Ganden Samye trek with Everest Base Camp is one of the adventure travel holidays to Tibet. This Ganden to Samye monastery Tibet trekking is started in Lhasa and ends up at Dzangmu, the western border between Tibet and Nepal. This Tibet trekking combines the regions of Lhoka, the cradle of Tibet, and Shigatse as well as Everest region including Samye monastery, Traduk temple, Sightseeing in Gyantse and Shigatse.
Ganden to Samye trek is dominated by high mountain passes including Xugar la pass (5250 meters), Pangla Pass ( 5000 meters), passing nomad camps, wild animals and beautiful stream water and this Tibet trekking is one of the famous pilgrimage route in the olden days between the two famous monasteries of Ganden and Samye.
Ganden to Samye Tibet trekking program is started in Lhasa, visiting the most historical and cultural site of the central Tibet including the Potala Palace, Jokang temple, Bharkor Bazar, Drepung and Sera monasteries in the ancient Lhasa city. After three nights sightseeing and acclimatization in Lhasa, your Tibet trek drives you towards Ganden monastery which is the largest and first monastery of Gelukpa sect.
You will start your first camp at Drushi valley for acclimatization next to Ganden monastery and then continue 4 days most beautiful Tibet trek from Ganden monastery to Samye monastery, dominated by fascinating nomadic camps, grazing their animals on the beautiful mountain grass land. After the trek, you will enjoy the sightseeing of Samye monastery, the first monastery of Tibet, built in 8th century and then to Tsetang, the cradle of Tibet, where the first Castle, first monastery, first Kings, first generations of Tibet. Continue your Tibet travel towards Gyantse and Shigatse, visit the cultural center of the western Tibet and then to Nepal Tibet borber. On the way, have an excursion to Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp.
Day 1 Arrival at Lhasa airport and transfer to Lhasa.(3650Mts/ 60Km )
You will be warmly welcomed by our Tibetan guide and driver and accompany you to the holy city of Lhasa along with the view of Bharmaputra, known as YarlungTsangpo in Tibetan and a giant stone carved Buddha with more than a thousand years history.
Day 2-3 Sightseeing tour in Lhasa, Potala Palace, Jokang temple, Bharkor Bazar, Drepung and Sera monasteries.
Day 4 Drive from Lhasa-Ganden monastery (4500Mts/ 60KM )
You will start your tour at around 9Am and drive along the Lhasa river dominated by beautiful Tibetan villages and flocks of yaks grazing on side mountain of Ganden monastery. We will visit the monastery then go to our campsite and have lunch.
Day 5 Start trek from Ganden to Lheipu-Yamado. 5-6 hrs
We start our trek at around 9 Am after the breakfast. 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 reaches AniPangong, a small nunnery. The trail climbs steadily for 1 hour through marshy meadows to Yama Do.
Day 6 Trek from Yamado to Tso Topchu valley.4-5 hrs
You will start your trek at around 8.30Am. In 2 hrs past Yama Do, ascend Shug-la pass ( 5250 m ). It takes at least 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 7 Trek from Tso Topchu to Herders camp.5 hrs
You will start your trek as usual and 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 8 Trek from Herders camp to Yamalung.5-6 hrs -Samye monastery – 2hrs
Start the trek at around 8.30 Am. 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 reaches the first permanent village of Chantan ( 4020 m ) after leaving Hebu. In 30-40 mins , arrive at the turn off at Yamalung Valley . Yamalung Hermitage is another 1 hour steep climb from the valley floor. From Yamalung Valley, you will meet your driver and will take one hrs and half to reach Samye monastery.
Day 9 Drive from Samye monastery to Tsetang .50Km
After the breakfast, we will visit Samye monastery. If you are not scared of waking up earlier, you can also go to see the monks chanting in the monastery assembly hall which is already held from 7Am. After the sightseeing of the monastery, we will drive along the Bharmaputrariver and get to Tsetang in 2 hrs. Visit YumbuLhakang and Traduk temple in Tsetang.
Day 10 Drive from Tsetang-Yamdrok- Ralung to Gyangtse.(3950Mts/ 340Km)
You will start your tour at around 9Am from your hotel and then drive towards Gyangtse through 3 big mountain passes, Kampa La, Karo La, Simila respectively. Karola is the highest pass among them which is over 5000Mts with it’s most beautiful glaciers, beautiful Yamdrok lake emerged as coral color from the top of Kampala pass. You will have your lunch at Nakartse country which is just between the Yamdroklake and Karola glaciers.
Day 11 Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse. (3900mts/ 90Km)
You will start your tour at around 9Am from your hotel and then drive towards Palchoe monastery for a few minutes. Visit Palchoe monastery and Kubum Pagoda stupa. After the sightseeing, You will have your lunch and then continue your journey to Shigatse by passing one of the biggest farming land in Tibet where people grow barley, wheat, different kinds of vegetables. Pm visit Tashi Lhunpo monastery and old market of Shigatse.
Day 12 Drive from Shigatse to Rongbuk monastery (5000Mts/ 340KM)
You will start your tour at around 8.30Am from your hotel and drive through two big mountain passes, Tsola 4500Mts/ Gyatso la 5220Mts and some beautiful villages and the first view of Mount Everest from the foot of Gyatso la pass. Continuously, drive through Pangla pass 5000Mts from which you will have a fantastic view of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu respectively which are over 8000Mts.
Day 13 Rongbuk to Everest Base camp.(5200Mts/ 8Km )
Two hrs trek from Rongbuk to Everest Base camp.(5200Mts/ 8Km ) and then drive Dingri-Langkor monastery and then to Old Dingri, 4350Mts/70KM
You will start your trek from Rongbuk monastery at around 10Am and it will take you to two hrs to get there. On the way you can visit a miraculous cave of Mila Repa . After two hrs trek, you get to the Everest base camp. It is the best point of enjoying the world’s highest mountain and taking photos of it. You can have a basic lunch at Everest Base camp since there are many local tented tea houses where they sell instant noodles or bread etc.
You will drive through a dusty road for 70Km until you get to the friendship high way where Old Dingri is located. Old Dingri is one of the popular places to stop a night in order to view mount Everest for tourists especially for those who are unable to go to Mount Everest because of altitude problem. On the way, visit Langkor monastery which is one of the most interesting monastery in Dingri region
Day 14 Friendship bridge( 8 Km ) to Ktm. (1300Mts/ 310Km )
You will drive through Lalung la pass and Thongla pass which are over 5000Mts. From the top of those places, you will say final good bye to the beautiful Himalayan range including Shisha Bangma mountain which is also over 8000Mts and popular to the mountain climbers. Walk across Friendship Bridge, meet by our representative from Nepal , clear immigration procedure and obtain your Nepali visa & transfer to Kathmandu . Driving up and down in the forested mountain with beautiful villages on the slops of the both side mountains.
| City | Night (s) | Hotels / Camps |
| Lhasa | 03 | Shangri La |
| Ganden | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Yamado | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Tso Topchu | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Herders | 01 | Camp |
| Samye Monastery | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Tsetang | 01 | Tse Dang Hotel |
| Gyangtse | 01 | Yeti Garden |
| Shigatse | 01 | Mangareva Hotel |
| EBC | 01 | Rongbuk Monastery |
| Dingri | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
– 13 nights accommodation as mentioned in the program.
– All necessary Tibet entry and road permits.
– 1 Local Tibetan English speaking guide.
– Transportation by good conditioned mini van.
– All entry fees to the sites and monasteries.
– Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– All camping equipment except sleeping bag.
– All camping fee.
– Cook and assistant with all utensils.
– Different kinds of snack like biscuit, cheese, dried and fresh fruit during the camp.
– Pack Yak and Yak men for the trek.
– Yamdrok lake conservation fee.
– Karola glacier conservation fee.
– Everest conservation fee for all members, guide and vehicle.
– Everest base camp conservation fee for all members and guide.
– Oxygen in the vehicle and during the trek in case needed.
– All taxes.
– International Airfare.
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.