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Tibet Travel (Tibet Vista) · Private escorted tour

11 Days Shanghai Xining Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour by Tibet Train

Shanghai to Everest Base Camp via overnight Tibet train and high-altitude drive

Illustration of 11 Days Shanghai Xining Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour by Tibet Train

Tibet Travel operates this 11-day private escorted tour from Shanghai to Everest Base Camp, one of the world's highest inhabited places. The journey begins with a flight to Xining and a day at Qinghai Lake, China's largest saltwater lake, before a night aboard the Qinghai-Tibet Railway sleeper. Over three full days in Lhasa, travelers visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and major monasteries with their personal English-speaking Tibetan guide. The tour then drives south over high mountain passes, passing Yamdrok Lake and the Korola Glacier, to Shigatse and finally to Everest Base Camp at 5,010 meters, with an overnight beneath the mountain itself. On day 9, the route returns via Rongbuk Monastery and Sakya's ancient town. Tibet Travel handles all permits, entrance fees, lodging in your choice of tier (luxury to budget), most meals, and domestic transport. The operator runs departures year-round with a dedicated vehicle and driver for the group.

What to know before you look closer

  • High altitude on days 8-9 (Everest Base Camp at 5,010m); the operator rates the tour 'easy' but acclimatization days 5-6 in Lhasa are recommended before ascending further
  • Accommodation tier choices affect the final price; the itinerary lists options ranging from luxury 5-star to budget guesthouse/tent
  • Day 8 overnight is tent or nearby village accommodation, not a standard hotel
  • International flight to China and Chinese visa are not included; tips for guide and driver are not included

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Xining

    Arrive in Xining

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

  2. Day 2overnight: Xining

    Qinghai Lake Day Tour

    Drive to Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake, including Bird Island, then return to Xining.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Train

    Xining City Tour in Ta'er Monastery and Board the Overnight Train to Lhasa

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

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

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

  6. Day 6overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

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

  7. Day 7overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse 360km

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

  8. Day 8overnight: 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.

  9. Day 9overnight: 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.

  10. Day 10overnight: 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.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Tour ends

    Departure from Lhasa

    Transfer to the airport or Lhasa Railway Station for departure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the overnight Qinghai-Tibet Railway sleeper at Xining after visiting Ta'er (Kumbum) Monastery, the birthplace of Tsongkhapa
  • Day 4Ride the scenic Qinghai-Tibet Railway as it ascends into the high plateaus, arriving in Lhasa for acclimatization
  • Day 5Tour Potala Palace in the morning and Jokhang Temple with the Barkhor Kora circuit in the afternoon
  • Day 8Drive to Everest Base Camp at 5,010 meters, passing Gyatsola Pass and Gawula Pass, and spend the night beneath Mount Everest
  • Day 9Visit Rongbuk Monastery near Everest, then return via the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint and Sakya's Saga Ancient Town

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 tour includes a domestic flight from Shanghai to Xining and the overnight Qinghai-Tibet Railway sleeper from Xining to Lhasa (soft or hard sleeper class). Remaining transport is by private vehicle (4WD Land Cruiser or minibus).
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Tibet Travel provides a personal English-speaking Tibetan local guide and driver for the entire 11 days, departing 365 days a year.
Which trains are used?
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway (Xining to Lhasa), with soft or hard sleeper class overnight accommodation.
What is included in the price?
All Tibet permits, entrance fees to listed sites, accommodation in your chosen tier (luxury 5-star, standard 4-star, economic 3-star, or budget), domestic flight and train tickets, most meals, guide and driver, vehicle, and tourist accident insurance.
What is not included?
International flight to and from China, Chinese visa, meals not specified in the itinerary, tips for guide and driver, and personal expenses.
What is the physical demand?
The operator rates it easy for all fitness levels, families, and seniors. However, days 8-9 involve high altitude (up to 5,010m at Everest Base Camp) and extended driving; the two Lhasa acclimatization days help prepare for the higher elevations.

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