Three Passes to Gyantse

Switchbacks as we climb.

Tibetan mastiffs dressed as lions...

yaks....

and goats, dressed for photo ops at Khambla Pass.

Prayer flags and khatas all left as messages and farewells.

The beautiful Lake Yamdraktso. 

The town of Nagartse where we had lunch and the Chinese flags.

Karola Pass at 5050 metres.

A pikka.

More views of the mountains and the foothills.

The fort at the end of the street in Gyantse.

Saturday, May 12^th.

We left the hotel and Lhasa at nine and began a long day of driving to the town of Gyantse. We stopped several times for pee breaks and scenic views and lunch in the town of Nagartse.

We drove over three mountain passes today. The first one was Khambla at 4850 m. We stopped at the top for a scenic view. There were a number of local people with mastiff dogs, yaks or goats, that were dressed up. Their owners wanted you to pay to get your photo taken with them, or on them in the case of the yaks. GAdventures discourages this type of activity because they believe the animals are mistreated. We took a few photos of the scenery and surreptitiously of the animals and then went back to the van. On the way several of us, led by BK and our Tibetan guide, bought French fries from a local vendor that were loaded with chili and pepper. They were delicious but spicy.

Once we were over that pass we drove alongside the beautiful turquoise blue Yamdraktso Lake for a couple of hours before exiting that valley and up and over the highest pass of the day, Karola at 5050 metres. Again, we stopped for the views. The mountains all around it were snow covered. There were numerous people selling souvenirs and I got another bracelet. The guy wanted 180 Quan, BK offered 30 (about $5) and walked away. He accepted it. We drove along another valley before going over the third pass, Simila at 4213 metres, to the town to Gyantse.

We checked into the Yu Tho Hotel, which must be owned by the same people that owned the one in Lhasa because the rooms are identical, only this time we have no heater, just two comforters each (I am currently under both with all my clothes and my down jacket typing this).

We met Goran on three separate occasions today as obviously his tour is going the same way as ours. Interestingly, his e-mail does not work and mine does. Not sure why they would block g-mail and not yahoo, but that is what they have done.

After I typed this we went for dinner at the Tashi Restaurant where we met Goran’s group again. Rob and I had the barbeque yak and a soup. Then after our nightly briefing we headed back to the hotel for the night.