Ganden to Samye Trekking - 11 Days

Once you arrive in Gongar airport our guide will be waiting at Immigration to assist you check in Tibet and then drive to your pre-boked hotel in Lhasa city. It is 65km drive from airport to Lhasa city following the road alongside of Bramhaputra (Elephant) river.

Full day guided tour in Lhasa. In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet? In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

It is another full day sightseeing in Lhasa, In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debate" in Sera is very famous.

Today after breakfast we will drive to Ganden Monastery which is about 45km east of Lhasa. Ganden Monastery is the first Gelukpa sect monastery. You will visit Ganden Monastery and then trek preparation.

Today we will have a short drive around 30km until Takse from where our trek start and the trail follows along the Tibetan nomadic grassland and shettlements.

Today you will have a beutiful wilderness trek throghout the Tibetan plateau exploring grazing Yaks and wild animals along the way.

In the morning we will continue the journey towards Shuga-la pass (5,250 meters). The road changes as we now walk through rocky hills and many streams (especially during the rainy season). We will take our last look at the Ganden monastery still visible in the distance before climbing up to the pass.

From the top of the pass, you will see an incredible view of the valley below. The fast mountain river is running at the bottom of the hill. Our way is lying to the East from the pass, taking us towards the Tsotup-chu valley. While the river is leading to the West where there is a short way out to Lhasa.

When we reach the bottom of the hill, we will cross the river. There are usually some nomad’s camps in the valley, and it is a nice place for camping. However, depending on the time of the day, we can continue trekking for another 15-20 minutes to reach the campsite (5,050 meters). The area is flat near the river and stone barriers.

Today we start trekking towards Chitu-la pass, the second highest point of the trek (5,210 meters high). The ascent is much easier and shorter compared to Shuga-la pass. Soon we will reach the top from where you will get an incredible view of three lakes. The first lake will be on the top of the mountain and we will walk by it on the way down to the valley with the other two lakes.

After a steep descent, we will walk along the lakes and after that continue down to the river and the rocky valley. From now on we will be slowly descending and the landscape starts to change. We will see more greenery and forest with tall trees.

After we pass the rocky section, we will find ourselves in a vast valley with two rivers. We will start seeing many of nomad’s tents on both sides of rivers.

Today we will continue our descent. The path becomes wider. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the trek. We will be walking along the fast mountain river, surrounded by forest. As we descend more than 1,200 meters, the weather gets warmer.

We will reach the first permanent Tibetan village in the afternoon, and from there it will be only a short walk to Changtang village. From Changtang we can climb up to visit the Yemalung Hermitage site with the active nunnery and meditation caves. Alternatively, we can rest in the tea house and have lunch.

We are now only 16 km away from Samye. The driver will take us to the monastery hotel, where will rest. If time permits, we can visit the Samye monastery, alternatively we will visit it in the morning the next day. You can freely walk around the monastery complex or walk a kora (circumambulation) around the monastery wall.

We will start our day by visiting the Samye monastery. It is the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet built in the 8th century. The monastery complex is incredibly beautiful. It resembles the universe with the main temple Utse representing Mount Meru, four continents and subcontinents, and the Sun and the Moon Temples. There is a beautiful park and a debating courtyard where monks master their knowledge. After that you will have a short hiking toward Chimphuk Hermitage where you could have a short meditation.

After visiting the monastery we will drive to Tsedang. Before reaching it, we will visit the first fort and the oldest building in Tibet – Yumbulakhang. The architectural style is different from everything else that you previously saw in Tibet. Yumbulakhang was the first palace for Tibetan kinds before the Potala Palace construction. Time permiting you could also visit Tsonge Tomb nearby.

Today you have free time until your flight or train time then drive to airport or train station for final departure to your home. (Service Ends)