Ganden Monastery Trek

The Ganden Monastery Trek in Tibet offers you an altogether different experience. As you hike along the rugged Tibetan terrain, you will be greeted with sights so different and new: from the arid Tibetan topography that resembles a lunar landscape, however, to the ancient villages, colorful prayer and magnificent monasteries. As you traverse along the 80-kilometer trekking trail that skirts barley fields and nomadic pastureland, you get an opportunity to observe Tibetan lifestyle at close quarters and experience the real Tibet. Before your Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery trek commences, you will be taken on a sightseeing tour to Lhasa.

During the trek you will be supported by an expert and dedicated trekking crew. With them you cross two high passes in the Tsotup Chu Valley, Shug La (5250m) and Chitu La (5100m). You will also get to explore various monasteries that lie along the trekking trail. The chief highlight of this trek is the trekking trail which connects the two important monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, Ganden and Samye. Ganden Monastery, which lies 45 km east of Lhasa, is the first monastery of the Gelugpa sect. Built by Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa order, the monastery is renowned as one of the biggest and most important Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet. The Samye monastery with its gleaming facade, is reached by crossing the Tsangpo River.  Founded in 779 AD by Trisong Detsen, the monastery has a collection of pagodas and temples.

Excursions to the Tandruk Monastery (which holds a wonderful specimen of Tibetan art) and the Yambulakang Castle (the home of the Yarlung Kings) are also included in your itinerary.

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