Day 37 – Going up to 4.800m (15.750 ft) high to visit Drak Yerpa

By bogaert

Today at 09:15 my driver and guide were awaiting for me to go to Drak Yerpa, this was a one hour drive east of Lhasa, climbing to 4800m. Drak Yerpa is one of the holiest places in Tibet, it is a monastery with different small temple shrines and holy caves, dated back to the seventh century. From the parking I had to climb the stairs up to the monastery. Walking uphill was not easy at this altitude, whow! It is hard to believe that I was standing at an altitude of 4800m and walking uphill. Being the only foreigner I was the attraction for all those pilgrims. All of them being very nice, saying ‘hello’ (which is probably the only word they know in English) and winking. Next to the Drak Yerpa is a sky burial site. It is only open for local people; to be honest I had no interest to get closer. For those who saw the movie ‘Himalaya’, this is the place were the human remains are handed over to the vultures. On our way back we stopped at the Ngachen-la pass (3980m) which is draped with prayer-flags.

In the afternoon I went to the Lhasa Tsamkhung Nunnery to see the singing prayers. There, I had lunch for 11 RMB (1,33 €) with noodle-soup, yak-meat something, and sweet yak-butter tea. Late afternoon I visited the national museum op Tibet, and as all museums a lot of artifacts, paintings, etc.

Tomorrow I will leave Lhasa and we drive 380 km to the west till Shigatse, heading towards THE mount! From tomorrow on, till my return to Lhasa next Thursday, I will pass 14 checkpoints, each requiring a copy of my travel permit! I have the impression that I am going to become sick. Walking back to the hotel I bought two oranges. This evening I eat both, add a vitamin tablet and 1 nutrition bag. I go to bed early, from tomorrow on it will be long days.

In a few days I can start counting down! Again not much of inspirations today … hope you enjoy the photos!

Ngachen-la pass