Ganden Samye Trek photo

Overview

The Ganden Sayme trek is a popular route for Tibetan pilgrims, at M.T.E. we do our best to make sure you share in what is a unique and authentic cultural experience.Spend your evenings under canvas in local villages on the way and on some ocassions you will have the opportunity to stay at local people’s homes. If you really want to get a close up experience of the Tibetan way of life this trek is for you. The trek takes you across two mountain passes and to the shores of some beautiful alpine lakes.The route has long been a holy trail that pilgrims have used for centuries and it is highly likely that you will be sharing the trail with them along the way. The destination is Samye Monastery a truly holy place that groans with the beating hearts of the monks departed and sings the praises of those still here. We then drive to Tesdang and visit the first palace of Tibet, Yumbulakang and Trundruk monastery.

Two to three days are spent adapting to the high altitude and in preparation for the trek to come. You do not need previous trekking experience though a relatively high level of fitness is required. Acommodation is in tents and or with local Tibetan families, water is limited so it will not always be possible to take a shower.The best time to make this trek is May and Sep

A. Itinerary in Detail (12 Days)

Day 01 : Fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu.

Day 02 : Lhasa Sightseeing
The afternoon will be spent exploring the Jokhang temple and Norbu Lingka.

Norbu Lingka : Situated in the western suburbs of Lhasa, Norbu Lingka was built in the middle of the 18th century during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama and served as the Summer Palace of Dalai Lama where they handle political affairs, practiced religious activities and spent holidays. Traditionally the Dalai Lamas would leave the Potala Palace every spring and spend the summer in Norbu Lingka.

Jokhang Monastery : Built some 1300 years ago, Jokhang is probably Tibet’s first religious institution. This temple is considered as one of the holiest shrines in Tibet. Pilgrims come from all over the world to pay homage to this temple. Located in the heart of Lhasa’s colorful Tibetan quarter, Jokhang is the spiritual center of Tibet and also the heart of Lhasa.There is a golden statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni in the temple, which was brought here by the first wife of Songtsen Gampo.

Day 03 : Lhasa Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery.

The Potala Palace : The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the17th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. It is built on the red mountain in the center of the Lhasa valley at an altitude of 3700 m. The Potala Palace is the world-renowned symbol of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Drepung Monastery : The Drepung Monastery is the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, it was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa under the patronage of a noble family and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Drepung, which means rice heap in Tibetan lies 8 kilometers west of Mt. Gambo Utse. The monastery covers a floor space of more than 200 thousand square meters. At its peak it had a registration of more than 10,000 thousand monks. Many high and learned lamas have studied here.

Day 04 : Lhasa Sightseeing
Today is a day to relax and fully acclimatise and see more of Lhasa either do some more sightseeing around the many monasteries or simply enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants in Lhasa.

Day 05 : Drive to Ganden (4500m)
After breakfast drive to Ganden.There are many attractions in this ancient town however the highlight for most is the first Gelugpa Monastery.Although this monastery has fallen into disrepair over the years, there is still much to see.

Day 06 : Trek to Yama Do
The trekking begins at the highest point on the Ganden Kora on route we pass 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 end the day at Yama Do.

Day 07 : Trek to Tsotup Chu Valley
Trek from Yama do an early start, today is full of good views and wild places we camp at Tsotup Chu Valley.

Day 08 : Trek to Herder’s Camp
Today we follow the Tsotup Chu down to its tributary and then head towards the Chitu La pass before descending to a beautiful herder’s camp in a field by the banks of a clear stream.

Day 09 : Trek to Wango
The trek to Wango is particularly stunning with many scrub trees and  blooming rhododendrons and vast meadows. After passing through Changtang village and on to Yamalung Hermitage an ancient and holy Buddhist meditation site. Later in the day we join the Samye valley along a babbling tributary stream.

Day 10 : Trek to Samye, Drive to Tsetang
Today there are some fabulous views from Pisha the entire Samye valley can be seen from here. After reaching the summit of Dragmar we have time to explore the numerous temples nearby. Visit Samye monastery which represents the Buddhist universe. At the end of the day we drive to the Tibet’s third largest city, Tsethang.

Day 11 : Explore the Yarlung Valley
After breakfast trek to Yarlung Valley, the area is widely believed to be the cradle of all of Tibetan civilization. The valley of the tombs is located here and is deemed to be the origin of the Tibetan people.Visit Yumbulakhan an amazing architectural site perched on a cliff. It is one of the oldest buildings in Tibet.

Day 12 : Lhasa to Kathmandu Flight
Drive to Lhasa Airport  fly to Kathmandu

Cost: Please contact us for a quote

(The cost varies with the number of trekkers in the group. Please contact us with the number of trekkers for the exact quote)

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