Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nature stops or any other off-your-feet activities. On average, plan to walk five to seven
hours per day, interspersed with frequent short rests. You will also need time for setting up
camp, cooking and eating, and for the plain enjoyment of being there.
The trek stages can be used as a daily itinerary, but plan ahead to avoid spending the
night at the highest point reached in the day.
PASS HEIGHTS
Elevations in Tibet, especially for passes, are notoriously inconsistent, with maps and
road signs rarely agreeing over the correct elevation. In this guide we have tried to use
composite measurements, incorporating the most accurate maps, the most consistently
agreed on figures and on-the-spot GPS readings (which have their own inconsistencies
and inaccuracies). Most figures should be accurate within 100m or so, but use the eleva-
tions here as a guide only.
Ganden to Samye
This trek has much to offer: lakes, beautiful alpine landscapes, herders' camps and sacred
sites, as well as two of Tibet's greatest centres of religious culture. With so much to offer,
its popularity is understandable, but you should not underestimate this walk.
The best time for the trek is from mid-May to mid-October. Summer can be wet but the
mountains are at their greenest and wildflowers spangle the alpine meadows. Barring
heavy snow, it's also possible for those with a lot of trekking experience and the right gear
to do this trek in the colder months. If you're coming straight from Lhasa, you should
spend at least one night at Ganden Monastery (4190m) to acclimatise.
If you're fit, acclimatised and have a pack animal to carry your bags, it's not difficult to
do the trek in 3½ days, overnighting in Hepu/Yama Do, Tsotup-chu and Yamalung, though
some groups take the full five days. You'll experience at least three seasons on this trek,
probably in the same day! From the wintry feel of the Chitu-la you rapidly descend to the
springtime rhododendron blooms of the middle valley until the summer heat hits you on
the final approach to Samye. Pack accordingly.
