THE TIBET SERIES, DAY 9, 10, 11 & 12
LHASA
| SUMMARY:
I venture into the heart of rural life for an authentic and humbling Tibetan family homestay. From the grit of a Tibetan family homestay, where I helped a farmer spread yak dung, to the five-star comfort of the St. Regis Lhasa, this adventure was as authentic as it was humbling. Between sharing endless bowls of noodles with locals and encountering fierce Tibetan Mastiffs, these moments captured the true, unfiltered spirit of the Himalayas. |
Our final few days here in Tibet turned out to probably be some of the best on this Tibet family adventure tour.
170 COUNTRIES AND THE MOST FRIGHTENED I HAVE BEEN
Our first port of call was to a Tibetan family who were happy to put me up for the night and make use of my sh*t handling skills.
WHERE IS LHASA?
Lhasa
Our Tibetan family’s village was tiny. Moreover, there were around 8 houses in the village, and it was about 2 hours outside of Lhasa, so there was no way I could escape to a decent hotel. Consequently, I was in it for the night.
DAILY INFO….
- HOTEL –
Local home
St. Regis
STAYING WITH A TIBETAN FARMER
Some travellers collect souvenirs. I, apparently, was about to collect a very hands-on lesson in Himalayan agriculture.
YAK SHIT
After a quick introduction, I noticed a small tractor leaving the house and asked if I could join to help. I didn’t know that we would spend the day working like a true Tibetan farmer, spreading Yak dung over every field in the village. This is their way of fertilizing the ground and preparing for the incoming summer weather, where they hope to grow grass for the yaks to graze on.
Lifting sh*t with a Tibetan family
FOOD & DRINK
After a few hours of hard unpaid labour we headed back to the house for a feast (noodles of course!). A feast that would last most of the rest of the day. There is one thing about Tibet I am sure of: you will not leave a Tibetan family home hungry or thirsty. Anytime my meal had a bite taken from it or tea had a drink taken from it, it was immediately refilled.
Lifting sh*t with a Tibetan family
RELATED READ: SH*T SCARED AT THE GORILLA HABITUATION EXPERIENCE
YAK SUPPER
Before having dinner, we had to feed the calves. Interestingly, for a change, it wasn’t noodles on the menu but incredibly nourishing hay. I’ll be honest, I’m no farmer. I was happy to feed the calves, but drew the line at the senior Yaks as they continually tried to charge me anytime I went past to visit the toilet.
FACTS ABOUT YAKS:
- Yaks are native to the Himalayan region and are superbly adapted to high altitudes, often found at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 meters (9,800 to 16,400 feet) above sea level.
- Yaks have several adaptations that help them survive in their rugged habitat. Their long, shaggy hair provides insulation against the cold, while their large lungs and efficient metabolism enable them to extract oxygen effectively from the thin mountain air.
- Yaks serve as invaluable livestock for the people of the Himalayan region, providing meat, milk, fiber, and transportation. Moreover, yaks are used as pack animals, carrying heavy loads across rugged mountain trails, and they play a crucial role in the cultural and economic life of Himalayan communities.
BED
After more noodles and sweet tea, it was time for bed. I’ve resorted to p*ssing around the corner, so I didn’t have to pass the Yaks in the dark, come try and see how you get on! The temperature tonight is going to be -9, but our Tibetan family hosts have given us all 3 blankets each, so I’m hoping that will do the trick!
Lifting sh*t with a Tibetan family
DAY 10, LOCAL MONASTERY
After what was surprisingly the best sleep of the trip, we headed to the local monastery to visit the local monk. The idea was to spend some time with him and experience what life is like as a Lama here in Rural Tibet, but unfortunately, someone died in the nearby village, and he had to go and support the family.
Lifting sh*t with a Tibetan family
THE ST. REGIS
After sleeping and sh*ting on all sorts during my Tibetan family homestay, I decided to splash out on the last few nights and stay in the St Regis, Tibet’s best hotel. It’s well known that 5* hotels are not equal throughout the world, but this one surprised me. Besides the swimming pool that was closed, it was great and had tons of facilities from a cigar lounge, spa, Oxygen machines in every room and a 6th-floor bar with incredible views of the Potala Palace.
They also upgraded me for free from a junior suite to something the size of a small house. It had 2 lounges, a huge bathroom, a dinner table, walk in wardrobe and a work station. It’s when you stay in places like this that you realise two nights is not enough!
DAY 10 – THE FIERCEST DOGS IN THE WORLD
After I enjoyed the hotel last night, we headed to meet a few Tibetan Mastiffs. For this experience, I was expecting to get close and personal with these animals, maybe get a cuddle and take one for a walk. Well… to say these dogs would have eaten me alive is an understatement! I have not been this intimidated in a long time! Fair enough, one can kill 5 wolves, but I was told they were docile!
LOCAL FAIR
On our way to a local teahouse, we stopped at the city fair where we spotted a few of China’s best fake cars and had a few goes at some of the games. Like most games, these were almost impossible, but we were still lucky enough to win twice, a wooden carved tiger and a large teddy, not bad for a day’s work.
LOCAL TEAHOUSE
My final experience here in Tibet to help work in a local tea house, cooking and serving food and generally making clients feel uncomfortable! Generally, we were cooking noodles (shock!) for the clients, but we had a few strange options for ourselves, including rotten eggs. Yes, Tibetans eat rotten eggs!
DAY 11 – HOME
Time to head home after a great trip. The oxygen might have been poor, but the noodles were great!
TODAY’S YOUTUBE VIDEOS
If you want to see today from a different perspective and catch a few different stories from the front row, then check out today’s YouTube videos below.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What a great trip, and if I’m honest, 12 days is a great length for me too. Recently, my trips have lasted around 3 weeks, and they have me busted, but I could do this more often!
This Tibet family adventure tour gave me unforgettable memories of working alongside a genuine Tibetan farmer, experiencing rural life, and being welcomed into a Tibetan family home with open arms. From spreading yak dung to sharing noodles, every moment was authentic and humbling.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
170/229.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Tibetan family adventure tour like?
A Tibet family adventure tour involves staying with a local Tibetan family, participating in daily farm work like spreading yak dung, feeding animals, and sharing traditional meals. You’ll experience authentic rural Tibetan life, working alongside a Tibetan farmer and sleeping in basic but warm accommodations about 2 hours outside Lhasa.
Where do Tibetan farmers live near Lhasa?
Tibetan farmer families typically live in small villages about 2 hours outside Lhasa, at high altitudes with basic facilities. These villages usually have 8-10 houses and maintain traditional farming practices, including yak herding and barley cultivation.
What should I expect for food during a Tibet family adventure?
Expect lots of noodles, sweet tea, and generous hospitality! Tibetan family hosts will continuously refill your plate and cup. The food is simple but nourishing, and you’ll experience authentic Tibetan cuisine prepared by local families.
How cold does it get during a Tibetan family homestay?
Temperatures can drop to -9°C (16°F) at night in rural Tibetan farmer villages. However, host families provide multiple blankets, and you’ll find the accommodations surprisingly comfortable despite the basic facilities.
Is a Tibet family adventure tour suitable for everyone?
A Tibet family adventure tour requires some physical fitness for farm work and tolerance for basic living conditions. You’ll be at high altitude (3,000-5,000 meters), so acclimatization is important. It’s best suited for adventurous travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences.
NEXT UP
My final thoughts on the Tibet Series!! Click to read.
This post is part of The Tibetan Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
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