Kel concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other (trekking at this altitude is 20% physical and 80% mental)

A tranquil scene: two young nomadic girls on a distant hill, drinking tea and braiding hair

A typical herder's camp

Kel eagerly awaiting the descent and the promise of (relatively!) more oxygen

The herder family that helped us when we got lost

Another group of trekkers ascending the pass

A precursor to our next few weeks trekking in Nepal...

The surreal, near white-out conditions during the ascent of the Chitu-La pass

We spotted some Tibetan gazelles on our way to getting a closer look at one of the many remote lakes along the Northern route

Yet more stupendous mountain scenery as we get closer to the Nepalese border

Eerie calmness in the world's highest country (or "autonomous region" to be technically correct...)

Kel enjoying the view on a break during the trek

The sun emerging from the clouds

The first view beyond the pass

You step aside when the yaks are coming through!

The cobalt sky makes a striking contrast to the desert-like landscape

Distant wildlife

Tibetan herder nomads - they must be the hardiest people on earth

The long road to Nepal continues through the desolate high plateau

A monk at Samye monastery

A monk at the Shigatse monastery

Taking a break having just crossed the pass

At the top of the pass you are rewarded with the first clear views of the valley below and the alpine lakes beyond

Gyantse castle at sunrise from our guesthouse roof