15 Days Gama Valley Trekking in the Eastern Slope of Mt. Everest

When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Tourists may view the YarlungTsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa. After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. If you feel to go out, then you can go to the Potala Square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala and around.

Insider Tips:
For the new-comers of Tibet, to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet. Having a good sleep in your hotel is a good option. Don not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly;
Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD)

Stay overnight in Lhasa

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount NyenchenKhangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .

Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It stands among the six most sacred Buddhist temples in Tibet and was built, in 1447, by the 1st Dalai Lama.

Stay overnight in Shigatse

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. At around 11:00, our trek will begin from Youpa Village. With blinding sunshine and fluffy clouds above the head, we ascend gradually through steppes and rugged paths. The 10km’s trek will final lead you to the camping site around enchanting Showo-tso pond. There is a total of 900m ascent during the day trek.

Camping at the lakeside of Showo-tso

At 10:00, we are about to leave camping site at Showotso. The following challenge is to climb over lofty Showo la pass and later descend to Dolshang valley via gushing brooks covered by vibrant unknown flowers and shrubs. Doshang forms the initial parts of Gama Valley and picturesque brooks surrounded by amazing snow-capped mountainshelp to breed massive colorful orchid flowers.Once getting down to the valley, you instantly find yourselfintoxicated 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 in Dolshang Valley

In the morning, we keep trekking upwards from Dolshangand pass through the pristine forest. While climbing through the ridge of the mountain, we can look back and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Gama Valley. If we arrive at the right time, you can even capture the grandeur of Mt. Makalu (8,463m). We will reach Tsonang-tso lake at around noon. Cuddled by snow-tipped mountains, Tsonang-tsolake 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, we need to pass another mountain pass to reach splendid Xialong Pasture, blanketed with colorful wild flowers. The final part of the trek will lead us to camping site of Tangsung Viewing Platform.

Camping aroundTangsung Viewing Platform

Follow the zigzag trails we move down to the Badang, where the Ega prairie situated. During the descent, 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. We 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 tomorrow’s challenging trek.

Camping in Paltang

Today’s trek would be a tough one. Firstly, we 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 trek is done, we 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 in Paltang

Follow the same route and trek back to Tangsung Viewing Platform

Camping at Tangsung Viewing Platform

Treknorthward towards 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 (8516m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m) and a unclaimed peak(7000m).

Camping at Tsosho-rim

Today, we will climb over two soaring mountain passes, one is the Nangma-la pass(5344m), the highest pass of entire trek, and the
other nameless one is above 5000m. Passing deep-blue Latsetso Lake, we will get to Lhundupling Village.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse of  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 hotel in Shigatse

Today, we will drive back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley. You can stand on the viewing platform and view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally the guide will transfer you back to your hotels in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.