Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery Trekking
【Brief Introduction 】The Ganden Monastery - Samye Monastery trekking route is a classic pilgrimage route. Trekking along the mountains and waters, you can join with the lamas and Tibetans the sacred moments. Despite the strong sunshine and the rugged roads, with the pure belief in your mind, you can certainly overcome all the difficulties and make some breakthroughs. Along the way, you can visit some Tibetan villages and experience the real local Tibetan life.
【Daily itinerary】
Day 1: Lhasa - Gandan Monastery - Lebu Village - Heibu Village
Today, you will depart from Lhasa, heading for Ganden Monastery. After your arriving at the monastery, you can take a walk on the ancient prayer road behind the Ganden Monastery. There is also a celestial burial platform at the end of the road.
After lunch in Ganden Monastery, you can walk along the path to the Heibu Village, where you can camp.
Day 2: Shumila Mountain Pass (Altitude:5200 meters)
The Shumila Pass is the highest place of this trip. At such elevation, the weather there is changeable. Hence, while passing by it, you need to speed up.
Day 3: Campsite - Chitula Pass (Altitude: 5100 meters) - Herdsmen Settlement - Campsite
The most exciting view on Day 3 would be the two small lakes nestled on the pass, suddenly presenting themselves to you like the scenes in Hollywood movies.
Day 4: Campsite - Yamalong Temple - Zhensang Temple - Samye Monastery - Lhasa
Situated on the top of a cliff, Yamalong Temple is an ancient sacred place of worship and practice. Then you can visit Zhensang Temple, the birthplace of the famous Tubo king.
After visiting the Samye Monastery, the first Monastery (Buddhist monastery) built in Tibet, you can head back to Lhasa.
[Packing Advice] Toiletries, kettles, headlights or flashlights; warm rainproof clothes, gloves, sports shoes; medicines; sunscreen with high SPF; hats; camera and camera bag; sleeping bags, tents, mats; foods (fruit, bread, sausage, chocolate, compressed dry food, etc.), backpack (45 liters or more).
1. Electronic devices
Cell phone, flashlight, charger, spare battery, hair dryer (not just for drying hair)
2. Daily necessities:
Toiletries, mouthwashes, sunscreens, slippers, toilet paper, wipes, water bottles, sunglasses, sun hats, disposable underwear, women' s sanitary pad, hair dryers
3. Drugs
Anti- altitude drugs; band-aids, medicines for enterogastritis or cold
4. Food
Chocolate, compressed biscuits, preserved pickles.
5. Documents, cards and other
ID card, bank cards(better be that of the postal and ABC banks);cash; record books, pens, maps, sewing kits, etc.
Suitable for who
The route is suitable for all people without severe altitude sickness. The trekking is relatively safe, as the route covers only a few dangerous sections. And most sections are flat country roads. Our tour guides are all local Tibetans. They are friendly and can help you communicate with local Tibetans.
Best time for this route: June-October
highlights of Ganden Monastery - Samye Monastery Trekking:
Ganden Monastery
Ganden Monastery or Ganden Namgyeling is one of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. It is in Dagzê County, Lhasa. The other two are Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. Ganden Monastery was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa Lozang-dragpa, founder of the Gelug order. The monastery was destroyed after 1959, but has since been partially rebuilt. Ganden is 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of Lhasa. The monastery lies in a hilly natural amphitheater. from the kora route around the monastery there are dramatic views over the valleys that surround it.
Samye Monastery
Samye Monastery was the first Monastery (Buddhist monastery) built in Tibet. It was probably first constructed between 775-9 under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen of Tibet who sought to revitalize Buddhism, which had declined since its introduction by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The monastery is in Dranang, Lhoka. It was supposedly modeled on the design of Odantapuri in what is now Bihar, India.
