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9 nights/10 Trekking Itineraries in Tibet

Ganden - Samye Trekking

Day 01  Arrival Lhasa and acclimatization
  Welcome to Tibet at Gonggar Airport! Lhasa, the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, has a history of more than 1,300 years. It is the political, economic, cultural and transport center of the region. Lhasa covers an area of close to 30,000 square km. It has a downtown of 544 square km and a population of 400,000; 140,000 of its people live in the downtown area. Lhasa is home to the Tibetan, Han, and Hui peoples, as well as many other ethnic groups, but the Tibetan ethnic group makes up 87 percent of the total population.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Here, air is extremely pure and the sky is deep blue. This day would be kept for your acclimatization. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and have a good sleep for next day’s program.

Day 02  Lhasa sightseeing [B]
Visit Potala Palace and Jokang Monastery today, then walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Day 03  Lhasa sightseeing [B]
Visit Drepung Monastery for the whole morning, later after lunch, visit Sera monastery.  We can do the Sera Kora walk of about 1 hr and then catch the famous debate session (if the debate session is in process) of the monks before returning back to Lhasa. 

Day 04 Drive to Ganden and trek to Yama Do (5.5 HRS) Overnight in Tented Camps [B+L+D]
In the morning, visit the Gandan Monastery and from there start your trek. The trail gradually ascends for 1.5 hrs before reaching a saddle marked by a cairn with views of Kyichu valley to Lhasa. Traversing the west side of the ridge from the saddle, the trail reaches a spur surmounted by a cairn, a spring and then the village of Hepu in about 2 hrs. Another one hour trek from Hepu will take you to Ani Pangong, a small nunnery. The trail climbs steadily for another 1 hour through marshy meadows to Yama Do.  

Day 05 YAMA DO—TSOTUP CHU VALLEY (4—5 HRS) Overnight in Tented Camps [B+L+D]
From Yama Do, a 2 hours ascend will take you to Shug—la pass (5250 m). It takes at least 1.5 hrs from the basin negotiating boulders and lumpy ground along the final steep climb to the pass. The route continues over the Shug—la pass following the cairned trail descending gradually and reaching the valley in 1.5 hrs from the pass. Cross the Tsotup Chu Valley where several nomad herders with their herd of yaks, goat and sheep can be found.  

Day 06 TSOTUP CHU—HERDERS'S CAMP (5 HRS) Overnight in Tented Camps [B+L+D]
From the Tsotup Chu valley, follow a small tributary entering from the south—west. The route follows steeply upwards for 30 mins until you reach a large basin. The terrain is not particularly difficult to reach Chitu—la pass (5100 m) which is marked by several cairns. A short steep descent will bring you into a basin with three small lakes. The trail at many points is not clearly marked and goes past several seasonal camping sites before it reaches the valley floor.  

Day 07 HERDER'S CAMP—YAMALUNG (5—6 HRS) Overnight in Tented Camps [B+L+D]
The trail is now wide and easy and goes through forest of shrubs and rhododendrons for 3 hrs. The trail winds through a series of meadows before reaching Gen Do, a place with a ruined stone structure. The forest thins rapidly and you’ll reach the first permanent village of Chantan (4020 m) after leaving Hebu. In approx. 40 minutes, you’ll arrive at the turn off at Yamalung Valley. Yamalung Hermitage is another 1 hour steep climb from the valley. 

Day 08 YAMLUNG—SAMYE—Tsedang (4 HRS) [B]
From Yamalung Valley it takes 3.5 — 4 hrs to Samye Monastery. You’ll pass through the villages of Nyango, Wango and Pisha. From Pisha the entire lower valley of Samye and the golden spires of Samye Monastery can be seen. Then drive 40 km to Tsedang.  

Day 09 Tsedang Sightseeing [B]
In the morning, visit Yarlung valley to see Yumbulakhang, a medieval-European castle-like structure, reputed as Tibet’s oldest building. It doesn’t take that long to explore Yumblagang, perhaps the best part of the visit is the walk up along the ridge about the building. There are fabulous views of the Yarlung valley. Later visit Trandruk Monastery and Mindroling Monastery near by. 

Day 10 Tsedang/Gonggar Airport ( Leave Tibet)  [B]
In time, transfer to the airport/train station for your onward journey to the next destination / back home. Thank you very much for choosing Oriental Vacations and Journeys for your Tibet Tour !

Tour Packages
Lhasa Tour | Overland Tibet Tour | Fly in / Fly Out  with Tsedang | Everest Base Camp) Fly in / Fly Out | Itineraries in Shalu Nartang Trekking | Trekking Itineraries in Tibet | Trekking From Damxung to Nam Tso Lake |  Trekking From Yanpacheng to Monastery | Old Tingri to Everest Base Camp | out tour with Tsedang and Xegar | Kangshung Face Of Mt. Everest