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Tibet Travel (Tibet Vista) · Private escorted tour

14 Days Kathmandu-Lhasa-Beijing Tour by Train

Himalayan overland crossing to Lhasa, then rail to Beijing via Xi'an

Illustration of 14 Days Kathmandu-Lhasa-Beijing Tour by Train

Tibet Travel operates a 14-day private escorted journey combining overland Himalayan travel with two famous rail routes. Starting in Kathmandu, you cross into Tibet via the Nepal border at Kyirong and drive to Everest Base Camp and the Rongbuk Monastery, then continue by coach through Buddhist temple sites in Shigatse and Gyantse to reach Lhasa for three days of guided exploration of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera Monastery. On Days 8 and 9 you board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway sleeper train to Xi'an, waking to visit the Terracotta Warriors and the ancient city wall. A high-speed bullet train carries you to Beijing for three days of Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Ming Tombs tours before departure. A personal English-speaking Tibetan guide and private vehicle are with you throughout. All accommodations, meals, permits, entrance fees, and in-country transport are included. The tour suits first-time rail travellers, families, and history enthusiasts seeking guided comfort with a mix of overland and rail travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour departs 365 days a year; confirm current availability and your preferred dates when inquiring with Tibet Travel
  • Accommodation class varies by price tier: luxury 5-star, standard 4-star, economic 3-star, or budget guesthouse/tent options. Your final hotel depends on which tier you select
  • International flights to and from China, Chinese visa, and meals not listed in the itinerary (estimated USD 3-15 per meal in Tibet) are not included; tips for the guide and driver are additional

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Village guesthouse in Syabrubesi

    Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (137km, 7 hrs)

    Drive to the China-Tibet border area near Mt Himalaya via Langtang National Park.

  2. Day 2overnight: Kyirong Hotel

    Syabrubesi to Kyirong (40km, 4-5 hrs)

    Cross the border into China and drive to Kyirong (2,800m); visit Paba Temple, a Gelugpa temple built for princess Bhrikuti.

  3. Day 3overnight: Tingri Hotel

    Kyirong to EBC to Tingri (480km, 11 hrs)

    Drive past Peikutso Lake to Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, with Himalayan views from Gyawula Pass, then on to Tingri.

  4. Day 4overnight: Shigatse hotel

    Tingri to Shigatse (280km, 7 hrs)

    Drive to Shigatse via the 5,000m G318 National Highway milestone at Lhatse, then visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lhasa

    Shigatse to Lhasa via Gyantse (375km)

    Drive via Gyantse, visiting the old street, Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, then Manak Dam Lake, Korola Glacier and Yamdrok Lake en route to Lhasa.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lhasa

    Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street

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

  7. Day 7overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery

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

  8. Day 8railovernight: Train

    Leave Lhasa to Xian by Qinghai Tibet Train

    Board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway train from Lhasa to Xi'an.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Train

    Leave Lhasa to Xian by Qinghai Tibet Train (continued)

    Continue the train journey from Lhasa to Xi'an.

  10. Day 10overnight: Xi'an

    Xian Day Tour-Terracotta Warriors and Horses

    Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, then the ancient Xi'an city wall.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Beijing

    Xian to Beijing by Bullet Train

    High-speed bullet train from Xi'an to Beijing (~5 hours).

  12. Day 12overnight: Beijing

    Beijing Tour - Great Wall at Badaling, Ming Tombs - Changling

    Group tour of the Badaling Great Wall, then the Ming Tombs of Emperor Wanli.

  13. Day 13overnight: Beijing

    Beijing Tour - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

    Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the morning; Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven in the afternoon.

  14. Day 14overnight: Tour ends

    Leave Beijing and end the tour

    Transfer to Beijing International Airport for departure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: visit Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, with Himalayan views from Gyawula Pass
  • Day 6Day 6: explore Potala Palace in the morning, then Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor street market in the afternoon
  • Day 8Day 8-9: overnight on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway sleeper from Lhasa to Xi'an
  • Day 10Day 10: visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and walk the ancient Xi'an city wall
  • Day 11Day 11: high-speed bullet train from Xi'an to Beijing, approximately 5 hours

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 itinerary includes the Qinghai-Tibet Railway sleeper from Lhasa to Xi'an (Days 8-9) and a high-speed bullet train from Xi'an to Beijing (Day 11). Both tickets and all other transport are included in the tour price.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is a private escorted tour. Tibet Travel provides a personal English-speaking Tibetan local guide and driver with a private vehicle throughout the 14 days.
What hotels will I stay in?
Tibet Travel offers a choice of accommodation classes: luxury 5-star, standard 4-star, economic 3-star, or budget guesthouse/tent. The specific properties depend on the tier you select and the city.
What meals are included?
All meals listed in the itinerary are included. Meals not specified in the itinerary are not included; you can typically find meals in Tibet for USD 3-15 per meal.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
The activity level is rated as easy and suitable for all fitness levels, families with children, and senior groups. Days include temple visits, monastery exploration, and city walking tours.
What is not included in the price?
Not included are international flights, Chinese visa, domestic transport not listed in the itinerary, meals not specified, tips for the guide and driver, and personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, snacks, and optional activities.

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