THE GANDEN TO SAMYE TREK

"Adventure at the Roof of the world"

The trek to Samye Monastery from Ganden is one of the most beautiful and pleasant trek with steep uphill route, it can be quite strenuous because of its high altitude of over 5000 meters passes of Shuga La (5,240m) and Chitu-La (5040m/16,700ft) the Trek from Ganden heads south reaching the first ridge at 4,510m/14,800ft. After an hour walk, the trail continues due south across the valley leading up to the first pass, Shuga-la, after the last village of Hebu. On the first few hours of trek there are few places where you need to cross the streams and creeks. The trail passes through nomads and Shepherds camp with the hill side dotted with marmot's dens. The dwarf rhododendron along this area is delightful and beautiful sight during the summer when it's in bloom in miniature bouquets of pink, white and purple. As the trek passes through beautiful country and meadows of green carpets, camp is made where there is creek nearby on the summer pastures. Before Chitu-la there is a small glacial lake, after the pass the trail follows the creek all the way to the Samye valley through the Yamalung pilgrimage site of the Nyingmapa sect, as you come to the village of Nyango. A good three hours walk from here brings you to the first great Buddhist Monastery in Tibet, at Samye founded in 775 A.D.