Overview

This short four or five day trek is one of the most popular treks in Tibet and links two of the Tibet's most important monasteries Ganden and Samye.It involves crossing two passes Shuga la(5250m) and Chitu la(5100m). It is a strenous trek but the rewards are worth the effort. .The trek starts from the famous Ganden monastery some 50 km from Lhasa , passes through many small villages , sheep herder's camps and exotic sceneries and ends in the Samye monastery in Yarlung valley.Like in all our trekking programme in Tibet it starts after we explore the heritage sights in Lhasa.

WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
it's the best trek close to Lhasa
high lakes and bleak, remote mountain passes
Ganden 4180m (13,700ft) to Samye 3540 (11,600ft) is a traditional pilgrimage route between two fantastic monasteries
getting immersed in Tibetan history and their bizarre version of Buddhism
you can extend the hike Samye to Taktse for an 8-10 day loop
optional sidetrip scramble up to an ancient Nyingmapa retreat called Emmaling
fantastic weather during the trekking season. (In October we did not see a cloud in the sky for weeks.)
beautiful sand dunes close to Samye

Short Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing
Day 3 Lhasa Arrival
Welcome to Tibet! Your local guide will meet you upon your arrival in Gonggar airport and will escort you to Lhasa. On the 2-hour drive way, you'll enjoy the heart-stopping views along the Yarlong Tsangpo River.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city at the top of the world.
Day 4 Lhasa ( B )
 
The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.
Day 5 Lhasa ( B )
 
After breakfast, you are driven to visit the Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama, and then come to Drepung Monastery, once the largest Monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday.

Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, and the “Buddhism Scriptures Debating” in Sera is very famous. Enjoy the debate!
Day 6 Lhasa – Ganden Monastery ( B )
 
It is a short drive (1.5 hours) from Lhasa to Ganden Monastery, which lies at an altitude of 4,500 meters. Explore the attractions in and around the ancient town of Ganden, home to the earliest monastery of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and although the monastery is mostly in ruins, it is a fascinating place. Pilgrims arrive in Ganden from all over Tibet to walk around the site of the monastery, and one can observe the rituals they perform on this ‘Kora’ around the monastery.
Day 7 Trek from Ganden to Yama Do ( B, L, D )
 
Trek: 5 hours, 17km

This is a 5 hour trek. From the highest point of the Ganden kora, trek along an ancient trail and take in scenic views of unusual beauty. Walk along a ridge of reach the ancient Hepu village. In the afternoon, you’ll walk through Ani Pagong, a narrow part of the trail that was once home to a nunnery. In the late afternoon, ascend to Yama Do.

Camp overnight at Yama Do.
Day 8 Trek from Yama Do to Tsotup Valley ( B, L, D )
Trek: 4-5 hours, 10km

This trek takes 4 to 5 hours. Early in the morning, trek from Yamo Do through a steep gully to the banks of a stream. Climb to Shug La pass and begin the descent from there through treacherous fields of glacial boulders. Tsotup Chup is actually a large stream that flows through the valley, and we will cross this stream towards the end of the trek.

Camp overnight in Tsotup Chu valley.
Day 9 Trek from Tsotup Chu valley to Herder's Camp
Trek: 6-7 hours, 14km
Follow the Tsotup Chu towards the rocky mountain pass of Chitu La. Descend from there into the exquisitely beautiful camping grounds and fields around the tributary of the Tsotup Cho, walking through the picturesque Herder’s camp along the way.

Overnight at the Herder's Camp.
Day 10 Wango ( B, L, D )
Trek: 3 hours, 25km
Trek from Herder's Camp to Wango. This is a 6 hour trek. The trail widens and the walking becomes easier. Follow the trail through beautiful rivulets of water and fertile forests. There are many varieties of trees, scrub, rhododendrons in full bloom, and vistas of meadows that will take your breath away.

There is also a desert not too far away. This part of the trek is really amazing. Along the way, you will pass the village of Changtang, and you can choose to hike to the holy Buddhist meditation site of Yamalung, an ancient hermitage.

Eventually, the trail goes to the Samye valley along a beautiful stream.

Camp at a site near Samye.
Day 11 Samye and Tsetang ( B, L, D )
 
Trek:2 hours, 14km
From the camp site, a 2-hour trek takes you to Samye Monastery, with the spectacular views from Pisha and the vista of the Samye valley along the way. From the high point of Dragmar, explore many temples, and ruins of temples. At Samye itself, explore one of the oldest and holiest Buddhist sites, Samye Monastery. It’s ancient buildings are a Tibetan architectural masterpiece.

Drive from Samye to Tsetang, the third largest city in Tibet.

Overnight at a hotel in Tsetang.
Day 12 Tsetang – Lhasa ( B, L )
 
Tsetang is reputed as “the cradle of Tibetan Civilization”, mainly for two reasons: first, its mild weather and fertile land gestated the great Tibet dynasty; second, it’s the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. Today will visit the Yumbulakang and Trundruk monastery.
Day 13 Lhasa Departure ( B )
Today will be free for you to be transferred to the airport in time for your flight.

Day 14: Flight to Kathmandu
Day 15: Departure

Itinerary Detail

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing
Day 3 Lhasa Arrival
Welcome to Tibet! Your local guide will meet you upon your arrival in Gonggar airport and will escort you to Lhasa. On the 2-hour drive way, you'll enjoy the heart-stopping views along the Yarlong Tsangpo River.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city at the top of the world.
Day 4 Lhasa ( B )
 
The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.
Day 5 Lhasa ( B )
 
After breakfast, you are driven to visit the Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama, and then come to Drepung Monastery, once the largest Monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday.

Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, and the “Buddhism Scriptures Debating” in Sera is very famous. Enjoy the debate!
Day 6 Lhasa – Ganden Monastery ( B )
 
It is a short drive (1.5 hours) from Lhasa to Ganden Monastery, which lies at an altitude of 4,500 meters. Explore the attractions in and around the ancient town of Ganden, home to the earliest monastery of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and although the monastery is mostly in ruins, it is a fascinating place. Pilgrims arrive in Ganden from all over Tibet to walk around the site of the monastery, and one can observe the rituals they perform on this ‘Kora’ around the monastery.
Day 7 Trek from Ganden to Yama Do ( B, L, D )
 
Trek: 5 hours, 17km

This is a 5 hour trek. From the highest point of the Ganden kora, trek along an ancient trail and take in scenic views of unusual beauty. Walk along a ridge of reach the ancient Hepu village. In the afternoon, you’ll walk through Ani Pagong, a narrow part of the trail that was once home to a nunnery. In the late afternoon, ascend to Yama Do.

Camp overnight at Yama Do.
Day 8 Trek from Yama Do to Tsotup Valley ( B, L, D )
Trek: 4-5 hours, 10km

This trek takes 4 to 5 hours. Early in the morning, trek from Yamo Do through a steep gully to the banks of a stream. Climb to Shug La pass and begin the descent from there through treacherous fields of glacial boulders. Tsotup Chup is actually a large stream that flows through the valley, and we will cross this stream towards the end of the trek.

Camp overnight in Tsotup Chu valley.
Day 9 Trek from Tsotup Chu valley to Herder's Camp
Trek: 6-7 hours, 14km
Follow the Tsotup Chu towards the rocky mountain pass of Chitu La. Descend from there into the exquisitely beautiful camping grounds and fields around the tributary of the Tsotup Cho, walking through the picturesque Herder’s camp along the way.

Overnight at the Herder's Camp.
Day 10 Wango ( B, L, D )
Trek: 3 hours, 25km
Trek from Herder's Camp to Wango. This is a 6 hour trek. The trail widens and the walking becomes easier. Follow the trail through beautiful rivulets of water and fertile forests. There are many varieties of trees, scrub, rhododendrons in full bloom, and vistas of meadows that will take your breath away.

There is also a desert not too far away. This part of the trek is really amazing. Along the way, you will pass the village of Changtang, and you can choose to hike to the holy Buddhist meditation site of Yamalung, an ancient hermitage.

Eventually, the trail goes to the Samye valley along a beautiful stream.

Camp at a site near Samye.
Day 11 Samye and Tsetang ( B, L, D )
 
Trek:2 hours, 14km
From the camp site, a 2-hour trek takes you to Samye Monastery, with the spectacular views from Pisha and the vista of the Samye valley along the way. From the high point of Dragmar, explore many temples, and ruins of temples. At Samye itself, explore one of the oldest and holiest Buddhist sites, Samye Monastery. It’s ancient buildings are a Tibetan architectural masterpiece.

Drive from Samye to Tsetang, the third largest city in Tibet.

Overnight at a hotel in Tsetang.
Day 12 Tsetang – Lhasa ( B, L )
 
Tsetang is reputed as “the cradle of Tibetan Civilization”, mainly for two reasons: first, its mild weather and fertile land gestated the great Tibet dynasty; second, it’s the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. Today will visit the Yumbulakang and Trundruk monastery.
Day 13 Lhasa Departure ( B )
Today will be free for you to be transferred to the airport in time for your flight.

Day 14: Flight to Kathmandu
Day 15: Departure

Date And Cost

AVAILABILITY OPTIONS

Cost Includes

Arrival/departure transfers, accommodation in hotel with daily breakfast, all entrance fees, all land transportation as per itinerary, English speaking local tourist guide, Tibet travel permit. 

We provide;Cook, cooking equipments, sleeping tents with mats, dining tent with toilet tent, all food during trekking and camping, private transfers, all entrance fees for the sights, hotel stay in Lhasa on B.B as per request, Yak/Yak men for the trek, all necessary permits and guide

Cost Excludes

Daily lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Lhasa), travel & health insurance ,emergency expenses,Tibet visa fee ( Usd 114 pp/ Usd 198 for US coitizen ), flight ticket Kathamndu-Lhasa-Kathmandu Approx Usd 760.00,Sleeping bag

Equipment List

April to October lite clothings are required. The recommended items are: Sleeping bag,shirts,comfortable walking shoes, Long John Trousers and shirts, sweater, jackets, dust mask, socks, sun hat, sun glasses, sun tan lotion, utility knife, water bottle/theroms (litre) flashlight. Water purification tabs, medicine for headaches, fewer, colds stomach disorders etc. Toilet papers and tissue papers.

Altitude Sickness

No special inoculations are required but because 0f Tibet's high altitude travellers with a pre-existing problem of heart, lungs or anemia should consult a doctor before even thinking about a visit. Most other travellers, once they are acclimatized, rarely suffer more than mild discomfort from the altitude.
Over exertion seems to contribute to mountain sickness and dehydration may be a predis-posing factor. Sensible precautions should include:
Stick to a schedule of mild activity and rest for the first two days.
Drink plenty of fluids. Two to five liters a day are recommended to maintain clear, copious urine.

Don't smoke, if you are a chronic smoker, keep it to a minimum.
Avoid sedatives such as sleeping medicine or tranquillizers. They tend to depress respiration and limit oxygen intake.
DIAMOX (acetazolamide), a mild diuretic which stimulates oxygen intake, is used by doctors for climbers making sudden ascents. This is prescription drug. One 250 mg. tablet taken on the plane from Chengdu or Kathmandu and another at bedtime the first night in Lhasa' may help to forestall discomfort for people known to be susceptible to mountain sickness. Consult a doctor.

It is not unusual to wake up at night at high altitudes gasping for breath. Don't panic ! This complaint, known as "Periodic Breathing", is normally quite harmless, caused by a change in the control of breathing within the brain while you sleep. Normal breathing can be quickly re-established by relaxation, rhythmic deep-breathing, and the understanding that there is nothing to worry about.