Tibet’s first monastery

The Yarlung Valley shelters a wealth of history and legend. It was from their fortress/palace of Yambulagang that the 33rd Yarlung King, Songsten Gampo, moved his capital to Lhasa and first conceived a Tibetan state. He lies buried, along with both his ancestors and descendents, in the royal tombs at Chongye.
Across the Yarlung Tsangpo stands Samye, Tibet’s first monastic institution and one of its most beautiful. Dating from the 8th century, it was built in the form of a mandala representing the Buddhist universe.

Where are you going?
Day 1: Drive along the Yarlung Tsangpo, crossing the river by open barge – a fantastic experience, as you must weave your way between the many sandbanks; the colors of the river and mountains are incredible and there is usually a variety of bird life to be seen, as well as fellow pilgrims on the barge.
Day 2: Samye is Tibet’s first monastic institution. Constructed in 769 in the shape of a mandala, it is also one of the most attractive as it combines Indian, Tibetan, Khotanese and Chinese artistic traditions and has been affiliated with different traditions of Tibetan Buddhism throughout its history.
There is the option of taking a day-trek into the Chimphu valley to visit the tiny nunnery and the many hermitage caves that scatter the hillside.
Day 3: The Yarlung Valley is considered the cradle of the Tibetan people. It was from here that the Yarlung King Songsten Gampo unified central Tibet in the 7th century. The fortress-palace of Yambulakhang is dramatically situated on a hill above the valley, its founding dating back to a time of myth and legend. The Yarlung kings, including Songsten Gampo, were buried at Chongye, the tombs showing evidence of the pre-Buddhist Bon religion.
Day 4: An early start for the drive to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu or return to Lhasa.