Self-Drive Tour of Yadong, Mount Everest, and Gyirong Valley in Tsang

Drive along the northern foothills of the Himalayas, connecting Yadong Valley, Mount Everest, and Gyirong Valley to experience the dramatic transition from high-altitude plateau to lush forests.

This route strings together several border valleys in Tsang (Shigatse region): head south to Yadong via Gyantse, bypass Gamba to Mount Everest, and then drive through Peiku Tso and Khongtang Lhamo Pass to Gyirong Valley, returning to Shigatse and Lhasa via Tingri and Sakya. Due to the long distances and multiple border defense permits required, this itinerary is best suited for returning travelers who have already acclimated in Lhasa. This route does not cross the border at Gyirong, and the port area itself is not included.

The Gyirong Port was damaged by floods in August 2026 and has not yet recovered. This route does not cross the border; please check the opening status of the valley before entering.

Day by day

Day 1 · Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake

Lhasa（Yamdrok Lake） → Gyantse（Karola Glacier、Pelkor Chode Monastery (Gyantse)）

Drive from Lhasa over Gampala Pass to Yamdrok Lake, then pass Karola Glacier to Gyantse. Approx. 260 km, 6 hours.

Acclimate in Lhasa for 2 to 3 days before departure, and make sure to obtain all border defense permits along the route.

Stay: Gyantse Old Town and Dzong

Day 2 · Gyantse South to Yadong via Dochen Tso

Gyantse（Gyantse Dzong） → Yadong（Dochen Tso、Chomolhari (Jomolhari)）

Drive from Gyantse via Kangmar, Dochen Tso, and Phari down to Yadong. Approx. 220 km, 5 hours.

Stay: Xiasima Town (Yadong County Seat)

Day 3 · A Day in the Forest of Yadong Valley

Yadong（Yadong Valley (Chumbi Valley)、Dungkar Monastery）

Using Xiashidama Town as a base, make short round trips along Yadong Valley. Total driving time is about 2 hours.

Border valleys are subject to local access regulations; do not enter restricted control zones.

Stay: Xiasima Town (Yadong County Seat)

Day 4 · Phari Grassland to Gamba

Yadong（Kangbu Hot Spring、Phari (Pagri)） → Gamba County

Drive north from Yadong via Kangbu and Phari, then turn west to Gamba. Approx. 230 km, 5 to 6 hours.

Stay: Gamba County Town

Day 5 · To Mount Everest Base Camp via Dinggye

Everest Base Camp (Tingri)（Gawu La (Pang La) Viewpoint & 108 Bends、Everest Base Camp (North)）

Drive from Gamba via Dinggye and Tingri, crossing Gawula Pass to Rongbuk. Approx. 300 km, 7 hours.

Private vehicles are not allowed into the Base Camp; you must transfer to the eco-friendly shuttle bus.

Stay: Rongbuk Monastery Base Camp

Day 6 · To Gyirong via Peiku Tso and Shishapangma

Everest Base Camp (Tingri)（Rongbuk Monastery、Old Tingri (Gangga) & Cho Oyu Viewpoint） → Gyirong Valley（Peiku Tso、Kongtang Lamu Pass & Shishapangma Viewpoint）

Drive from Rongbuk via Old Tingri and Peiku Tso, crossing Khongtang Lhamo Pass to Gyirong Town. Approx. 350 km, 8 hours.

Stay: Gyirong Town

Day 7 · Nai Village Sunrise and Gyirong Valley

Gyirong Valley（Nai Village、Phagpa Monastery、Chongdui Grassland、Jipu Canyon）

Drive from Gyirong Town to Nai Village in the early morning for the sunrise, then make short round trips along the valley. Total driving time is about 2 hours.

Stay: Gyirong Town

Day 8 · Gongtang Kingdom Ruins Back to Tingri

Gyirong Valley（Datang Tianzhu Envoy Inscription、Gungthang Royal City Ruins）

Drive north from Gyirong via Zongga and Peiku Tso back to Tingri County. Approx. 300 km, 6 hours.

Stay: Tingri County Town (Xegar)

Day 9 · Shegar and Sakya Monastery

Everest Base Camp (Tingri)（Shegar Chode Monastery、Gyatso La Pass） → Shigatse（Sakya Monastery）

Drive from Tingri County over Gyatso La Pass, detour to Sakya Monastery, and continue to Shigatse. Approx. 270 km, 5 to 6 hours.

Stay: Shigatse Old Town and Dzong

Day 10 · Tashilhunpo Monastery Back to Lhasa

Shigatse（Tashilhunpo Monastery、Shigatse Dzong (Samdruptse)） → Lhasa

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shigatse Dzong in the morning, and drive along the Yarlung Tsangpo River back to Lhasa in the afternoon. Approx. 270 km, 5 hours.