16 Days Gama Valley Trekking Tour
- Duration
- 16 Days / 15 Nights
- Pace
- Challenging
- Group size
- Private, on your dates
- Best season
- April to June and September to October
The trip at a glance
The whole trekking route is inside the Mount Everest Nature Reserve with overwhelming landscapes. You can appreciate Mt. Everest (world's highest), Mt. Lhotse (world's 4th) and Mt. Makalu (world's 5th) from the remote eastern slopes. The Gama Valley is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity — orchid forests, pristine alpine lakes and glaciers — making this one of the world's most spectacular trekking experiences.
- Lhasa
- Shigatse
- Youpa Village
- Showo-tso Pond
- Dolshang Orchid Valley
- Tsonang-tso Lake
- Paltang
Eastern Slope EBC (5,310m)- Nangma-la Pass (5,344m)
Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu views
Where you go, and how high you sleep
The route, stop by stop
- Arrive Lhasa (3,650m)Day 1
- Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor StreetDay 2
- Lhasa — Tibet Museum, Sera MonasteryDay 3
- Lhasa — Shigatse via Gyantse (360km)Day 4
- Shigatse — Tingri — Youpa Village (350km, 3,770m)Day 5
- Trek Day 1 — Youpa to Showo-tso Pond (10km, 900m ascent)Day 6
- Trek Day 2 — Showo-tso to Showo-la Pass (4,900m) — Dolshang Orchid Valley (4,030m, 14km)Day 7
- Trek Day 3 — Dolshang to Tsonang-tso — Xialong Pasture — Tangsung Platform (4,510m, 12km)Day 8
- Trek Day 4 — Tangsung to Badang-Ega — Paltang (4,950m, 11km)Day 9
- Trek Day 5 — Paltang to Eastern Slope EBC (5,310m) — Return Paltang (18km)Day 10
- Trek Day 6 — Paltang to Tangsung Viewing Platform (4,510m, 14km)Day 11
- Trek Day 7 — Tangsung to Tsosho-rim (5,013m, 11km)Day 12
- Trek Day 8 — Tsosho-rim to Nangma-la Pass (5,344m) — Lhundupling Village (3,990m, 21km)Day 13
- Lhundupling Village — Zhaxizom — ShigatseDay 14
- Shigatse — Lhasa (260km via Yalong Valley)Day 15
- Lhasa DepartureDay 16
Day by day
Days 1–3 · Lhasa hotel
Arrive Lhasa (3,650m)
Arrive in Lhasa and transfer to hotel. View the Yarlung Tsangpo River on the way. Rest and acclimatize — do not rush to visit attractions.
Lhasa — Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Visit the magnificent Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Street pilgrim circuit. Taste Tibetan butter tea in a local teahouse.
Lhasa — Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery
Morning at the Tibet Museum: 1,300 years of Tibetan history, art and everyday life under one roof.
In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery and watch the 3–5pm monk debates. Explore the Tibetan scripture printing house.
Lhasa — Shigatse via Gyantse (360km)
Drive over the Gampala Pass (4,790m) with views of Yamdrok Lake. Pass the Karola Glacier. Visit Gyantse (Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum). Arrive in Shigatse. Optional visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Shigatse — Tingri — Youpa Village (350km, 3,770m)
Drive west via Lhatse to Tingri. Stop at the Gawu La Pass (5,198m) for views of the top 5 highest peaks in the world (all above 8,000m) along the majestic Himalayan range. Continue to Youpa Village to register yaks for the trek.
Trek Day 1 — Youpa to Showo-tso Pond (10km, 900m ascent)
Put all trekking gear on the yak caravan and trek light. Ascend gradually through steppes and rugged paths for 10km, ending at the enchanting Showo-tso pond — a camping site of extraordinary remote beauty.
Trek Day 2 — Showo-tso to Showo-la Pass (4,900m) — Dolshang Orchid Valley (4,030m, 14km)
Climb over the Showo-la Pass (4,900m) and descend to the Dolshang valley — the initial part of Gama Valley. This extraordinary valley breeds massive colorful orchid flowers fed by glacial streams. Waterfalls, exuberant meadows and snowy peaks make it feel like a fairyland. 14km.
Trek Day 3 — Dolshang to Tsonang-tso — Xialong Pasture — Tangsung Platform (4,510m, 12km)
Trek upward through pristine forest. Reach the crystal-clear Tsonang-tso lake, which mirrors the surrounding snow peaks perfectly. After lunch, ascend another pass and reach the spectacular Xialong Pasture blanketed with wildflowers, then camp at Tangsung Viewing Platform. 12km.
Trek Day 4 — Tangsung to Badang-Ega — Paltang (4,950m, 11km)
Descend via zigzag trails to the Badang Ega prairie. Wade through rugged rocky terrain to reach Paltang — the final staging point before the Everest assault. Rest and conserve energy. 11km.
Trek Day 5 — Paltang to Eastern Slope EBC (5,310m) — Return Paltang (18km)
The most demanding day — trek to the eastern slope base camp of Mt. Everest at 5,310m. The initial ascent involves a 45-degree slope. From here, gaze at the little-known Mt. Chomo Lonzo (7,804m) and the eastern glaciers of Everest. Return to Paltang. Optional: rest at Paltang for those who prefer. 18km round trip.
Trek Day 6 — Paltang to Tangsung Viewing Platform (4,510m, 14km)
Retrace south through the Gama Valley. The descent offers new perspectives of the extraordinary glaciers and valleys. 14km back to Tangsung Viewing Platform.
Trek Day 7 — Tangsung to Tsosho-rim (5,013m, 11km)
Trek northward toward Tsosho-rim (5,013m). On clear days, appreciate the epic panoramic vistas of Mt. Everest (8,844m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m) and an unclaimed 7,000m peak. 11km.
Trek Day 8 — Tsosho-rim to Nangma-la Pass (5,344m) — Lhundupling Village (3,990m, 21km)
Today involves two soaring mountain passes: the Nangma-la (5,344m) — the highest pass of the entire trek — and another unnamed pass above 5,000m. Passing the deep-blue Latsetso Lake, descend to Lhundupling Village. 21km.
Lhundupling Village — Zhaxizom — Shigatse
Pack all gear and drive back to Shigatse along the Himalayan foothills. Enjoy a hot shower and proper dinner after 8 incredible days of trekking.
Shigatse — Lhasa (260km via Yalong Valley)
Drive back to Lhasa through the Yalong Valley. Stop at the valley viewing platform for one final look at the vast Yarlung Tsangpo River bed.
Lhasa Departure
Transfer to Lhasa airport or train station for departure. End of the extraordinary Gama Valley trekking adventure.
What is included
Included
- Tibet Entry Permit and all necessary trekking permits
- All entrance fees for tourist sites listed in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking local tour guide
- Private vehicle with driver for all non-trekking road sections
- All lodging listed in the itinerary (hotels and/or camping)
- Camping on the seven trekking nights (Days 6–12): tents, sleeping bags and mattresses
- Vehicle waiting at the road end of the trek
- Shared oxygen tank in the vehicle
- Tourist accident/casualty insurance and first aid kit
Not included
- Single room supplement — free of charge for any group booking 5 rooms or travelling with 10 or more.
- Flights or trains to/from Tibet
- Meals not specified in the itinerary (approximately USD 3–15 per meal)
- Porter or yak hire on trekking days (arranged locally, optional)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Personal expenses (laundry, snacks, optional activities)
Photos from this route
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Questions travellers ask
How large will my group be?
This is a private tour — your party travels alone on your own dates, with your own guide and vehicle throughout. The group is only the people you bring; solo travellers, couples and families all travel this way. If you would rather join a fixed small-group departure (usually 3–8 travellers) on one of the classic routes, tell us on the form and we will suggest departures that fit your dates.
Which permits does this tour need?
We arrange every permit this trip needs as part of your booking — you only need a valid passport. This route needs three: the Tibet Travel Permit, which every foreign visitor needs to enter Tibet, the Alien’s Travel Permit, for places outside Lhasa and the Border Defence Permit, for the Everest and border areas. All of them are included in your quote.
How do I get to the starting point of the tour?
The tour starts in Lhasa. You can reach it by flight or by the Qinghai–Tibet railway — either way we meet you on arrival. Many travellers fly in and take the train out (or the other way round) to see both faces of the plateau. We are happy to advise on flights and train tickets as part of your booking.
Can this tour be customized?
Yes — every tour on this site can also run as a private departure with your own dates and pace, arranged by our own office in Lhasa. Send us your dates, group size and interests and we will adapt the itinerary around you.
