Ganden to Samye Trek

A guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for rest and acclimatization to the high altitude. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Breakfast and In the morning, you’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet-Drepung Monastery, which was once the home to over 10,000 monks. In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 – 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). After today’s tour, enjoy dinner with your group members.

Breakfast and visit Potala Palace and Longwangtan Park in the morning. In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion-the Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street, where you can do kora, a religious circle of a building or mountain with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market-Barkhor street. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Early morning drive to Ganden, one of the 3 monastic universities of Tibet. Our trek begins from Ganden. The trail gradually ascends for 1.5 hrs before reaching a saddle marked by a cairn with views of Kyichu valley to Lhasa. Traversing the west side of the ridge from the saddle, the trail reaches a spur surmounted by a cairn, a spring and then the village of Hepu in 2 hrs. 1 hr from Hepu reach Ani Pangong, a small nunnery. The trail climbs steadily for 1 hour through marshy meadows to Yama Do.

In 2 hrs past Yama Do we ascend Shug-la pass (5250 m). It takes at least 1.5 hrs from the basin negotiating boulders and lumpy ground along the final steep climb to the pass. The route continues over the Shug-la pass following the cairned trail descending gradually and reaching the valley in 1.5 hrs from the pass. Cross the Tsotup Chu. Nomad herders with their herd of yaks, goat and sheep can be found here.

From the Tsotup Chu valley, follow a small tributary entering from the south-west. The route follows steeply upwards for 30 mins until you reach a large basin. The terrain is not particularly difficult to reach Chitu-la pass (5100 m) which is marked by several cairns. A short steep descent will bring you into a basin with three small lakes. The trail at many points is not clearly marked and goes past several seasonal camping sites before it reaches the valley floor.

The trail is now wide and easy to follow and goes through forest of shrubs and rhododendrons for 3 hrs. The trail winds through a series of meadows before reaching Gen Do, a place with a ruined stone structure. The forest thins rapidly and we reach the first permanent village of Chantan (4020 m) after leaving Hebu. In 30-40 mins we arrive at the turn off at Yama lung Valley. Yama lung Hermitage is another 1 hour steep climb from the valley floor.

From Yama lung Valley it 3.5 – 4 hrs to Samye. We go past the villages of Nyango, Wango and Pisha. From Pisha the entire lower valley of Samye and the golden spires of Samye Monastery can be seen. Visit Samye Monastery and drive to Tsedang to visit Yumbulakang Palace O/N at Hotel.

Breakfast and we drive to Shigatse, the second largest town of Tibet via Gyantse and Yamdrok Lake with Korola glacier.

Departure from Shegar, en route visit Shakya monastery and Shegar Chode Today we continue along the Friendship Highway, marveling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m]. From here we descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar and our overnight accommodation at Hotel. Overnight at Guest House.

Drive from Xegar to Dza Rongbuk Monastery in the morning. The journey involves driving over Pang La (5120m/16,794 ft) that rewards you with the views of several 8 thousands like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Mount Everest. The journey mostly goes through dirt road, passing through several picturesque villages. Upon arrival, check in a guesthouse or monastery accommodation and after refreshment; take an hour walk trek to the Everest Base Camp (5200m/17,333ft). The driver will pick you up at the basecamp and drive you back to Rongbuk O/N at Basic Guest House.

Retrace drive to the Friendship Highway and drive to Tingri, a small Tibetan town. Continue driving along the Friendship Highway. You will cross two high passes Lalung La ( 5, 124m) and Tong La ( 5, 120m) and have the last views of Mount Everest, Shishapangma and Cho Oyu. Then the road drops to Peikutso Lake . The road drops sharply along the bank of a Bhote koshi river. Upon arrival in Kerung-the last

After breakfast at your hotel, Drive to Border, queue in Chinese immigration and customs for the last border formalities to the Friendship Bridge, see of Tibetan Guide and driver and continue to Kathmandu with the Nepali counterpart.