A splendid and unusual look at the monasteries and nunneries of central Tibet, this short trip includes a good look at Lhasa before heading out to Ganden Monastery (one of old Tibet’s most important; here, the Dalai Lama received his geshe degree, a kind of doctorate; see Festivals of Tibet, page 74). We alight in the beautiful Drigung Valley, near Drigung Til Monastery, the main seat of the Kagyu school, for a couple of nights at a stunning campsite from which we can hike the kora around the monastery and explore the nearby Tidrum Nunnery, nestled in steep crags and blessed with sacred hot springs. Now to the exquisite old juniper forest that graces historic Reting Monastery (where the Dalai Lama has said he’d live if he returns to his homeland). Before heading off to Namtso, we’ll hike to Samtenling Nunnery (Tibet’s nunneries invariably and deeply touch the heart of visitors). Namtso Lake, a major pilgrimage site, is Tibet’s largest saltwater lake. Here we’ll hike the kora around the temples of Tashi Dor, catching views of 23,300-foot Nyenchen Tangla, monarch of central Tibet. Then we continue along the mountain range, up and over 17,300-foot Shogu La, to one of the most idyllic campsites on the Tibetan Plateau, located just off the base of magnificent Jomo Gangtse, a holy snow peak that rivals the best of Nepal and Bhutan in beauty. Finally, after bidding farewell to the high mountains, we return to Lhasa for a final night in Tibet.

Day 1: arrive in Lhasa • Days 2 & 3: Lhasa • Day 4: Lhasa to Drigung Valley via Ganden Monastery, camp • Day 5: explore Drigung Til and Tidrum Nunnery, camp • Day 6: Drigung to Reting Monastery, camp • Day 7: Reting to Namtso, camp • Day 8: Namtso to Mt. Jomo Gangtse, camp • Day 9: return to Lhasa • Day 10: depart Lhasa.

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