West of Everest: Yeti, Mountains and Milarepa

Duration: 14 days
Months offered: Spring, Summer, Fall
Costs: From $3,500

Lapchi is located in southern Tibet, near the Nepal border. It is guarded by some of the grandest peaks in the Himalaya such as Menglungtse (above) Tseringkang and Dorje Lhakpa. The region was explored by Eric Shipton in the 1930s and it is here that some of the famous Yeti footprints have been found. Tibetans believe that the region is home to the Yeti. They also revere the region due to former enlightened activity in the region of the 12th century Tibetan poet/saint, Milarepa. During his life he practiced the most austere form of Tibetan Buddhism living in caves, eating only wild shrubs, and wearing nothing but a single cotton cloth. As he wandered from cave to cave he taught nomads and local farmers the Buddhist view of life, by singing instructive songs in the most direct and simple language. His adherence to strict asceticism and his way of teaching without pedantry has won him the love of Tibetans through the present day. Besides trekking among these Himalayan giants, we have the opportunity to visit the cave retreats and monasteries built near them. These valleys have never known the sort of mass tourism the found at the increasingly crowded north face basecamp area. The different Lapchi pilgrimages begin in the town of Tingri. This area includes mountain scenery of Everest to the east and Shishapangma to the west as well as the Langtang Himal just over the Nepal border. For more information on this trip please contact us.