15 Days Tibet Everest Trekking Tour in Gama Valley

Start your amazing trip as you land in Lhasa, Tibet's heart. You'll be warmly welcomed at the airport or train station by our local guide who'll present you with a Hada, a traditional scarf that's a sign of good luck for your journey.

On your way to the hotel in downtown Lhasa, enjoy the beautiful sights of the Yarlung Tsangpo and Lhasa Rivers, and see quaint Tibetan villages.

Once you get to your hotel, take it easy to get used to the high altitude. Rest up, move around at your own pace, and drink plenty of water to help your body adjust the high altitude.

Later in the day, your guide will give you some cool Tibetan gifts and useful tips for your trip. You'll also meet the rest of the people in your tour group.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Note:
If you need any help or have special needs, our service center at the Gangjian Hotel is here for you.

After breakfast, begin your day with a trip to the magnificent Potala Palace, which offers stunning views of Lhasa. Listen as your guide recounts the histories of the Dalai Lamas and shows you around the palace's many halls and treasures. And then, you’ll participate in the folk activities of the local Tibetan people at the Longwangtan Park near the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, head to the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to the remarkable statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha. Afterwards, take a walk around Barkhor Street to see the religious customs of the local Tibetans.

Finish your day with a tour to visit a bustling Tibetan tea house in Lhasa to enjoy some sweet tea and learn about Tibetan social customs.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, the second-biggest city in Tibet.

Your first destination is Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three most sacred lakes. You'll see the lake's beauty from the Gambala Pass, where it looks like a blue ribbon against the landscape, with the tall Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the background. When you go down to the lake, there are many spots to see it up close. Near the end of the lake, you'll get to visit a local family who will host you for lunch.

After that, you'll drive past the Karola Glacier. This glacier is right next to the road and looks calm and beautiful, with big snowy mountains in the distance.

Next, on your way to Gyantse, you'll stop at the Simila Mountain Pass. There, you can hang prayer flags, which is a way to pray for peace in the world and for the people you care about.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we will drive to Tingri via Lhatse. We will pass the famous Gawula Pass (5198m) en route, and overlook the breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan mountain ranges. Then we will follow the zigzag road to Youpa Village (3770m), where you will get prepared for the trekking and yak registration.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Youpa Village.

Before starting our epic trekking adventure, we will do some preparations first. All the trekking gears and supply will be put on the yak caravan, while you can travel light and only pack some food, water and like that. At about 11 am, we will begin our 10-km trek from Youpa Village. We will ascend gradually along the rugged paths through the prairie. Finally, we arrive at the Showo-tso pond, an enchanting place for us to camp. Today’s trek is quite easy, with only 900m of ascent.

Camping around Showo-tso pond.

The second day trek begins at 10 o’clock in the morning. We will climb over the lofty Showola Pass (4900m) and then descend to Dolshang Valley (4030m) via running creeks. Dolshang Valley is known for the orchid valley, for there are massive colorful orchid flowers blooming around the brooks. Also, as the initial parts of Gama Valley, Dolshang Valley is surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains. Once getting down to the valley, you will immediately find yourself in a fairyland, with scented flowers, shinning waterfalls, flourishing meadows, and snowy peaks.

Camping in Dolshang Valley.

The trail continues from Dolshang and leads upwards through the pristine forest. Remember to look back while climbing over the ridge of the mountain, for you will discover the amazing panoramic views of Gama Valley right behind you. We will also take in the magnificent vies of Mt. Makalu (8,463m) en route.

At around noon, we will arrive at the Tsonang-tso Lake, which flowing through the Gama Valley via an underground outlet. The water in Tsonang-tso is crystal clear, reflecting the beautiful images of surrounding snow-capped summits. In the afternoon, we will head to the Xialong Pasture via another mountain pass. Then we will end the trek of this day in the Tangsung Viewing Platform (4510m).

Camping around Tangsung Viewing Platform.

Today, we will follow the winding roads and descend to the Badang, where the Ega prairie located. The running water there makes up the source of Gama Valley. Then, after an arduous trekking route on rugged rocks, we will reach Paltang (4950m), the camping site of today’s trek. You should have a good rest and be prepared for the tomorrow’s challenges.

Camping in Paltang.

Today, we will experience the most challenging part of the whole trek. We will ascend upwards to the eastern slope of Mt. Everest Base Camp along a rocky trail with slope measuring 45 degrees. On the way, you can appreciate the grandeurs of Mt. Chomo Lonzo (7804m), and gaze at the marvelous glaciers. After that, we will turn back to Paltang. Since the trek is quite strenuous and treacherous for most people. Tourists can choose to have a good rest around the camping site in Paltang, instead of trekking to the eastern slope of Mount Everest.

Camping in Paltang.

From this day on, we will start our way back. Today’s trek will follow the same route and lead to the Tangsung Viewing Platform.

Camping at Tangsung Viewing Platform.

Today, we will trek all the way north to the campsite of Tsosho-rim (5013m). On the way, you can appreciate the mind-blowing vistas of Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), and Mt. Makalu (8,463m).

Camping at Tsosho-rim.

Today, we will trek through two lofty mountain passes, one is the Nangma-la pass (5344m), the highest in the entire trek, and the other is an unclaimed one at above 5000m. We will pass the turquoise Latsetso Lake and then reach Lhundupling Village. And the whole trek is completed.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse of Lhundupling Village.

After 8 days’ trekking, we finally get to the flat area. Today we will enjoy the ride back to Shigatse via Zhaxizom. Again you can enjoy the marvelous summit views of Himalayas, and recall the days of adventure amid those lofty mountains.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today, we’ll follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa. Standing on the platform, you can view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally we’ll drop you off at hotel in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you with boarding.