1O DAYS GANDEN TO SAMYE TREK
Day 1 - Arrival in Lhasa [3680m]
You will be greeted by our local guide and driver,transfer to hotel and relax.
Day 2 - In the morning visit the Potala Palace, the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. The Potala is 13 stories high and holds countless treasures and many rooms. Built in 637AD, the Potala has been home to the HH Dalai Lama lineage for more than a thousand years. Afterwards visit Jokhang temple, the holiest temple in all of Tibet. From the rooftop you will see pilgrims from all over Tibet prostrating in front of the Jowo Buddha statue inside the temple. Afterwards walk through the Barkor which is the most popular market and sacred walk for all Tibetans. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 3 - visit Drepung, one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa. Once home to as many as 10,000 monks. Afterwards visit Sera monastery, where you can watch monks debate in the courtyard. Visiting Drepung and Sera monasteries will enhance your understanding about Tibetan Buddhism and its practices.
Day 4 - Lhasa - visit Ganden monastery - drive to Trubshi village and camping [4000m] 70km, approx 4hrs.
At afternoon camping near to Trubshi village for a night. Prepare trek and we arrange yaks from Trubshi.
Day 5 - Trubshi village-Yamado [4500m] 14km, 4/5hrs.
Commence trek. Walk slowly towards Yamado camping place through rocky and grassland path. Will see nomads herding yak and sheep. Camp at Yamado and relax.
Day 6 - Yamado-Shuga la [5250m]-Tsotup Chu valley [5000m] 10km, approx 6/7hrs.
After breakfast walk through a beautiful nomads area and pass Shuga la 5250m. Stop at top of pass and take bag lunch, continue walk through valley towards Tsotup Chu camping place and relax.
Day 7 - Tsotup Chu valley-Herders camp [3900m] 14km, approx 5/6hrs.
Go through rocky path, pass Chitul la [5150m] and go down along forest valley and see blooming rhododendron and nice smile of rhododendron and other flowers. Camping at Herders or Nyango.
Day 8 - Herders camp-Yamalung - 14km, 3-4 hours walk - Samye [3630m] 25km, 1hr by car.
Visit Yamalung nunnery which was founded in the 8th century and Guru Ripoche,king Trisong Detsen and the Indian scholar Shantarakshita meditated in the cave. Afterwards drive to Samye and visit Samye monastery. Samye monastery was Tibet's very first monastery and has a long history going back more than 1200 years. It was founded in the reign of King Trisong Detsen, Samye monastery is designed to represent the Buddhist universe. Overnight in Samye. (Hotel or guesthouse).
Day 9 - Samye-Tsedang [3630m] 65km, approx 1.5hrs.
Drive to Tsedang through the famous Yarlung Tsangpo, or Bramaputra River which flows through this valley.The Yarlung valley is the home of Tibetan civilization.Visit Yumbu Lakhang,was built in the second century B.C.for the first king of Tibet,"Nyatri Tsenpo". After lunch, go through Chongye valley and explore the tombs of kings at Chongye represent one of few historical sites in the country that gives any evidence of a pre-Buddhist culture in Tibet. Overnight in Tsedang.
Day 10 - Depart from Tibet.
Tour cost includes:
- All gear, experienced cook and yaks
- All necessary travel permits in Tibet
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program.
- Private transportation in Tibet: 4WD land cruiser, van or bus depending on the group size and trip route.
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide.
- Lodging: Available from 5 star to budget guesthouse.
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning and end of the tour.
- Lodging and meals for guide and driver.
- First aid kit.
- Travel Liability Insurance.
Tour cost excludes:
- Travel insurance to cover trip cancellation and emergency evacuation (recommended).
- Expenses of personal nature.
- International and domestic flight/train. Note: we accept flight and train tickets bookings in advance. Please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant.
- Tip for guide and driver. -
- Food: depending on your preferences, food is approximately 60-120¥ for per person per day.
