Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
gion with their ancient customs and traditions, enliven the trail. Herds of blue sheep live in
the crags, and in the woodlands the endangered musk deer makes its home.
The trek begins at Kyang-rag Monastery just off the main road to the Nam-tso, 7km
beyond the Damxung-Lhasa Hwy turn-off. The trail cuts across the mighty Nyenchen
Tanglha Range and heads directly for Tashi Dor, the celebrated headland on the southeast
shore of Nam-tso.
The route leaves the Damxung Valley and wends its way through a rocky defile, the
gateway to a high-elevation forest in which dwarf willow and rhododendron are dominant
species. A number of stream crossings await you. A tundra-filled upper valley gradually
climbs to the Kyang-la (Onager pass), followed by a steep descent onto the Changtang
plains. Fantastic views of sparkling Nam-tso and Tashi Dor are visible from many vantage
points on the trail, and colourful
drokpa
camps dot the way.
The best time to make the Nyenchen Tanglha traverse is from May to October. A winter
crossing is also sometimes possible but don't attempt one unless you have the green light
from local residents. This is a very high elevation trek with a 5330m pass and minimum
elevations of 4320m, so factor in plenty of time for acclimatising. It's prudent to spend two
nights in Damxung before setting out. You will have to be fully equipped with a tent and
stove and enough food to reach Tashi Dor, three days away. Temperatures even in summer
regularly dip below freezing and gale force winds are common.
Horses and guides should be available in the villages near the trailhead for ¥150 to ¥200
apiece per day. In June, when locals are out collecting caterpillar fungus, horses may be
hard to get. If you're not successful in the nearby villages of Nakya or Baga Ara, try Nya
Do, Largen Do or Tren Do, which are a little further afield but larger in size.
