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GANDEN TO SAMYE TREKKING (SKTBT – 115)

13 Days Tour of Central & South Tibet + 5 Days Trek
EX - Kathmandu/Chengdu/Beijing
Best Season: April - October

This is an evergreen favourite among Tibetan trekkers, largely because it links two of the most important monasteries in Tibet, both of which have enormous cultural and religious significance.

Ganden Monastery, 45km east of Lhasa, was built on a ridge called Gokpo Ri, the site being chosen by Tsongkhapa during a special period of meditation. The foremost monastery of the Gelukpa sect, Ganden was begun in 1409 and denotes the Paradise of Tushita and the abode of Jampa, the future Buddha. Today it offers a pilgrimage route around the perimeter which is widely regarded as the most spectacular of Tibet's monastery circuits.

Although Ganden was the most devastated of the so-called 'Great Six' monasteries after the Revolution, heroic rebuilding efforts have been made during the last twenty years.

Our trek connects Ganden with the other most important monastery in central Tibet - Samye. We follow a route crossing the Yatro Dak range of mountains, which divides the Tsangpo basin from the Lhasa valley and which takes you through areas of superbly unspoiled countryside.

Samye, founded in the eighth century, is Tibet's first monastery and its establishment coincides with the formal inauguration of Buddhism as the Tibetan state religion.

The Samye site has a unique mandala-shaped design, with many temples and chorten (stupas) surrounding the large central Cathedral of Utse. The pattern formed by the buildings is a replica of the Buddhist cosmological order and Samye has played a pivotal role in the overall development of Buddhism in Tibet.

Although the Chinese Communist party declared Samye a protected cultural site in the early 1960s, this did not deter the Red Guards from wreaking havoc at the monastery and causing a great deal of pillaging and destruction. However, Samye still suffered less damage than some of the other Tibetan religious centres
TREK ITINERARY
Day 1: KTM-LHASA
Arrive in Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Meet and transfer to Hotel.
DAY 2/3: LHASA
We will have two full days in Lhasa to make excursions to the following places:

The Jokhang - The Jokhang is the principal and holiest Buddhist temple in Lhasa, as well as all of Tibet. It is the focus of devotion of hundreds of Tibetans from near and far who circle it to gain spiritual merit. The Jokhang was first constructed in the 7th century and has a large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha or Jowo Rinpoche.

Norbulingka - The Norbulingka, a richly decorated complex located in a beautiful garden setting, is the traditional summer palace of the Dalai Lamas.

Drepung and Nechung Monastery - Drepung is the biggest monastic university of Tibet housing 7-8000 monks prior to the Cultural Revolution. Adjoining to Drepung Monastery is the Nechung Monastery, residence of Tibet’s state oracle.

Potala Palace - Potala is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama and is believed to contain 1,000 rooms. Potala was rated as one of the wonders of the world in the early 14th century.

We will also visit the Barkor bazaar in Lhasa, a colorful congregating place for Tibetan merchnts

DAY 4: GANDEN-HEPU - (5.5 HRS)
Early morning drive to Ganden, one of the 3 monastic universities of Tibet. Our trek begins from Ganden. 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 2 hrs. 1 hr from Hepu reach Ani Pangong, a small nunnery. The trail climbs steadily for 1 hour through marshy meadows to Yama Do.

DAY 5: YAMA DO- TSOTUP CHU VALLEY (4-5 HRS)
In 2 hrs we pass Yama Do to ascend Shug-la pass (5250 m). It takes atleast 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. Nomad herders with their herd of yaks, goat and sheep can be found here.
DAY 6: TSOTUP CHU-HERDERS’S CAMP (5 HRS)
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 7: HERDER’S CAMP-YAMALUNG (5-6 HRS)
The trail is now wide and easy to follow 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 we reach the first permanent village of Chantan (4020 m) after leaving Hebu.. In 30-40 mins we arrive at the turn off at Yamalung Valley. Yamalung Hermitage is another 1 hour steep climb from the valley floor.
DAY 8: YAMALUNG-SAMYE (4 HRS)
From Yamalung Valley it 3.5 - 4 hrs to Samye. We go past 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. En route there are several nice meadows for camping.
Day 09:
Visit Samye Monastery, the first monastic institute built by King Trisong Detsen under the spiritual guidance of Padma Sambawa in early 8th century, and Yumbulakhang, the first castle built for Tibet’s first recorded king Nyatri Tsenpo. 0/N Hotel.
Day 10: TSEDANG-GYANGTSE (3990 M), 350 KMS
Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across Kampa Ia pass 5050 m and Karo Ia (5045 m)passes. Visit Kubum stupa and Pelkor Chode Monastery.
Day 11: GYANGTSE-SHALU-SHIGATSE (3860 M), 90 KMS
Drive to Shigatse. En route visit Shalu Monastery.Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama who is the 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierachy and Shigatse Market.
Day 12: LHASA (3650 M)
Drive Shigatse to Lhasa. Check into Hotel.
Day 13: LHASA - KATHMANDU
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight to KTM/Chengdu/Beijing
   
Cost Includes:
Cost Excludes:
  1. Tibet permit & monument entrance fees
  2. Twin sharing accommodation in hotels on BB Plan and AP Plan on trek
  3. Full service of our Sherpa staff from Nepal
  4. Camping equipment
  5. Yaks & yak herders
  6. Transportation by Toyota jeep + support truck for food & equipment
  7. Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) & oxygen
  1. Airfare & airport taxes
  2. Tibet visa fee
  3. Insurance & emergency rescue charges
  4. Personal clothing & accessories including sleeping bags
  5. Extra porter/transport charges in the event of landslides
  6. Others not specified in above cost inclusions list
 
 
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