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A trek from Ganden to Samye is the most popular trek route in Tibet. During this trek, you will see lakes, beautiful alpine forests and meadows, as well as two centres of Tibetan religious culture. The best time for this trek is from May to Mid of Oct. Summer will be wet but the mountians are at their greenest and wild flowers spangle the alpine meadows. Before you start this trek you need a couple of days at Lhasa to acclimatize.
(B)=breakfast
Day 01 Arrival at Lhasa [3658m]
Upon arrival at Lhasa airport or train station, to be met and transferred to your hotel / hostel in Lhasa. Afternoon have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 02 Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Potola Palace & Jokhang Temple (B)
Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only to visit Jokhang temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is the most scared shrine in Tibet which was built in 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 03 Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Drepung monastery, Sera monastery(B)
Today you will be arranged to visit Drepung, Sera monasteries and Summer Palace - Norbulingka palace. Both Drepung and Sera monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges. Drepung monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala, it was once the world largest monastery in the history with 10,000 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see.
Day 04 Lhasa/ Ganden Monastery [4500m] (60km, 2hrs drive) (B)
Morning drive about 60 km eastwards to Ganden Monastery, which ranks the first among the six largest monasteries of Gelugpa. In addition to its magnificent architecture and religious importance, there is a extremely fabulous view on top of the Ganden Wangpo Hill, and Kichu valley is behind Ganden monastery, it is strongly suggested to hiking around the monastery and take a bird's-eye view of the valley. Today you will spend time at Ganden to acclimatize further, you guide will prepare for the trekking in the afternoon. Overnight at Ganden monastery guesthouse.
Day 05 Ganden/ Hepu/ Yama Do, trekking 5-6 hours, 17km
The first day of trekking begins at the highest point of the Ganden Kora. From here walk along a saddle trail. After leaving this trail with wondrous views traverse the west side of the ridge before passing through an ancient Hepu village. Later in the day pass through Ani Pagong, a narrow bottleneck in the trail and former site of a nunnery. You will end the day with an ascent towards Yama Do, a few nomads families used to dwel their tents in this area for whole summer time, set up camp. o/n camping.
Day 06 Yama Do / Tsotup Chu Valley / Chitul Gang, trekking 5-7hours, 10km
In the morning leave the valley and make our way through a steep gully rising form the stream bank. Finally, we climb over the Shug La [5250m] and begin our climb down through treacherous boulder fields. Later, we cross Tsotup Chu, a large stream winding through the valley floor. Notice that the Tibetan mastiffs of the namad family on the other shore of the river is little aggressive. A comfortable camp will be set up in one of the many herder fields. o/n camping.
Day 07 Chitul Gang/ Herders' Camps, trekking 5 hours, 14km
Today follow the Tsotup Chu down through its tributary and head towards the Chitu La pass [5100m], then trek through the rocks along a beautiful lake just after the pass. After ascending this rocky part quickly descend down through several twisted curves in the valley, and encounters some nomads settelments within the valley, find a beautiful place to camp in one of the fields surrounding the stream. o/n camping.
Day 08 Herders' Camps / Nyango / Samye Monastery[3550m] , 5-6 hours trekking,
The trail gets wider and easier as we go through scrub forests in the main valley where beautiful streams and lush forests surrounded. However, the desert is close by. The next few hours are arguably the most delightful part of the entire 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 arriving at the first permanent village Changtang since Hepu. From Changtang walking another 1.5 hours to arrive Nyango, where you can take a tractor or your landcruiser will pick you up to Samye Monastery. Visit Samye Monastery in the afternoon. Overnight at Samye Monastery guesthouse.
Day 09 Samye Monastery/ Yumbulakang Palace & Trandruk Monastery/ Tsedang[3500m]. (60km, 2hrs drive)
Drive from Samye to Tsedang, the ancient capital of Tibet prior to Lhasa and fertile valley of Yarlung is the cradle of Tibetan civilization, afternoon visit Yumbulakang Palace and Trandruk Monastery near the town. Overnight at Tsedang.
Day 10 Tsedang to the Lhasa airport. (100km, 2hrs drive) (B)
Today drive to Lhasa airport according to your flight estimate time of departure, it is time to say your farewells to your guide and driver.