ranges or the days of train journey over The Tibetan plateau by crossing the mighty Thangu-la ranges get you to Lhasa with beautiful sceneries along the route. On your arrival at the Gonggar airport or Lhasa Train Station, you will be greeted by our Tibetan guide and driver and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa city, from the airport to Lhasa it is about 70km and it takes 1:30 hrs approx. From the train station, it is only 25km and it takes about a half-hour, check-in the hotel and take it easy for the rest of the day to acclimatize and alleviate the jet lag.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Visit Jokhang Temple and Sera monastery.

In the morning after having your breakfast your guide will meet you at the hotel. Then you will first go to the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism. The temple was the first building in the 7th Century by King Songtsen Gampo to house the Holy statue of Buddha brought to Lhasa by his Nepali wife. Since your hotel is in the Tibetan quarter of Lhasa city, you will walk to the Jokhang Temple. After visiting the Temple you can some time to explore the Old Lhasa city and Barkhor street on your own for a couple of hours.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Sera monastery. This is the most well-preserved monastery in Tibet. The monastery you can sit in the courtyard where monks will be debating on Buddhist philosophy. you can stay there for sometimes. this is a very good opportunity for many travellers to take a picture of the monks’ debate. You can tell your guide to give you some free times to explore the monastery on your own if you would like to live in peace for sometimes.

In the morning you will visit the grand Potala palace. Your guide will fix and time as per the ticket timing. please do not bring any drinking water or any liquid to drink. you will be asked to either drink it or throw it at the checkpoint. Plus please do not take a picture inside of the palace is restricted. there is a time limitation to two hours to stay inside the palace to fit in all those travellers in limited time and state of vulnerability of century-old palace against thousands of visitor alike. you guide might hurry you. But if you would like to see something or spend a few moments in specific place please let us know her.

In the afternoon we will visit the Drepung Monastery. It is one of the three biggest monasteries in Lhasa and central Tibet. In the early 20th Century, it is the world biggest monastic complex. The circuit around the monastery takes about an hour of spectacular views.

Distance: 350 km, Duration: 7hrs.

AWe will travel to Shigatse for acclimatization before the Nyenchen Tanglha Traverse trekking tour. We start driving toward the south-west, through the zigzag road climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m), from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise colour and snowcapped Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. Then continues drive along the lake for a few kilometres get us to the lunch stop at Nagar-Tse (A small village). The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that pass through; en route, we will stop at Karola Pass (5150m) to see the Karola Glacier on mount Nyenchen Kangsar. Upon arriving at Gyantse, we visit Kumbum stupa and Palchoe monastery, this magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls, late afternoon drive to Shigatse which is only 90km. Overnight in Shigatse.

Distance: 280km, Duration: 6hrs.

Today we will visit the Tashi Lhunpo monastery in the morning. The 1st Dalai Lama-Gedun Drup built Tashi Lhunpo monastery in 1447. Later it became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineages of Yellowhead, The Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Here you will see tombs stupa of 7 previous Panchen Lamas, and it is a real pleasure to pass through the busy cobbled lanes twisting around the ancient buildings that used as monks apartments. And then we will arrive in Lhasa later in the afternoon and make final preparation for Nyenchen Tanglha Traverse trekking from Tomorrow.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Distance: 163km, Duration: 3hrs. Elevation 4290m

Today, We will drive to Damxung, tracing the Qinghai-Tibet highway from Tolung Dechen on the east bank of the TolungChu River. On the way, we will visit the Yanpachen Hotspring for a bath and see the Yangpachen Monastery. Yanpachen Monastery is home to the black hat (A sub Sect to Karma Kagyu sect). Overnight at hotel in Damxung.

Elevation 4790M, Duration: 5 Hours, Distance: 18km, Ascent: 480M

Today is the first days of actual Nyenchen Tanglha Traverse trek. We will drive from Hotel to Kyang-Rag Monastery where our Yaks and Yak Men’s will greet us. The walk starts from the Monastery ascending 480 meters at 18 kilometres. From the Monastery remain on the east side of the valley heading upstream. About an hour a ford to the west side of the valley to enter the rocky gorge. There few ford to cross and it is good to have hiking sandal dedicated to crossing the stream. After crossing the ford few times, breaking out of the gorge at the last ford, we will land on the east side of the valley.

Now, the valley is the broader and west side of the slope is heavily forested. The trail is on the east edge of the slope. After two or two and a half hour, we will reach tree line 4790m. There are many excellent sites for camping.

Elevation 5120m, Duration: 8-9 Hours, Distance: 25km, Ascent: 540m, Descent: 540m,

In 200m trail returns to the east side of the valley and remains until crossing the pass. Valley will become more sinuous and steeper. The trail enters tundra zone and becomes faint in places. You will have a view of high peaks of Nangchen Thangla towering over your line of travel.

Further, the valley becomes steeper and narrow. the trail is still on east yet hardly visible. Soon the line of brown cairns comes into view marking the Kyang-la Pass (5330m).

Behind the pass is known and Kyang valley. Fill up your water as it scares down the valley. The Valley bends to the north and it will take us down to the Namtso basin. Soon the glory of the great lake will come to view. In 45 minute we will reach the valley floor. The valley is wide and open and after a few moments, we will reach our camp site in Kyang-Do.

Elevation 4730m, Duration: 4-5 Hours, Distance: 17km, Descent: 80m,

Today is the last of three days Nyenchen Tanglha Traverse trekking. You will leave the Valley and skirt its west side by walking across the plan. In an hour, you will reach the base of the hill. Don’t stay on the valley floor although it may seem the best route- Further down swampy ground would come between you and Tashi-Do. Walk around the tawny hill and look for the white building to the north. Walk towards the building. Our drivers will be waiting for us there to take us to the Tashi-Do at the Shore of Namtso lake. Night at Tashi-Do Guesthouse.

Elevation 3656m, Duration: 4-5 Hours, Distance: 250km

Today we will drive back to Lhasa. Then we will arrive in Lhasa later in the afternoon, and you have some time to explore around the Barkhor to shop gifts for your families and friends at home. Overnight in Lhasa.