Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Once the only way to get to Samye, the old ferry across the Yarlung Tsangpo was not
running at the time of research.
A pilgrim bus runs daily between Lhasa's Barkhor Sq and Samye but foreigners are cur-
rently not allowed to take it.
Around Samye
Chim-puk Hermitage
HERMITAGE
Chim-puk Hermitage is a collection of cave shrines northeast of Samye that grew up over
the centuries around the meditation retreat of Guru Rinpoche. Chim-puk's Tantric practi-
tioners were once famed for their ability to protect fields from hailstorms. It is a popular
hiking excursion for travellers spending two days at Samye. Make sure your agency knows
in advance that you want to visit or you'll have to haggle over the return 20km trip.
From the impressive new nunnery at the base of the hill, trails lead up for about an hour
past dozens of cave shrines to the
lhakhang
built around Guru Rinpoche's original
medita-
tion cave
halfway up the hill. Painted numbers mark the most important hillside shrines,
most of which are still inhabited by practitioners.
If you are feeling fit and acclimatised, it is possible to climb to the top of the peak above
Chim-puk. To make this climb from the Guru Rinpoche cave follow the left-hand valley
behind the caves and slog it uphill for 1½ hours to prayer flags on the top of the ridge,
from where a path leads for another 1½ hours to the top of the conical peak, where there
are a couple of meditation retreats and fine views of the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley.
Yamalung Hermitage
HERMITAGE
It is possible to head up the valley directly behind Samye to the Yamalung Hermitage,
around 20km from Samye along a dirt road. Pre-arrange this in your tour itinerary other-
wise your driver will object to the extra mileage.
