Tibetan Treks - Tibet - page 472

broad saddle rising to the Kyang-la. Continue walking up parallel to these cairns. The high
point is Kyang-la (5330m; N 30°37.700ʹ, E 090°57.320ʹ), about a 45-minute hike from
the base of the pass.
It's only about a 30m descent to the head of the valley on the Changtang side of the
pass. This valley is also known as Kyang. Good drinking water is had here - fill up be-
cause water can be scarce down the valley. The valley now bends to the north, the direc-
tion it takes all the way down to the Nam-tso basin. Soon the great lake in all its glory
comes into view. The eastern tip of Tashi Dor and a long headland jutting deep into the
lake, bright gems on a scintillating cobalt-blue surface, are clearly visible.
Stay on the east side of the valley. In a few minutes the trail leaves the valley and
steeply descends through rocky slopes, followed by grassy slopes. In about 45 minutes
you'll reach the valley floor (5120m; N 30°38.505ʹ, E 090°56.954ʹ). Note that the Kyang-
chu on this side of the pass is much smaller and prone to disappear underground in places.
The trail soon crosses to the west side of the valley before returning to the east side in
only five minutes. The trail traces the east edge of the valley. In 45 minutes the magnifi-
cent Tashi Dor comes into full view. In 20 minutes recross to the west side of the stream
and point your feet downstream. The terrain is quite gentle and Nam-tso is your constant
companion, so going cross-country is easy and fun. The valley is wide open and in 30
minutes there are many excellent camps by the stream at Kyang Do .
Stage 3: Kyang Do to Tashi Dor
4-5 hours / 17km / 80m descent
A tawny-coloured hill appears in the distance. Leave the valley and skirt its west side by
walking across the plain. The base of this hill is reached in approximately one hour. Do not
make the mistake of staying in the valley floor, although this may seem the best route -
further down swampy ground would come between you and Tashi Dor. After walking
around the base of the tawny hill look for a complex of mainly white buildings to the
north. Hike directly to the buildings in about an hour, slipping through the wires of a fence
enclosing the range. Otherwise go around the enclosure in a clockwise direction, adding
about 20 minutes to your walk. This complex at the base of the Tashi Dor headland is part
of its management apparatus.
The tourist centre of Tashi Dor (4730m; N 30°46.652ʹ, E 090°52.243ʹ) is still 8km
away on a black-top road. It should be easy should you want to hitch a ride from there.