Ganden to Samye Trek Tips and Guide

Trek from Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery is one of the most popular trekking routes in Tibet. Most of the route is located around 4000 meters above sea level, starting at 13,940 feet at Ganden, passing Shogu La at 17,220 feet and heading toward the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, Samye Monastery. The trek is full of challenges.

But this trek also has much pleasure: blue lakes, high snowy passes and mountains, lush alpine meadows, nomad camps, tranquil villages and sacred sites. This must be an unforgettable experience.

Trekking in Tibet

On the way, you will find secluded valleys which inhabited by high-altitude nomads and their yaks. This trekking route is also famous as a pilgrimage route. Every year, hundreds and thousands of tibetans are willing to pay a visit to Ganden, the principal monastery of the Gelugpa, and Samye, Tibet's first monastery. And combination of the two visit is also a good choice. The best time for this trek is from mid-May to Mid-October, and summer can be wet but the mountains are at their greenest and you can see wildflowers.This interesting trekking makes you fulfilling and pleasant.

Tibet Trekking Tips

In order to enjoy yourselves during Ganden to Samye trekking, you should prepare for this trek ahead of time. The high altitude and strange climate tell us only those with good physical condition are recommended to trek from Ganden to Samye. And it would be better for those with high elevation trek experience.

Clothing

1.Lightweight walking boots or hiking shoes, if you plan to buy a new pair, please wear them for some days at home to avoid blisters. Also bring several pairs of thin and thick woolen socks, spare laces and cotton shoe-pads. Women's sanitary pad is a very good material to put into your shoes to take the sweat away. A pair of normal walking shoes. You can wear them in the camp at night.

2.Warm jacket. Fiberfill or down should be adequate. If you trek is in April, May, late September or October, a down jacket is a must. Sometimes the temperature at night is Zero or even below Zero. A rain-proof jacket with hood or a poncho. Get one that is guaranteed waterproof.

3.Woolen shirts and thick sweaters, cotton T-shirts, and it is better to have one long sleeved-shirt for avoiding sun burn.

4.A pair of light weight trousers, the loose cotton pants are the best. Jeans are unsuitable to wear on treks. Windproof/waterproof trousers are necessary on all treks going above 10000 ft.

5.Wear warm trousers in the morning and at night.

6.Thermal underwear: these are excellent to sleep in at night. In the winter time thermal underwear are quite invaluable.

7.1-2 towels for removing the sweat on your back and head.

8.Wear a woolen hat in the morning and at night, especially in winter. A sun hat and ensure it has a wide brim to cover the face and neck.

9.A pair of gloves, sunglasses and snow glasses.

Gears

1.A thorough medical checkup is highly recommended before you start trekking in case of getting injury at the remote places of Tibet.

2.Camping gears like tent, sleeping bag and moisture-proof pad are necessary for camping outside in the trekking.

3.Cookware, canned gas, food and water are also necessary for this trek. As in the remote areas of Tibet, there are no restaurants or shops. The food must be adequate for two's consumption at least.

4.Day pack: this is a small rucksack to carry personal requirement for the day.

5. 2-4 large plastic bags to separate clean clothes from dirty ones. 6-10 smaller plastic bags to dispose garbage.

6.Toiletries with large and smaller towels. Toilet paper can be bought in Lhasa and some villages in the mountains.

7.Small headlamp or torch with spare batteries and bulbs, a box of matches or lighter to light the fire while cooking or burn the garbage.

8.A sewing box with needle and thread can help you sew something.

9.Camera, enough batteries, a note book, a pen, a pocket knife, a trekking map, GPS, etc are optional if you want to take them.

If you want to enjoy a relatively easy trek, you'd better hire a yak or horse porter. In addition, Tibet travel permit is necessary for trekking tour for foreign tourists who want to trek in Tibet.