Hepu

Hepu is a small village in Tibet, of some 100 villagers and 30 farming and herding families.

Understand

Hepu is pronounced "Lhe-puh", and means valley of the gods. "Lhe" is god, and "puh" refers to valley in the Tibetan language.

Get in

Hepu is located 3 hours walking distance east of Ganden monastery on the outskirts of Lhasa, Tibet.

Get around

It's a relatively small village, so getting around on feet is easy in the village. However, the village is surrounded by hills and mountains, so be prepared to work out those calf muscles with uphill hiking. Yaks can also be rented to ride around village surroundings, while enjoying the serene beauty.

See

Hepu is an important stop for backpackers travelling from Ganden monastery to Samye monastery. Ganden to Samye is a holy 4 day trek (stopping overnight only), with beautiful surroundings, and typically takes a few days to complete. Guide services can be rented from Hepu, as well as Yaks (to carry things like tents and food), and friendly villagers often offer tea and snacks in their tents or homes.

Do

Many trekkers spend the night camping in Yak hair tents in Hepu, using Hepu as the preparation point for their treks.

Meet the friendly villagers, enjoy the mountainous scenery.

Ride Yaks.

Buy

Rent Yaks for treks.

Hire a guide or two (sometimes to help with the yaks).

Eat

Dried dri (Tibetans distinctly call female yaks, "dri") and yak meat. Sheep or goat meat.

Tibetan bread

Tsampa (roasted barley)

Tibetan dried "dri" (female Yak) cheese

Drink

Yak (dri) butter tea

Sleep

Spend the night in a yak hair tent or a villager's home.