FROM GANDEN TO YAMDROK LAKE

Arrive in Lhasa Gonggar Airport and drive 1 ½ hr to Lhasa city (3,650 m). Check-in and acclimatization begins with a walk in the old town.
- Accommodation: Hotel

We visit the most popular sites around this ancient Tibetan capital: the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Shrine, the most sacred temple in Central Tibet and a pilgrimage site, the Barkhor Market, the monastic complex of Drepung, and the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulinka.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day.

We visit the most popular sites around this ancient Tibetan capital: the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Shrine, the most sacred temple in Central Tibet and a pilgrimage site, the Barkhor Market, the monastic complex of Drepung, and the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulinka.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day.

We drive to the monastery of Ganden, some 60 km away from Lhasa (4,260 m) which will be the starting point of the trek. We do the customary Kora of the monastery followed by a gradual climb of 1 ½ hours to reach a stone chorten from where we enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire Kyichu Valley to Lhasa.
We continue to the west on a ridge to a belvedere with a cairn before arriving at the village of Hepu after two hours of hiking. We visit the Ani Pangong Convent and end the day with a steep descent of an hour to Yamado walking through a swampy area.
- Duration of hike: 5 to 6 hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac under tent

We go up along a stream coming from the Tsotup Chu towards the Southwest. We then make an ascent of half an hour until reaching a new basin. The Chitu La Pass (5,100m), where we encounter several cairns is easily crossed. The descent is steep at the beginning but eases up as we come across three small lakes, after which we descend to the bottom of the valley.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day

We take a winding path through the bushes, rhododendron trees, and small clearings before reaching the ruins of Gendo after 3 hours. The forest then starts to dwindle away and we arrive at Chantan, the first village (4,020 m). We leave behind the Hebu Valley to follow another, the Yamalung Valley. Then there’s a steep climb up to a hermitage. Here we find our vehicle waiting to take us on to Samye.
We visit Samye Monastery, the oldest Tibetan monastery, which was built on a mandala plan following the instructions of Guru Rinpoche. It is known as the cradle of Tibetan Buddhism. Sadly it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but later restored. We bivouac on the banks of Yarlung Tsangpo ( Brahmaputra River).
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day.

Our next destination is Mindroling, a small dry-stone monastery in a bucolic setting. Then, we leave the Brahmaputra Valley and continue our journey towards the village of Langthang Dewachen (3,900 m).
The second half of our hike begins on an easy trail to the Bumthang Monastery. We set up camp at a place called the ‘Eagle's Nest'.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day.

We make a gradual ascent to reach the foot of the Jeshul La Pass where we set up camp at Lhemachen. We come upon a spectacular, wild landscape that rewards us with sightings of birds of prey like the Golden eagle or other wildlife species such as Blue sheep, antelopes, and Himalayan gazelles.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day.

We have a steep ascent to negotiate before reaching the Jeshul La Pass (5000m) where we come across Yamdrok Lake, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Himalayas. After admiring the view, we go down to the Ganden Chöling Monastery where we will probably have lunch in the monks’ kitchen. We continue downhill and cross the villages of Kangru and Karma before crossing the last pass of Penzi La (4,650 m). We arrive at the banks of Yamdrok Lake where we set up camp in an extraordinary setting.
- Accommodation: Same as the previous day.

We leave early in the morning for a long drive to Rongbuk, crossing three passes along the way. We reach the splendid site of Phuntsholing, near the powerful Brahmaputra River. From Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world (4,900m), the view of Everest and the gargantuan Himalayan range is overwhelming.
- Accommodation: Guest House or Monastery of Rongbuk on BB Basis.

We drive back to Lhasa via Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, and visit the famous Tashi Lumpo Monastic complex, the official residence of the Panchen Lama. We take the short route back to Lhasa, driving along the Brahmaputra’s shores to reach early enough to enjoy some free time in the capital city.
- Duration of drive: 7 hr.
- Accommodation: Lubhum Tsang Boutique on BB Basis.