GANDEN TO SAMYE TREKKING TOUR

  • Route: Lhasa – Ganden – Samye – Gongkar

This unforgettable tour will lead you through much of Tibet's magic, history, and culture. Along the way you will immerse yourself the true beauty, which is Tibet. Our trip will begin with 3 nights in the ancient city of Lhasa. While in Lhasa we will explore many of the city's attractions ranging from The Potala Palace to bustling market streets. For further acclimatization we will drive to Ganden and explore the Gelugpa Monastery. The actual trek we will follow is one of the most beautiful and popular treks in all of Tibet. Along the way we will cross two high passes and experience some amazing and remote regions of Tibet. The terrain is difficult, but easily done if properly acclimatized. AMS is common along the way, so stay hydrated and be careful while climbing through the passes and large valleys. It is possible to do the trek at any time throughout the year. However, any time between May and October is the best. Our final destination of our trek is the ancient Samye Monastery and its surrounding attractions. Our last day will be spent in exploring the Yarlun Valley, or valley of the tombs. You can learn a lot from these Tibetan people.

Additional Info

  • LocationTibet
  • Duration12 Days
  • Min Age12+
  • LandingLhasa
  • Min People3

Tour Description

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Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa

Accommodation: Yak Hotel 3 stars or the same level hotel

Lhasa airport or Train station pick-up by our local English-speaking tour guide and private van, then, transfer you to the hotel (3 star hotel). The rest of the day is free on your own.

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Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing

Accommodation: Yak Hotel 3 stars or the same level hotel

Today's activities: Lhasa escorted tour Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street This morning our tour guide will meet you at hotel .You'll wind your way up through the stunning, awe-inspiring Potala Palace,built in 637 AD by Songtsen Gampo, it was the former winter residence for the Dalai Lamas and is truly a splendor of Eastern architecture. After lunch,we will visit the Jokhang Temple, the center of Tibetan Buddhism, also built in the 7th century on the legendary pond of "Wothang." After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa.During the old days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to shopping center for tourists. We'll finish the day by taking a Kora around the Barkhor.

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Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing

Accommodation: Yak Hotel 3 stars or the same level hotel

Lhasa escorted tour - Drepung Monastery ,Sera Monastery Today we will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, once the world's largest monastery that contained more than 10,000 monks, it was the resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, but several destruction were taken place in history. Even so ,you still have lots of things to see by walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane though the monks apartments is thrilling. The amazing day will ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery, it is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who is disciple of Tsongka pa, few different monastic colleges in Sera is the home of several hundred monks from different part of Tibet, the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening everyday in the afternoon except Sunday. Later today ,continue to acclimatize and alleviate jet lag in the rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

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Day 4: Free day in Lhasa

Accommodation: Local best hotel

Today is a day for you to relax, fully acclimatize, and see more of Lhasa. Many of our clients choose to explore Lhasa further, relax in the various monasteries, or simply enjoy a great meal at one of the many restaurants in Lhasa. Enjoy yourself!

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Day 5: Drive to Ganden (4500m)

After only a short drive we will arrive in Ganden. The day will be spent acclimatizing further and exploring this wonderful area. There are many attractions in this ancient town. However, the highlight for most is the first Gelugpa Monastery. Although this monastery has been destroyed over the years, there is still much to see. Many pilgrims walk the kora around this holy place and one can observe their many rituals along the way.

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Day 6: Trek to Yama Do (5 hours)

Our first day of trekking begins at the highest point on the Ganden Kora. From here we walk along a saddle trail. After leaving this trail with wondrous views we traverse the west side of the ridge before passing through an ancient Hepu village. Later in the day we pass through Ani Pagong, a narrow bottleneck in the trail and former site of a nunnery. We will end the day with an ascent towards Yama Do, where we will set up camp.

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Day 7: Trek to Tsotup Chu Valley (4 to 5hours)

OIn the morning we leave the valley floor and make our way through a steep gully rising form the stream bank. Finally, we climb over the Shug La and begin our climb down through treacherous boulder fields. Later, we cross Tsotup Chu, a large stream winding through the valley floor. A comfortable camp will be set up in one of the many herder fields.

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Day 8: Trek to Herder's Camp (5 hours)

Today we follow the Tsotup Chu down through its tributary and head towards the Chitu La pass. After ascending this 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. Another beautiful day of our trek is over!

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Day 9: Trek to Wango (6 Hours)

The trail gets wider and easier as we follow it through scrub forests in the main valley. Beautiful streams and lush forests surround us as we walk. However, the desert is close by. The next few hours are arguably the most beautiful part of our trek. More than 15 types of scrub trees, blooming rhododendrons, and vast meadow will amaze you every step of the way! After passing through this wondrous landscape we will trek pass the Changtang village. Less than an hour away participants can choose to make the one-hour hike to the Yamalung Hermitage. Yamalung is an ancient and holy Buddhist meditation site, but is completely up to you whether you want to go. Later in the day we join the Samye valley along the babbling tributary stream. The night will be spent at another comfortable campsite, not far from Samye.

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Day 10: Trek to Samye (2 Hours), Drive to Tsedang

In the morning we will admire the widespread views from Pisha. The entire Samye valley can be seen from here. After reaching the summit of Dragmar we can explore the numerous temples nearby. However, the Cultural Revolution ravished the temples. Prepare for an awe-inspiring site as we meet up with the jeep trail and get even closer to Samye. Samye monastery, representing the Buddhist universe, is the highlight of the trip for many. There will be plenty of time to explore this intricate network of buildings. At the end of the day we will get in Jeeps and spend the night in Tibet third largest city, Tsedang. Enjoy the beds and hot showers!

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Day 11: Explore the Yarlung Valley

This majestic area is widely believed to be the cradle of all of Tibetan civilization. The valley of the tombs is located at the origin of the Tibetan people. You are being given a rare opportunity to explore this majestic site. It was here where both the massive burial grounds and Yumbu Lakang. Yumbu Lakang is an amazing architectural site perched on a cliff. It is one of the oldest buildings in all of Tibet! You will spend your last night sleeping well back in Tsethang.

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Day 12: Trek to Yama Do (5 hours)

This remarkable flight last only an hour while crossing the Himalayan range. As you may expect the striking mountain views surround you the entire time. An amazing way to end a life-changing journey! Come join us in this land of religion and history!

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Nicole Thank you and your team for a wonderful tour setup

Dear Janet, I would like to thank you and your team for a wonderful tour setup. Begging with your professionalism, warm support and willingness to make our group tour successful one.And great thanks to Dhargye our tour guide who took care of whole group and especially myself during a night of vomiting. He and Mr. Namla- the driver were superb. I will send you some photos separately. Feel free to use them on your company's website. Am happy to give references as required.

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Hans Everything was very well organised by ATT,Tks

Dear Janet,We are safe and sound home and are looking back at a very impressive trip to Tibet and Zhangye. We have between us some 3000 pictures – some quite stunning. Yesterday the four of us expressed what an unforgettable trip this has been. We want to share our appreciation for the way the trip has been organised. Like clockwork. All guides appearing at the right time and place. Everything was very well organised. It was a bit double for us when we were in Lanzhou hearing about the earthquake creating havoc in Nepal, but not leaving Tibet unaffected either. Thank you again for a trip to be remembered for a long time.

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Jana Midriakova Thank you for the amazing trip we had in Tibet!

Dear Nancy,I feel embarrased that I am answering only now but another couple of weeks of travelling and the beginning of the next semester at the university made me really busy. However, me and Olaf wanted to thank you for the amazing trip we had in Tibet! The organization was simply excellent, thank you for a very quick and informative communication from your side. Many thanks go also to our guide, Danluo as well as to our driver; both of them acted very professionally and kindly towards us. It was really great that our guide was of the Tibetan origin, providing us with a unique cultural insight and first-hand information. His English language skills were just perfect and the communication with him very pleasant.

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Price Included

  • Airport or train station transfer: The free airport pick-up is at 3:20 p.m. and see off is at 12:00 p.m. These are the most common times in and out of Lhasa, but if you would like to schedule a different time enter/leave Tibet we will be happy to arrange for you. Please ask your travel consultant for the price.
  • Accommodation: 3 nights stay in comfortable 3 star hotels in Tibet (We can also upgrade your hotel according to your request, pls consult with our trip advisor.)
  • Meals: Breakfast only. See detailed itinerary for complete listing.
  • English Speaking Guide: All of our guides are local Tibetans with infectious smiles and a passion for sharing their homeland. From them you’ll receive extensive information about the history, geography, culture, religion, traditions, art and music.
  • Vehicle Rental & Driver: All of our vehicles are well maintained and safe. Our drivers are experienced in driving in the Tibetan landscape. Vehicle type from 4WD to mini bus will be arranged according to group size.
  • Travel Permits: All Tibet traveling permits.
  • Entrance Fees: All entrance fees listed in the itinerary

Services Excluded

  • Transportation to and from Tibet.
  • Other services of non-Tibet parts
  • Private expense like laundry, IDD calls, drinks in the room, etc.
  • Extra expenses incurred due to unexpected natural events (delays, road washouts, etc.)
  • Meals not specified in the tour itinerary
  • Tips for the tour guide and driver

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