14 Days Pilgrimage Trekking from Samye to Lhamo La-tso

Welcome to the roof of the world. Your Tibet journey starts with a warm Tibetan style greeting from your local tour guide who will present you with Hada (traditional Tibetan scarves). Then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city at the comfort of your own private vehicle. 

For most of the way, you follow the Kyichu River, you could see Tibetan homes with their trapezoid shaped windows and fluttering prayer flags, and Tibetans walking beside the roads wearing their distinctive national costumes. Do have a comfort stop near Nietang Buddha where a giant statue of Buddha has been carved out of a stone cliff-face centuries ago. One of the first buildings you could see as you enter the city is the Potala Palace, sitting majestically on a hill dominating Lhasa.

Stay at the hotel after arrival 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.

After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. It is visible from any distance, with the golden roof shinning in the sun, spend one hour wondering around the inside of this magnificent building exploring the rooms previously used by the Dalai Lama and the many Buddhist icons within.

In the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures have numerous individual temples within it dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.

Then stroll around the back alleys of the Barkhor area of Old Lhasa. The streets smelled of yak butter and incense while hordes of pilgrims shuffled along the main Kora (circumambulations) around Jokhang Temple. If someone just walked at a normal pace, one kora would take about 15-20 minutes.

In the morning have a tour for Drepung Monastery, the ever largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, Buddhist debates often occur there. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given its name which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks there.

The afternoon is spent touring Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there, in the afternoon, visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Catch the famous debate session of the monks before returning back to Lhasa.

An early start this morning, drive forward to Samye Monastery. Surrounded by barren mountains and dramatic sand dunes and approached via a beautiful river crossing, you will boat ride across the Yarlung Tsangpo, then trucks and tractors to Samye, just like the locals do. As Tibet’s first monastery and the place here Buddhism was established, the monastery is of major historical and religious importance. No journey in central Tibet is complete without a visit to Samye. We will start our Samye-Lhamo Latso Trekking from here next day.

Wade across a small river that flows south into the Tsangpo. This region is barren. A trail following the Tsangpo starts east of here and makes the going easier. From the ferry to the last bluff takes 4 hours. The snow peak to the south is Yala Shampo, across the river is Tsetang. The trail now heads north, veering left just before another ferry. Crosses a small bridge and after 3 hours reaches the village of Chermen or called Timen at the entrance of Yon Valley. Tagka Sho is a short distance to the east.

Follow the well-defined track 1km north of the river to Jang. Goats, sheep and donkeys abound in this prosperous area. From Jang walk 1/2 hour to a small village next to the main path. At this point a track on the left zigzags up a range of mountains to the northeast. A 3 hours walking along it leads to Densatil Monastery.

After returning from Densatil, continue along the river to Pumdru. Leave the main track that continues along the river, and follow a side trail, lined by transmission towers, up the hill to the left. Cross a small rise and then descend towards Zangri.Follow a motor road for 10 minutes to where wooden posts block the road. Take a side road to the left. 10 minutes further along the main road is a small hill on the left. From Jang to here is 5 hours. Climb for 15 minutes to the Gelugpa monastery of Zangri Karmar.

A scenic motor road runs north for 22km from Zangri Karmar, along the east bank of the Tsangpo river, to a power station. After the station follow the wider of the two valleys to the left. Carry on along the valley for 1 3/4 hours to a small bridge. Here the valley divides again.

The motor road continues to the left. Take the dirt track to the right through a side valley. This is the Woka Valley, trending to the northeast. After 1 1/4 hours on a level path, the valley widens, with good views of sacred Wode Gungyal to the right. Ignore the small bridge that crosses the river on the right. Continue for 15 minutes to good campgrounds, then follow the jeepable track to Woka. From the camping area to Woka is 3.5hours. From woka cross a small bridge and head east towards the mountains along the right side of the Woka Valley. Cross a range of low hills to reach Cholung Monastery.

For hours from Cholung, the valley abruptly becomes a narrow gorge flanked by sheer cliffs. Climb a small bluff, bearing to the right. Cross a bridge at the top and descend to a small lateral valley with nomad tents. It's possible to stay with the herdsmen, surrounded by yaks and snowcapped mountains.

Cross a small hill on the north side of the valley and descend back down to the Yulung. 1.5hours to another side valley opening to the right. Black tents sometimes mark the spot. Bypass the valley and walk for 2 hours to a broad open area with many black tents. That is Shindu nomad camp. Ignore a side valley left of Shindu.

Follow the west bank of the main river for one hour to a stone hut enclosed by a low stone wall. The valley divides here. Take the left branch, known as Layuena. After 1 hour reach another stone hut and shortly afterwards a couple of black tents. Continue for 1 1/4 hours to a clearing with about ten tents. This is Amando.

Walk up to the Lung La, 1.5hours from Amando. Only the final half an hour is strenuous. At the top, to the left, is a field of thick snow covering the sides of a prominent peak, with a small lake at its base. This is one of 21 sacred lakes in the area, consecrated Drolma. Descend steeply, curving to the right. After 1.5hours cross the river on stone steps to the east bank. Follow the river for 3/4hour, then wade back to the right bank at a point marked by stone cairns. Reach Chokorgye Monastery after a further 2 3/4 hours of easy and pleasant walking. Chokorgye is a lovely spot to spend a rest day.

Follow a path over a bridge to the entrance of the northeast valley from the east wall of the Chokorgye monastery. Follow the valley for 1 hour, along the left bank of the river, to an area marked by many cairns. Cross the river here on stepping stones to a nomad camp. Then climb abruptly and steeply north to reach a side valley that runs perpendicular to the main river. A small burbid pond, on the left, is reached in one hour. This is Yoni lake.

Follow your left river for one hour to a flat pateau. Look behind for a close, dramatic view of Mount Lhamo Nying. Directly ahead is an amphitheater of seemingly impassable mountains. Reach the pass overlooking Lake Lhamo Latso after 1 hour. This spot, crammed full of praer flags and stone cairns, is know as Shugtri, the Dalai Lama's Throne. Pilgrims usually stay here for several hours, chanting prayers, meditating, and making offerings. Our trek ends here, but it will cost you another 3 hours walking to return to Chokorgye. Optional (The path to the lake is difficult and pilgrims rarely descend. Down to the lake, you need 2 extra days) Extra day 1 Walk down the scree slopes to the lake shore Extra day 2 Return from the valley bottom to the top

Tsedang, the capital of Shannan Prefecture. It's reputed as "the cradle of Tibetan Civilization", mainly for two reasons: First, the mild weather and fertile land in Shannan gestated the great Tibet dynasty. Second, it's the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. So Tsedang literally means "monkey's playground".

Begin this day with the tour to Yumbulagang. A fine, tapering finger of a structure that sprouts from a craggy ridge overlooking the patchwork fields of the Yarlung Valley, Yumbulagang is considered the oldest building in Tibet. It is a remarkably impressive sight, with a lovely setting. You could ride horses and yaks up the mountain to the temple if you prefer.

Then visit to the Trundruk monastery, one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibetan history. It is said that King Songtsan Gampo built the monastery to suppress the demon for prospering his kingdom in 641 A.D. And later it became the winter palace of King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng in Shannan. Of all the treasures and relics kept in this monastery, the pearled Tangka -- "Avalokitesvara at his rest" is the most remarkable one.

Free time at your disposal this morning, explore the Tsedang city or buy some souvenirs for your families and friends. Then departure transfer to see off, tour services end and Tibet welcome you back forever.