Package Includes
- All required travel permits to Tibet
- English speaking Tibetan tour guide
- Pick up and drop off service
- All ground transportation in Lhasa
- All meals and accommodations for your guide
- All lodging as stated in itinerary
- Entrance fees for the attractions listed in the itinerary
- One time welcome meal for the group
- Daily Breakfast in Lhasa, Samye and Tsetang
- All meals during the trek from lunch on Day 4 to breakfast on Day 8
- Mineral water plus shared Oxygen tank in car
- Travel agency liability insurance
- First aid kit in the Car
- All government taxes
Package Excludes
- Air Tickets and transportation costs to and from Tibet
- Chinese visa fees and passport fees
- Lunch and Dinner in Lhasa, Samye and Tsetang
- Personal expenses (laundry, photography fees, souvenirs etc)
- Tips and Gratuities for the driver and guide
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (On average a meal in Tibet cost USD 5 per person)
- Travel insurance covering trip cancellation and emergency evacuation (recommended)
Important Notes:
Travel Gear: Upon joining, each participant will be sent a list of required and recommended gear for this journey that they will be responsible for.
Accommodations: In Lhasa you will stay in a pleasant and comfortable locally rated 4 Star hotel in the Old Town of Lhasa. In Samye you will stay at a basic guesthouse near the monastery. In Tsetang, you will stay in a locally rated 3 Star hotel.
Meals: Breakfast is included in the price for each morning you are in Lhasa, Samye and Tsetang. Lunch and dinner are not included while in Lhasa, Samye or Tsetang, but all meals are included during the trek.
Eligibility: Participants must be in good health and be able to spend each day walking around towns, villages and monasteries and be able to complete this 5 day trek from Ganden to Samye. This journey has 5 days of trekking at elevations between 3500 meters and 5250 meters (11,480 feet to 17,225 feet) above sea level. All of our travel routes are designed with altitude acclimatization in mind to minimize the risk of altitude sickness.
Responsible Tourism: Tibet Highland tours is local-owned, and Tibetan staffed. All of our guides and drivers are local Tibetans who have been working in tourism for many years. It is a top priority for us to support as many Tibetan-owned businesses as possible. During this tour, all of the hotels you will be staying at in Tibet are locally-owned. The preservation of the culture of Tibet, as well as the protection of the environment of Tibet, are extremely important to us. In fact, when we are not out leading and arranging journeys across Tibet, we are working with local Tibetans in numerous eco-tourism and conservation projects.
Summary
Day 1 – Arrive in Lhasa. Barkhor Square, Old Town
Day 2 – Lhasa Tour: Jokhang temple, Sera Monastery
Day 3 – Lhasa Tour: Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery
Day 4 – Lhasa -> Ganden Trek -> Yama Do
Day 5 – Yama Do -> Tsotup Chu Valley
Day 6 – Tsotup Chu Valley -> Herders Camp
Day 7 – Herders Camp -> Nyango
Day 8 – Nyango -> Samye Monastery
Day 9 – Samye Monastery -> Tsetang
Day 10 – Tsetang – Lhasa. Depart from Lhasa
Pricing
The Trek from Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery can be done anytime from May through October. This is a fully organized trek that includes all hotel stays before and after the trek, pack animals, trekking guide, a trek cook, all meals on the trek, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, all permits and transportation to and from the trailhead.
Price for 1 person USD 3650
10-Day Ganden to Samye Trek Private Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3600m)
We welcome you to this special 10-Day Ganden to Samye Trek Private Tour! As you touch down in Lhasa, our professional English-speaking guide will pick meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
The rest of the day will be free for you to explore Lhasa city. Stroll in Barkhor Square for some local delicacies and shopping. Relax as you allow your body to acclimatize to Lhasa’ elevation and weather.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Credit: @scorbsphotographer
Day 2: One-day Lhasa Sightseeing Tour
Today, our first stop will be Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple is one of the most respected and revered temples in the whole of Tibet.
In the afternoon, we will stop at the 600-year old Sera Monastery. Enjoy the sight of local monks debating passionately on various Buddhist principles in the monastery ground.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Credit: @tifffany.khor
Day 3: Lhasa full-day city tour
The third day of our 10-Day Ganden to Samye Trek Private Tour in Tibet will be a further Lhasa city exploration. Our first task today is to visit the most famous landmark in Tibet, the Potala Palace. Potala Palace used to be the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas for hundreds of years.
After our lunch, we will go to Drepung Monastery. The trekking path around Drepung Monastery is spectacularly beautiful and it takes about an hour to complete.
Credit: @martinapiganzoli
Day 4: Lhasa – Ganden, Trek to Yama Do Valley (Time: 6 hours, Elevation: 4505m)
Day four of this 10-Day Ganden to Samye Trek Private Tour is the start of our real Tibet quest!
After breakfast, we will go for a 50-kilometer drive Ganden Monastery. This 600-year old monastery is distinctive as it was built along the side of a mountain.
After touring Ganden Monastery, you will begin your 5-day trek to Samye Monastery.
The 1st stage of the trek will take you around the monastery and along the pilgrimage path. You will then head into the mountains in the south and to the open valley of Yama Do.
The trekking distance today is around 17 kilometers and will take around 6 hours to complete.
Credit: @lichtgeschichten_von_olaf_haas
Day 5: Trek from Yama Do to Tsotup Chu Valley (Time: 7 hours, Elevation: 4985m)
Today is the 2nd day of our trek to Samye Monastery.
We will go from Yama Do Valley and across the Shugu La Pass (5250 meters). The Shugu La Pass is the highest Pass along the trek from Ganden to Samye Monastery.
After reaching the top of the pass, you will descend all the way down until the camp site at Tsotup Chu Valley. Along the way, you should encounter some Tibetan nomads with their herds.
Today’s trekking distance is around 10 kilometers and it should take more or less 7 hours to complete.
Credit: @_suse_k
Day 6: Trek from Tsotup Chu Valley to Herders Camp (Time: 5 hours, Elevation: 4465m)
This is the 3rd day and midpoint of your 5-day Samye Trek. You will go to a herders’ camp that is used seasonally. Throughout your trek, you will always have the silent companionship of the majestic mountains and pristine lakes.
You will cross another high pass today, the Chitu La Pass (5210 meters).
Today’s trekking distrance is 15 kilometers and it should take no more than 5 hours to finish.
Credit: @bittenbyagoat
Day 7: Trek from Herders Camp to Nyango Village
The 4th day of this Samye Trek is mostly about descending through forests and villages.
As you trek through some traditional villages, there will be tons of junipers and rhododendrons all around your paths.
The trekking distance today is around 18 kilometers and it will take you another 6 hours to complete.
@namkha555
Day 8: Trek from Nyango Village to Samye Monastery (Time: 5 hours, Elevation: 3630m)
The 5th day and final stretch of your Samye Trek will take you through some immaculate and traditional villages. Along the way, you’ll get your usual dose of imposing Himalayan peaks.
You will eventually reach Tibet’s first ever monastery, Samye Monastery. This great architecture was built in the 8th century under King Trisong Detsen.
Spend the night in a basic guesthouse located a short walk away from Samye.
The trekking distance today is around 18 kilometers and it will take around 5 hours to finish.
Credit: @vika.robertovna
Day 9: Samye Monastery to Yumbulakang Palace and Tsetang City (Elevation: 3520m)
After breakfast, we will go for a 60km dive along the Yarlung River Valley to Yumbulakang Palace. Yumbulakang Palace is arguably the oldest architecture in Tibet and it overlooks the beautiful fertile valley below.
From the Yumbulakang, we will continue along the Yarlung River Valley to the small city of Tsetang city. This is where you will stay for your last night in Tibet.
Credit: @tsangnyon
Day 10: Depart Lhasa
We’ve finally come to the tenth and last day of our 10-Day Ganden to Samye Trek Private Tour in Tibet. This morning, we will transfer you to the Lhasa Airport for your next destination.
Thank you and see you again!
For a similar itinerary on a more affordable group tour arrangement, go for our 11 Days Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery Trek Group Tour
Another non-Everest Base Camp tour with almost the same number of days, check this 11-Day Yarlung Valley Private Tour
Enquire Now!
Enquiry Form
Group Tours
10-Day Ganden to Samye Trek Private Tour Review
User Review
( votes)
4 Days Lhasa City Group Tour
USD 300 p.p
Our 4 Days Lhasa city group tour is perfect for those who have a smaller budget, yet still want a high quality tour of Tibet. Despite being priced for budget travelers, all 3 nights of your stay will be in 4-star hotels. In this tour, you will see the main Buddhist sites in the city...
6 Days Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake Group Tour
USD 500 p.p
Our 6 day overland group tour from Lhasa to Shigatse is perfect for those who have a smaller budget, yet still want a high quality tour of Tibet. Despite being priced for budget travelers, 5 of your 5 nights in Tibet are in 4-Star hotels. This journey will start by exploring the holy city of...
7 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Kathmandu Group Tour
USD 750 p.p
If you are a solo traveller, you will need to share a room with another tourist; for the option to have a room to yourself you will be required to pay the single room supplement.
8 Days Lhasa to EBC, Tingri, Gyirong and Kathmandu Group Tour
USD 880 p.p
8 Days Lhasa to EBC, Tingri, Gyirong and Kathmandu Group Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa by flight or train. Welcome to Lhasa, Tibet! This is day 1 of our 8 Days Lhasa to EBC, Tingri, Gyirong and Kathmandu Group Tour. Once you arrive in Lhasa, our local guide will meet you at…
8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour
USD 750 p.p
8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa airport or train station Welcome to Tibet and the 1st day of our 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour. Upon arrival in Lhasa, our Tibetan guide will greet you at the Lhasa airport or train station. We…
9 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Pelbar Group Tour
USD 800 p.p
9 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Pelbar Group Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa Thank you for coming to Lhasa, Tibet! This is day 1 of our 9 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Pelbar Group Tour. Upon arriving in Lhasa, our English-speaking Tibetan guide and driver will both receive you…
10 Days Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Group Tour
USD 1000 p.p
10 Days Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Group Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa Welcome to Tibet, the land of nature and mountains. This is day 1 of our 10 Days Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Group Tour. Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our professional Tibetan guide…
10 Days Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery Trek Group Tour
USD 1400 p.p
10 Days Ganden Monastery to Samye Trek Group Tour Itinerary Day 1: Lhasa Welcome to Lhasa! Welcome to Lhasa, Tibet! This is day 1 of our 10 Days Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery Trek Group Tour. Our guide and driver will meet you at the train station or airport and transfer you to your hotel….
15 Days Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Group Tour
USD 1550 p.p
15 Days Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Group Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa by air or land Welcome to Lhasa, Tibet! The moment you touch down in Lhasa Gonggar Airport or train station, our local tour guide will pick you up and get you to the hotel. The journey from the airport to…
17 Days Everest Base Camp, Guge Kingdom, Mt. Kailash Group Tour
USD 1700 p.p
17 Days Everest Base Camp, Guge Kingdom, Mt. Kailash Group Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa, Elevation: 3600 meters As you arrive in Lhasa, our professional local guide and driver will meet you and transport you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city of Lhasa….
Other Private Tours
19-Day Mount Kailash, Guge Kingdom, Mount Everest Private Tour
USD 5850 p.p
For the journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and on to Mt. Kailash, you will begin by exploring the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and its many ancient monasteries and temples, including the famed Potala Palace. From Lhasa, you will then travel to the beautiful alpine lake of Yamdrok Tso before visiting Karo La Glacier,...
16-Day Everest Base Camp, Lake Mansarovar, Mount Kailash Private Tour
USD 5600 p.p
For the journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and on to Mt. Kailash, you will begin by exploring the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and its many ancient monasteries and temples, including the famed Potala Palace. From Lhasa, you will then travel to the beautiful alpine lake of Yamdrok Tso before visiting Karo La Glacier,...
15-Day Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, Mt. Kailash, Kathmandu Private Tour
USD 5740 p.p
For the journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, Mt. Kailash and Kathmandu, you will begin by exploring the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and its many ancient monasteries and temples, including the famed Potala Palace. From Lhasa, you will then travel to the beautiful alpine lake of Yamdrok Tso before visiting Karo La Glacier, Tibet’s...
11-Day Yarlung Valley Private Tour
USD 3850 p.p
Lhasa is the cultural and religious heart of Tibet. Lhasa is home to Tibet’s most famous and holiest temples. Each day, thousands of pilgrims prostrate around Jokhang Temple. Along with the famous monasteries of Sera and Drepung, Lhasa is a must see for anyone interested in Tibet! This itinerary will allow you to spend 3...
10-Day Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Private Tour
USD 3700 p.p
The journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Nam Tso Lake will take you from the Buddhist holy city of Lhasa to pristine high altitude lakes, rivers, glaciers, farming valleys and through the Himalaya’s to Everest Base Camp at an altitude of nearly 5200 meters/17,000 feet. From there, you will go to Nam Tso,...
10-Day Ganden to Samye Trek Private Tour
USD 3650 p.p
This 10 day journey starts in the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa, where you will spend 3 nights exploring all of the main sites. You will start by strolling through the ancient market area around the Barkhor, where you will rub shoulders with countless Buddhist pilgrims. From there, you will go through the Jokhang, the...
9-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp to Lhasa Private Tour
USD 3300 p.p
The journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp will take you from the modern Tibetan capital of Lhasa to pristine high altitude lakes, rivers, glaciers, farming valleys and through the Himalaya’s to Everest Base Camp at an altitude of nearly 5200 meters/17,000 feet. In the Buddhist holy city of Lhasa, you will rub shoulders with...
8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu Private Tour
USD 3550 p.p
From Kathmandu, you will fly over the Himalayas to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. If the weather is clear, you will get stunning views of the mountains, including Everest, on the flight to Lhasa. For the Tibet portion of this adventure, you will start by exploring the holy city of Lhasa, where thousands of Buddhist...
8-Day Central Tibet and Namtso Lake Private Tour
USD 2600 p.p
8-Day Central Tibet and Namtso Lake Private Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa city, Tibet Let’s get started on your first day of 8-Day Central Tibet and Namtso Lake Private Tour. Once you arrive in Lhasa, our guide will receive you at the airport or train station. We will then proceed to your hotel…
7-Day Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse Private Tour
USD 2050 p.p
The Central Tibet Journey will start in the holy Buddhist city of Lhasa, home to Tibet's most famous and important monasteries and temples. You will spend 3 days exploring Lhasa including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Square, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. After your time in Lhasa, you will make the scenic drive over...