In the morning we leave Nyingchi and drive southward along Nyang River. At Gangga we turn east and follow the Yarlung Zangbo. Originating from the Gyaimanezong glacier on the northern Himalayas, it is the highest river on earth with an average altitude of 4’000 meters. Tibetans refer to it as the "Cradle of Tibet" or the "Mother River". Our destination is Zhibai near Mt. Namjaqbarwa (Namche Barwa, 7’782 m) - a noble giant with 49 maritime glaciers, various icefalls and crevasses. Namche Barwa's steep summit climbs from the gorges of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which curls round the base of the mountain on three sides as it is blocked directly by the Himalayas in Mainling and therefore forced to run northward. The turn is so sharp that a spectacular canyon has formed. The Yarlung Zangbo Great Canyon starts at Dadukha Village and ends at Bashikha, stretches 496 km in length and reaches 5’382 meters in depth. It is the world's largest canyon (confirmed by the American Geography Committee and Guinness Book of World Records in 1994), covering 17’000 square kilometers with 17 snow-clad peaks above 6’000 meters. Because of its complex geographic and climate conditions, the canyon has a rich variety and abundance of wildlife with rare and unique plants and animals only existing in the vast expanse of the region’s virgin forests.

After arrival at Zhibai we will go for a hike through this fascinating canyon with the Namche Barwa Peak standing proud on the horizon and the river rushing down the valley below you with thunderous noise. This hike lasts approximately eight hours and is moderately physically demanding as we will be walking at an average altitude of 3’500 meters.

On the way from Nyingchi to Zhibai, we will also visit the Burqug Lamaling Monastery of the Red Sect, located on the left bank of the lower reaches of the Nyang River. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the delta at the mouth of the Nyang River. The monastery was built with wood, with curving eaves and brilliantly painted beams, combining the different artistic styles of the Han and Tibetan peoples. You will stay overnight at a local Menba (also called Monba) family’s house.