Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo || Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo Lunana trek
Approx. 18km. 5-6 hrs trek / 320m ascent, 730m descent
Climbs through a moraine to Rinchen Zoe La pass (5320m), which divides the Pho Chhu and Mangde Chhu drainages. The pass provides breathtaking mountain scenery with Rinchen Zoe peak (5650m) towering above the pass to the west and many other major peaks stretch along the northern horizon. To east, we can see the western flank of Gangkhar Puensum and down south stretches the Thampe Chhu valley. From the pass the trail descends into broad, marshy valley with a string of lakes. The valley narrows as we go lower and eventually the trail descends steep down the face of a moraine to a yak pasture in the upper reaches of the Thampe Chhu. Cross to the west bank and continue as the vegetation thicken from rhododendron and juniper shrubs and eventually to trees. This feels are welcome sight after trekking through treeless area. Our camp is at Chukarpo (4600m), or we can continue for one more hour to better site at Thsongsa Thang (4400m).
