9-day Typical Pilgrim Trek jointing two of Tibet's greatest centers of religious culture

Tour Code: THT002
Tour Catalog: Private Tour
Trip Length: 09days
Tour Price:  From  ?  USD / person
Group Size: >2

Tour Route:
Lhasa (Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, Norbulinka, Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery)-Ganden-Yama Do-Tsotup chu Valley-Herders' Camps-
Wango-Samye-Tsedang

Tour Outline:
This trekking tour will take you go through much of Tibet's history and culture. Trip will begin in ancient Lhasa city, the spiritual center of Tibet. You will visit many of the cities attractions like Potala palace, Johkang temple, Drepung Monastery, Barkor Kaor. After few days acclimatize, the Tibetan tour guide will lead you to Ganden Monastery.

The trek starts from Ganden Monastery, and it is one of the most beautiful and popular treks in all of Tibet. Along the way we will cross two high passes and experience some amazing and remote regions of Tibet. You will climb through the passes and large valleys along the way. the final destination of this trek is the ancient Samye Monastery and its surrounding attractions. The last day will be put towards the Yarlun Valley, you can learn a lot from these Tibetan people.

Services Outline:
Best time to Trekking: Late April to late October
Sleeping: Hotels in big city or town, Camping or farmer guest house during trekking.
Staple food during trekking: Beef, milk, coffee, Tibetan tea, noodle, fresh vegetable, Tibetan Snack.
Luggage carriage: 4WD
Guide: Local Tibetan Trekking Guide
Equipment provide by CITS: Camping stove, tent, sleeping bag, Mattress, cookware, canned gas fuel.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa
Lhasa airport picking up, have a good rest to adopt to high altitude in the afternoon.                 
Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 2-3 Two full days Lhasa Sightseeing(B)
The first two days you are in Tibet will be put towards sightseeing inside Lhasa, to visit fabulous and typical Buddhist and historic sites, such as Potala Palace,Jokhang Temple,Barkhor street, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.
In Potala palace, you can explore the grandest of this myriad chapels, its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens(stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, figures of the Buddha   You will visit 3 important monasteries in Lhasa, the first and foremost is Johkang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism, attracts pilgrims all over Tibetan Area, built during songtsen gonpo's reign by princess wencheng of tang dynasty, 647 A.D. the other two Monasteries Sera and Drepung Monastery locate in suburb of Lhasa, are hosted by hundreds of Monks, learning, praying, studying, living there. The famous Monks debiting is held in the courtyard of Sera Monastery in the afternoon.  
You will also explore the circular pilgrim route barkhor while traveling at Johkang Temple, to contact local folks here, and if possible purchase some traditional Tibetan artifacts, religious implements, antiques, books, Tibetan music instrument, Thangkas, and tradition tibetan clothes etc.
Overnight at Lhasa

(Notice, the sequence of sightseeing will be based on the reservation of Potala Palace)
Drive to Ganden Monastery in late afternoon. 1.5 hours driving
Overnight in Ganden Monastery Guest House

Day 4: Ganden Monastery to Yama Do (5 hours) (B,L,D)
In the morning, you will visit Ganden Monastery, and other attractions around. Then start trekking, our first day of trekking begins at the highest point on the Ganden Kora. From here we walk along a saddle trail. After leaving this trail with wondrous views we traverse the west side of the ridge before passing through an ancient Hepu village. Later in the day we pass through Ani Pagong, a narrow bottleneck in the trail and former site of a nunnery. We will end the day with an ascent towards Yama Do, where we will set up camp.


(the Ganden Monastery view in the everning)

Day 5: Trek to Tsotup Chu Valley (4 to 5hours). (B,L,D)
In the morning we leave the valley floor and make our way through a steep gully rising form the stream bank. Finally, we climb over the Shug La and begin our climb down through treacherous boulder fields. Later, we cross Tsotup Chu, a large stream winding through the valley floor. A comfortable camp will be set up in one of the many herder fields.

Day 6: Trek to Herder's Camp (5 hours). (B,L,D)
Today we follow the Tsotup Chu down through its tributary and head towards the Chitu La pass. After ascending this rocky pass we will quickly descend down and find a beautiful place to camp in one of the fields surrounding the stream. To find our campsite we will meander through quiet herder camps for nearly an hour. Another beautiful day of our trek is over!

Day 7: Trek to Samye (6 hours). (B,L,D)
The trail gets wider and easier as we follow it through scrub forests in the main valley. Beautiful streams and lush forests surround us as we walk. However, the desert is close by. The next few hours are arguably the most beautiful part of our trek. More than 15 types of scrub trees, blooming rhododendrons, and vast meadow will amaze you every step of the way! After passing through this wondrous landscape we will trek pass the Changtang village. Less than an hour away participants can choose to make the one-hour hike to the Yamalung Hermitage. Yamalung is an ancient and holy Buddhist meditation site, but is completely up to you whether you want to go. Later in the day we join the Samye valley along the babbling tributary stream. The night will be spent at another comfortable campsite, not far from Samye.

Day 8: Explore the Yarlung Valley, Samye Monastery and Yumbulakhang
This majestic area is widely believed to be the cradle of all of Tibetan civilization. The valley of the tombs is located at the origin of the Tibetan people. You are being given a rare opportunity to explore this majestic site. It was here where both the massive burial grounds and Yumbulakhang. Yumbulakhang is an amazing architectural site perched on a cliff. It is one of the oldest buildings in all of Tibet! You will spend your last night sleeping well back in Tsethang.

Day 9: Drive to Airport, leave Lhasa to your next.
Today, our drive and tour guide will take you to airport directly from Tsedang(about 2 hours driving) , fly to your next destination. If by train, the driver will take you back to Lhasa for staying one more day.
On the other hand, if you prefer to stay longer in Tibet, you can extend your trip to other parts of China like Gyantse,Shigatse, Everest Base Camp,etc. – if you need, please ask us. 

Tour Includesions and Exclusions

Services Included:
1. Airport/train station - Hotel – Airport/train station Transfer.
2. Meals, mentioned in Itinerary with B,L,D
B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
- 11 outdoor meals on trekking where there is no village and restaurant, staple food: Beef, milk, coffee, Tibetan tea, noodle, fresh vegetable, Tibetan Snack.
- Our door Cooking: Travelers are kindly required to book with our tour guide together, and do as possible as they can.- All Breakfasts
4. Transportation in Tibet:
- Train station pick up and Airport drop off, Private Mini Van
- Lhasa City transportation, Private Mini Van or taxi according to group size
- Lhasa-Ganden Monastery: Private Mini Van
- Samye Monastey to Tsedang to Lhasa: Private Mini Van
- Luggage carrying on trekking: Yaks or Horses(2 Yaks for 2-4 people)
5.  All hotel and camping accommodations:
- Comfortable Hotels or Guest House in Lhasa, Tsedang
- Guest house in Ganden Monastery, Samye Monastery.
- Tibetan Family Guest house or our door tent during trekking
6.  Guide: Local Tibetan English-speaking Tour Guide
7.  All sightseeing and entrance fees listed in itinerary
8.  All Necessary Permit
9.  Travel Insurance only for accident
10. Neccessary Oxygen Supply
11. Government Tax

Services Excluded:
1. Single room supplement
2. Tips for the guide and driver
3. Meals are not marked in Itinerary, usually lunches and dinners beyond trekking.
5. International and domestic airfare, en route stopovers
6. Train fare come in and out going Tibet.
7. Passport fees, visa fees
8. Items of a personal expense such as alcoholic beverages, shopping laundry,etc
9. Bank charge of the payment

Hotels to Stay

Price Quotation(USD/P.P)

Remark:
Price Quotation is based on Travel Season in Tibet:
Shoulder Season:April,May, Early June,November;Peak season: Late June to October

If you are interested in this tour, please complete the tour inquiry form below to get prompt reply.