Lake Namtso trekking tour

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 fly to Lhasa    O/N Hotel
Arrival in Gonggar Airport of Lhasa. You are met and greeted by our representative and drive to Lhasa City (70kms,  about 1 hr). Check in hotel and take rest for the acclimatization.

Day 02 - 03 Lhasa     O/N Hotel
Sightseeing of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Sera monastery

Day 04 Lhasa/Damshung   O/N Hotel
In the morning drive on rugged road before reach Damxung (4130 m) by the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Our trek begins from here. Today we will only have a short trek and goes up through a beautiful meadow. We will also visit a monastery en route. Camping.

Day05 Trekking 7-8 hours
Today we pass through glaciated valley and reach a herder's camp where we camp for the night.

Day06 Trekking 6-7 hours
We cross Kong La from where you have spectacular views of Nam Tso Lake and the Nyenchen Thangla ranges. Descend to a broad basin and hike along green meadows.

Day07 & 08 To Tashi Dorje and Nam Tso Lake 7-8 hours
We hike along green meadows and pass through several nomad camps and their herds of animals. We have lunch by the lake. We then follow the jeep trail all the way to Tashi Dorje hermitage. Nam Tso, the biggest salty lake of Tibet, is 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north to south, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers with an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. Camping.

Day 09 Namtso - Reting monastery    O/N guesthouse
In the morning head for Reting Monastery 180 kilometers north to Lhasa.  The monastery Reting lies in the midst of an expanse of cypress forest. It was established in 1057 by Drom Toenpa, Atishas most important pupil. It was said the cypress forest had developed from a tuft of hair from Drom Toenpa, who buried that beneath the soil here. Drom Toenpa and his successors developed the monastery into a preaching base of the Kadam Sect founded in the mid-11th century. In the 15th century when Tsongkhaba founded the Gelug Sect on the basis of the Kadam doctrines, this monastery was gradually converted to the Gelug Sect. The last Reting Rinpotsche (monk scholar) served as a regent in the time of the 14th Dalai Lama. In May the Saga Dawa Festival was held here. It is said that Sakyamuni was born, enlightened and passed away all on the same date: the 15th of May. So various activities were held in this month to commemorate Sakyamuni. Gradually these ceremonies developed into the large-scale Zhuanjing activities. Zhuanjing is a form of praying ceremony; while praying, the pilgrims walk along in certain route around some sacred religious object. The visitors can take part in such activities, like walking outside of the monastery complex along the Lingkhor (outside Zhuanjing route; approx. 1 hour). In the afternoon visit the Reting Monastery or villages down the Kyichu River valley.

Day 10 Reting - Drigung monastery   O/N guesthouse
Drigung Til Monastery: It is the head monastery of the Drigungpa school of the Kagyupa order. It was first establishedd in 1167. Right now there are 270 monks at Drigung Til.

The Dezong Hot Spring: The Dezong Hot Spring in the vicinity has an ample supply of hot spring water which is said to cure a wide range of diseases. It attracts numerous visitors who take a dip in the hot spring.

Day 11 Drigung – Lhasa    
O/N Hotel Drive 150km to Lhasa.

Day12  Lhasa airport dropping off
Morning Airport dropping off, end the trip