15 Days Tibet Hiking Tour The Eastern Slope of Mt. Everest and Gama Valley

Today you explore the cultural heart of Tibet.

Begin with the iconic Potala Palace (布达拉宫), the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Inside, you will see ancient chapels, golden stupas, murals, and sacred relics that reflect centuries of Tibetan Buddhist history. From the palace hilltop, enjoy a panoramic view of Lhasa Old Town (拉萨老城区).

Continue to Jokhang Temple (大昭寺), the most sacred temple in Tibet, home to the revered statue of Buddha Shakyamuni at age 12 (释迦牟尼十二岁等身像). Outside the temple, observe pilgrims performing full-body prostrations in devotion.

Walk around Barkhor Street (八廓街), a lively pilgrimage circuit filled with prayer wheels, traditional shops, and local Tibetan life. This is the best place to experience authentic Tibetan daily culture.

In the afternoon, visit a traditional Tibetan tea house, where locals gather to drink sweet tea and chat. Your guide will explain Tibetan customs, religion, and daily lifestyle.

Overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast in Lhasa, begin a scenic overland drive toward Shigatse through some of the most iconic landscapes in Tibet. The route first climbs over Gampala Pass (4,790m), where you are rewarded with a dramatic panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake (4,400m)—a vast turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks and distant views of Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m).

Continue descending along the lakeshore, with opportunities to stop at multiple viewpoints. At a local Tibetan village near Yamdrok, you may visit a family home and enjoy a traditional lunch experience.

The journey then continues to the roadside Korola Glacier, one of Tibet’s most accessible glaciers, where massive ice tongues descend directly from the mountainside.

Afterward, pass through Gyantse, a historic town known for its Tibetan heritage, and stop at Simila Mountain Pass to hang prayer flags for blessings and protection.

In the afternoon, drive through wide valleys filled with barley fields and rural Tibetan farms before arriving in Shigatse (3,840m), the second-largest city in Tibet. Check into your hotel and rest in preparation for the journey toward Everest region. Overnight in Shigatse.

Trekking Approach Day – Entering Everest Region

After breakfast in Shigatse (日喀则), you begin the journey toward the remote Everest trekking region. The drive gradually leaves the agricultural valleys behind and heads into the vast, high-altitude plateau landscape of western Tibet.

En route, you pass through Lhatse (拉孜一带) and continue toward Tingri (定日县), the gateway to Mount Everest’s northern and eastern trekking zones. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as snow peaks begin to dominate the horizon.

A major highlight of the day is crossing Gawu La Pass (嘎乌拉山口, 5198m), one of the best panoramic viewpoints in Tibet. From here, you can see a sweeping Himalayan wall featuring five of the world’s highest peaks over 8000 meters, including Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰), Lhotse (洛子峰), and Makalu (马卡鲁峰).

After enjoying the viewpoint, you continue driving toward the trekking region and arrive at Youpa Village (优帕村). This is the last road-accessible settlement before entering the wilderness trek.

In the afternoon, you prepare trekking equipment, organize yak porters, and complete final acclimatization. The atmosphere becomes more remote and adventurous as you approach the start of the Gama Valley trek.

Trekking / Activity: Light walking, preparation only
Driving Distance: ~280–320 km
Driving Time: 6–7 hours
Overnight: Youpa Village (Guesthouse)
Altitude: ~4200m+

Trekking Day 1 – Start of Gama Valley Trek

Today officially begins your Gama Valley trekking adventure (嘎玛沟徒步第一天). After breakfast in Youpa Village, you load your main luggage onto yak caravans and start the trek into the wilderness of the eastern slope of Mount Everest (珠峰东坡).

The trail begins with a gradual ascent through open highland terrain, where vast grasslands and rocky plateaus stretch into the distance. The air becomes thinner as you gain altitude, but the scenery opens up with uninterrupted views of surrounding snow peaks and valleys.

Midway through the trek, you pass through remote alpine landscapes with no settlements—only yak trails, grazing land, and mountain silence. The sense of isolation increases as you move deeper into the Everest Nature Reserve.

By afternoon, you reach the beautiful Showo-tso Lake (措沃措湖营地), a high-altitude alpine lake surrounded by mountains. The campsite sits at the edge of the lake, offering clear reflections of snow peaks and a peaceful wilderness atmosphere.

This is your first night camping inside the trekking zone, marking the true beginning of the Himalayan expedition experience.

Trekking Distance: ~10 km
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Altitude: ~4677m
Overnight: Showo-tso Lake (Camping)

Trekking Day 2 – Alpine Pass & Forest Valley Descent

After an overnight stay at Showo-tso (措沃措湖营地), you begin an early trek toward one of the key mountain crossings of the route. The morning trail gradually ascends from the lakeside into higher alpine terrain as you head toward Showola Pass (秀沃拉山口, ~4900m).

The climb is steady and demanding, with thin air and rugged paths, but the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as you gain elevation. From the pass, you can look back over the vast plateau and forward into the deep valleys of the Gama Valley (嘎玛沟) system.

After crossing Showola Pass, the landscape shifts noticeably. You descend into a greener, wetter environment where small streams, moss-covered rocks, and dense vegetation begin to appear. This is the entrance to the famous Dolshang Orchid Valley (多香兰花谷), known for its biodiversity and seasonal wildflowers.

The lower valley is filled with waterfalls, alpine meadows, and forest patches, creating a rare contrast to the barren high-altitude terrain above. In summer months, orchids and colorful alpine flowers bloom across the valley floor.

By late afternoon, you arrive at the Dolshang camping area, surrounded by forested slopes and mountain streams. It is one of the most scenic and peaceful campsites on the entire trek.

Trekking Distance: ~14 km
Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
Max Altitude: ~4900m (Showola Pass)
Overnight: Dolshang Valley (Camping)

Trekking Day 3 – Lakes, Forests & Alpine Meadows Traverse

After breakfast in Dolshang Valley (多香谷), you continue trekking deeper into the heart of the Gama Valley ecosystem. The morning route leads through dense alpine forest, where sunlight filters through tall trees and the sound of flowing water accompanies your steps.

As you ascend along the ridge trails, the valley gradually opens up, revealing panoramic views of surrounding snow peaks. On clear days, you may even catch distant views of Mount Makalu (马卡鲁峰, 8463m) rising sharply on the horizon.

By midday, you arrive at Tsonang-tso Lake (措南措湖), a crystal-clear alpine lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains. The lake’s surface often reflects the peaks like a mirror, making it one of the most photogenic spots of the trek.

After lunch near the lake, the trail continues over another mountain pass toward Xialong Pasture (夏龙牧场). This section features wide-open alpine grasslands filled with seasonal wildflowers, offering a softer and more open landscape compared to earlier forest sections.

In the late afternoon, you complete the final climb to the Tangsung Viewing Platform (塘松观景台营地). This high viewpoint offers sweeping views over valleys, glaciers, and distant Himalayan peaks.

You set up camp here and enjoy a peaceful evening at altitude, often with spectacular sunset light across the mountain range.

Trekking Distance: ~12 km
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Overnight: Tangsung Viewing Platform (Camping)
Altitude: ~4510m

Trekking Day 4 – Glacier Valley Descent

After breakfast at Tangsung Viewing Platform (塘松观景台), you begin a gradual descent into a more rugged and dramatic section of the Gama Valley. The trail leads toward Badang-Ega (巴当—艾嘎区域), where the landscape becomes increasingly shaped by glaciers and deep mountain gorges.

The morning trek follows zigzag mountain paths with changing terrain—from alpine grasslands into rocky moraine zones. As you descend, the scenery opens up to reveal hanging glaciers, steep cliffs, and glacial-fed streams carving through the valley. This section offers a strong contrast between high ridges and deep valley systems, showcasing the raw geological power of the eastern Himalayas.

After a lunch break in a sheltered area along the trail, you continue trekking toward Paltang (帕尔塘营地). The final section requires careful footing across rocky terrain and river crossings formed by melting snow and ice.

By late afternoon, you arrive at the Paltang campsite, a remote and dramatic high-altitude valley surrounded by towering mountain walls. This is your base for the next challenging Everest approach day.

Trekking Distance: ~11 km
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Overnight: Paltang (Camping)
Altitude: ~4950m

Trekking Day 5 – Everest Approach Day

Today is the most demanding and one of the most iconic days of the entire trek. After an early start from Paltang (帕尔塘), you begin a strenuous ascent toward the eastern slope of Mount Everest Base Camp (珠峰东坡营地区域).

The trail initially climbs steeply over rocky slopes with gradients reaching up to 45 degrees. As you gain elevation, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with vast glaciers, icefalls, and towering peaks surrounding you. This is one of the closest accessible viewpoints of the remote eastern face of Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰).

Along the way, you may also see Chomo Lonzo (卓莫隆索峰, 7804m) and other unnamed 7000m-class peaks rising sharply from the glacier fields. The terrain is wild, exposed, and physically demanding, requiring steady pacing and good acclimatization.

After reaching the Everest eastern viewpoint area, you will have time to rest, take photos, and absorb the immense scale of the Himalayas. This is a rare and powerful moment, as the eastern side of Everest is far less visited than the north base camp.

In the afternoon, you begin the return trek back along the same route to Paltang campsite, descending carefully through the rocky slopes.

The evening is spent resting and recovering at camp after a full day in extreme high-altitude terrain.

Trekking Distance: ~18 km (round trip)
Trekking Time: 8–9 hours
Altitude: Up to ~5310m (Everest East Base Camp viewpoint)
Overnight: Paltang (Camping)

Trekking Day 6 – Return Traverse

After breakfast at Paltang (帕尔塘营地), you begin the return section of the trek, retracing part of your earlier route. The trail gradually leaves the high alpine basin and descends toward the Ega (艾嘎) valley system, following the same dramatic Himalayan terrain but from a new perspective.

The morning trek involves a steady descent over rocky paths and glacial-fed streams. As you move along the ridgelines, you can clearly see how the valleys and glaciers carve the landscape of the eastern slope of Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰东坡). The scenery remains vast and open, with occasional views of snow peaks emerging between mountain folds.

After a break for lunch on the trail, you continue toward the Tangsung Viewing Platform (塘松观景台). This section is less steep but still involves altitude walking across open alpine terrain and grassy slopes.

By late afternoon, you arrive back at the Tangsung campsite area, where you settle in for the night. This location offers wide panoramic views and a calm atmosphere, perfect for recovery after the long trekking days.

Trekking Distance: ~14 km
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Overnight: Tangsung Viewing Platform (Camping)

Trekking Day 7 – Everest Panorama Traverse

Today’s trek continues deeper into the high-altitude core zone of the Gama Valley region. After leaving Tangsung Viewing Platform, the trail ascends gradually toward higher ridges and remote glacial valleys.

The route climbs through open alpine slopes and rocky terrain, offering increasingly expansive views of the Himalayan giants. On clear days, this section provides one of the best panoramic mountain vistas of the entire journey, including Mount Everest (8848.86m / 珠穆朗玛峰), Lhotse (洛子峰), and Makalu (马卡鲁峰) aligned along the horizon.

The terrain becomes more rugged as you gain elevation, with icy streams, moraine landscapes, and wind-shaped ridges dominating the environment. This is a physically demanding but visually rewarding trekking day.

By afternoon, you reach the high campsite at Tsosho-rim (措索日营地), located in a spectacular open basin surrounded by towering peaks. This campsite is one of the best viewpoints in the entire trek for sunset and early morning mountain light.

You will spend the night here in a high-altitude camping environment, enjoying the silence of the Himalayas and the clear star-filled sky.

Trekking Distance: ~11 km
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Overnight: Tsosho-rim (Camping)
Altitude: ~5013m

Trekking Day 8 – Final Crossing Day

Today is one of the most challenging and rewarding days of the entire journey. After an early start from Tsosho-rim (措索日营地), you begin a long ascent toward the highest point of the trek.

The trail gradually climbs through rugged high-altitude terrain before reaching Nangma-la Pass (南玛拉山口, 5344m), the highest pass of the entire Gama Valley route. From the top, you are rewarded with a dramatic panorama of snow-covered Himalayan peaks, including distant views of Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰), Lhotse (洛子峰), and Makalu (马卡鲁峰) on clear days.

After crossing the pass, the landscape changes as you descend into remote valleys and pass by Latsetso Lake (拉策措湖), known for its deep blue water and mirror-like reflections of surrounding peaks. The trail continues along alpine terrain before gradually entering gentler slopes leading toward villages.

By late afternoon or evening, you arrive at Lhundupling Village (鲁杜林村), a small Tibetan settlement where you will spend your final night in the trekking region. Here you can rest, enjoy a hot meal, and experience local village life after days of wilderness camping.

Trekking Distance: ~21 km
Trekking Time: 8–9 hours
Max Altitude: 5344m (Nangma-la Pass)
Overnight: Lhundupling Village (Guesthouse)

Trek Completion & Return Journey

After breakfast in Lhundupling Village, you begin your final walking section of the trek. This is a gradual descent out of the Gama Valley region, marking the official completion of your high-altitude trekking adventure.

The trail passes through Zhaxizom (扎西宗一带) and surrounding valleys, where the landscape slowly transitions from rugged alpine terrain into wider river valleys and road-accessible regions. Along the way, you can once again enjoy distant views of the Himalayan range and reflect on the journey through one of the most remote trekking areas in Tibet.

After reaching the road connection point, you meet your vehicle and begin the drive back to Shigatse (日喀则), the second-largest city in Tibet. The journey offers a comfortable return through open plateau scenery after days of trekking isolation.

Upon arrival in Shigatse, you will check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest, hot showers, and recovery. In the evening, you can enjoy a relaxed dinner and celebrate the successful completion of the Gama Valley Trekking Expedition.

Trekking Distance: ~10–12 km (final descent)
Trekking Time: 3–5 hours
Driving Time: ~4–5 hours to Shigatse
Overnight: Shigatse (Hotel)

After breakfast in Shigatse (日喀则), you begin your return journey back to Lhasa (拉萨) along the scenic Yarlung Tsangpo River valley. This is a relaxing driving day after completing the challenging Gama Valley trek.

On the way, you will once again pass through wide Tibetan river valleys, traditional farming villages, and open plateau landscapes. The route offers a final opportunity to appreciate the contrast between the rugged Himalayas and the peaceful agricultural regions of central Tibet.

Your guide may stop at selected viewpoints along the Yarlung Valley (雅鲁藏布江流域), where you can take photos and enjoy the vast river landscapes stretching across the plateau.

Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will check into your hotel and have free time to rest, recover from the trek, or take a gentle walk around the old city if energy allows.

Overnight: Lhasa
Driving Distance: ~280–320 km
Driving Time: 6–7 hours
Activity Level: Easy / Recovery Day

Today marks the end of your 15 Days Gama Valley Trekking Adventure in Tibet.

Depending on your flight or train schedule, your guide and driver will transfer you from your hotel in Lhasa to the airport or railway station. Along the way, you can enjoy your final views of the Lhasa River, mountain horizons, and the peaceful Tibetan capital.

This journey concludes after an unforgettable experience of trekking through the eastern slopes of Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰), crossing high passes, exploring remote valleys, and experiencing both Tibetan culture and extreme Himalayan wilderness.

Your guide will assist with all departure procedures and ensure a smooth transfer.

Meal: Breakfast
Transfer: Hotel → Airport / Railway Station
Tour Ends in Lhasa