Oct 20, 2014, Sunday – Tingri to Zhangmu

We discovered that the restaurant at our hotel has very good pancakes, but no maple syrup.  They did have frozen pineapple jam (probably left it out at night instead of in the refrigerator where it would have been warmer).   

Then it was off on the Friendship Highway to Zhangmu (7,546 feet) at the China/Nepal border. 

 

On the way we stopped at Gyatso La, the highest pass at 5260 meters (17,258 feet), where we enjoyed views of the Himalayas.  We also saw Adam and Erin again while we were stopped at the pass and then again later at a speed checkpoint. 

The drive was spectacular with most of the drive going through  a very steep gorge where we dropped 10,000 feet in about 80 miles.  The roads were windy and the trip took most of the day. 

 

 

Much of the road leading into Zhangmu (several miles) was lined with parked trucks.  The trucks were waiting to cross the border.  The trucks cross at night and people/cars cross during the day.  Zhangmu is built right on the side of the mountain.  We had a great view from our hotel overlooking the valley.

Zhangmu China

 The next morning we met Adam and Erin at the checkpoint at the China/Nepal Border.  Clearing Chinese customs didn't take too long.  Thus ends our adventure in Tibet.  Off to Nepal.

At the border with our "travel companions", Erin and Adam