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Tibet Travel (Tibet Vista) · Private escorted tour

10 Days Guangzhou Xining Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour by Tibet Train

Ten-day Tibet train tour from Guangzhou through Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

Illustration of 10 Days Guangzhou Xining Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour by Tibet Train

Tibet Travel operates this 10-day private escorted tour combining train and overland travel across Tibet's high plateaus. The journey begins with a flight from Guangzhou to Xining, where travellers visit Ta'er Monastery and the Dongguan Mosque before boarding an overnight sleeper on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The train carries the group across scenic high-altitude terrain to Lhasa, where they spend three days exploring the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. From Lhasa, the private vehicle carries the group overland through Yamdrok Lake and past the Korola Glacier to Shigatse, then southward to Everest Base Camp at 5,000 metres. The return journey passes through Sakya and follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River back to Lhasa. A personal English-speaking Tibetan guide and driver accompany the entire tour. All permits, entrance fees, meals as listed, accommodation (choice of luxury to budget tier), and ground transport are included. The operator rates the activity level Easy and suitable for families and seniors.

What to know before you look closer

  • Accommodation tier selection affects final hotel choice; the operator lists four options from luxury 5-star to budget guesthouse or tent.
  • The itinerary states Activity Level Easy, but Day 7 involves reaching 5,000 metres at Everest Base Camp; confirm altitude acclimatization protocols with the operator.
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary cost approximately USD 3 to 15 per meal and are not included; budget accordingly.
  • Chinese visa and international flights to and from China are not included; visa application support is available on request.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Xining

    Fly from Guangzhou to Xining

    Flight from Guangzhou to Xining and transfer to the hotel; free time.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train

    Xining Tour: Ta'er Monastery, Muslim Quarter, and Board Train to Lhasa

    Visit Ta'er (Kumbum) Monastery, birthplace of Tsongkhapa, and the Dongguan Mosque, then board the overnight train to Lhasa.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lhasa

    Travel on the Tibet Train and Arrive in Lhasa

    Scenic day on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway; met at Lhasa Railway Station and transferred to the hotel to acclimatize.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

    Potala Palace in the morning; Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Kora in the afternoon.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

    Drepung Monastery in the morning; Sera Monastery and the monk debate in the afternoon.

  6. Day 6overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse 360km

    Drive over Gampala Pass to Yamdrok Lake, past the Korola Glacier and Simila Mountain Pass, via Gyantse to Shigatse.

  7. Day 7overnight: Everest Base Camp (tent, or nearby village in winter)

    Shigatse (3,850m) to Everest Base Camp (5,000m)

    Drive via Gyatsola Pass and Gawula Pass to the Everest Base Camp zigzag road, with an overnight beneath Mount Everest.

  8. Day 8overnight: Shigatse

    EBC to Sakya via Dinggye and Return to Shigatse

    Visit Rongbuk Monastery, return via the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint and Sakya's Saga Ancient Town, with a Tibetan song-and-dance dinner in Shigatse.

  9. Day 9overnight: Lhasa

    Shigatse to Lhasa via Nyemo

    Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, then drive back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River; free time on Barkhor Street.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Tour ends

    Departure from Lhasa

    Transfer to the airport or Lhasa Railway Station for departure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the overnight sleeper train from Xining to Lhasa on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway after visiting Ta'er Monastery and the Dongguan Mosque.
  • Day 3Travel the scenic Qinghai-Tibet Railway through high-altitude terrain and arrive in Lhasa for acclimatization.
  • Day 4Explore Potala Palace in the morning, then visit Jokhang Temple and walk the Barkhor Kora pilgrimage circuit.
  • Day 7Drive to Everest Base Camp at 5,000 metres and overnight beneath Mount Everest in a tent or nearby village accommodation.
  • Day 8Visit Rongbuk Monastery, then return via the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint and Sakya's ancient town; attend a Tibetan song-and-dance dinner in Shigatse.

Included

  • Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
  • All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
  • Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide
  • Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver (4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on group size)
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary (traveller chooses accommodation class: luxury 5-star, standard 4-star, economic 3-star, or budget guesthouse/tent)
  • Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary
  • All meals listed in the itinerary
  • Tourist accident/casualty insurance
  • First aid kit

Not included

  • International flight to and from China
  • Chinese visa (application support available on request)
  • Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary (approx. USD 3-15 per meal in Tibet)
  • Tips and gratuities for guide and driver
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, snacks, drinks, optional activities, etc.)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes a domestic flight from Guangzhou to Xining and an overnight soft or hard sleeper berth on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining to Lhasa. Overland travel is by private vehicle (4WD Land Cruiser to minibus depending on group size).
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Tibet Travel provides a personal English-speaking Tibetan local guide and driver throughout the 10 days. The tour operates year-round, departing 365 days a year.
What accommodation choices are available?
Travellers choose from four accommodation classes: luxury 5-star, standard 4-star, economic 3-star, or budget guesthouse and tent (at Everest Base Camp or nearby village in winter). All lodging is included.
What major sites does the itinerary visit?
Sites include Ta'er Monastery and the Dongguan Mosque in Xining; Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery in Lhasa; Yamdrok Lake and the Korola Glacier en route to Shigatse; Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp; Sakya's ancient town; and Tashilhunpo Monastery on the return to Lhasa.
What is the physical demand?
The operator rates the activity level as Easy, suitable for all levels of fitness, families with kids and senior groups. However, Day 7 reaches Everest Base Camp at 5,000 metres; confirm acclimatization measures with Tibet Travel.
What is not included in the price?
Not included are international flights to and from China, Chinese visa, meals not listed in the itinerary (approx. USD 3 to 15 per meal), tips and gratuities for guide and driver, and personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, snacks and optional activities.

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