Ganden - Samye Trekking

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive to Lhasa
Arrival in Gonggar Airport of Lhasa. You are met and greeted by our representative and drive to Lhasa City (70kms,  about 1 hr). Check in hotel and take rest for the acclimatization.

Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing and Acclimatization
Sightseeing of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Sera monastery

Day 03: Drive to Ganden / Start trekking south towards Ganden
Drive to Ganden Monastery, one of the major Gelug Monasteries of Tibet. Visit the monastery and take warm up hike along the pilgrimage path, kora, of the monastery. Accommodation camping or guesthouse.

Day 04: Trek to Yama Do  Camp
You resume your trekking adventure as you trek away from Ganden towards south along the Angor Ri. After ascending for 1 1/2 hours, you see several cairns near a saddle. The trail further leads westwards descending to Hepu village. Here several houses become visible. 3 ½ hours of trekking brings you close to Shug La pass. Ani Panong lies 1 hour away from Hepu. An hour of continuous ascent leads to lush meadows and soon appears Yama Do.

Day 05: Trek to Tsotup Chu Valley Camp
Leaving behind Yama Do, you climb eastwards negotiating boulders along the final climb atop 5250 meters of the Shug La, the highest point on this trail. The pass is distinctively marked with its large cairn wrapped in prayer flags and yak horns. After a brief stop at the pass to savor the grand vistas you make a sharp descent walking past a boulder field. The trail eventually opens into the valley.  Up ahead in a distance the trail crosses the Tsotup Chu, a large stream with rich pastures of yaks, goats and sheep. You encounter several herders on the way. After trekking for 4-5 hours, you reach the Tsotup Chu Valley.

Day 06: Trek to Herder’s Camp  Camp
As you turn away from Tsotup Chu Valley, you come across main water course following from the south-east and a tributary from the south-west. You take the route along this tributary followed by steep ascents for 30 minutes to a large basin and thereafter, the tributary disappears out of sight. The trail further opens into the valley progressing south to the Chitu La at 5100 meters capped with several cairns. The trail further brushes past a sheer rock wall on its south flank. Thereafter, follows a descent into a basin showcasing three turquoise lakes. Further on, the trail moves on to the west side of the stream and thereon, after 30 minutes approaches campsite. Many herders’ camps can be seen at the nearby locations. Following the rock-strewn valley floor, you will head to a flat seasonal herder's camp in the east side of the valley. Soon after returning to the west side of the valley, you will near another seasonal herders' camp.

Day 07: Finish Trek near Samye and check in Samye Guest House
Nomad Camp to Village Nyangpo (4100m), about 5 walking hours, no ascend if people don't climb monastery, Nyangpo to Samye (3800m),4 hours gradually down hill. 

Day 08: Drive to Tsedang (Guided tour of Yumbulhakang and Yarlung Valley)
Samye Monastery is one of the most imposing sights of Tibet. Built between 763 and 75 AD modeled on the University of Otantapuri in India and planned as a representation of the universe, it has a collection of pagodas and temples.
After drive 60kms to Tsedang, visit of Yumbulakhang and Trandruk.

Day 09: Drive to Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Train Station
We are transferred to the Gongar airport of Lhasa for our flight to next destination.