Goat Herding on the Friendship Highway
filed in Animals, Nepal, Tibet, Videos on Sep.26, 2008
As we drive along the bumpy gravel track of the Friendship “Highway” between Tibet and Nepal, we are constantly confronted with roadblocks. The most common? Gigantic herds of goats! Apparently, the goats that people eat in Nepal are raised in the grassy plains of Tibet, and then marched along the highway down the steep, precarious road to the border. Since Tibet essentially has just only road, that’s what the goat herders, the cars, the trucks, and the pedestrians use — and it’s a constant traffic jam. Especially during this part of the fall when it’s goat herding season!
There are two more videos below.
November 30th, 2008 on 3:22 pm
[...] goats getting rounded up, and put in holding pens. (I realize now that that’s why they were herding thousands of goats down the Friendship Highway from Tibet to Nepal a few weeks [...]
December 13th, 2008 on 5:06 am
Hi,
I have been searching everywhere for information about the current situation and feasibility of taking the Friendship Highway from Lhasa to Kathmandu. I cannot find any recent information about whether this route is an option or even if buses still run. It sounds like you must have a great deal of knowledge on the subject; I would greatly appreciate it if you would possibly be able to answer some of the questions I have about how to make this trip possible. If so, please email me at dangerousdave@aol.com.
Thank you very much,
David Korn
December 17th, 2008 on 4:09 pm
You can take the Friendship Highway from Lhasa to Kathmandu, but you’ll have to hire a driver and a private vehicle to do it. As far as I know, there are no public buses. (We took Landcruisers, which were hired for us by the tour company that got us our Tibet permit from the Chinese government.)
The road is under heavy construction, and the first half of the distance from Lhasa to the Nepal border is paved with asphalt. It’s a great road, especially by China standards. The rest of it is a bumpy ride, and the last stretch to the Nepal border is steep, muddy and really poor. I think the road drops 2000 meters over the course of 30km, so you can imagine how steep it is.
You also must secure a permit for Tibet through a tour company before you enter Tibet, which will stipulate exactly how many days you can stay in the region and includes a day-by-day agenda. This can be difficult to get and expensive. I planned my Tibet trip and formed my travel group (of 8 independent backpackers) at Sim’s Cozy Guesthouse hostel in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. I would highly recommend Sim’s — great people and great service!
Anyway, I would highly recommend taking the Friendship Highway! It’s very beautiful, and you’ll see the rural parts of Tibet that you miss if you just visit Lhasa.
December 5th, 2010 on 2:18 pm
Hi Peter
I’m wondering if you were able to drive via china if so how did you do it and were you able to drive your own vehicial. ?? how much
I’m looking at driving from singapore to UK and would love to go via china but have been told it would cost me mega bucks do you know any other way Ie in a group.
Look forward inhearing from you
Amber
December 7th, 2010 on 2:06 pm
Amber– Sounds like a great adventure!
I didn’t actually drive myself; I was with a group, and we hired a driver with a Land Rover to drive us from Lhasa, Tibet to the Nepal border. I know that there are very strict rules about traveling outside of Lhasa — you must have a guide, and I’m not sure if they would let you drive your own car period. You might be able to figure out a workaround if you are accompanied by a guide, but I’m not sure. Sorry I can’t help more!
February 29th, 2012 on 9:44 am
Someone essentially assist to make critically articles I would state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular submit amazing. Excellent task!
March 12th, 2012 on 7:40 am
Meetings are indispensable when you don’t want to do just about anything.
I recieve to play golf as a living. What else are you able to ask for – getting money for doing that which you love.
May 19th, 2013 on 10:29 pm
I do believe all of the concepts you’ve offered for your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. Could you please prolong them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.