
Ganden to Samye Trek 12 Days / 11 Nights
Trip Code: HAT52
Trip Type:
Tibet TreksMaximum Altitude:
5210mDurations:
12 DaysTrip Starts:
LhasaTrip Ends:
TsedangAccomodation:
Hotels in the ciites and camping during trekking.Best Time For Travel:
May, June, September and October Trip Over View
This is an excellent trek, combining the historical sites of Tibet with the natural beauty of the high nomadic areas.
The trek begins from Ganden Monastery - the principal seat of the head of the Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. You will visit the monastery there and take a warm up kora hike around the monastery. We leave behind the last village and take a gradual but steady climb .You will cross the first pass on the second day and come into the high altitude pastures inhabited in the summer months by nomads with their yaks. The next two days take you over a lower pass and into a sheltered valley containing the hidden retreat site of Yamalung. Finally, you will enter the broad valley of the Yarlungdzangbo - Tibet’s major river which runs west to east draining all of central Tibet before dropping south to become the Brahmaputra in India. The trek includes a visit to the active hillside hermitage of Samye Chimphu before setting up camp in the fields near the main monastery. Samye is Tibet’s first monastery founded in the 8th century by the Indian master, Guru Rinpoche. The entire monastic complex is designed as a structural Mandala and contains a wide range of architectural and artistic styles from India, China and Tibet.
You will leave this wondrous complex by jeep amidst sand dunes to cross the wide Tsangpo valley and spend your last night in Tsedang, the cradle of Tibet’s early dynastic Kings. You can take an extra day in Tsedang to visit Tibet’s first palace - Yambulakhang, Tradruk Temple and other highlights.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Flight to Lhasa.
Day 02: Sightseeing of Lhasa. (B).
Day 03: At Lhasa. (B).
Day 04: Lhasa-Ganden. (B/D).
Day 05-09: Ganden to Samye trekkin. (B/L/D).
Day 10: Samye To Tsetang and take the tour of its highlights. (B).
Day 11: At Tsedang. (B).
Day 12: Departure. (B).
Day 01: Flight to Lhasa
Fly to the holy city of Lhasa. Meet the guide at the airport and transfer to hotel. Take rest for acclimatization. Accommodation in DhodGu or Gorkha Hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing of Lhasa (B)
Sightseeing of Potala Palace, Norbulingkha Palalce, Jorkhang Temple and Barkhor Street. Accommodation in DhodGu or Gorkha Hotel.
Day 03: At Lhasa (B)
Sightseeing of Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Accommodation in DhodGu or Gorkha Hotel.
Day 04: Lhasa-Ganden (B/D)
We drive to Ganden Monastery, one of the major Gelug Monasteries of Tibet. Visit the monastery and take a warm up hike along the pilgrimage path, kora, of the monastery. Accommodation type: camping or guesthouse.
Day 05-09: Ganden to Samye trekking (B/L/D)
Trek 4 days with well supplied team to the Samye Monastery. We will walk six to seven hours a day and complete the distance of 80 km to reach Samye Monastery in 4 days. The trek involves crossing of two demanding passes, Chitu La (5,100m) and Shuga La or Zhukar La (5210m). It’s a medium to difficult graded trek.
Day 10: Samye To Tsetang and take the tour of its highlights (B)
In the morning, visit the Samye Monastery. We meet our transport and drive to Tsedang - the gateway city to the Yarlung Valley. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 11: At Tsedang (B)
Explore the highlights of Tsedang including Tradruk Temple, Yambulakhang Palace and visit to the tombs of ancient Yarlung Kings
Day 12: Departure (B)
We are transferred to the Gongar airport in Lhasa for the flight to next destination.
Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing in Lhasa and Tsedang.
- Daily breakfast in hotels portion and full board during trekking.
- All transfers and sightseeing by private 4WD Toyota Landcruiser and supporting vehicle for gears and supplies.
- Tented accommodation during camping. All camping gears, kitchen gears, camp set up and breakdown services included.
- English speaking Guide /Leader.
- Cook and helps.
- Pack animals and animal driver.
- Tibet Travel Permit.
- Sightseeing Admission fees.
Excludes
- International and internal air fare into and out of Lhasa.
- Airport Taxes.
- Chinese visa fee.
- Lunch and dinner during hotel stays.
- Travel & Health Insurance..
- Medical Immunizations.
- All extra expenses caused due to nature or unforeseen events.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Optional tipping to local staffs, hotels etc.
- Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone etc).