D01 Arrive in Lhasa

Arrive at the airport from Kathmandu, be greeted and offered a white scarf (called Kada) in a Tibet traditional way which brings you good luck. Then drive to the city proper (3650 m) and transfer to your hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now, be noted the first day’s acclimation is extremely to ensure you a good health status for the following tour, so please make sure you have yourself lie in bed for all the rest time of the day right after check-in of hotel.

Potala Palace

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D02 Lhasa Sightseeing

Visit Potala Palace for the whole morning, then in the afternoon, have a view of the Jokang Monastery, then walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

D03 Lhasa Sightseeing

Visit Drepung Monastery for the whole morning, later after lunch, visit Sera monastery.  We can do the Sera Kora walk of about 1 hr and then catch the famous debate session of the monks before returning back to Lhasa.

Sera monastery

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D04 Drive to Ganden and start Trek from there: GANDEN—HEPU (5.5 HRS)

O/N: CAMP [B+L+D]

In the morning we visit the Gandan Monastery and our trek begins from here. The trail gradually ascends for 1.5 hrs before reaching a saddle marked by a cairn with views of Kyichu valley to Lhasa. Traversing the west side of the ridge from the saddle, the trail reaches a spur surmounted by a cairn, a spring and then the village of Hepu in 2 hrs. 1 hr from Hepu reach Ani Pangong, a small nunnery. The trail climbs steadily for 1 hour through marshy meadows to Yama Do.

D05 YAMA DO—TSOTUP CHU VALLEY (4—5 HRS)

O/N: CAMP [B+L+D]

In 2 hrs past Yama Do we ascend Shug—la pass (5250 m). It takes at least 1.5 hrs from the basin negotiating boulders and lumpy ground along the final steep climb to the pass. The route continues over the Shug—la pass following the cairned trail descending gradually and reaching the valley in 1.5 hrs from the pass. Cross the Tsotup Chu. Nomad herders with their herd of yaks, goat and sheep can be found here.

D06 TSOTUP CHU—HERDERS'S CAMP (5 HRS)

O/N: CAMP [B+L+D]

From the Tsotup Chu valley, follow a small tributary entering from the south—west. The route follows steeply upwards for 30 mins until you reach a large basin. The terrain is not particularly difficult to reach Chitu—la pass (5100 m) which is marked by several cairns. A short steep descent will bring you into a basin with three small lakes. The trail at many points is not clearly marked and goes past several seasonal camping sites before it reaches the valley floor.

Yamalung Valley

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D07 HERDER'S CAMP—YAMALUNG (5—6 HRS)

O/N: CAMP [B+L+D]

The trail is now wide and easy to follow and goes through forest of shrubs and rhododendrons for 3 hrs. The trail winds through a series of meadows before reaching Gen Do, a place with a ruined stone structure. The forest thins rapidly and we reach the first permanent village of Chantan (4020 m) after leaving Hebu.. In 30—40 mins we arrive at the turn off at Yamalung Valley. Yamalung Hermitage is another 1 hour steep climb from the valley floor. (B+L+D)

D08 YAMLUNG—SAMYE—Tsedang (4 HRS)

From Yamalung Valley it takes 3.5 — 4 hrs to Samye. We go past the villages of Nyango, Wango and Pisha. From Pisha the entire lower valley of Samye and the golden spires of Samye Monastery can be seen. Then drive 40 km to Tsetang. Located in the southeast of Lhasa.

Yumblagang

D09 Tsedang Sightseeing

In the morning, make a trip in the Yarlung valley to visit the Yumbulakhang, a medieval-European castle-like structure, reputed as Tibet’s oldest building. It doesn’t take that long to explore Yumblagang, perhaps the best part of the vist is the walk up along the ridge abour the building. There’re fabulous views of the Yarlung valley. Then have a tour to Trandruk Monastery and Mindroling Monastery around.

D10 Tsedang/Gonggar Airport

Departure transfers for the flight out. Tour service ends.

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