Description
Tibet Tour with Ganden Samye Trekking is one of the popular treks in Tibet which offers beautiful lakes, mountains, alpine landscapes, nomad camps, villages and sacred sites. The route encounters two Tibet’s greatest monasteries, Ganden and Samye Monastery. This is originally a trekking route that pilgrims use, so you will be able to see Tibetans praying on the way. Follow the footsteps of pilgrims to experience their devout hearts. You will trek to Samye Monastery then drive to Tesdang and visit the first palace of Tibet, Yumbulakang and Trundruk monastery. Along with the trek to Samya the Tibet Tour with Ganden Samye Trekking also propounds the sightseeing of the majestic city Lhasa with the famous Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and Sera and Drepung Monasteries. After sightseeing of Lhasa the tour encompass trek to Samye and then through Tsedang, Gyantse, Shighatse, Shegar, Rongbuk and Zhangmu the tour terminates in Kathmandu.
What to Expect?
Tibet Tour with Ganden Samye Trekking offers you palace of Tibet, Yumbulakang and Trundruk monastery. Along with the trek to Samya the tour also propounds the sightseeing of the majestic city Lhasa with the famous Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and Sera and Drepung Monasteries and also travel through the popular cities like Tsedang, Gynatse, Shighatse, Shegar, Rongbuk.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Kathmandu to Lhasa
Fly for about an hour over the panoramic Himalayan Region to the capital of Tibet Lhasa at an elevation of 3,650 meters situated on the bank of Kyichu River. Land on Gonggar Airport then drive for an hour to Lhasa. Acclimatize in hotel. O/N at hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing at Lhasa
Today after breakfast we visit the Jokhang Temple which houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift by the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Then we pay visit to Barkhor Market which surrounds the Jokhang Temple. After lunch we visit the most popular Potala Palace which once served as the residence of Dalai Lama. This 13 story 1000 room citadel served as the headquarters of the former “church-state” of the Tibet. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Lhasa Excursion:
On the third day of Tibet Tour with Ganden Samye Trekking, we carry out Lhasa Excursion program. So in morning we drive for Drepung Monastery situated 8 km west of Lhasa which is largest Monastery in the Tibet that occupies over 10,000 of Monks. Then we drive for Sera Monastery which is situated 5 km north to Lhasa. Sera is one of Lhasa’s prettiest monastery. The monastery is located on the Wangbur Mountain and encompasses an area of 28 acres of land, housing several institutions in its precincts. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Lhasa-Ganden-Tsubshi-Yama-do (trekking 2 to 3 hours, 7km)
In the morning we drive for Ganden Monastery, after exploring the Ganden Monastery and its surrounding we drive further to Tsubshi village. From Tsubshi village we start our trek to Yama-do for about 2-3 hours. Overnight at Camp.
Day 05: Trek to Tsotup Chu Valley (5-6 hours, 10 km)
After breakfast we leave the valley floor and ascend our way rising from the stream bank. We climb the Shug La and descend through treacherous boulder fields. Later, we cross Tsotup Chu, a large stream winding through the valley floor. We encounter nomad herders with their herd of yaks, goat and sheep. Overnight at Camp.
Day 06: Trek to Herder’s Camp (5 to 6 hours, 14 km)
We trek towards the Herder’s Camp covering the distance of 15 km for about 5 to 6 hours following the Tsotup Chu down through its tributary and heading towards the Chitu La Pass. After ascending this rocky pass, we then descend down and search a beautiful place for camp. Overnight at Camp.
Day 07: Trek to Yamalung (6 hours, 39 km)
During the 39km journey, we trek about 15km, while the rest 24km we enjoy the ride on tour vehicle. The trail gets wider and easier as we follow through scrub forests in the main valley. Beautiful streams and lush forests surround us as we walk. After passing through this wondrous landscape, we trek through 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. Overnight at Yamalung.
Day 08: Explore the Samye Monastery and yarlung River Valley
On the eight day of Tibet Tour with Ganden Samye Trekking, we explore the Samye Monastery which is the first monastery built in Tibet and contains the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. With these unique features, this splendid temple has become an attraction for visitors from near and far. Then we also observe the beautiful Yarlung River valley. Overnight at Samye.
Day 09: Tsedang to Gyantse (3950m) 320 km 5-6 hrs
After breakfast we drive to Gyantse (3950m) covering the distance of 320 km for about 5 to 6 hrs. Gyantse was historically considered the third largest and most prominent town in the Tibet region after Lhasa and Shigatse. Overnight at Gyantse.
Day 10: Gyantse to Shigatse (3900m)
After breakfast we head for Shigatse (3,900m) which is 95 km from Gyantse and might take about 2 to 3 hours. We encounter the beautiful Shalu Monastery on the way to Shigatse. The monastery is very popular for its murals and paintings that you can find inside the chapels and assembly hall and this is the only monastery that consist both Tibetan and Han arts inside the monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Shigatse to Shegar
Enjoying the spectacular landscape of Tibet we continue our drive for the Shegar which is 244 km from Shigatse. We encounter the beautiful Shakya Monastery Monastery which is famed as the “Second Dunhuang” due to its colossal collection of numerous Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, murals and thangkas. Monastery also treasures some historical relics, such as seals, Buddhist figures, porcelain wares and embroidery from the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Then we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamsto La (5,220m) and descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders. Overnight at Shegar.
Day 12: Shegar to Rongbuk
Today on the twelfth day of Tibet Tour with Ganden Samye Trekking, we drive to Robgbuk Monastery passing over Pang La (5,120m) with the majestic views of mountains like Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Choyu including the tallest peak of the world Mt. Everest. We then arrive at Rongbuk Valley where the famous Rongbuk Monastery is situated. This is the highest monastery in the world. Overnight at Rongbuk.
Day 13: Rongbuk to Tringri via Everest Base Camp (5,200m)
This morning we make the short 8km drive to Everest Base Camp (5200m) where we are 15km from this magnificent mountain(Mt Everest; 8848m high; known as Chomolangma to the Tibetans, and translated to Qomolangma by the Chinese. In Nepal, it is Sagarmatha.) We enjoy the breathtaking view of the world tallest mountain Everest and its surroundings. Then we drive for the Tringri. Overnight at hotel in Tringri.
Day 14: Tringri to Kerung (2,700m)
Today we ride a comparatively long but an exotic drive from Tringri to Kerung enjoying the dramatic landscapes and the scenic beauty. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Kerung to Kathmandu (1,300m)
Your Tibet Tour with Ganden Samye Trekking terminates today so after breakfast drive towards Kathmandu. The distance from Kathmandu to Rasuwa Bridge of Gyirong (Kerung) Port, the China-Nepal border, is about 160 km and will take about 6 hours. We enjoy the striking drive viewing the landscapes of both Tibet and Nepal till reaching the Kathmandu.
Cost Includes:
- Transportation bus /jeep as per group size.
- Tibet travel permit.
- English speaking Tibetan guide.
- Accommodation on twin sharing room basis.
- Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per our itinerary.
- Daily breakfast.
- Hotel-airport-hotel transfer.
Cost Excludes:
- Client and travel insurance.
- Lunch and dinner.
- Personal expenses such as a drink, tips& etc.
- Nepal re- entry visa fee (If coming to Nepal)
Trip Note
During the trip; weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factor, that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered. We will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!
