Ganden to Samye trek, Tibet

A classic trek of about 80 km over 4 to 5 days, linking two of Tibet's most important monasteries. It starts at Ganden Monastery, 45 km east of Lhasa, which was one of the largest monasteries in Tibet before it was destroyed in the 1960s and has since been partly rebuilt. The route crosses two high passes, the Shuga La (about 5,250 m) and the Chitu La (about 5,100 m), passes yak herders' camps and descends a beautiful valley to Samye, Tibet's first monastery.

You'll camp, sometimes in snow, so you need full camping gear and good acclimatisation: spend several days in Lhasa first. Hire yaks or horses and a local guide in the village of Hebu to carry your gear. The best months are May to October.

Foreigners can only visit Tibet on an organised tour with a Tibet Travel Permit and a licensed guide, so the trek has to be arranged through an agency, which will organise the permits, transport and support.