Ganden To Samye Trekking

Upon arrival at the Lhasa Gongkar airport / Lhasa train station, our client will be warmly welcomed by our Tibetan local tour guide and the driver with the traditional Tibetan white scarf.
Driving for about an hour from the airport to Lhasa and half an hour from the train station to the hotel. After check-in the hotel, the guide will be briefing the tour itineraries for the next day and relax in the hotel for the rest of the day to acclimatize the high altitude.

We will begin our visit form Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred temples in Tibet which was built in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet – Songtsen Gampo. “Jokhang” means the temple of the Buddha builds for the enshrinement of the Shakyamuni image, which is believed to be inexistent before the lifetime of Shakyamuni.
After visiting the temple you can explore the surrounding Barkhor street and spend some time walking around the Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau.
In the afternoon will visit Sera Monastery, one of three great monasteries of Gelugpa school and attend the debating session of the monks which is quite popular in Sera.

Today we visit the stunning Potala Palace – the landmark of Lhasa. Potala is the winter palace which was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. The visit to the palace provides amazing views of the entire city.
There are more than thousands of rooms in the palace including the private quarters of the Dalai Lama and numerous grand chapels.
In the afternoon we are going to visit the Norbulingka Palace, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. The Norbu Lingka Palace was built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama.

5-6 HOURS / 17 KM / 300M ASCENT / 450M DESCENT
Starting our Ganden to Samye trekking after visiting the Ganden monastery, the mother monastery of the Gelugpa tradition. Today is the first day of our trek and its the easiest part of the trek. Walking about an hour up to the Ganden Angkor Ri mountain. From the top of the mountain, you will see the beautiful Ganden monasteries full complex.
Then decent to the other side of the mountain and camp near the local Tibetan villages.

5-7 HOURS / 10 KM / 1000M ASCENT / 450M DESCENT
Today we are crossing the Shuga-La pass (5250m; N 29*38.499’, E 091*32.016’). The Shuga-La pass is at least one and a half hours from the basin. The route continues over the Shuga-La and then descends sharply through a boulder field.
The views of the lake and the valley at its head are one of the highlights of the trek. Cross the large Tsotup-Chu , which flows through the valley. There is large pasture land which normally the herders camp during the summer. This is the ideal place to camp here called Tsogo Numa in Tibetan.

5 HOURS / 14 KM / 300M ASCENT / 400M DESCENT
Today we are crossing the Chitu-La pass (5225m; N29*34.817’, E091*33.159’), the highest pass in our Ganden to Samye trekking. Follow the valley to the south, the pass can be seen from the distance. The route is rocky rampart at the head of the valley.
After reaching on the top of the pass, a short descent will bring you into a basin with three small lakes. Continuing walking down through the lakes about an hour, you will reach seasonal herders’ camp, inhabited for only a short time each year.
Another 20 minutes beyond this camp, there is a comfortable area with numerous campsite.

6 HOURS / 27 KM / 900M DESCENT
Today is the last day of our Ganden to Samye trekking tour. The trail is now easy to follow through the thickening scrub forest for three hours. According to the local woodcutters, there are more than fifteen types of trees and shrubs are found here.
Continuing descent down to the valley for about three hours, you will see a small temple on a high cliff above the valley. This the hermitage called Yemalung. Yemalung (Emalung) is where the master Padmasambhava is said to have meditated and received empowerment from the long-life deity Amitayus (Tsepakme).
If you are like to visit the hermitage, it’s about 45 minutes walk up from the campsite.

In the morning our Van will come to pick you up and drive 14km to Samye. The small town Samye is on the altitude of 3630m. You will check in the hotel for rest and take a shower. It’s worth to walk around the town and the monastery in the afternoon.

After finishing breakfast, we will be going to visit the Samye monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Samye Monastery was built in the 8th century by the 38th king of Tibet – Trisong Detsen. The whole complex of the monastery is shaped like a Mandala. It is said that the monastery was built in similar structure as Othanpuri monastery in Bihar India.
In the afternoon we will drive about an hour to Tsetang.

In the morning we are going to visit the Yumbu Lakhang, the first castle in Tibet. The Yumbu Lakhang is built on a small hill and from the top, you will see the beautiful vast farmland of Yarlung. This area is the most fertile land in the central part of Tibet.
After visiting the Yumbu Lakhang, we will visit the Trandruk temple on the way back to Tsetang, the first Buddhist temple in Tibet.
Then will drive back to the hotel and free time for you to explore around the city.

We will be having our breakfast in the early morning and drive to the Lhasa Gongkar Airport for one and half hour.
Our Ganden to Samye trekking tour officially ends from today. Have a safe journey after that.