Ganden to Samye 9 Days Trekking Tour

Day 1: Lhasa arrival

Upon arrival, our guide will be waiting for you at the airport/train station and welcome you and take you back to Lhasa city for check-in. You will see the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa River on the way back. After you arrive the hotel, the rest day is for you to rest and get acclimatized. If you feel well, it's OK to walk around or nearby but it's suggested to take good rest so you can be prepared for the sightseeing next day.

Day 2: Lhasa city tour

Today we will visit the famous Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.

Drepung Monastery is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries that housed for more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the Great Fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala. It was known for the high standards of its academic study, and was called the Nalanda of Tibet. And then you also can visit the biggest monastery kitchen in the monastery and enjoy Buddhist sculpture carving workshop near Drepung.

Sera Monastery is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. We will watch the Monks Debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour  the Tibetan religious scripture printing house and see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha inside the Monastery.

Optional: If you want to, we can arrange the Wencheng Pincess Show at night. Price starting from 60 USD.

Day 3: Lhasa city tour

Today we will visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.

Potala Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Jokhang Temple is known as the center of the Tibetan Buddhism, features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, golden sutra streamers. Around the temple, you can see a great many of pilgrims praying in front of the temple. If you want to, we can do kora with local pilgrims.

We will stroll in the old alleys of Barkhor Street where you can drink the sweet tea, chat with locals and even bargain with the street vendors to understand the real life in Lhasa.

Day 4: Lhasa-Ganden-Tsubshi-Yama-do (trekking 2 to 3 hours,7km)

Today we will drive to the Ganden Monastery in the morning. Founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409, it's one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa monasteries of Tibet. On the way, we will see the beautiful view of Kyichu River and drive all the way up to the mountain, where you will have panorama view of the splendid monastery complex. Afterwards we will go to Trubushi Village, where you rent the yaks. The trekking part will take about 2-3 hours for around 7km and we will camp at Yama-do.

Day 5: Yama-do-Tsotup Chu Valley (trekking 5 to 6hours,10km)

Today we will trek from Yama-do to Tsotup Chu Vally, which will take about 5-6 hours for around 10km. After we leave Yama-do, we will pass through a steep gully rising form the stream bank. After climbing the Shug La, we will descend down through treacherous boulder fields. Later, we will cross Tsotup Chu, a large stream winding through the valley floor. Tonight we will camp at Tsotup Chu Valley.

Day 6: Tsotup Chu Valley-Herder's Camp (trekking 5 to 6 hours,14km)

Today we will trek about 5-6 hours for around 14km. In the morning, we will head towards the Chitu La pass. After ascending the Rocky Pass, we will quickly descend down and find a beautiful place to camp in one of the fields surrounding the stream. To find our campsite we will meander through quiet herder camps for nearly an hour.

Day 7: Herder's Camp-Yamalung (trekking 6 hours,15km)-Samye

Today we will cover 39km but the trekking part is only 15km which takes about 6 hours. For the rest 24km, our driver will pick us up and drive to Samye. This is our last trekking day, which is getting easier as the trail get wider. Beautiful streams and lush forests surround us as we walking. Then we will reach Changtang Village and after less than 1 hours' hike, we will reach Yamalung Hermitage., where our driver will be waiting for us and drive us to Samye.

Day 8: Samye

Today we will visit Samye Monastery, Tranduk Monastery and Yumbulagang.

Samye Monastery is thought to be the first Buddhist temple and college in Tibet, and has combined Tibetan, Han and Indian architectural styles altogether. It's highly reputed as the birthplace of Tibetan culture as well as the cradle of Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 9

Trandruk Monastery is one of the earliest  Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, having been founded at the same time as the Jokhang Monastery and Ramoche Monastery in Lhasa. Dating back to the 7th century reign of Songtsen Gampo, it is also one of Tibet’s demoness-subduing temples.

Yumbulagang is considered the oldest building in Tibet. Most of what can be seen today dates from 1982. It is still a remarkably impressive sight, with a lovely setting.

Notice: Yumbulagang is currently under renovation. If by the time we travel, it remains closed, we will refund the entrance ticket or change to another site as compenasation.

Day 9: Samye departure

Our guide will drop you to the airport (1.5 hours)/train station based on your departure time. Tour ends.