Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake

The Sacred Lake Yamdrok Yumtso, also called Yamdrok Lake, means “ the lake of Turquoise”, is located 110km southwest of Lhasa city of Tibet. The paved road from Lhasa to Gyantse ascends to Kamba-la (4700m) pass. From the summit of Kamba-la, a stunning vista view appears before you: one side of the mountain is the bending of Yurlung valley that runs Yurlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) and the other side of the mountain is the Yamdrok lake, a freshwater lake which lies few hundreds meters below the road.

When you ascend from bank of Yurlung Tsangpo River to Kamba la in the narrow zigzag road, you can start see the vast landscape of Tibetan Plateau. There are few stop point where you can get off from your vehicle and stretch your legs while enjoy this open valley. Then you will get to to top of the Kambala, this is the main stop before reaching descending to the lake side. From the Kambala Pass, you follow your eyes stretch from the lake to the distance snow capped mountain. This is snow capped mountain is called Nojin Kangsang which rises at an elevation of 7191m above sea level.

This lake ( 638 km² in area, 30m average depth and 60m at its deepest ) appears fabulous shade of deep turquoise in a clear day. Yamdrok Yumtso lake is one of the 4 most sacred and greatest lakes in Tibet along with Namtso Lake, Lake Manasarovar and Lhamo Lhatso Lake. It is an important site for pilgrimage, especially in a year of Sheep in Tibetan Calendar, hundreds of pilgrims all of Tibet will visit the holy lakes and make circumambulations around these holy lakes.

For travelers, After short stop at the summit of Kamba – la, you can also make a stop next to the lake shore and walk along the shore. For those who are interested in trekking in Tibet, the lake offers great trekking opportunities as well. There are few trekking routes around the lake which goes from 4 days up to 7 days.