Sacred Path: A Journey from Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek

Your guide will welcome you when you reach Lhasa, be it by plane or train. Along the way, you can view the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the longest and widest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River.

At Potala Square, you can capture mesmerizing photos of the area, with the fountains of several colors adding an extra charm to the spot. New visitors in Tibet are advised to take it easy and let their body adjust to the high altitude before exploring more of Lhasa City. A good rest in your hotel is surely recommended.
Accommodation: Ganggyen Hotel (4 Star)

This tour will first take you to the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai lama since the 7th century. It houses invaluable collections such as gilded burial stupas and a meditation Cave.

Following lunch, visitors can explore Jokhang Temple which dates back to when it was constructed by the 33rd king of Tibet. Inside is a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at twelve years old and outside pilgrims prostrate before it. Surrounding the temple one finds Barkhor street, where one can take part in kora with others, as well as an old market.
Accommodation: Ganggyen Hotel (4 Star)

In the morning, you'll be headed to Drepung Monastery, one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries located in Tibet, founded back in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Besides visiting the largest kitchen inside the monastery, you'll get to experience Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

A hot attraction at Sera Monastery is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. It is another of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. You can also visit the Tibetan religious scripture printing house, which has three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Paintings of Buddha inside the monastery.
Accommodation: Ganggyen Hotel (4 Star)

Visit the stunning Ganden Monastery, one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa along with Sera and Drepung. Explore its prayer halls and then embark on an adventure around its backside — a short hike will reward you with gorgeous views over the valley bellow. If you're feeling adventurous, take on the longer kora and make your way to the top of a mountain ridge to fly some prayer flags! Guides can even arrange yaks for you upon request. Spend the night at either the Guesthouse or camp nearby.

The first day of trekking starts at the peak of Ganden Kora. Draw your senses in as you follow a trail along the saddle, ending with spectacular sights. After passing through an old Hepu village you will come across Ani Pagong, a narrow pathway that was once home to a nunnery. Following this is an hour's journey past marshy meadows to Yama Do. Here, the river divides into three tributaries and you'll end the day making your way up towards Yama Do, where some nomadic families often spend entire summers in their tents, before setting up camp and overnighting there.

Leaving Yama Do in the morning, we pass through the narrow stream bank and climb the Shug La (5250m) before beginning our descent through treacherous boulder fields. Our next stop is Tsotup Chu, a large stream winding through the valley floor. The Tibetan mastiffs of the Namad family on the other side of the river are a little aggressive. One of the many herder fields will be set up as a comfortable camping area.

Through the Tsotup Chu's tributary, you will cross the Chitu La pass (5100m) before trekking along a beautiful lake through the rocks. After ascending this rocky part quickly descend through several twisted curves in the valley, and encounter some nomad settlements within the valley, find a beautiful place to camp in one of the fields surrounding the stream. Camp over night.

As we traverse through woodlands in the main valley, surrounded by exquisite streams and verdant forests, the path becomes wider and simpler. For the next few hours, prepare to be enthralled with an array of more than 15 species of shrubs, flourishing rhododendrons, and extensive meadows. Upon reaching Changtang village - which is named after the northern Tibetan Changtang Plateau - we can view the mountain range on the far side of Yarlung Tsangpo Valley from the south. From there, it will take us nearly an hour to ascend towards Yamalung Hermitage, where Guru Rinpoche is purported to have been empowered by Tsepame (Amitayus). Inside you can find several small temples which used to house meditators, a sacred spring and an antique relief carving of Guru Rinpoche along with King Trisong Detsen and Indian scholar Shantarakshita. Within lies a cave that has been enshrined within Drupug Mara Titsang Temple; footprints and a handprint of Guru Rinpoche said to have been created when he magically expanded its size. Overall it takes about 40-50 minutes of trekking along motorable tracks

Drive to Tsedang, crossing the Yulung Tsangpo River by bridge or boat to get a glimpse of the ancient capital of Tibet prior to Lhasa. The land known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization of Yarlung is home to Yumbulakang Palace and Trandruk Temple. According to legend, Yumbulhakang Palace was built as the first palace of Nyatri Tsenpo, the first Tibetan king. Located on a hill, one can either ride a horse up there or opt for a leisurely walk up to the temple in order to explore it. Afterward, an overnight stay in Tsethang will be ideal.

We will drive you to the airport today. You will see the vast valley and the expanded Yurlung Tsangpo River. Upon arrival at the Lhasa Gongga airport, our guide will assist you to check in.

You can arrive in Lhasa on the night of Day 9 and go to the train station on Day 10.