Ganden to Samye Trek

Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa

Elevation: 3,650 m

Upon arrival at Lhasa Airport or Train Station, our Tibetan guide will warmly welcome you with a traditional white Hada. You will then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa.

After check-in, take time to rest and acclimatize to the high altitude. Tibet’s low-oxygen environment can be challenging, so avoid any strenuous activity on your first day. Many travelers prefer a short nap to help adjust.

In the evening, our guide will meet you at the hotel to brief you on the itinerary and provide helpful tips for the days ahead.

Overnight stay: Lhasa

Day 2 Lhasa Guided Tour – Jokhang Temple & Sera Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel. You will start by visiting the Jokhang Temple, the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism. Since your hotel is in the Tibetan quarter of Lhasa, you can walk to the temple, enjoying the local streets along the way. After exploring the temple, take some time to wander around Old Lhasa and soak in the city’s traditional charm.

Next, visit the Sera Monastery, one of Tibet’s best-preserved monasteries. Here, you can sit in the courtyard and watch the monks engage in lively debates on Buddhist philosophy—a unique and photogenic experience. You may also have some free time to explore the monastery at your own pace and enjoy the serene atmosphere.

Overnight stay: Lhasa

Day 3 Lhasa Guided Tour – Potala Palace & Drepung Monastery

After breakfast, visit the magnificent Potala Palace, one of Tibet’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and later expanded by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century, the palace served as the residence of the Dalai Lama and the seat of the Tibetan government.
Walking up the long steps can be a challenge, but reaching the top is worth every step, as you explore the spiritual halls and sacred rooms of this architectural masterpiece. You will descend from the back of the palace after the visit.

Next, visit Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world, housing over 10,000 monks. Explore the winding lanes and monks’ living quarters, and experience the vibrant spiritual life of this historic site.

Overnight stay: Lhasa

Day 4 Drive to Ganden Monastery & Trubshi Village

Altitude: 3,900 m

After breakfast, drive from Lhasa to the Ganden Monastery, perched on a mountain overlooking a stunning amphitheater-like valley. The drive takes you along a scenic zigzag road to the monastery, which is the principal monastery of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded by Je Tsongkhapa in 1409, the monastery is famous for its main assembly hall, the golden throne of Tsongkhapa, and the Golden Tomb Stupa.

Explore the Kora Path, a small hiking trail around the monastery hill. This gentle hike takes about an hour and offers views of the Lhasa Kyichu River valley flowing toward the city. Along the trail, you can also see a sky burial site on the northwest side of the hill.

After the hike, drive down to Trubshi Village, where you will camp for the night, experiencing the peaceful Tibetan countryside.

Overnight stay: Trubshi Village

Day 5 Trek from Trubshi to Hepu & Yama Do

Distance: 5.1 km | Duration: 4 hours | Ascent: 537 m | Altitude: 3,952 m → 4,490 m

After loading your gear onto yaks, begin the trek from Trubshi toward Hepu Village. A 45-minute walk brings you to the path leading to Hepu, a small town with about 30 houses. At the town’s edge, you will see a red and yellow shrine dedicated to Hepu’s Yul Lha, the local protective deity known as the Divine White Yak.

From Hepu, the trail gradually climbs toward Shuga Pass, following the Tashi-Chu river. The path is surrounded by colorful wildflowers, offering beautiful photo opportunities. About an hour from Hepu, you’ll pass Ani Pagong, a small nunnery above the trail.

Continue through marshy meadows and steadily climb for about an hour until reaching Yama Do, your campsite for the night. Enjoy the serene alpine scenery and prepare for the next day of trekking.

Overnight stay: Yama Do Campsite

Day 6 Trek from Yama Do to Tsotup Chu via Shuga La Pass

Distance: 10 km | Duration: 5–7 hours | Ascent: 1,000 m | Descent: 450 m | Altitude: 4,490 m → 5,250 m → 4,980 m

Today is the most challenging day of the trek as you cross the highest point at Shuga La Pass. The trail climbs steeply through a valley, mostly on the left side. After about 2 hours, you will reach the Shuga Pass basin, marked by prayer flags and yak skulls on nearby rocks. From the top, enjoy stunning views of the downstream valley.

The descent is sharp and rocky, following the Chitul Gang river. Along the way, you may encounter local nomads living in black tents, often guarded by dogs. Crossing the river may require wading through knee-deep, freezing water, so hiking sandals are recommended for this section.

After crossing the river, it’s a short walk of about 30 minutes to reach the Tsotup Chu campsite, where you will rest for the night.

Overnight stay: Tsotup Chu Campsite

Day 7 Trek from Tsotup Chu to Herder’s Camp via Chitul La

Distance: 14 km | Duration: 5 hours | Ascent: 300 m | Descent: 400 m | Altitude: 4,980 m → 5,210 m

Start your day trekking toward Palang Tsodue Lake, a scenic highlight of the route. It’s a 30-minute steep walk up a small hill to reach the lake viewpoint. After enjoying the lake, continue through a gentle valley trek leading to Chitul La, the highest point of the day.

From the basin, follow the right side of the valley and take the trail climbing toward the pass. Along the way, you will see three small lakes and pass cairns at 5,077 m, then arrive at a herder’s campsite. Continue for about an hour through scrub willow and rosebush forests to another small herder camp.

A short 15-minute walk beyond this brings you to a larger campsite, where numerous herder tents are pitched near the stream joining the main valley. After crossing the stream at 4,497 m, you will settle in for overnight camping surrounded by beautiful alpine scenery.

Overnight stay: Herder’s Campsite

Day 8 Trek from Herder’s Camp to Yamalung Hermitage & Drive to Samye Monastery

Distance: 39 km | Duration: 10 hours | Descent: 1,200 m | Altitude: 4,460 m → 3,630 m

Today is a long but relatively easy trek. Start by walking through thick scrub forests for about an hour, then cross the Diwaka Bridge (4,380 m). Take the right side of the valley into the tallest and densest scrub forest, a good spot for a short rest before entering the desert-like terrain. Locals say the area has 15 types of trees, including juniper.

Continue for 1.5 hours to the Gen Do shrine, dedicated to the local protective goddess Droji Yudrukma. Then cross the Changtang desert area and visit Yamalung Hermitage, where Guru Rinpoche meditated and received empowerment from the Buddha of longevity. Explore meditation caves used by Dalai Lamas and other holy figures.

After about 6 hours of trekking, reach Sangbu village. From here, you can see Hepo Hill near Samye Monastery. After the trek, drive to Samye Monastery for your overnight stay.

Overnight stay: Monastery hotel, Samye

Day 9 Samye Monastery & Drive to Tsedang

Distance: 48 km | Altitude: 3,568 m

Start the day with a visit to Samye Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet, built during the 8th century under King Trisong Detsen. The monastery, shaped like a mandala, has over 1,200 years of history and was the only monastery at that time housing the three main Buddha statues.

After exploring Samye, drive to Yungbulagang, considered the first fort in Tibetan history. Learn about its historical significance and enjoy the views of the surrounding valley. Later, continue the drive to Tsedang town for your overnight stay.

Overnight stay: Tsedang

Day 10 Departure from Tibet

After breakfast, your tour guide and driver will escort you to Lhasa Airport for your departure. They will assist you with all the necessary formalities and bid you farewell.

Your Ganden to Samye Trek ends with unforgettable memories of Tibet’s sacred monasteries, breathtaking landscapes, and rich spiritual culture.

End of Tour