China Tibet Train (China Tibet Tour) · Small group tour

11 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour by Train

Small-group Tibet train tour to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake

China Tibet Train runs this 11-day small-group tour from Xining to Lhasa, Everest Base Camp and Lake Namtso, ending near Damxung before a transfer back to Lhasa. Day 1 boards the hard sleeper train at Xining Railway Station, with the first night spent aboard while acclimatising gradually to the altitude. Three nights in Lhasa cover the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and the Drepung and Sera monasteries, before the route runs south past Yamdrok Lake and the Karola Glacier to Shigatse, then over the Gyatsola and Gawula passes to an overnight stay at Everest Base Camp on day 6. The tour then heads north across the remote Qiangtang Plateau grasslands to Serling Tso and on to Namtso Lake's northern shore, before returning to Lhasa for a final night. A local Tibetan English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout and arranges the permits and train ticket in advance. This suits travellers who want Tibet's major religious sites, Everest views and remote lake scenery covered in one guided, sleeper-train-based trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • The included train fare is for a hard sleeper berth; a soft sleeper upgrade or a different train route costs a fare difference.
  • Onward travel out of Tibet after day 11 (domestic train or flight) is not included; the operator offers to book it on request.
  • Solo travellers share a room unless they pay a single room supplement.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: On the train

    Board the train to Lhasa from Xining

    Board the Xining-Lhasa train at Xining Railway Station; the local guide provides the train ticket and Tibet travel permit in advance. First day acclimatising gradually to altitude on board.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lhasa

    Arrive in Lhasa

    Welcomed at the airport or train station with a traditional Hada scarf, then transferred to the hotel in downtown Lhasa past the Yarlung Tsangpo and Lhasa River. Rest to acclimatise to the altitude.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lhasa

    Exploring Lhasa - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

    Visit Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet, including Coqen Hall and Loseling College, then Sera Monastery to see the monk debates. Welcome dinner at a local Tibetan restaurant.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lhasa

    Exploring Lhasa - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street

    Visit the Potala Palace and the Dalai Lamas' history, folk activities at Longwangtan Park, the Jokhang Temple's Shakyamuni Buddha statue, and Barkhor Street, finishing at a Tibetan tea house.

  5. Day 5overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa to Shigatse Via Gyantse

    Drive via Yamdrok Lake and the Gambala Pass, lunch with a local family, the Karola Glacier and Simila Mountain Pass, sightseeing in Gyantse, then on to Shigatse.

  6. Day 6overnight: Everest Base Camp

    Journey from Shigatse to Everest Base Camp

    Drive via Gyatsola Pass (5280m) and Gawula Pass (5198m) into Everest National Nature Reserve to Everest Base Camp (5200m), with sunset and night views of the peak.

  7. Day 7overnight: Shigatse

    Return from EBC to Shigatse via Dinggye and Sakya

    Visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, then return via Dinggye (Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint for Everest and Lhotse views) and Sakya's Saga Ancient Town. Evening Tibetan song and dance at a Langma Hall in Shigatse.

  8. Day 8overnight: Bange County

    Shigatse to Northern Tibet Grassland - Serling Tso Lake

    A 550km drive across the Qiangtang Plateau grasslands, spotting wild yaks and antelope, with a stop at a natural hot spring and a visit to Serling Tso, Tibet's largest lake at 4,700m.

  9. Day 9overnight: Damxung

    Serling Tso - Namtso North Shore - Damxung

    A 60km drive from Bange to the Sacred Elephant Gate rock formation on Namtso's northern shore, passing Bamucuo Lake and grazing yaks and Tibetan antelope, then on to Damxung.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lhasa

    Damxung to Lhasa - Tibetan Spa Experience

    A short drive back to Lhasa along the expressway, followed by a visit to a traditional Tibetan medical spa and free time to explore the city.

  11. Day 11rail

    Finish Your Memorable Journey and Depart from Lhasa

    Transfer to the airport or train station to depart. Tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The group boards the hard sleeper train from Xining to Lhasa, spending the first night on board while acclimatising gradually to the altitude.
  • Day 4The tour visits the Potala Palace, the Dalai Lamas' historic residence, along with Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
  • Day 6The route crosses the Gyatsola Pass (5,280m) and Gawula Pass (5,198m) to reach Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters, with sunset and night views of the peak.
  • Day 8The drive crosses the Qiangtang Plateau grasslands, spotting wild yaks and antelope, to reach Serling Tso, Tibet's largest lake.
  • Day 9The route reaches the Sacred Elephant Gate rock formation on Namtso Lake's northern shore, passing Bamucuo Lake along the way.

Included

  • Tibet Travel Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
  • Hard sleeper train ticket from Xining to Lhasa (soft-sleeper upgrade available for a fare difference)
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary (solo travellers share a room unless a single room supplement is paid)
  • Meals listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
  • Local tour transfers according to group size
  • Local Tibetan English-speaking guide
  • One shared oxygen tank in the vehicle

Not included

  • Chinese visa
  • International flight to and from China
  • Domestic train/flight out of Tibet (booking service available on request)
  • Price difference if upgrading the train ticket or taking a different train to Tibet
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities for tour guide and driver
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional activities, etc.)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes, a hard sleeper ticket on the Xining to Lhasa train is included; a soft sleeper upgrade is available for an extra fare.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It's an escorted small-group tour with a local Tibetan English-speaking guide throughout.
How physically demanding is the route?
The route crosses the Gyatsola Pass (5,280m) and Gawula Pass (5,198m) and reaches Everest Base Camp at 5,200m; a shared oxygen tank is carried in the vehicle.
What is not included?
The Chinese visa, international flights, onward domestic travel out of Tibet, meals not listed in the itinerary, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
What are the main sights on this tour?
The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street in Lhasa, the Drepung and Sera monasteries, Yamdrok Lake and the Karola Glacier, an overnight stay at Everest Base Camp, Serling Tso, and Namtso Lake's northern shore.
Can I upgrade my hotel or train class?
Yes. A soft-sleeper train upgrade and a choice of Standard, Comfortable, or Top 5-star hotel class are offered at enquiry, each for an added cost.

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