The autumn red barberries and the deep azure waters of the lake form an incredibly beautiful setting against a backdrop of high arid peaks and clear blue Tibetan skies. We will spend a few days acclimatizing at Phoksumdo and visiting the nearby monasteries at Pungmo and Ringmo before continuing on across the khang la (17,500ft/5336m), the first of four high passes that we will encounter on this trek. This will bring us to Shey Gompa. From Shey, we cross the Se La (16,705ft/5093m), and descend into northern valleys. We will pass through Saldang, Yangsher, Shimen, and Ting kyu, some of the most remote villages in all of Nepal. These areas have been visited by few foreigners and remain almost untouched by Western ways.