16 Days Gama Valley Trekking Tour

Potala Palace

Johkang Temple

In the morning, you will visit the famous Potala Palace and explore the grandest chapels. You will experience its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala etc.

In the afternoon, you will continue your visit to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Ganpo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D, and its famous Barkhor Street, where you can buy or appreciate traditional Tibetan artifacts, religious implements, antiques, books, Tibetan music instrument, Thangkas, and tradition Tibetan clothes etc. You will have a chance to get close to appreciate how the artists draw Thangkas at the Thangka workroom at Barkhor.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Drepung Monastery

Scriptures Debating in Sera Monastery

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery is situated at the foothill of a mountain and was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It was once home of 10000 monks and Ganden podrang in Drepung is famous it was the government centre during fifth dalai lama and later moved to the famous potala palace during fifth dalai lama.

After having lunch, continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most attractive is that Monks debiting is held there in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon section most of the time.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Yamdrok tso

Tashilunpo Monastery

Today, you will be driven to view the Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet which you can never have a panorama. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and fed by numerous small Himalayan streams. Just enjoy the breathtaking blue Yamdrok Lake. Then, you will head to Gyantse and visit the Pelkor Monastery where displays sculptures, murals and carvings.

After that, you will drive about one hour to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Upon arrival, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet.

Overnight in Shigatse

Gawu La Pass

Himalayas Mountain Range

In the morning, we will take the tour vehicle and head to Tingri via Lhatse. On the way, you will stop by the famous Gawu La Pass (5198m). It is the best place to enjoy mind-blowing vistas of top 5 highest peaks (all above 8000m) along majestic Himalayas. Then we will follow the winding road to Youpa Village and acclimatize to the new altitude. You may get prepared for the trekking and yak registration.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Youpa Village

After a tight sleep, we get up in the morning and put all the trekking gears and supply on the yak caravan. You can travel light and only pack things like water and food and other stuff.  Beginning from Youpa Village, with blinding sunshine and fluffy clouds above the head, we will ascend gradually through steppes and rugged paths, and finally arrrive at the camping site around enchanting Showo-tso pond.

Camping at Showo-tso

Gama Valley

Camping at Orchid Valley

Start hiking from Showo-tso, the following challenge is to climb over lofty Showo La Pass (4,900m) and later descend to Dolshang Valley via gushing brooks covered by vibrant unknown flowers and shrubs. Doshang form is the initial parts of Gama Valley, and picturesque brooks surrounded by amazing snow-capped mountains help to breed massive colorful orchid flowers. Once getting down to the valley, you will instantly find yourself intoxicated by the alluring scent of orchid flowers. The stunning waterfalls, exuberant meadows, snowy peaks, etc., make you wonder if you venture into a fairyland.

Camping at Dolshang Valley

Breathtaking panoramic view of Gama Valley

Mt. Makalu

In the morning, We will trek continuously upwards from Dolshang and pass through the pristine forest. While climbing through the ridge of the mountain, you can look back and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Gama Valley. If you arrive at the right time, you can even capture the grandeur of Mt. Makalu (8,463m). Then you will reach Tsonang-tso/lake by noon. Cuddled by snow-tipped mountains, Tsonang-tso/lake flows through Gama Valley via a underground outlet. The crystal-clear water face of Tsonang-tso reflects the spectacular symmetric image of surrounding snowy summits. After lunch, you need to pass Xialong Pasture, blanketed with colorful wild flowers. The final part of the trek will lead you to the camping site of Tangsung Viewing Platform.

Camping near by Tangsung Viewing Platform

Follow the zigzag trails, you will descend to the Badang, where the Ega prairie situated. During the descend, a looming gorge and glaciers start to take shape on your right side. The running water there makes up the source of of Gama Valley. You need to wade through rugged and gigantic rocks to make it to Paltang, the final camping site of the day trek. You can have a good rest and save energy for challenging.

Camping at Paltang

Eastern slope of Mt. Everest

Mt. Chomo Lonzo

Today is one of the toughest trek. You will trek to the base camp at the eastern slope of Mt. Everest. The initial part of the trek involves a difficult upward walk amid huge rocks with slope measuring 45 degree. From the slope you can gaze at the little-known Mt. Chomo Lonzo (7804m) and marvelous glaciers along eastern slope of Mt. Everest. After the tough hiking is done, you will head back to Paltang.

If you prefer having a good rest instead of trekking to Eastern Slope of Mt.Everest Base Camp, you can simply enjoy the picturesque view around the camping site in Paltang.

Camping again at Paltang

Today you hike all the way back by the same route to Tangsung Viewing Platform.

Camping at Tangsung Viewing Platform

Today we will trek northward to the camp site of Tsosho-rim below the majestic snow-feathered peaks, you can appreciate the epic vistas of Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m) and other unclaimed peaks.

Camping at Tsosho-rim

Nangma-la Pass

Beautiful valley along the way back to Lhundupling

Today you will climb over two soaring mountain passes, first one is Nangma-la Pass (5,344m), the highest pass of entire trek, and the other nameless one is above 5,000m. Crossing this pass, you will go all the way to descend, passing through deep-blue Latsetso Lake, then reach to Lhundupling Village and complete your 8-day great trek.  You will be picked up from here by your vehicle.

Overnight in a guesthouse at Lhundupling Village

Pack all the stuff and enjoy the long ride back to Shigatse. On the way, you can enjoy again the lofty mountain peaks along Himalayan Range. After the arrival in Shigatse, have a dinner and shower and enjoy the last night in Shigatse.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

Friendship Highway

Friendship Highway

After breakfast, we will drive about 280km back to Lhasa along the Friendship Highway. The whole journey may takes about 6 hours and you can enjoy the beauriful landscape along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is the longest river in Tibet.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Our guide will accompany you to the airport or railway station to see you off. Service end.