Beginner's Trek-8 Days Shalu to Nartang

Location

South of Shigatse

Start - Finish

Shalu Monastery-Nartang Monastery

Distance

40km

Passes

Showa-la (4200m), Char-la (4600m)

Grade

Moderate

Season

Summer (Beginning of April-End of October)

Accommodation

Tented Camp

Trekking Time

3 Days

Duration

8 Days

Overview

Easy access and relatively low passes, this route is a good opportunity to get a feel for trekking in Tibet. The two passes are not very high or difficult and the trailheads are easily accessible from Shigates. One advantage of hiking in summer is that this region gets less rainfall than the U region.Trek from Shalu to Nartang begins at the historic Shalu monastery and traverses west over a couple of small ranges to Ngo monastery. From Ngor it is a downhill slog to Nartang monastery. The route passsed through several villages as well as uninhabited dry canyons. It's about 10 hours walk to Ngor from Shalu.

Itinerary Day by Day

Day 01 Arrive at Lhasa for acclimatization by air or train

Today's highlights:

Airport/train station transfer to hotel, Acclimatize to the High Altitude.

Details:

Fly into Lhasa or arrive in Lhasa by train. Local guide will meet you and transfer you to Lhasa. On the way, you can appreciate the heart-beating highland view along the Yarlong Tsangpo river (the longest river in Tibet and highest river on the earth with an average altitude of 4,000 meters), originating from Jiemayangzong Glacier on the northern Himalayas.

Day 02 Sightseeing in Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Potala Palace, Jokhang temple, Barkhor Street

Details:

The cardinal landmark of Lhasa, Potala Palace, is a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. Potala Palace is a place where you can appreciate the Tibetan culture, religion and art of architecture as well.

Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple to pray for their now and future. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques.

Barkhor Street, the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet.

Day 03 Lhasa-Yamdrok Yumtso-Gyantse

Today's highlights:

Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Karola Glacier

Details:

About hundred kilometers, you will appreciate the holy Lake of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.The sacred lake of Yamdrok Yumtso is revered as a talisman, supporting the life-spirit of Tibet. It is said that should its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable. Down to the Lake to have a picnic or hike.

On the way to Gyantse, have a look at the Karola Glacier.

We will begin our trek next day from Shalu Monastery which is located between Gyantse and Shigatse.This trekking route covers 40 kms and can be done in 3 days.

Time Chart

Day                  Place                   hours      length    ascent    descent
1        Shalu-Upper Lungsang      5 1/2      14km      250m     200m
2            Ngor Monastery           3 1/2        8km      550m
3          Nartang Monastery       5             18km                    300m

Day 04 Trek from Shalu monastery to Upper Lungsang   5.5-6 hrs

Today's highlights:

Trek begins at Shalu Monastery, Go through the Showa-la Pass (4200m)

Details:

Walk the motorable road south from Shalu Monastery. 30minutes from Shalu you will pass by the Ri-puk Hermitage. 45minutes from Shalu the road forks. Take the south fork. Some minutes from the fork, look for the base of a long red ridge. Leave the road and skirt the base of this ridge, going in a southerly direction.From the Showa-la, the second pass, Char-la, can be seen in the range of hills west of an intervening valley. Finally we reach Upper Lungsang through Manitinga and Lower Lungsang.

Day 05 Trek from Upper Lungsang to Ngor monastery 3.5-4 hrs

Today's highlights:

Go through the Char-la Pass (4600m)

Details:

Cross back to the northern side of the valley. It is at least 2.5 hours from Upper Lungsang to Char-la. The terrain becomes more rugged and a gorge forms below the trail. There is a side stream and small reservoir 45 minutes above Upper Lungsang.The finally leg to the pass is cross-country over a steep slope of raw expanses of rock. From the second gully, the Char-la can be reached in 45 minutes of steep uphill walking.Ngor is a 45-minute downhill ramble from the pass. The route from the Char-la descends the south side of a ravine that forms below it. Several trails cross the stream that flows from the pass and provide access to Ngor. Camp near Ngor for next day's 5 hours walking.

Day 06 Trek from Ngor  to Nartang , drive to Shigatse 5 hrs

Today's highlights:

5 hours' trekking from Ngor Monastery to Nartang Monastery, your driver will come to pick you up and transfer to Shigatse

Details:

15 minutes from Ngor Monastery is the sizable village of Pero. 90 minutes from Ngor the valley and road bend to the north while the old trade route to Sakya continues west over a saddle. 30 minutes further, there is a copse at the edge of the flood plain. 30 minutes past the copse is the village of Dzong Lugari. The road exits the north side of the village and extends northeast for 10km before joining the Lhatse-Shigates high way 10km southwest of Shigates. The trail to Nartang crosses over a small stream and an electric utility line.

From Nartang, we drive to Shigatse for a good rest.

Day 07 Shigates/Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Tashilumpo Monastery, Local Market

Details:

Visit Pachen Lama's seat palce, the great Tashilumpo monastery, a very big and complex monastery in Tibet, then take a look at the Local Market.

Back to Lhasa

Day 08 Bid farewell to Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Transfer from hotel to airport or train station, Say goodbye to Lhasa

Details:

Our guide will meet you at your hotel, and you will be transferred to Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station to take flight or train out of Lhasa.

Tips for Trekking

1. The weather is changeable, as well as the temperature;
2. Lots of places are damp, so equipped with the waterproofed camera;
3. In summer the trail can be sizzling hot, and in other months, cold and windy, so be prepared;
4. Respect the people here and respect their local custom;
5. Drink lots of water before departure;
6. No alcohol;
7. Avoid catching cold and bring some medicine.

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