Tibet: Kabala Pass and Yamdrok Lake

We had originally planned a day-long trip to Namtso Lake, but unfavorable road conditions made that impossible. Instead, we drove southwest from Lhasa along a new two-lane highway that crossed over Kabala Pass to Yamdrok Tso, a beautiful turquoise lake high in the mountains. Pema (our Tibetan guide) and Mr Chimee (our driver) secured the necessary permits for the trip. Above and beyond our American passports, my LNU contract and work permit, and our one-year Z-visas, we also had to secure a letter absolving my employer from any liability, a special permit to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region, and extra permission to travel outside the immediate vicinity of Lhasa.

The paperwork was well worthwhile. The drive up the river valley and into the mountains was truly memorable, and Yamdrok Lake itself is spectacular. We passed a number of small farm villages (and a few deserted ones as well) and ended the afternoon with a picnic on the roadside. Here is a small album of pictures we took that day:

http://picasaweb.google.com/SteveDC505/Yamdrok#