Tibet Ganden - Samye Monastery Trek

The Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek is considered one of the best trek adventures in the world. The route from Ganden to Samye Monasteries, two of Tibet's largest and most revered monasteries known for their distinctive Buddhist legacy and Tibetans' overall sense of spiritual importance, takes this trekking journey to a different level. The route is dominated by distinctive topography with rugged terrain, the lunar landscape, and a unique culture. 

This 10-day journey offers you a genuine sense of highland adventure in Tibet as well as an understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. You have the chance to watch both the city Tibetan and nomadic Tibetan lifestyle up close and experience the true Tibet as you travel along the 80 km walking track that surrounds barley farms and nomadic pastureland. 

The Ganden to Samye Monastery trek is ideal for anyone who is interested in Tibetan theology, as the journey includes visits to historic monasteries as soon as you land in the land of Tibet. You will be escorted on a scenic tour of Lhasa, which includes visits to the famed and significant monasteries like Sera and Drepung Monasteries, Potala and Norbulingka Palaces, and Jokhang Temple before beginning the walk from Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery.

This enthralling journey also takes you through barley fields, nomadic grasslands, and small Tibetan settlements with welcoming people with a great sense of hospitality. The route leads you to some of the highest passes, including Shug La (5250 m) and Chitu La (5100 m), along with Tsotup Chu Valley. 

The Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek is unquestionably one of the best experiences, whether you seek Tibetan culture, religion, and spiritual side or the nature side. It is best to say that this trekking journey is a great combination and one of those breathtaking adventures where you get a chance to travel through a wilderness of ridged hills, cloud-covered monasteries atop faraway peaks, and the expansive panorama, along with a profound understanding of Tibetan Buddhism that only Tibet can offer. 

Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek Highlights 

• One of the best treks in Tibet, the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek

• The beauty of the countryside of Tibet

• Visit the renowned Ganden monastery ruins, one of Tibet's most significant Buddhist monasteries

• Views of lakes, valleys, alpine forests, meadows, snow-capped passes, and mountains

• Breathtaking traditional Tibetan villages and monasteries

• Samye Monastery, which is located on the banks of the Yarlung River 

• A peek at nomadic groups and their flocks of sheep and yaks

• Discover the fabled Yumulhakang castle

• Chance to explore the famous monasteries of Lhasa, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek Difficulty 

The Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek is considered a moderate to difficult trekking journey in Nepal that can also be conquered by beginners if physically and mentally fit. The biggest concern for this trek in Tibet is altitude sickness, as the trekking railway from Ganden to Samye is above 3,500 meters above sea level on average. 

Altitude Sickness can attack anybody, regardless of any experience, age, or physical fitness, if you are above 3000 meters. We would be passing over two or more mountain passes over 5,000 meters during this trekking journey, with Shug or Shuga La at 5250 meters and Chitu-la at 5,100 meters being the two highest. Hence, we should always be aware of it. If you feel any early symptoms of altitude sickness, such as losing appetite, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, dizziness, confusion, persistent headache, weakness, fatigue, heavy legs, breathlessness, breathing irregularity, etc., you are always advised to inform it to your guide as soon as possible. 

Then the guide will lead you to the lower altitude because the first thing to do is stop ascending. Also, acclimatization plays a pivotal role when traveling to higher altitudes. Hence, our itinerary includes extra days in Lhasa. On the other hand, you need to hydrate yourself continuously, eat a balanced diet, sleep properly, etc., during the high-altitude trek. Also, carrying altitude sickness medicines prescribed by the doctor could come in handy in case of any mishaps. 

Best Time to do the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek 

Tibet is best visited during the spring and autumn seasons. Similarly, the months from April to October are the finest time to do the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek as the interval of time has fairly pleasant daytime temperatures. The skies are clear, and the routes are dry and stable except on the days of rain during the monsoon. Generally, the rainy season is avoided for any treks, but you can do the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek during the monsoon too, because the rains are not heavy and normally do not fall during the daytime. July and August are the rainiest season but they only receive sporadic nighttime showers, which can make the nighttime temperature below freezing. Other than this challenge, everything fits perfectly for the trekking journey. Also, the mountains are at their greenest, and the alpine meadows are adorned with wildflowers.

The off-season wintertime is not recommended for the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek as the weather is too chilly and windy. Similarly, snow can block the trekking route, making it hard to trace them. However, if you want to experience the trek in winter and challenge the season, you should be an experienced trekker and only proceed with proper guidance and equipment. 

Permits to do the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek 

Trekkers are required to obtain the following permits to do the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek. 

1. Tibet Travel Permit 

The Tibet Travel Permit is issued by the Tibet Travel Bureau (TTB) in Lhasa. It takes around 2 weeks to obtain it. You need to first confirm the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek with an authorized travel agency like us. Then, your scanned passport copies and required documents will be submitted to TTB. After the permit is obtained by your travel agency, it will be handed to you once you arrive in Tibet. 

2. Alien’s Travel Permit

A special permit named Alien’s Travel Permit is mandatory for the Ganden to Samye Monastery Trek, as the journey covers some restricted areas of Tibet. The permit can be obtained once you are in Tibet after showing your original passport and Tibet Travel Permit.