16 Days Tibet Everest Trekking Tour in Gama Valley

Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Shigatse - Old Tingri - Youpa Village - Gama Valley Trekking - Lhundupling Village - Shigatse - Lhasa

From USD p.p

Looking for an adventurous journey with unique natural wonder? The epic 16-day Gama Valley trekking tour is perfectly designed for you. Praised to be “the most beautiful valley in the world”, Gama Valley is an untraveled region with massive virgin forests. During this Tibet trekking tour towards the eastern slope of Mt. Everest, you will spend 8 days on accomplishing the trekking, and appreciate the spectacular landscapes from river valley to high peaks. Before that, you will visit the main attractions in Lhasa, like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and enjoy the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and Tashilhunpo Monastery on the way. This trekking tour is a rewarding expedition which allows you to remember for a lifetime.

Itinerary Day by Day

Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa

When you arrive in Lhasa by train or flight, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. Then you will be transported to your hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on the way to the hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Tips: If this is your first visit to Tibet, you will need to acclimatize to the increased elevation, to prevent altitude sickness. This is best done by resting in the hotel and minimizing any physical exertion.

Day 2 Lhasa Tour: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street (B)

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore 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.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Gampo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Finally, you’ll taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house and enjoy a welcome dinner at night.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Optional:
After finishing the sightseeing, if time allows, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. Besides, you can also choose to upgrade your tour to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Day 3 Lhasa Tour: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (B)

Today, you will visit two of the three prestigious Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416, Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet. Situated at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The highlight is the monk debate held in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan scripture printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 4 Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse (360km, B)

Today, we will drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, we’ll drive over the Gangbala Pass (4790 m) to view Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Naiqinkangsang. Besides, you can also appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, tourists can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass. Then we’ll go to the heritage town Gyantse and explore its old street, Perklor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Here you can catch the far view of Gyangtse Fortress.

Later, we’ll arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. We will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Day 5 Shigatse - Tingri - Chutang - Youpa Village (350km)

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.

Day 6 Trekking Day 1: Youpa - Showo-tso Pond (10km)

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.

Day 7 Trekking Day 2: Showo-tso - Showola Pass - Dolshang (14km)

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.

Day 8 Trekking Day 3: Dolshang -Tsonang-tso - Xialong Pasture - Tangsung Viewing Platform (12km)

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.

Day 9 Trekking Day 4: Tangsung Viewing Platform - Badang-Ega - Paltang (11km)

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.

Day 10 Trekking Day 5: Paltang - Eastern Slope of Mt. Everest Base Camp - Paltang (18km)

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.

Day 11 Trekking Day 6: Paltang - Badang-Ega - Tangsung Viewing Platform (14km)

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.

Day 12 Trekking Day 7: Tangsung Viewing Platform - Tsosho-rim (11km)

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.

Day 13 Trekking Day 8: Tsosho-rim - Nangma-la pass - Lhundupling Village (21km)

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.

Day 14 Lhundupling Village to Shigatse via Zhaxizom

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.

Day 15 Shigatse to Lhasa (260km)

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.

Day 16 Depart from Lhasa (B)

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

Route Map

Service Inclusion

  1. Tibet Travel Permit and all other necessary permit to Tibet
  2. All lodging listed in the itinerary. If you travel individually, you will need to share one room with another tourist. If you prefer to stay in one room by yourself, you will have to pay the single room supplement
  3. Meals listed in itinerary
  4. Entrance fees of all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
  5. Local Tibetan English-speaking guide
  6. Local tour transfer, comfortable tourist vehicle according to group size
  7. One shared big Oxygen tank in the car
  8. Tourist accident/casualty insurance
  9. First aid kit

Service Exclusion

  1. Chinese visa
  2. International flight to and out of China
  3. Domestic train/flight to and out of Tibet. (We offer domestic train/flight ticket booking service, please contact our travel experts for the details.)
  4. Meals not specified in the itinerary
  5. Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver
  6. Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.

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