Map SHIGATSE TO TINGRI You cross the high point the LHAKPA LA (5220m/17,127 ft. ) This panoramic high pass has many prayer flags fluttering in the strong winds strung above traditional mani stones placed there by local Tibetans to supplicate the spirits and assure safe travel.

RONGBUK MONASTERY A small colony of Buddhist monks and nuns of the Yellow Hat Tantric order who are reconstructing the ruins of the Rongbuk Monastery, which sits at 16,500 ft and was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. This remote and lonely order are reputed to practice sex for "anointment" (which they interpret as "at-one-ment"). This is the highest monastery in the world.
See Also: Rongbuk Monastery at Nova (PBS)

EVEREST BASE CAMP See: Everest page.

TINGRI to NELAM The road goes along the Tingri plateau to Lalung Leh pass (5050 m. /16570 ft. also known as Tong la) takes about four hours. If the sky is clear, you will be treated to views of a range of mountains stretching along the southern horizon, including: Langtang (7245 m / 23,770 ft. ), Xixabangma (8013 m / 26,290 ft. ) and Dorje Lakpa (6980 m / 22,900 ft. ) in the west and Makalu (8463 m / 27,767 ft. ), Everest (8848 m / 29,030 ft. ), Lhotse (8516 m / 27,940 ft. ), Cho Oyu (8201 m / 26,907 ft. ) and Gauri Shankar (7134 m / 23,407 ft. ) in the east.

MILAREPA’s CAVE. Milarepa was a Tibetan Buddhist mystic, poet aend saint who composed and sang songs expressing his insights into the truths of Buddhism. The small Pelgye Ling Monastery there has been restored by Nepalese artisans.

NELAM TO ZHANGMU The road follows the deep valley of the Bhote Kosi — the route is lined with numerous waterfalls spilling down the enormous valley walls. The descent from Nyalam to Zhangmu is an extraordinary plunge into lusher greenery fed by the monsoon and rushing rivers. Zhangmu is the the boarder town between Nepal and Tibet and is an active trading centre for Chinese, Tibetan and Nepalese goods.

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