Trekking11 Days

Ganden - Samye Trek (Group Tour)

Tibet's most popular trek — the legendary 5-day Ganden to Samye trail covering 80km. Starting from Ganden Monastery (founded 1409), the trek crosses three high passes over 5,000m b...

⏱
Duration
11 Days
🏔️
Max Altitude
5,250m
💪
Difficulty
Challenging
👥
Group Size
4-12 People (Min 4, Max 12)
📍
Start Point
Lhasa
🌸
Best Season
June - September

Tour Overview

Tibet's most popular trek — the legendary 5-day Ganden to Samye trail covering 80km. Starting from Ganden Monastery (founded 1409), the trek crosses three high passes over 5,000m before arriving at Samye — Tibet's first Buddhist monastery (8th century). Fully supported with guides, yaks, cook and all camping gear.

Tour Highlights

✓Ganden Monastery — first Yellow Hat monastery in Tibet (1409)
✓5-day trek through pristine Himalayan landscapes
✓Cross three passes above 5,000m including Shugar La (5,250m)
✓Samye Monastery — first Buddhist monastery in Tibet (1,200 years old)
✓Alpine lakes & Tibetan nomadic culture
✓Drakyerpa — 108 meditation caves (7th century)
✓Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera & Drepung Monasteries
✓Fully supported — yaks, cook, all camping gear included

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa. Guide meets at airport/station. Transfer to hotel in Old Town — walking distance to Jokhang and Potala. Rest and acclimatize. No alcohol for first 3 nights.

🏨 House of Shambala Boutique Hotel🏔️ 3,600m
Day 2

Lhasa - Potala Palace & Sera Monastery

Morning: Potala Palace — founded 7th century. Afternoon: Sera Monastery (founded 1419) — watch monk philosophical debates in courtyard.

🏨 House of Shambala Boutique Hotel🏔️ 3,600m
Day 3

Lhasa - Drepung & Jokhang Temple

Morning: Drepung Monastery (founded 1416) — once largest monastery in world. Afternoon: Jokhang Temple (7th century). Circumambulate with local pilgrims at Barkhor.

🏨 House of Shambala Boutique Hotel🏔️ 3,600m
Day 4

Drakyerpa & Pabongka

Morning: Drakyerpa — main meditation center since 7th century with 108 caves. 2-3 hour hiking with authentic village life. Afternoon: Pabongka with panoramic Lhasa Valley views.

🏨 House of Shambala Boutique Hotel🏔️ 3,600m
Day 5

Ganden Monastery & Drupshi Village

1.5 hour drive to Ganden Monastery (founded 1409 — first Yellow Hat monastery). One hour monastery circuit walk. Drive to Drupshi village. First camping night.

🏨 Camping at Drupshi🏔️ 4,300m
Day 6

Trek Day 1 - Drupshi to Yama Do (12km)

Walk through villages along rivers. Easy first trekking day. Reach camp near nomad tents below Shugar La pass. 4-5 hours.

🏨 Camping🏔️ 4,500m
Day 7

Trek Day 2 - Climb Shugar La Pass (15km)

Leave valley floor via steep gully. Climb Shugar La pass (5,250m). Descend through boulder fields. Cross Tsotup Chu stream. Camp in herder field. 5-6 hours.

🏨 Camping🏔️ 4,800m
Day 8

Trek Day 3 - Cross Chitu La Pass (14km)

Follow Tsotup Chu downstream. Ascend Chitu La pass (5,225m). Descend to beautiful camping spot through quiet herder camps. 5 hours.

🏨 Camping🏔️ 4,600m
Day 9

Trek Day 4 - Changtang to Samye (15km)

Trail through scrub forests with 15+ tree species and rhododendrons. Changtang village. Optional hike to Yamalung Hermitage. Drive to Samye Monastery.

🏨 Samye Monastery Hotel🏔️ 3,500m
Day 10

Samye Monastery & Chimpu Caves

Morning: Drive to Chimpu caves — hike to Guru Rinpoche's meditation cave. Afternoon: Visit Samye Monastery (founded 8th century) — first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Optional hike over Hepo Ri.

🏨 Samye Monastery Hotel🏔️ 3,500m
Day 11

Drive to Lhasa Airport

Transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (1.5 hours). Fly to next destination. Tour ends.

🏨 Departure🏔️ 3,650m

Price Includes / Excludes

✅ Price Includes

✓Hotel accommodation in Lhasa & Samye
✓Camping during trek
✓Daily breakfast in hotels
✓All meals during trek (breakfast/lunch/dinner)
✓Private tourist vehicle
✓Local Tibetan English-speaking guide
✓All Tibet permits & documents
✓Entrance fees to listed sights
✓Camping & kitchen tents
✓Yaks & yak handlers for luggage
✓Experienced trek cook
✓Oxygen cans throughout trip

❌ Price Excludes

✗International airfare
✗Natural disaster expenses
✗Tips to guide & support team
✗China & Nepal visa fees
✗Medical & emergency rescue costs
✗Personal expenses
✗Travel & health insurance
✗Sleeping bags & personal gear
✗Lunch & dinner in city
✗Photography fees in monasteries
Starting From
$1,800 USD / person
Per person (twin sharing)
Duration11 Days
DifficultyChallenging
Max Altitude5,250m
Group Size4-12 People (Min 4, Max 12)
Best SeasonJune - September

Need Help Planning?

Our Tibet experts are available 24/7 to help customize your perfect journey.

📞 +86 152 0800 3335✉️ keela8888@gmail.com

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