Ganden Kora

The Ganden Kora circumnavigates the Ganden Monastery located to the east of Lhasa.  This can easily be done as a day trip from Lhasa.  Check with your guide company and let him know when you would like to visit.  Be sure it is added to your initial itinerary as it is now difficult to stray from that.

From the Ganden Monastery parking lot, start by walking away from the monastery toward the left, then up the grassy hill to the right. There is a number of herd path ranging from gadual to steep.  You can select any one you are comfortable with. Your goal is to reach the summit on the left that starts the prayer flags.  It is a good idea to spend three days in Lhasa before you attempt this if you are not use to the altitude.  The Kora is a few thousand feet higher than Lhasa.  At the highest point of the upper Kora are several small peaks with incense alters and many prayer flags draped from one peak to the next. The hillside is completely littered with prayer flags and scarfs as well as pieces of prayer paper.

When you arrive at the far left peak, the Kora traverses several small summits in a clockwise direction (turning right to follow the ridge) in relation to the monastery.  You eventually descend into a grassy area then behind the monastery. Thus descent is steep and dusty. There are Yaks roaming free here and it is possible they will be on the trail.  They are rather timid but still, don’t try and pet them. 

After the descent, the Kora follows a relatively flat trail with several incense pots and small alters.  The trail is easy to follow and you likely have some Tibetan pilgrams walking the Kora with you.  I have hiked this Kora 3 times over the years and never encountered another foreignor. 

Once the Kora is complete you can explore the grounds of Ganden before your return to Lhasa.