12D11N Ganden Samye Eastern Tibet Private Tour

12D11N Ganden Samye Eastern Tibet Private Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa

You have finally arrived in the Place of The Gods, Lhasa, standing high at 3650m elevation. You will be in the professional care of our Tibetan guide and driver the moment you arrive at the airport. We will transfer you to the hotel to check in.

Day 2: Lhasa Day Tour Highlights

Our first order of the day is to visit Jokhang Temple, the most famous temple in Lhasa.

As the Jokhang is strategically located in the city center, our next activity will be to hang around Barkhor streets and main square.

Credit: Tibet Highland Tours

Day 3: Lhasa Day Tour Discovery

You cannot claim to have come to Tibet without a visit to its most famous and magnificent landmark, the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery and watch Buddhist monks participating in lively debates with each other. You could also take the opportunity to trek the 1-hour pilgrimage circuit around the monastery.

Credit: Tibet Highland Tours

Day 4: Lhasa Day Tour Exploration

As we continue our exploration of Lhasa, we will visit Drepung Monastery today. Nechung Monastery, which is right below Drepung Monastery, used to be the home of Tibet’s State Oracle.

We’ll round off the day, we will drop by Ramoche Temple and a nunnery in the Tibetan Quarter.

Credit: Tibet Highland Tours

Day 5: Lhasa – Ganden Monastery – Gongbo’gyamda County (290m, 6.5 hours)

On day five of our 12D11N Ganden Samye Eastern Tibet Private Tour , we will move out of Lhasa and head towards Ganden Monastery. This is one of the 3 most important monasteries in Lhasa region.

From Ganden Monastery, we will drive to Gongbo’gyamda County (3425m). You will stay here for the night.

Credit: Tibet Highland Tours

Day 6: Gongbo’gyamda County – Draksum Lake – Bayi Town (210km, 5 hours)

As we move from Gongbo’gyamda to Bayi Town, we will stopo by Draksum Lake, one of Tibet’s holiest lakes.

On the far end of the lake is Tso Dzong Island, which has a small Buddhist monastery on it.

We’ll then continue our journey to Bayi town and spend the night there.

Credit: Tibet Highland Tours

Day 7: Bayi – Serkhyem La Pass – Lunang Forest – Bomi (240km, 5.5 hours)

Departing from Bayi, we will pass the 4500-meter Serkhyem La Pass, which offers amazing views of both Gyala Peri Peak (7294m) and Mount Namcha Barwa (7756m).

Next, we will descend through scenic alpine valleys that are gorgeously dotted with Rhododendron plants all the way to Rong-Chu Valley.

We will also drive the fairy-tale like Lunang Forest before finally arriving in Bomi.

Day 8: Bomi – Menling (305km, 6 hours)

Today we will start our return trip to Lhasa by driving through the mystical and magical Yarlung Valley.

Besides crossing the Serkhyem La Pass once more, we will also go through the forested region of Menling.

Day 9: Menling – Gyaca (245km, 4.5 hours)

On day 9 of our 12D11N Ganden Samye Eastern Tibet Private Tour, we will continue to drive through Yarlung Valley until we reach Gyaca County.

Day 10: Gyaca – Lhamo Lha Tso Lake – Yumbulakang Palace – Tsetang (210km, 4 hours)

From Gyantse, we will drive to another Tibet’s sacred lake, Lhamo Lha Tso. For centuries, Tibetan Buddhist monks have relied on visions from Lhamo Lha Tso lake to assist them in finding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

After visiting the lake, you will stay in Tsetang city, elevation 3560m. In Tsetang, you will visit the Yumbulakang Palace, one of Tibet’s very first buildings. You can also visit Trandruk Temple, one of the largest and most important buildings in Yarlung Valley.

Credit: Tibet Highland Tours

Day 11: Tsetang – Samye Monastery – Lhasa (260km, 6 hours)

As we set off from Tsetang towards Lhasa, we will drop by the famous Samye Monastery, Tibet’s first monastery.

After visiting Samye Monastery, we will be back in Lhasa.

Credit: Tibet Highland Tours

Day 12: Depart from Lhasa

Today is the last day of our 12D11N Ganden Samye Eastern Tibet Private Tour. It’s time to say goodbye. We will get you to the airport or train station for your next journey. Till we meet again my dear friend!

Check out the group-tour version of this itinerary: 11 Days Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery Trek Group Tour. Extend your leave for 1 more day and consider this 13D12N Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma Private Tour.