If You Like - Tibet - page 45

Yarlung Valley Just an hour from Lhasa and yet totally off the beaten track, a five-day trip
here takes in sacred caves, Tibet's first monastery and its oldest statues.
Lakes
There's nothing quite so blue as the deep turquoise of a high-altitude Tibetan lake. Wheth-
er sacred or just plain scenic, the following beauties beg you to pitch a tent or unwrap a
picnic.
Manasarovar Yin to nearby Kailash's yang, sacred Mapham Yum-tso is utterly surreal in its
beauty.
Nam-tso Huge tidal salt lake lined with caves and a kora route - a traveller favourite.
Rawok-tso A strong contender for Tibet's prettiest lake, fringed by sandy beaches and
snowy peaks, with glaciers around the corner.
Tagyel-tso Dramatic detour from the road to Kailash and a great place to spot wildlife.
Yamdrok-tso Central Tibet's dramatic snaking scorpion lake. Soak it up on the hike down
from the Kamba-la.
Outdoor Activities
Current travel restrictions make DIY adventures difficult but if you arrange things before-
hand or join a specialised group there are plenty of adventures to be had in Tibet.
Mountain biking Certainly a challenge, but ever-improving roads make the trips to Kath-
mandu or Mt Kailash a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Horse riding Add on to an organised trip from Lhasa or hire a horse at Kailash or Manas-
arovar for a multiday adventure.
Rafting Take a day trip on the Kyi-chu or join a river expedition on the Reting Tsangpo.
Watching wildlife Pack the binoculars and you'll likely spot black-necked cranes, wild
asses, antelope and a rich selection of summer birdlife.