Search

Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

12 Days Xi'an Lhasa EBC Train Tour

Xi'an to Everest Base Camp via Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Tibetan highlands

Illustration of 12 Days Xi'an Lhasa EBC Train Tour

Great Tibet Tour operates this 12-day private journey from Xi'an, the ancient capital of 13 imperial dynasties, through the Tibetan plateau to Everest Base Camp. The first three days explore Xi'an's terracotta warriors, museums, and ancient city wall. On day 4, you board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway for a 30-32 hour overnight train ride through the Kunlun Mountains and across Tanggula Pass, arriving in Lhasa at 3,650 meters. You then spend eight days visiting some of Tibet's most important sites: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Yamdroktso Lake and the Karola Glacier on the drive south, Rongbuk Monastery near Everest, and Everest Base Camp itself at 5,200 meters. An experienced English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout; all permits, entrance fees, lodging, and most meals are arranged. This tour suits history lovers, rail enthusiasts seeking one of the world's highest railways, and travelers who want structured access to remote high-altitude regions with professional support.

What to know before you look closer

  • Meals are not included except breakfasts and a welcome dinner; the operator estimates typical costs at USD 5-15 per person per meal
  • The tour operates at extreme altitude: Lhasa is at 3,650 meters and Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters; acclimatization time is built in but altitude sickness is a real risk
  • A Tibet Travel Permit is required and is included in the tour cost, but you must obtain a Chinese visa separately before departure
  • Accommodation class is your choice at booking; the final hotel depends on whether you select a guesthouse, 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star option

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Xi'an

    Arrive in Xi'an

    Met at the airport or railway station and transferred to the hotel.

  2. Day 2overnight: Xi'an

    Xi'an Sightseeing

    Visit the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, then the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

  3. Day 3overnight: Xi'an

    Xi'an Sightseeing

    Visit Xi'an Museum, cycle on the Ancient City Wall, and explore the Muslim Quarter.

  4. Day 4railovernight: on the train

    Train: Xi'an - Lhasa

    Board the train at Xi'an Railway Station (arrive 1 hour early with passport and Tibet Travel Permit); 30-32 hour ride past Hoh Xil, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass and Tuotuo River.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

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

  7. Day 7overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Drepung Monastery, then Sera Monastery, known for its scripture debating.

  8. Day 8overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa- Gyantse- Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 6hrs

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

  9. Day 9overnight: tent camp/guesthouse at EBC

    Shigatse - Tingri - EBC, 350km, Approx. 7hrs

    Drive via Lhatse and Tingri, crossing Tsola Pass, Gyatsola Pass and Gawula Pass (5,198m), to Everest Base Camp (5,200m).

  10. Day 10overnight: Shigatse

    EBC - Shigatse, 350km, Approx.7hrs

    Sunrise over Everest Peak, visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, then drive back to Shigatse.

  11. Day 11overnight: Lhasa

    Shigatse - Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 5hrs

    Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, then Yungdrungling Monastery, a Bon monastery, driving back via the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley.

  12. Day 12rail

    Lhasa Departure

    Transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for onward travel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Visit the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the thousands of life-size clay figures buried with an ancient emperor
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in Xi'an for a 30-32 hour overnight train journey past the Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Pass, and vast Tibetan grasslands
  • Day 6Day 6: Visit Potala Palace, the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, and Jokhang Temple; walk Barkhor Street
  • Day 8Day 8: Drive from Lhasa via Gampala Pass with views of Yamdroktso Lake and Karola Glacier to Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse
  • Day 9Day 9: Arrive at Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters after crossing three high passes including Gawula Pass at 5,198 meters
  • Day 10Day 10: Watch sunrise over Everest Peak and visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery

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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway journey from Xi'an to Lhasa (2,864 kilometers, approximately 31 hours) is included. You will sleep overnight on the train in a sleeper berth.
What is included in the price?
All permits for Tibet, entrance tickets to attractions on the itinerary, lodging, an experienced English-speaking guide, vehicle transport with driver, breakfasts, a welcome dinner, airport and railway station transfers, travel insurance, oxygen tanks for emergency use, and two bottles of mineral water per person daily.
What is not included?
International flights to China, Chinese visa, domestic flights or trains to Lhasa, meals outside of breakfasts and the welcome dinner (typically USD 5-15 per meal), gratuities for the guide and driver (suggested USD 8-15 per person per day), and personal expenses.
Is this tour guided or independent?
Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking guide for the entire journey and handles all transportation, permits, and logistics. It is a private guided tour.
How high is Everest Base Camp and can I handle the altitude?
Everest Base Camp is at 5,200 meters (17,000 feet). Lhasa is at 3,650 meters. The tour includes acclimatization time in Lhasa before ascending further. Altitude sickness is possible; the operator provides oxygen tanks for emergency use.
What accommodation options are available?
You choose your accommodation class at booking: luxury five-star international hotel, comfortable four-star hotel, economical three-star hotel, or guesthouse. The choice applies throughout the tour.

Similar journeys