Gama Valley Trekking

Gama Valley Trekking

On the east slope of Mt. Everest lies the Gama Valley region. Gama Valley, together with, Gyirong Valley, Zhangmu Valley, Ya Dong Valley makes "Four Great Valleys" in Shigatse region. As early as 1920’s, Gama Valley was recommended as the most beautiful valley in the book Exploration of Mt. Everest, written by British explorer Barry. The Gama Valley abounds with diversified vegetation and rare animals and in fact the valley has been considered as "a botanical gene bank".

As Mt. Everest range stretches from low valleys (2200m) to towering mountains(8848m), trekkers will be provided with an opportunity to experience the grandeur of Mt. Everest, Mt.Makalu, glacier, and snow leopard, etc. In addition, Gama valley boasts of its Orchid Valley, an extraordinary attraction as well as the campsite of Gama valley, where tourists are able to enjoy the unusual orchid at such high altitude.

The opening time for the Gama Valley is March-October. It is accessible only when there is little snow.

Gama Valley Trekking Route is the dream for adventurers and trekkers. It is a precious gift presented by the roof of the world. The trekkers are able to shoot the three peaks with elevation over 8000 meters and the surrounded snow-capped mountains. Entering the mysterious holy land and embracing the sacred mountains, tourists can appreciate the grand sole view in the world, which will certainly leave you with haunting memory.

Highlights along the trekking:

Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake is a freshwater lake in Tibet, it is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. The lake has an outlet stream at its far western end and means turquoise in English due to its color. Around 90 km to the west of the lake lies the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is a hundred km to the northeast. According to local mythology, Yamdok lake is the transformation of a goddess.

Karola Glacier

About two hours away from Yamdrok Lake is Karola Glacier. It isn’t a big glacier, but the white glacier is spectacular from the highway, and it is close enough (about 300 yards) to walk to from the highway. The glacier shines a brilliant white in the rays of the sun. Inside the ice stack you can see the various layers that make up this moving river of ice, and you can climb up close to it to get a better view.

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, is a historic and culturally important monastery in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. Located on a hill in the center of the city, the full name in Tibetan of the monastery means "all fortune and happiness gathered here" or "heap of glory". Tashi Lhunpo Monastery seeks to provide the best possible modern education, along with a deep and intimate understanding of the heritage of Tibet.

Gyantse Dzong

Gyantse Dzong or Gyantse Fortress is one of the best preserved dzongs in Tibet, perched high above the town of Gyantse on a huge spur of grey brown rock. The fortress was constructed in 1390 and guarded the southern approaches to the Tsangpo Valley and Lhasa. The town was surrounded by a wall 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long. The entrance is on the eastern side.

Daily itinerary of trekking to Gama Valley:

It takes about 2 days departing for Youpa Village, where tourists start the trekking, from Lhasa.

Trekking Day1: Youpa-- Showo-tso Lake

After a tight sleep, you can 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.

Trekking Day2:Showo-tso—Showola pass(4900m)--Dolshang(Orchid valley, 4030m, 14km)

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.

Trekking Day3: Dolshang(Orchid valley)--Tsonang-tso—XialongPasture--Tangsung Viewing Platform (4510m,12km)

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.

Trekking Day4: Tangsung Viewing Platform—Badang-Ega—Paltang (4950m, 11km)

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.

Trekking Day5: Paltang--Eastern Slope of Mt.Everest Base Camp(5310m)—Paltang (4950m,18km)

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.

Trekking Day6: Paltang—Ega--Tangsung Viewing Platform( 4510m, 14km)

Follow the same route and trek back to Tangsung Viewing Platform.

Trekking Day7: Tangsung Viewing Platform--Tsosho-rim (5013m, 11km)

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).

Trekking Day8: Tsosho-rim--Nangma-la pass(5344m) -Lhundupling Village (3990m, 21km)

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.

Notes:

1. Patients with severe hypertension, heart disease, and asthma should not go to Tibet, and people who catch serious cold are not recommended to visit Tibet.

2. Due to the lack of energy in Tibet, most hotels use solar water heaters. Therefore, hot water is usually supplied at some given time.