9 Days Tibet Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery Trek with Lhasa Tour

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the airport in Lhasa, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Lhasa (100km, about 1.5 hours’ drive) . You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude (3,650m) in your hotel and get ready to explore Lhasa with your guide the next day.Arrival Ideas:Lhasa is located in the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau and southwestern China. Traveling to Tibet is convenient by air, railway, or road. There are five airports in Tibet, with Lhasa Gonggar Airport being the most popular for flights from Chengdu (which is also popular), Chongqing, Xian, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xining, Shangri-La, and other cities. One international airline even connects Lhasa and Kathmandu. Moreover, travelers can take the train to Lhasa from Xining (21 hours, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway), Lanzhou (24.5 hours), Chongqing (35.5 hours), Chengdu (36.5 hours), Xian (31 hours), Beijing (40.5 hours), Shanghai (47 hours), Guangzhou (52.5 hours), Shigatse (2.5 hours), Nyingzhi (4 hours), and other cities.Kind Reminds: 1.It is good to avoid altitude sickness by slowing down, keeping warm, drinking water frequently, avoiding showers for the first one or two days, taking it easy, and sleeping well.2.You should always follow your doctor's advice regarding altitude based on your health condition.3.Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and are good at dealing with altitude sickness.Notes for Trekking: During your initial days in Lhasa of Tibet, it is important to take it easy and dedicate ample time to acclimate to the elevated altitude. This is a crucial step in preparing yourself for the trek ahead.

Today, you and your group will explore Lhasa by visiting Jokhang Temple, a world cultural heritage site renowned for its brilliant architecture, culture, art, and history. After that, you will experience Tibetan Buddhism by witnessing the Monks' Debating in Sera Monastery. Finally, you can stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and learn more about the daily kora life of Tibetans.Located in the heart of Lhasa for over 1300 years, the Jokhang Temple is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world. Famed as the spiritual center of Tibet, it is said that the Jokhang Monastery was built for King Songtsen Gampo's two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. "Jokhang" means "House of Buddha", and it houses a life-size statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, which is considered a treasure of the Buddhist world. This is why Buddhist pilgrims consider it the holiest destination. The Jakhong temple is also renowned for its beautiful architecture. You can admire the intricate carvings, colorful murals, ornate decorations, and details of the building, which is a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Time seems to stand still as you watch people pray in front of the temple during the day and night. (Please note that the visit order may be adjusted based on the reservation of your Jokhang Temple Ticket Reservation.)In the afternoon, drive approximately 30km (50 minutes) to visit Sera Monastery, which is one of the three great Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. It offers the opportunity to experience Tibetan Buddhism up close. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watching the monks' debate, which takes place around 15:00-17:00 (except on Sundays). The debate is an interesting form of exchange, where one monk acts as the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers sit. The standing monk asks questions and slaps his palms and stomps, each action having a special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive. You will also have the chance to attend prayer ceremonies, visit meditation halls, and learn about the monastic way of life. It is a must-visit destination to gain insight into the beliefs and practices of Tibetan Buddhism.Afterward, head back to downtown Lhasa for a walk on busy Barkhor Street near the Jokhang Monastery, which was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) in ancient times. Nowadays, it has become a thriving local market where you can drink a pot of yak butter tea, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

Today you will explore the world’s highest palace for its brilliant architectures, culture, and history, then visits to one of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries in Tibet - the Drepung Monastery.In the morning, you can walk into Potala Palace (World Heritage), the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). It takes 365 steps from potala gate to reach the Red Palace which is the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m. Through the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be astonished and touched by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace you will meet lots of Tibetan pilgrims who come all the way from afar to this sacred site to pray as their life time destination. You can also ask your guide to share more information about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first build the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. (Note: We may adjust the visit order due to the visiting time of your Potala Palace Ticket. All visitors must visit the Potala Palace with a tour group while staying inside for an hour. No photo inside.)Then, drive about 35 minutes (12km) to visit the Drepung Monastery, which was the largest Tibetan monastery (of the Gelug Sect) in Lhasa. It used to be the palace of the Dalai Lama before he moved to the Potala Palace in the 17th century. Today, it is famous for the Drepung Shoton Festival held each August, where people come to offer yogurt to the monks who have finished their 100 days of meditation. You can also witness the grandest Buddha/Thangka Unfolding Ceremony. Besides the unique architecture and amazing buildings, you can watch monks debating in Tibetan Buddhism, which is vibrant and active with expansive gestures, clapping, and stamping. After visiting the Drepung Temple, you will have about a 2-hour Tibetan culture tour, which includes an introduction, Tibetan incense making, and block printing.

Altitude: 3880 meters | Distance: 7km | Duration: 2-3 hoursIn the morning, drive from Lhasa to Drak Yerba Monastery (3,880m). After visiting the meditation caves, we will meet our trekking team and pack-animals. This afternoon marks the official start of our trek. We will hike for about 2-3 hours, ascending through alpine meadows to reach the first campsite at Tsepo Gang. This short trek serves as a crucial warm-up for the high-altitude days ahead. Overnight at Tsepo Gang. Gaze at the stars as you rest from the day's trek and prepare for the continuation of your journey tomorrow.

Altitude: 5250 meters | Distance: 10km | Duration: 4-5 hoursBegin your day of trekking as we head toward Tabding. The trail winds through pristine alpine landscapes and high-altitude pastures. You’ll experience the raw beauty of the Tibetan highlands, far from the classic tourist paths. The ascent is steady but manageable, offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Overnight at Tabding.

Altitude: 5210 meters | Distance: 14km | Duration: 5 hoursToday’s trek continues through the heart of the wilderness toward Ow Tsang. The route takes you deeper into the mountain range, passing through seasonal nomadic camps where you might see yaks grazing. The air is crisp, and the scenery remains untouched. After 4-5 hours of walking, we will set up camp in the tranquil valley of Ow Tsang. Overnight at Ow Tsang.

Altitude: 5210 meters | Distance: 14km | Duration: 5 hoursA slightly shorter trekking day allows your body to recover while still moving toward our goal. The trail to Qatang features dramatic geological formations and small streams. This section of the new route is particularly quiet, providing a true sense of solitude and pilgrimage. We will arrive at the Qatang campsite by early afternoon. Overnight at Qatang.

The final leg of our trek takes us from Qatang to Yemalong (Yamalung), a sacred site where Guru Rinpoche once meditated. Upon reaching Yemalong, our driver will be waiting to pick us up for a short drive to Samye Monastery. We will utilize the afternoon to explore this legendary monastery.Founded in 775 AD, Samye Monastery is Tibet's first Buddhist monastery and has a history of over 1200 years. Surrounded by barren mountains and rolling sand dunes, Samye Monastery has a unique circular design, symbolizing the Buddhist mandala. The design was chosen by guru Padmasambhava and incorporates Indian, Tibetan and Chinese styles.Entering the monastery, you will be surprised by its exquisite layout, which is designed according to the structure of the 'Great Thousand World' in Buddhist scriptures. It is constructed as a mandala of Esoteric Buddhism: The Utse Great Hall represents Mount Sumeru, the center of the world; the four halls surrounding the main hall represent the four continents and eight subcontinents in the four oceans; the Sun and Moon Halls symbolize the Sun and Moon halls in the universe; the monastery walls symbolize the Iron Encircling Mountains at the outer edge of the world. Four red, white, green and black pagodas are built around the main hall to suppress evil spirits and prevent natural and man-made disasters.After visiting Samye, you can have a leisure trek around. Stay overnight in Samye Town.

On this day, you will be transferred to Lhasa Airport (about 1.5 hours’ driving) for departure. Your 9-day Tibet trip ends. Extension Ideas: If you prefer to travel longer in Tibet, you can extend your trip to other highlighted parts of Tibet, including Shigatse, Gyantse, Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash. Tell us your ideas.Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Tibet tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!