Trip Duration
13 Days
Trip Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
2-16 people
Nature of Trip
Trekking
Max. Altitude
5,100m. /16,732 ft.
Accommodation
Camp, Hotel
Transportation
Flight, Bus
Activity per day
Trekking & Sightseeing
Start/End
KathmanduTrip Overview
The Ganden to Samye Trek is an easy trekking journey that incorporates Kathmandu, Lhasa, and Ganden. You will have plenty of time to explore all three of these sites individually. The journey begins from the ancient and historic city of Kathmandu, flies us out to the enticing city of Lhasa, and walks us from Ganden to Samye. This combination makes for an amazing trip, experiencing Nepal and Tibet in one go.
Along the route, you will cross many mountain passes, but the most notable one would be the Chitu La Pass, reaching 5100 meters above sea level. You will also cross the Shuga-la Pass, witnessing a panoramic scene of the entire region from the top. Both of these passes are within the Yarlung Valley, which is the birthplace of the first king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsenpo. This valley also has the first ever palace made in Tibet, the Yumbu Lakhang, which is reported to have been built in the 2nd century.
This region is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism. The first ever monastery of Tibet was built here, the Samye Monastery. This gompa dates back to the 8th century and was built under the commission of Trisong Detsen. Important names in the Tibetan Buddhism history like Shantarakshita and Padmasambhava, are closely linked to this monastery. The first royal tomb was also built there.
The region from Yarlung to Nyingchi, which this tour incorporates, is dominated by Tibetans with a small percentage of Hui, Lhoba, Monba, and Han communities, mostly in the rural villages. Along the journey, you will get to experience the local culture of the Tibetans and also the religious practices. The natural diversity throughout the tour will surely keep things interesting for you, while the high-altitude sites will give you a taste of the Himalayas.
To learn more about this trek, keep on reading this detailed trek package breakdown. This will help you understand what you can expect from this trek.
Highlights of Ganden to Samye Trek
- Visit one of the Great Three Monasteries of Tibet, the Ganden Monastery, built by Je Tsongkhapa.
- Experience the Ganden-Samye Trail crossing high passes, sacred valleys, and amazing woodlands.
- Reach the 5100-meter-high summit of Chitu La Pass with a grand view of three glacial lakes and many peaks in the east.
- Visit the Samye Monastery, the first of its kind in Tibet.
- Visit the birthplace of Tibetan Civilization, Tsedang, along with Yumbu Lhakhang, Tradruk Monastery, and the Royal Tombs.
Itinerary of Ganden to Samye Trek
Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel
The first day of our Ganden to Samye Trek begins with your arrival in Kathmandu. After your flight lands at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be guided to the immigration section. This is where you have to fill out your visa application form, pay your visa fees, and wait for your tourist visa. After that, you will find one of our reps waiting for you at the terminal. He will drive you out to your hotel for the night.
To get your visa approved, your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of six more months, and you need to submit your visa payment receipt, proof of stay, two passport-sized photos, and return tickets to the visa officer. You will have your visa within an hour of landing at Kathmandu.
Activity: 45 mins drive
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 02: Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu valley
Our 2nd day on the Ganden to Samye Trek begins with a lovely breakfast, followed by a short briefing session. This meeting will go over all the things you need to know about this trek and also introduce you to the porters, guides, and drivers. After we are done with the pre-trip meeting, we will go around the valley of Kathmandu, exploring its different attractions.
Our itinerary for the day includes religious sites like Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Swayambhunath Stupa, along with historic sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and more. There are tons of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, which are worth at least a visit. This is one of the best ways to start your journey in Nepal.
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 03: Fly to Lhasa
The 3rd day of the Ganden to Samye Trek flies us out to Lhasa. This flight takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering over 600 km of distance. After we land at Lhasa, the first thing we are going to do is check in at the accommodation for the night. You will have plenty of daylight hours to stroll around the neighbourhood and taste various local delicacies. Make sure to get proper rest, as we will be out and about all day long tomorrow.
Activity: 1 hr 20 mins
Max. Altitude: 3656m./11,995ft. (Lhasa)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 04: Lhasa City sightseeing
Today is an exciting day on the Ganden to Samye Trek as we will visit many sites within Lhasa city. We will start the tour at around 8 in the morning, visiting the Potala Palace. This historic 13-floor complex is home to the Red Palace, the White Palace, and a ton of ancient statues and artifacts. From there, we will head towards the Jokhang Temple, a 7th-century religious center encircled by the Barkhor Street, our next destination.
The Barkhor Street is full of traditional souvenirs and religious items like prayer flags, beads, and so on. We will follow it up with a visit to Norbulingka, also known as the Summer Palace. At the end of the day, we will drive back to the Potala Palace Square to watch the musical fountain show
Max. Altitude: 3656m./11,995ft. (Lhasa)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 05: Lhasa City sightseeing
Today is yet another sightseeing day around Lhasa. We will start the tour around 9 in the morning, with a visit to Drepung Monastery, housing over 7000 monks. This gompa is closely related to the Dalai Lama and the Gelugpa lineage. From there, we will take a short 15-minute drive to Sera Monastery. This site dates back to 1419 AD, where a dedicated debate courtyard was made for monks to debate philosophical ideologies.
Our next site is the Nechung Oracle’s Temple, where you will witness the Oracle’s chamber and enticing rituals. Later in the evening, we will visit the Tibet Museum, where you will get to see many historical artifacts, musical instruments, Thangka paintings, traditional costumes, and more.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 06: Drive from Lhasa to Ganden Monastery and explore the monastery with a few other sites nearby
Leaving Lhasa at around 8 AM, our 6th day of the Ganden to Samye Trek features a 64.5-km drive to Ganden Monastery, driving over the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. We will reach Ganden after 1 hour and 45 minutes of driving, reaching 4300 meters above sea level. First, we will leave our heavy bags at the monastery guesthouse and take in the dramatic scene of the monastery and its surroundings.
Adventure Tansen’s guide will have you visit the assembly hall, aka Tsokchen, the Ngam Cho Khang chapel, Serdung, and Tri Thok Khang hall. We will also go around the Lower Kora and the High Kora, which will take about 1.5 hours to complete.
Activity: 1 hr 45 mins drive
Max. Altitude: 4300m./14,108ft. (Ganden)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 07: Trek from Ganden to Hepu and then trek to Yama Do
Day 7 of the Ganden to Samye Trek is the first trekking day. Our trek distance of the day is 6 km with an estimated trek duration of 3 to 4 hours. We will start the trek following the standard Ganden Kora Trail. The trail initially descends from the monastery with a great view of the Kyichu Valley. In about 2 hours, we will reach Hepu Village, reaching 4240 meters above sea level. This ancient village has just over 30 hours, serving as a great place to rest.
Leaving the village, we will pass by Ani Pagong, enjoying the views of rivers and hills. From there, we will go on an hour-long ascent to get to Yama Do. This climb gains us 500 meters of elevation. As we gain elevation, the trail features more mani walls and prayer flags. The trek guide and the porters will set up the camp for you and also cook you dinner at night.
Activity: 3 to 4 hours trek
Max. Altitude: 4240m./13,911ft. (Hepu Village)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 08: Trek from Yama Do to Tsotup Chu Valley and then trek to Chitul Gang
Today’s trek distance is 14 km, with an estimated duration of 5 to 6 hours. Leaving Yama Do, we will follow the Tsotup Chu tributary and start the 8th day of the Ganden to Samye Trek. Heading northeast, we will pass by many a couple of steep sections and huge boulders. The wide view on the way up is going to keep you company for the most part. As we approach Chitul Gang, the trail turns plain, and we even have to descend a little before we arrive at our destination.
Activity: 5 - 6 hours trek
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 09: Trek from Chitul Gang to Herders' Camps
Today’s 5-hour-long trek starts with a breakfast at Chitul Gang. We will cover over 14 km throughout the day and go over 300 meters of ascent and 400 meters of descent. Starting the trek, we will head southeast, over the Tsotup Chu Valley floor. After about 30 minutes of trekking, we will reach the base of Chitu La Pass. Climbing to the summit of this pass is not technical at all, but you will have to take frequent breaks in between to rest.
Reaching 5100 meters above sea level, this pass is the highest point of the Ganden to Samye Trek. After enjoying the amazing view of the lakes and valley from the top, we will start the steep descent of 400 meters. Following the drop, we will have our lunch at one of the eateries on the way and continue the trek. We will arrive at the Herders’ Camps at around 1 PM.
Activity: 5 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 5100m./16,732ft.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 10: Trek from Herders' Camps to Samye Monastery, passing by Yarmalung Valley and drive to Tsedang
Day 10 of the Ganden to Samye Trek is the shortest trekking day as it features just 5 km of trek distance, which can be covered in just 2 hours. Our breakfast will be served at 7 a.m., and by 8 a.m., we will get ready to start the trek. Traversing a serene alpine setting, we will cross a ridge and get to Samye. After exploring the Samye Monastery Complex, we will head to a local eatery for lunch.
Following a tasty lunch, we will get on the ride to Tsedang, a 70-km drive through a descending road with views of the Yarlung River. We will arrive at our destination of the day at around 3 PM, reaching 3540 meters of elevation. At Tsedang, we will visit sites like Yumbulagang, ancient tombs, and local markets to make the most of our time.
Activity: 2 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 3540m./11,614ft.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 11: Explore Tsedang
Today is yet another sightseeing day on the Ganden to Samye Trek. The day starts at 8 AM, visiting the famous Yumbu Lhakhang Palace, dating back to the 2nd century BC. From there, we will head towards the Tradruk Monastery, built in 641 AD by Songtsen Gampo. There’s also a great Thangka art made from 29000 pearls. Our next stop is the Royal Tombs, where early Tibetan Kings were buried.
After that, we will visit the Yamdroktso Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. This lake is protected by the local government, and you might get to see some rituals held along its shores. Lastly, we will visit the Samding Monastery and head back to our accommodation for the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12: Drive from Tsedang to the Lhasa airport and fly to Kathmandu
After a satisfying breakfast at Tsedang, we will travel over 95 km to get to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. This drive will take about 2 hours, going alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Going over the China National Highway G318, the scenes along the way are incredible. We will have to get to the airport at least 2.5 hours prior to the flight time because of the security and document checks. The officials are very strict when it comes to security and safety.
The flight to Kathmandu lasts about an hour and 20 minutes. On a clear day, you will get to see many mountains of Nepal, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and more.
Activity: 20 mins flight
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13: Final departure transfer to the airport
Day 13 is the last day of the Ganden to Samye Trek. Following a leisurely breakfast at last night’s accommodation, we will meet up at the office, go over the final procedures, and drop you off at the airport. We are open to feedback and constructive criticism.
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- Airport pick up and drop
- All surface transfer as per itinerary in private vehicle
- Hotel in Kathmandu and Lhasa best available on B/B basis.
- Daily Wages, equipment fees and Insurance for supporting crew.
- All camping equipments (Dining Tent, Kitchen Tent, Mess Tent, Toilet Tent, Table and Chairs.
- Expert professional crew like Cook, Kitchen boy.
- All ground transfers and sightseeing by Private Car in Tibet and Nepal.
- English speaking local guides.
- Sightseeing admission fees.
- Tibet Permit,Tibet Visa.
- All government taxes.
What is not included?
- International air fares.
- Personal equipment for trekking.
- Meals other than indicated.
- Personal expenses.
- Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tipping, laundry, phone etc.
- All Lunches and dinners during stay at Kathmandu.
- Extra expenses due to nature and unforeseen events such as flight delay, cancellation, trip interruption due to inclement
- weather, civil unrest etc.
- Emergency medical transportation.
- Airport tax at Tribhuban International Airport Nepal.
- Travel insurance.
Trip Information
Add-Ons
Upgrade Your Accommodation
Tibet has a plethora of luxury hotels you can choose from. In contrast to our standard 3-star hotel stays, you can upgrade to 4-star and 5-star hotels of your choice, and we will arrange the stay at a price.
How does our trek start?
The Ganden to Samye Trek starts with a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This day tour includes many religious, historic, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The following day, we will take a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa to start the journey. We will not be traveling to any other place that day; instead, we will rest up and wait until the next day to tour around the city of Lhasa.
Difficulty
The trek from Ganden to Samye is not that difficult. There are some ascents, and you have to cross a couple of mountain passes, but they are not that hard to do. With the porters carrying your load and the guide showing you the easy way, you will make it across the ascending trails without much difficulty. On a scale of 10, we have rated it a 4, since it is a relatively short trek and the trails are not challenging.
Best seasons
The best seasons for doing the Ganden to Samye Trek are definitely spring and autumn. During the spring season, you will experience mild temperatures throughout the day with a bit of chilly weather at night. The snow-covered trails begin to melt away in spring, but some icy patches might be left here and there. The sky is bright and clear with blossoming flowers covering the sub-tropical regions. However, it can be a bit muddy because of the melting snow, and you will have to cover many streams.
Our next best option does not feature any muddy trails since the period of autumn is generally dry. The weather remains stable for the most part, with warm daytime temperatures and chilly nights. The visibility is the best during this season, offering the clearest views of the peaks and hills. Many Tibetan festivals are held during this season, which offers you a great chance to witness their celebrations.
Since Tibet barely receives any rainfall throughout the year, you can visit the region at any season. But there are some qualities that make one better than the other. All in all, it depends on your preferences.
Can a beginner join this trip?
Yes, the Ganden to Samye Trek is a perfect trek for beginners since it is very easy. You just have to trek for a total of 4 days, averaging 4 to 5 hours of daily trek duration. This is a very doable trek with minimal physical preparation requirements. The trekking trails are very easy for the most part, with a couple of ascents here and there.
Altitude Sickness
The chances of altitude sickness on this trek are very minimal; however, it is not zero, which is why you must carry the necessary meds, just in case. We will be spending most of our time under 4000 meters of elevation; this altitude does not feature life-threatening altitude sickness, but rather mild headaches and nausea. If you get altitude sickness during this trek, you will be able to alleviate its effects with just a single pill.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
At most of our nightly stops, we will find many guesthouses and hotels that are run by the locals. Some stops even feature monastery guesthouses that are completely free, but not a comfortable stay. For the most part, you will have attached bathrooms, while some of the establishments have shared washrooms. At sites like Yama Do, you will have to spend the night in tents or small lodges. At sites like Lhasa, Ganden, and Samye monasteries, you can choose to spend the night in monastery guesthouses.
Traditional Tibetan cuisines are the best options during the entire Ganden to Samye Trek, as it is a part of experiencing the Tibetan tradition and culture. Dishes like tsampa, yak stew, thenthuk, momo, Tibetan noodles, Laphing, Balep, Khapse, and more are some great options you should try at least once. If you decide that they are not your cup of tea, you can just switch to other options.
Transportation
Every transportation required by the itinerary we have discussed above is a part of the standard Ganden to Samye Trek package. You do not have to pay separately for them. This includes airport pick up and drop off, driving around Kathmandu during the day tour, flight to Lhasa, drive from Lhasa to Ganden, drive from Samye to Tsedang, drive from Tsedang to the Lhasa airport, and flight back to Kathmandu.
Permit
For this journey, you are required to have the Tibet Travel Permit, the Alien Travel Permit (ATP), and a Group Chinese Visa. All of these permit expenses will be covered by your Ganden to Samye Trek package and the tour guide will help you obtain them all.
Cost & Budget
Our Ganden to Samye Trek is priced at USD __________ per head. This package covers the daily wages of the guides and porters, the local taxes, permit fees, transportation costs, daily meals throughout the journey, daily accommodation expenses, and more.
Your Extra expenses
Your extra expenses include international air fare, rental gear, extra meals, laundry bills, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, emergency medical expenses, visa fees upon arrival in Nepal, travel insurance fees, and anything not mentioned as a part of the package.
Things to Remember Before Trekking The Ganden to Samye Trek
- You cannot visit the Tibetan highlands alone; the Chinese government rarely allows visas to solo travellers. You must apply for a visa from a registered travel agency.
- Acclimatization is necessary for this journey as we will reach a maximum elevation of 5100 meters above sea level, which is a considerable altitude.
- While camping, you will have to combat the cold of the highlands, so make sure that your sleeping bag is capable of handling extreme conditions.
- Sunscreen, gloves, trekking poles, lip balm, shades, gaiters, microspikes, and beanies can be really helpful in the cold highlands.
- The entire Tibet is predominantly Buddhist, and they take their faith seriously; do not disturb their prayer or try to take part in it without permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sitting on the right side of the plane is the best option for viewing the peaks of Nepal in the north. The left side seats also offer views of peaks, but you will not see Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and more on your left.
The Ganden to Samye Kora is a sacred circumambulation that connects the Samye Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. You can follow rituals such as going clockwise around religious sites, leaving offerings (fruits, money, incense sticks, etc.), and lighting butter lamps.
Yes, it is possible to do so, and Adventure Tansen’s guide recommends that trekkers do so since it is a very spiritual journey. The Chimphu caves are located just about 5 km northeast of the famous Samye Monastery. These caves are considered to be one of the most sacred meditation sites of Tibet.
Both passes have experienced landslides and rockfalls during the seasons of Spring and the latter parts of the monsoon. However, it is rare to hear such news; you might experience thick snow-covered roads, but an avalanche is not a possibility.
At nighttime, the temperatures can drop well below zero, ranging from -3°C to -10°C, which is extremely cold. However, the daytime temperature is very tolerable, ranging from 11°C to 18°C.
Our trek experts highly recommend packing gaiters and light crampons if you are planning to do this trek in the early spring season. The ascending trails to the summit of the passes can be really slippery and icy at times.
A down jacket that is capable of handling temperatures up to -10°C is the best option for this trek. Even though you will not experience such extreme cold, it is good to keep a backup.
No, it is not safe for anyone to start trekking within the first 48 hours after landing at Lhasa. The city features 3650 meters of elevation, which requires a couple of days of acclimatization to get used to.
Yes, you can take their picture and talk to them, but make sure that they are comfortable with it. There are many nomadic families camping at sites like Chitul Gang, Yama Do, and Tsotup Chu, during the season of spring and summer.
The Samye Monastery is an active gompa that holds daily morning and evening prayers, which visitors can witness and join. However, monastic debates are not that prevalent compared to monasteries like Sera and Ganden.
Ganden Monastery is a great example of Gelug tradition, which translates to Yellow Hat, while the Samye Monastery follows the Nyingma tradition, meaning Red Hat. The daily practices, culture, and ideologies differ quite a bit from one another.
As per the local legend, the Ganden Ridge is protected by Yul Lha, a mountain god. Most locals believe that the ridge is a spiritual zone, not haunted by ghosts but having powerful divine sensations.
Throughout the journey, you will have the option for tourist-friendly food such a pizza, sandwiches, burgers, pancakes, pasta, etc., but we recommend trying the local dishes as much as possible. The local foods are a part of the Ganden to Samye Trek.
Yes, the butter tea is an acquired taste for most outsiders. This special drink is made from Chinese tea leaves, Yak butter, salt, and water. The rich, creamy taste might not be your cup of tea, but it slowly grows on you.
Yes, you can get altitude sickness even after acclimatization, but the chances of it happening are very slim. Since we will not be spending nights at extremely high altitudes, we are generally safe from altitude sickness.
Yes, you will find leeches and other insects in the Tsotup Chu valley during the monsoon, but they are not as heavily infested. This is one of the reasons not to do this trek in the monsoon.
As per the legend, the Samye Monastery was built with the divine power of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava. The layout of the monastery is believed to be a mirror image of the Mandala.
