The Kingdom of Guge

In the morning we visited, and climbed not without a great effort, the wonderful site of the Kingdom of Guge. From the 10th century to the early 17s century, Guge was a powerful kingdom in Western Tibet. With its civilization, the kingdom played an important role in Tibetan history in the promotion of Buddhism and resistance to the invasion, particularly by the Kingdom of Laddakh with which he was involved in a fatal war in 1630.

Also, at these altitudes there is a significant lack of vegetation that is why the Tibetan plant trees, with the purpose to stop the leakage of sand on the one hand and to bring a complement of the other oxygen.

Mount Qomolangma

We covered 540 km from Ngari in Saga, entirely on on the Tibetan plateau between 4200 m and 5000 m. Cold, rainy day, few moments of rest. At the end of the afternoon it appeared in front of a snowy mountain range, a prelude to the next day leg that should lead, time and track permitting, to the slopes of Mount Everest. Our bikes have been lightened of some bag since we entered China, as we are escorted by a minivan. This also allows us a less tiring driving, especially at this altitudes.

August 4th.... We made it! We covered 350 km of which 115 of gravel road, the second half very busy with the quagmire, fords and rocks, under even the rain at the last moment, but in the end, as if by magic, we were rewarded. Arrived at Base Camp, the clouds that have wrapped all day the Giant Beautiful Lady, Mount Qomolangma in Tibetan, are gone, leaving room for the majesty of Mount Everest. And to our emotion. This evening, in addition to tea, we allow ourselves a well-deserved local beer!