Lake Namtso (Heavenly Lake) at 4,718 m lies 190 km to the north west of Lhasa and is the 2nd largest salt lake in China. Over 70 km long and 30 km wide, this scenic lake is surrounded by spectacular snow capped mountains (7,000 m high), which Hienrich Harres and Peter Aufschnaiter crossed on their journey to Lhasa. This lake attracts hundreds of pilgrims from all over Tibet every year, especially in the month of August, when the Nagchu Horse festival is celebrated. Tibetans from all over gather to witness this colourful and boisterous horse-racing event, racing, shooting, dancing, gambling, and drinking.
The Nomads of Tibet (Drokpas) travel in groups of several families and live in their four sided yak skin tents with the entire family’s possessions inside the tent. The men tend to the sheep and yaks during the day whilst the women and children go about the daily chores and weaving, tanning and making dairy products of butter and cheese.
On this trip, we will take you not only just to visit but also live alongside the nomads and understand and take part in their daily activities. As the trek involves going across high altitude at an average altitude of 15,000 ft, we also have yaks to ride on for those who get tired.
Trip Grade: Strenuous, high altitude
Best Period: July – September
Trip length: 9 nights hotels and lodge,
12 nights camping
| Itinerary at a glance: |
|
Days 01-02: Arrive Lhasa. •Days 03-04: Reting •Days 05 to 07: Trek to Barga Nomads camp •Day 08: Visit around camps •Day 09: Namtso Lake •Day 10: At leisure. •Day 11: End trek at Tashi Do. Visit Monastery •Day 12: A long drive of about 10 hrs to Shigatse •Day 13: Visit Tashilhunpo festival where ancient and rare thankas are displayed •Day 14: Drive to Gyantse •Day 15: Drive to Lhasa •Day 16: Drive to Gongkar airport for flight to Chengdu / Kathmandu •Day 17: Arrive home
|
|
|
