Samye Trek

•  Group Size: 2 to 10 people

•  Elevation: Up to 4,700m

•  Start & endpoints: Departs from Lhasa, and ends in Lhasa, Tibet.

•  Best season: 1st June through 10th September 

• Trekking level: Challenging
   

Things that we prepare for the trek

• Toilet papers.

• Wet tissue.

• Hand sanitiser.

• Quick-dry hand tower.

• Full camping equipment:

• Tents.

• Air mattresses for each person.

• Air pillow for each person.

• Camping lamps.

• Dining sets (table and chairs).

• Dining tent

• Toilet tent.

• All cooking equipment.

• Plates, cups, bowls, spoons, forks, tissues.

Things that you need to prepare for the trek.
Clothes:
1. Cap/hat (covers neck and face from Sun).
2. Outdoor water-proof jacket.
3. Fleece (for morning and evening temperature / 10c-15c).
4. T-shirts, two (at least one long-sleeve for protection from Sun).
5. Quick-dry trousers.
6. Raincoat.
7. Trekking boots (waterproof is the best option. If it’s brand new, pls wear them and get used).
8. Cotton socks, two pairs.
Equipment:
1. Backpack, 20-25L (for your daily items, raincoat, packed lunch, water bottle, backpack rain cover).
2. Walking stick (1 for experienced trekker; 2 for beginner).
3. Water bottle (pls bring 1 or 2. We will fill the water one time before the trekking each morning and carry it by us).
4. Sunblock (SPF50+, PA+++).
5. Lipstick for sunscreen and moisture.
6. Sunglasses.
7. Headlamp (for your personal use. We provide the camping lamp for each tent).
8. Camera, and extra batteries for camera (no electricity during the trek).
9. Power bank for your cell phone charges.10. Sleeping bag.
 

Tour and trekking itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Lhasa

Flight to Lhasa, upon arrival at Lhasa airport, you will be greeted by our local guide and driver, and transferred to a hotel in Lhasa, upon arrival at the hotel, check in the hotel and relax, rest for the rest of the day, acclimatize,  we may take a short walk around the Barkhor old town area, hotel stay

Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing

Today, we will visit the Dreprung Monastery which is about 8 km west of Lhasa. Dreprung Monastery was once the world’s largest monastery with a population of about 10,000 monks. Dreprung was founded in 1416 and in 1530 and the 2nd Dalai Lama established the palace that was home to the Dalai Lamas until the 5th built the Potala. Today, there are around 500 monks in residence and 40% of the Monastery has been destroyed.  Visit the Sera Monastery which is around 5km north of central Lhasa. It was along with Dreprung one of Lhasa's 2 great Gelugpa monasteries. It was built in 1419 by one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Ge-lug-pa Sect. It covers an area of 114,964 square meters, the structure is imposing, picturesque in disorder, and splendid in green and gold. It is typical Tibetan architecture.  Also, visit the Norbulingka Palace which was developed as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas in the mid-18th century. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Lhasa Sightseeing

Morning, provide sightseeing of Potala Palace and the Jokhang temple and Barkhor street.  Potala Palace, a fort of 13 stories which dominates the whole city, was set up in the 7th century during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo and covers an area of 41 hectares. The 13-storey main building, 115,703 metres in height, consists of White and Red palaces with 1,000 rooms, such as bedrooms, scripture rooms, stupas, and rooms for the monks.  It is the headquarters of the Dalai Lamas and has been the home of each of the successive Dalai Lamas. It is a treasure house of traditional Tibetan culture. Visit the Jokhang Temple in the heart of the old part of the town. It was built in the mid-seventh Century. It was founded by Queen Bhrikuti on a site deemed by Queen Wencheng to be the principal geomatic power place in Tibet. It is at Barkhor Street that most people fall in love with Lhasa. The Barkhor circuits run through the heart of the old city where life has changed little over the centuries. The whole circuit is lined with stalls selling everything a Tibetan or visiting tourist could possibly need. Overnight at the hotel

DAY 04 - LHASA TO GANDEN ON TO TRUPSHI VILLAGE 7HRS

After breakfast, we leave Lhasa, drive to Ganden, and visit the monastery in the morning, at noon we have a picnic lunch in the surrounding area of the monastery and afternoon we start hiking from Ganden, crossing Ganden ridge to Hebu and then Trupshi, overnight camping 

DAY 05 - TREK UP TO YAMADO 4HRS

An easy morning at the camp with breakfast, and then start our trek up the valley with a simple picnic lunch on the way we reach our campsite at Yamado early in the afternoon, relax and rest, overnight camping

DAY 06 - TREK CROSS SHUGA LA PASS 6 TO 7HRS

After breakfast, we continue our trek up to the valley, crossing the Shuga La pass and then descending down towards Chitu valley, crossing a small river and reaching our camp at the entrance of Chitu valley, overnight camping

DAY 07 - TREK CROSS CHITU LA PASS 5 TO 6HRS

Leaving the camp in the morning, gradually ascend to the pass and then down the river valley to Nyinggo Sumdo campsite, overnight camping 

DAY 08 - TREK TO EMALUNG AND THEN TO SAMYE 1 1/2HRS

After breakfast, we leave the camp, trek down to Emalung village, where we take a tractor or van to Samye monastery, check in the monastery hotel and afternoon we visit the monastery ( the very first Buddhist monastery founded by the 37th king of Yarlung Dynasty with the participation of the famous Indian tantric master Guru Ringpo Che and Kenchen Shiva Tso in the 8th century. The very monastery where the very first 7 Tibetan monks had been ordained and translated the Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit and Pali into Tibetan ), the structure of the monastery is so unique and fascinating for its distinction! late afternoon on your free excursion to the surrounding village, and also the Heburi hill-top is also a beautiful option to be for views of the Yarlung valley and the monastery, ( 3600m ) overnight at Samye monastery hotel 

DAY 09 - SAMYE - CHIMPU VALLEY HIKE

This is a beautiful and unusual day hike into the Chim Pu valley and its meditation caves, their history goes back to the times of the initial foundation of Samye monastery, 1200 years back, These hermitage caves are still in use for many Buddhist devotees, nuns and monks. We have a bit of a climb to take us to the caves. Late afternoon drive to Tsethang for the night, hotel stay

Day 10: Lhasa departure by flight or train. 
Transfer to the airport for a flight to your next destination
 

TOUR & TREKKING COST:
2,250USD/ 15,750RMB per person (private arrangement/ tour size: 2-10 pp)
Inclusions

• Full board camping service for the whole trekking period.

• Tibet permits and application charges

• Guide and camping staff.

• Cook and kitchen staff.

• Porters with the camping equipment.

• All staff and porters’ insurance.

• Restricted area trekking permit.

• Hotel & guest house.

• Staff, porters, and equipment transportation from DAY 04-09.

• Oxygen cylinder with mask and regulator for emergency use.

• Hotel reservation.

• Airport pickup and drop.

• Welcome and farewell dinner.

• Travel agency service surcharge

Exclusions

• All kinds of beverages.

• Personal trekking gear.

• Staffs tips.

• Airfare, airport tax, any train fare

• Meals (before and after the trek)

• Personal entrance fee for any sight on the tour ( payable on the spot )
  
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