How much does it cost?

From $1,690 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,690 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking guide and driver throughout the entire 10 days. It is a private, guided tour.

What is included in the accommodation?

Hotel lodging is included; you choose the standard (luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star, economical 3-star, or guesthouse). Breakfast is provided each morning. One welcome dinner is included; other meals are not.

What permits and visas do I need?

A Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit is required and included in the tour price. You must obtain a Chinese visa separately; Great Tibet Tour can provide hotel and flight reservation copies or an invitation letter to support your visa application.

Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

10 Days Chongqing Tibet with Mt.Everest Train Tour

Chongqing to Lhasa by train, then Tibet and Everest Base Camp.

Great Tibet Tour operates this 10-day private journey combining train travel with guided exploration of Tibet and Mount Everest. The trip begins with a two-night soft-sleeper journey on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Chongqing to Lhasa, passing through Qinghai Salt Lake, the Kekexili Nature Reserve, and Namtso Lake. Upon arrival in Lhasa at 3,650 metres, you spend three days with an English-speaking guide visiting Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and Drak Yerpa. The second half of the tour drives overland to Shigatse, passing Yamdroktso Lake and Karola Glacier, then continues to Everest Base Camp. The return journey includes stops at Tashilhunpo Monastery and Yungdrungling Monastery. Accommodation is at hotels of your choice, with breakfasts included. This tour suits guided-comfort travellers, repeat rail enthusiasts, and those interested in Tibetan Buddhist culture and high-altitude landscapes.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at US$1,690 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

A Tibet Travel Permit is required and Great Tibet Tour secures it, but you must apply for a Chinese visa separately; the operator can provide supporting documents.
Accommodation is 'your decision' on class (luxury 5-star, comfortable 4-star, economical 3-star, or guesthouse), so the final hotel depends on your tier choice.
The tour involves two consecutive nights on a train and extended daily driving (5 to 7 hours on days 6, 7, and 8) at high altitude; acclimatization time in Lhasa is built in, but altitude sickness is a personal risk.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: on the train
Chongqing - Lhasa Train
Board the train at Chongqing West Railway Station (arrive 1 hour early with passport and Tibet Travel Permit).
Day 2railovernight: on the train
On the Train
The train runs through Xi'an and Lanzhou, then the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining; major sights include Qinghai Salt Lake, Kekexili Nature Reserve, Tuotuo River, Tangula Pass and Namtso Lake.
Day 3railovernight: Lhasa
Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m)
Met at Lhasa Railway Station, transfer to the hotel via views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River; rest to acclimatize, optional visit to Potala Palace Square.
Day 4overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa Sightseeing
Visit Drak Yerpa meditation retreat and Sera Monastery, known for its monk debating sessions.
Day 5overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa Sightseeing
Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and walk Barkhor Street.
Day 6overnight: Shigatse
Lhasa- Gyantse- Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs
Via Kampala Pass with views of Yamdroktso Lake and the Karola Glacier; visit Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse.
Day 7overnight: EBC
Shigatse - Tingri - EBC, 350km, Approx. 7hrs
Cross Tsola and Gyatsola Passes and Gawula Pass into the Everest National Nature Reserve, arriving at Everest Base Camp.
Day 8overnight: Shigatse
EBC - Shigatse, 350km, Approx. 7hrs
Optional sunrise viewing, visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, then drive back to Shigatse.
Day 9overnight: Lhasa
Shigatse - Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 5hrs
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, then Yungdrungling Monastery, a Bon monastery, en route back to Lhasa.
Day 10rail
Depart from Lhasa
Transfer to Lhasa Airport or Railway Station for onward travel.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Board the soft-sleeper train at Chongqing West Railway Station on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's highest train route.
Day 2The train passes through Qinghai Salt Lake, Kekexili Nature Reserve, and crosses Tangula Pass and Namtso Lake en route to Lhasa.
Day 5Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, then walk Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
Day 6Drive to Shigatse via Kampala Pass with views of Yamdroktso Lake and Karola Glacier; visit Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse.
Day 7Cross Tsola, Gyatsola, and Gawula Passes into Everest National Nature Reserve, arriving at Everest Base Camp.

Included

Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
Soft-sleepers from Chongqing to Lhasa
All entrance ticket fees for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary
Experienced local English-speaking tour guide
Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as needed by the itinerary including gas and parking fees
All lodging listed in the itinerary; it's your decision to choose the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economical 3-star hotel, or guesthouse
Breakfasts provided by hotels & a welcome dinner
Pick-up & Drop-off service from the airport/railway station
Travel Agency Liability Insurance
Government tax
Express delivery fee of the Permit (eg. SF Express)
Food & lodging for guide & driver
Oxygen tank for emergency use
Two bottles of mineral water per person per day

Not included

International flights to and from China
Chinese Visa/China Group Visa (the operator can provide hotel/flight reservation copies or an invitation letter to support the visa application)
Other domestic flights/trains to and out of Lhasa (the operator can book these at the best price on request)
Meals (not included; typically USD 5-15/person per meal, operator can recommend options)
Gratuity for guide and driver (not mandatory but expected; suggested USD 8-15/person/day, given on the last day)
Commissions and taxes charged by PayPal or Bank, and government, when making a payment (e.g. PayPal 4.4%, wire transfer 2%)
Personal expenses, like laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc. Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From $1,690 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,690 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking guide and driver throughout the entire 10 days. It is a private, guided tour.
What is included in the accommodation?: Hotel lodging is included; you choose the standard (luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star, economical 3-star, or guesthouse). Breakfast is provided each morning. One welcome dinner is included; other meals are not.
What permits and visas do I need?: A Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit is required and included in the tour price. You must obtain a Chinese visa separately; Great Tibet Tour can provide hotel and flight reservation copies or an invitation letter to support your visa application.