LHASA PERMITS, TRAIN TICKETS AND TOURS

Travel Info/Agencies in Tibet

Yushu Prefecture Tour

  • Baking bread in a tent
    Pictures from Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture in Kham province

Golog Prefecture Tour

  • Serdzong Monastery
    Pictures from Golog Tibet Autonomous Prefecture in Amdo province.

Friendship Highway Tour

  • Jokhang Temple
    Pictures along the Friendship Highway from Lhasa to Mt. Everest and the Nepal border

Amdo Yellow River Tour

  • Near Guide
    Pictures from the Yellow River Tour in western Amdo province

Tibetan Nomad Camping Tour

  • Family
    Pictures of Tibetan nomads in remote areas of Tibet.

Visitors Since Sept. 2006

Time in Tibet

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August 30, 2007

Amnye Machen...Pilgrimage of a Lifetime

Am_520 Amnye Machen is one of the four main holy mountains of Tibet along with Kailash, Gongga and Meili Xue. Located in Golog Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (མགོ་ལོག་བོད་རིགས་རང་སྐྱོང་ཁུལ་) in Amdo (ཨ༌མདོ) , it rises to 6282m / 20,605 feet. In 1929, adventure traveler/botanist Joseph Rock incorrectly measured the mountain at over 9000m / 29,520 feet, making it the world's highest mountain for a short time. Later, the mountain was remeasured at its current height.

DSC07966 This lesser known holy mountain is equally as important to the Tibetan people as the more well known Mt. Kailash (Gang Rinpoche). Amnye Machen attracts Tibetan pilgrims from all across eastern and northern Tibet (pictured below) during the summer months. The only people found around the mountain are nomad Tibetans. A trek around the holy mountain normally takes 7 to 10 days. There are many rivers and streams to cross over so having yaks and horses are essential. Most of the trek is above 4600m / 15,090 feet. The best time to do the trek around the mountain is from late June to early September. Even during these months, nights can be very cold and snow is possible. During the winter, the lows can reach -30C making it a bad time to do the trek.

DSC07971Trekking around Amnye Machen can be difficult without having a guide who is familiar with the area. To reach the mountain independently, the launching point is the small town of Machen (known as Dawu in Chinese). From Machen you can hire a vehicle to take you out to Chuwarna (Xue Shan in Chinese). Another option is to take the Xining-Jyekundo highway to the town of Huashixia. From Huashixia a road cuts down to the southeast towards the town of Darlag (known as Dari in Chinese). About 60kms after leaving Huashixia, you will cross a mountain pass with an excellent view of Amnye Machen. For the adventurous, you can get off here and trek on your own around the mountain.  This is only recommended if you are familiar with the area and are experienced in high elevation trekking.

Am_445 Amnye Machen is the mountain that symbolizes Amdo and the northern region of Tibet. It is a great trek with amazing scenery. We can arrange 7 to 10 day treks around the mountain. We offer yaks, horses, tents, guides, cooks, food...you name it we can probably provide it for the trek. For more information about Amnye Machen, please email info@tibetanconnections.com

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Comments

I really like your pictures. The air their looks so crisp and clean.

Amnye Machen was the best trip I have ever taken. The scenery was stunning. The nomad Tibetans around the mountain were so kind to our group. I hope to go back again in the future.

this much it is
necessary , for people

this much it is
necessary , for people

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