Tsurphu to Yangpachen

Well, I might, I should reach kashgar around september 1. and then heading towards kailash. I probably wont be in Lhasa before 16. or 17.th of september.

I did the trek independently in July. Great trek, highly recommended. Me and a friend (2 x 23 year old women) did it unsupported (ie. no yaks, guides etc..) and had no trouble. The LP Tibet's track notes were a bit suspect for a couple of sections, but we always found our way in the end. Water is available along the way. There are no guest houses. You're likely to drink a fair bit of yak butter tea with the nomads.

There is a pilgrilm bus that leaves early in the morning from the Bakhor (LP time was correct - 6 or 7am I think). Though the driver may wait for an hour for the bus to fill. The bus drops you at Tsurphu Monastery mid morning. I'd strongly recommend you camp among the trees about 20 min walk up the track for the first night (altitude...). There were no PSB at the monastery when we visited and we actually slept on the floor of the monastery restaurant as it was pouring rain outside. When you get to Yangpachen I'd recommend that you try and get from the monastery to the actually town that day (20min by car) as there is no where to stay, and no quiet places to camp in town (as in you will be the tourist attraction there!). There are hostels and restaurants in Yangpachen (chinese = Yangbajin).

Not sure where you'd be best to get yaks/guides from. Maybe someone at Tsurphu could advise you. Might be wise to allow an extra 2 days to sort this if that's what you want.

Have a great trek!

Simple

1. Hit up the super markets for food and pack light! Renting sleeping bags and tents is easy in Lhasa (check the quality!) Renting a good stove is more difficult.......much better if you have your own. Or you can buy good primus stoves from a little outdoor shop called "OUTLOOK" Just across the road and down abit from Kirey Hotel (Beijing Dong Lu) (Its always better to have all your own gear)

2. Get your Guesthouse or hotel staff to talk a taxi driver into taking you out to Tsurphu. If the road is bad then just get them to take you as far as they are happy, then jump out and hitch. You don't need any fancy permits.

3. Finding yaks/horse is simple. Just ask around at the monastery if someone hasn't already cornered you and offered their animals. I'm not sure what the going rate for yaks is at Tsurphu but expect to pay around 50-70 per animal and about the same for the yakman/horseman. Remember these animals are the owner's livlihoods so respect their desires for the animals (within reason of course!) Yakman are notorious negotiators so stick to you guns!!

4. Follow the route description as per LL guidebook or Gary McCues "Trekking in Tibet" guide.

5. Have fun

6. Hitch a lift back to Lhasa. You may have to walk all the way into Yangpachen as the north road doesn't see much traffic these days.

7. Oh.....and watch out for army tanks and artillery practicing on the plains to the west of Yangpachen. They don't like you camping near their firing range!!

CJ