Drive across Lamna la pass

From the car park in front of Everest BC it is still approximately 20 km drive back down through the valley before you turn to inconspicuous bridge over the river Zakar (4 570 m asl) and go up along very stony road toward a small village of Zemukh and on to the pass Lamna la. Not everyone goes through here, so the surrounding landscape looks a little desolate and rugged. Here and there are only scattered tents of nomads.

The pass Lamna la itself is rather featureless terrain wave lying a short way above the stream flowing in small valley. It is a shame that there is not a greater freedom of movement, because otherwise it would be possible to undertake a great trip from here – go along this small river up to a six thousand high hill /without glaciers/, where would be for sure absolutely amazing view of the surrounding eight-thousanders.

The path then leads over a small canyon up to the very wide main valley leading not only our way in the direction to Tingri, but mainly to the mountains under Cho Oyu or through once frequented and rough pass Nangpa la (5 741 m asl) to Nepal. This pass is infamous by the massacre of fleeing Tibetans with Chinese border guards.

The western horizon is dominated by two-peaked Lapche Kang. In the south there is the massif of Cho Oyu and side peaks (see the introductory slide of the photoreport ).

In certain passages is the path above the canyon pretty wild and it also explains not so frequent traffic.

Eventually the valley widens and the path gets again the Tibetan character of driving on the endless plains.

The surrounding ridges beautifully shine with all colors in the afternoon sun.

After 20 kilometers away there are the first signs of civilization showing from the pass – a picturesque village Lunja.
 

In Lunja (4 500 m asl) you can see typical local life – yaks, barley fields and local picturesque houses.

The provincial town of Tingri (4 340 m asl) is situated just along the main road and there is not much to see. From there you can go to the west direction to Nepal or West Tibet, or to the east to Shigatse and Lhasa.