Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

11 Days Chengdu & Tibet Train Tour

11 Days Chengdu & Tibet Train Tour, a rail journey with Great Tibet Tour

Discover highlights of Chengdu, Leshan and Emei, then board the highest railway to Lhasa, witness devout Tibetans, red-clad monks and flapping prayer flags.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chengdu

    Arrive in Chengdu

    Pick up at the airport/railway station and transfer to the hotel in downtown Chengdu.

  2. Day 2overnight: Emei

    Chengdu - Panda Base - Leshan - Emei, 205km, Approx. 3hrs

    Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and Leshan Giant Buddha (optional ferry ride ~USD 10/person), continue to the foot of Mt. Emei.

  3. Day 3overnight: Chengdu

    Emei - Chengdu, 165km, Approx. 2.5hrs

    Shuttle bus and cable car to the Golden Summit of Mt. Emei (3,077m), then back to Chengdu.

  4. Day 4railovernight: on the train

    Train: Chengdu - Lhasa

    Visit Wenshu Monastery and Kuan Zhai Lane, then board the evening Chengdu-Lhasa train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: on the train

    On the Train

    Full day on the train; arrival in Xining, the start of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, in the afternoon.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lhasa

    Arrival in Lhasa by Train

    Met at Lhasa railway station with a Tashi Delek greeting and white Hada, transfer to the hotel; rest to acclimatize to altitude (3,650m).

  7. Day 7overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and walk Barkhor Street.

  8. Day 8overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace, and Drepung Monastery.

  9. Day 9overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs

    Via Gambala Pass with views of Yamdroktso Lake and the Karola Glacier; visit Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lhasa

    Shigatse - Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 3.5hrs

    Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, then drive back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley.

  11. Day 11rail

    Lhasa Departure

    Free morning, then transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for onward travel.

Included

  • Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
  • 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)
  • Domestic flights/trains to and from 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

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