3-Day Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon Tour from Lhasa

Nyingchi is the green, gentle side of Tibet and at lower altitude than Lhasa, which made the whole trip far more comfortable. Standing at the Pailong viewpoint over the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the deepest canyon on earth, with Namcha Barwa's snow peak floating in the distance, was breathtaking. Three days, private, well organised.

After a couple of days acclimatising in Lhasa, dropping down into the forests of Nyingchi was a relief for the lungs. The Yarlung Tsangpo canyon is staggering in scale and the Pailong viewpoint gave us a clear look at Namcha Barwa, which apparently is often hidden in cloud. Our guide handled all the Tibet permits flawlessly.

The lower-altitude forests around Nyingchi were a surprise, peach blossoms, pine and rushing rivers, not the barren Tibet image I had. The grand canyon viewpoints over the world's deepest gorge are humbling. Seeing Namcha Barwa from afar was the bonus the guide promised if the weather cooperated, and it did. Smooth private trip from Lhasa.

A wonderful private extension from Lhasa into Nyingchi. The drive itself through the gorge is spectacular. Pailong viewpoint over the Yarlung Tsangpo is the highlight. Bear in mind Tibet travel requires permits and the logistics are strict, but the guide managed everything. Three days well spent in a less-visited corner.