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10 |
Mount Climbing |
DAYS |
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Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- 1. Ganden to Samye Tibet trekking: one of the best hikes in the world
- 2. Samye Monatery: Combining Tibetan, Han and Indian styles
- 3. Ganden Monastery: one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet and famous for its Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival
Brief Itinerary
- DAY 01 ARRIVAL LHASA
- DAY 02 LHASA
- DAY 03 LHASA
- DAY 04 LHASA TO GANDEN- TREK TO TRUBSHI VILLAGE
- DAY 05 TRUBSHI TREK TO YAMA DO
- DAY 06 YAMA DO TREK TO CHITUL GANG
- DAY 07 CHITUL GANG TREK TO HERDER’S CAMP
- DAY 08 HERDER’S CAMP TO SAMYE MONASTERY
- DAY 09 SAMYE TO TSETANG
- DAY 10 TSETANG TRANSFER TO AIRPORT AND DEPART FROM TIBET
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
Ganden to Samye Tibet trekking route is regarded as one of the best hikes
in the world. It is a fulfilling and pleasant pilgrimage trip with much to
offer, an overview of Tibetan Buddhism and religious culture, blue holy lakes,
high snowy passes and mountains, lush alpine meadows, sporadic herders’ camp,
tranquil Tibetan villages, time-honored sacred sites, finally culminating at
the barren, desert-like surroundings near the Samye Monastery. If you travel to
Tibet, we highly recommend you to try this trek, which will make your Tibet
tour more interesting.
Along the high passes, you will find secluded valleys — only inhabited by
high-altitude nomads and their yaks. This is also a well-used pilgrimage route
for Tibetans for it is convenient to combine a visit to Ganden (the principal
monastery of the Gelugpa) with a reasonably direct but hard walk to Samye
(Tibet's first monastery).
Though it is an attractive route, do not underestimate the trek. Starting
at 4180m (13,940 feet) at Ganden Monastery, passing Shogu-La Pass at 5250m
(17,224ft) and heading toward the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, Samye
Monastery 3540m (11,600ft), the trek is a challenge and the altitude gains are
higher than what is often recommended. Only those with experience hiking and
camping in higher-elevation wildernesses should attempt this trek unsupported.
If you’re coming straight from Lhasa, you should spend at least one night at
Ganden Monastery to acclimatize.
Note: All
the time and distance etc shown below are approximate and indicative only, if
there is inconsistency, it will depend on the weather, local road conditions
and other actual situations. Besides, the duration might be revised according
to your physical level.
Holiday Itinerary
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ARRIVAL LHASA
Welcome to the roof of the world! You will be picked up by local tour guide at the airport hall or train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city in a private vehicle.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city at the top of the world.
Tips of today: 1. Go for some walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2. You’d better not have bath; 3. Drink more water, and have some fruit; 4. Have a good rest.
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Accommodation Yak Hotel or similar
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LHASA
Today we will visit Poatala palace and Jokhang. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the local points of pilgrims from entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith.
Continue your tour to Jokhang Temple, which is within walking distance from Potala Palace. It is considered the spiritual center of Tibet. You will see many pilgrims worship within or nearby the temple. Enter the first floor of the temple and absorb the religious atmosphere, you will see pilgrims are donating butter oil to keep the lights burning for the Buddha. While learning about more Buddhas and Lamas than you can possibly remember you will gain a feeling for the vast history of Tibetan Buddhism. You might also hear red-robed Lamas praying. Walk up to the roof of the temple, take some pictures of the gold roof and enjoy the beautiful sunshine of Lhasa while observing pilgrims praying in front of the temple.
Finally, join locals in a traditional pilgrimage route by taking a relaxing walk in a large circular path around Jokhang Temple at Barkor Street. The street is filled with pilgrims taking part in religious activities and street venders selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods and religious items. If you like you can also ask your tour guide take you to visit a Thangka workshop to marvel at the fabulous Thangka art work. There are cafes along the street as well. You can relax and enjoy the life in Lhasa in a lazy afternoon.
Tips: As you climb up to the Potala Palace, you might experience slight shortness of breath due to the exertion. Take your time and rest when needed. Please try not to disturb pilgrims; you can take pictures from a distance.
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Accommodation Yak Hotel or similar
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Meals B
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LHASA
After breakfast, you are driven to visit the Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the most holy sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history. Next, come to Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks.
Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. These debates are unique to Sera and are quite famous. Enjoy the debates!
Tips: Today, you will be driven to the outskirt of Lhasa City. The drive is not long, all within half hour. The road condition is good. A little walking or climbing is involved. Please pack plenty of water with you. Don't forget about your sun glasses and sun-cream.
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Accommodation Yak Hotel or similar
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Meals B
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LHASA TO GANDEN- TREK TO TRUBSHI VILLAGE
Today we will drive from Lhasa to Ganden where we will visit the Ganden monastery and start trek to Trubshi village. After trekking for a short time in beautiful Tibetan topography we will camp.
Ganden Monastery is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, famous for its Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival. It was founded in the early 15th century by Tsong Khapa, a well-known Tibetan religious philosopher. 45km away Lhasa City, the monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain, on the southern bank of Lhasa River. Its significance as a religious, artistic, political and cultural relic led to it being preserved by the National Key Cultural Relic Preservation scheme in 1961, and is now known as being one of the 'Three Great Temples', together with the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa.
After arriving at Ganden, spend at least a half day to explore the attractions in and around the ancient monastery, home to the earliest monastery of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Although the monastery is mostly in ruins, it is a fascinating place. Pilgrims arrive in Ganden from all over Tibet to walk around the site of the monastery, and one can observe the rituals they perform on this ‘Kora’ around the monastery.
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Accommodation Camp overnight near Trubshi
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Distance 5km
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Meals BLD
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Time 2-3hrs trekking
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TRUBSHI TREK TO YAMA DO
Today is a 5 hour trek. Trek along an ancient trail and take in scenic views of unusual beauty. Walk along a ridge of reach the ancient Hepu village. In the afternoon, you’ll walk through Ani Pagong, a narrow part of the trail that was once home to a nunnery. In the late afternoon, ascend to Yama Do.
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Accommodation Camp overnight at Yama Do
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Distance 17km
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Meals BLD
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Time 7hrs trekking
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YAMA DO TREK TO CHITUL GANG
Early in the morning, trek from Yamo Do through a steep gully to the banks of a stream. Climb to Shug La pass and begin the descent from there through fields of glacial boulders. Tsotup Chu is actually a large stream that flows through the valley, and we will cross this stream towards the rocky mountain pass of Chitu La pass. A comfortable camp will be set up in one of the herder fields.
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Accommodation Camp overnight at Chitul Gang
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Distance 10km
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Meals BLD
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Time 6hrs trekking
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CHITUL GANG TREK TO HERDER’S CAMP
Go on an exciting 6-7 hour trek covering 14km from Chitul Gang. 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 the picturesque Herder’s camp for nearly an hour.
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Accommodation Herder's Camp
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Distance 14km
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Meals BLD
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Time 7hrs hiking
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HERDER’S CAMP TO SAMYE MONASTERY
The trail gets wider and easier as we follow through scrub forests in the main valley. Beautiful streams and lush forests surround us as we walking. 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 your every step of the way! After passing through this wondrous landscape, we will take truck through the Changtang village via Samye valley along the babbling tributary stream to Samye Monastery.
Samye Monatery is regarded as the first Buddhist Temple in Tibet. It was founded in 779 by King Trisong Detsen and located in the quiet piedmont area of north bank of Yarlung Zangpo River. Samye is also the first complete with the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. It has become a top destination for Tibetan Buddhists who will walk thousands of miles for weeks to finish their pilgrimage to this monastery.
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Accommodation Samye Hotel
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Distance 5km
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Meals BLD
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Time 2hrs hiking
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SAMYE TO TSETANG
Drive from Samye to Tsetang, the third largest city in Tibet. Tsetang is known as “the cradle of Tibetan Civilization” for two reasons: first, its mild weather and fertile land conceived the great Tibet dynasty; second, it’s the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. Today you will visit the Yumbulakang and Samye monasteries.
According to a legend of followers of the Bon religion, Yumbulakang was erected in the second century B.C. for the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo, who was descended from the sky. Yumbulagang became a shrine and under the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, a monastery of the Gelugpa school. Yumbulakang monastery was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution, though it has been extensively rennovated since.
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Accommodation Tsetang Hotel
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Meals BLD
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TSETANG TRANSFER TO AIRPORT AND DEPART FROM TIBET
After breakfast, take 2hrs drive to Lhasa Gongga Airport, see off.
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Meals B
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Price Policy
Tour Price Policy
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
7. Internal flights
** Day 11/ Flight from Yichang to Shanghai (based on economy class);
8. Trains
** Day 04/ High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (based on 2nd class);
** Day 06/ High speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (based on 2nd class)
** Day 06/ High speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (based on 2nd class)
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.
