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Tibet Travel · Escorted tour

14 Days Mt. Everest Adventure Tour from Chengdu by Train

14-day escorted China to Tibet trip via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Illustration of 14 Days Mt. Everest Adventure Tour from Chengdu by Train

Tibet Travel (Tibet Vista) operates this 14-day escorted tour from Chengdu to Tibet, with a personal English-speaking Tibetan guide and a private vehicle throughout. The first days visit Sichuan's Buddhist sites: the Leshan Giant Buddha on Day 2 and the Golden Summit of Mt. Emei on Day 3, reached by bus and cable car above 3,000m. After a flight to Xining and a day tour of Qinghai Lake, the group boards the overnight Qinghai-Tibet Railway on Day 6, spending Day 7 on the world's highest railway, passing snowfields, desert, grassland, and glaciers before reaching Lhasa. Days 8 and 9 cover Lhasa's Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the Drepung and Sera Monasteries. The route then climbs over the Gampala and Pang La passes, above 4,700m and 5,000m, to Everest Base Camp at 5,200m for sunrise on Day 12, before returning to Lhasa. The operator rates the trip 'Easy,' though the altitudes reached are extreme. This suits travelers drawn to Buddhist culture and high-altitude scenery who want a fully guided overland route to Everest.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator rates this trip 'Easy,' but the route reaches Everest Base Camp at 5200m and crosses passes above 4700m; discuss altitude risk with the operator or a doctor before booking regardless of fitness level.
  • The evidence includes no price for this tour; contact Tibet Travel (Tibet Vista) directly for current rates.
  • The Chinese visa is not included and must be arranged by the traveler, along with international flights to and from China.
  • The overnight near Everest Base Camp on Day 11 is in a tent or guesthouse, simpler than the hotels used on other nights of the trip.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chengdu

    Arrive in Chengdu

    Upon arrival in Chengdu airport or railway station, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Foot of Mt. Emei

    Drive to Leshan Giant Buddha and stay overnight at the foot of Mt. Emei

    Drive about 2 hours from Chengdu to Leshan for a sightseeing cruise to view the Giant Buddha carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, drive to Mt. Emei to visit Baoguo Temple and enjoy a hot spring bath.

  3. Day 3overnight: Chengdu

    Visit Mt. Emei and drive back to Chengdu

    Take a bus and cable car to the Golden Summit of Mt. Emei (over 3,000m). Visit Wannian Temple, then drive back to Chengdu.

  4. Day 4overnight: Xining

    Arrive in Xining

    Take a flight from Chengdu to Xining. Transfer to your hotel; the rest of the day is at leisure.

  5. Day 5overnight: Xining

    Qinghai Lake day tour

    Drive about 2.5 hours from Xining to Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland salt water lake, including Bird Island and a view of Riyue Mountain, then return to Xining.

  6. Day 6railovernight: On the train

    Xining city tour to Ta'er Monastery and board the overnight train to Lhasa

    Visit Ta'er (Kumbum) Monastery, one of the major Gelugpa monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station to board the overnight train to Lhasa.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lhasa

    Sightseeing along the railway and arrive in Lhasa

    Spend the day on the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the highest railway in the world, passing snowfields, desert, grassland and glaciers. Arrive in Lhasa in the late afternoon or evening and transfer to your hotel.

  8. Day 8overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace / Tibet Museum / Jokhang Temple / Barkhor Street

    Visit the Potala Palace and the Tibet Museum in the morning. In the afternoon, visit the Jokhang Temple, built in 647 A.D., and its Barkhor Kora market.

  9. Day 9overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa sightseeing: Drepung Monastery / Sera Monastery

    Visit Drepung Monastery, one of the 'three great' Gelug monasteries, founded in 1416. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, founded in 1419, known for its monk debates around 3–5pm.

  10. Day 10overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa (3650m) to Shigatse (3900m) via Gyantse

    Drive over the Gampala Pass (4790m) with views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m). Visit Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum in Gyantse before continuing to Shigatse.

  11. Day 11overnight: Tent or guesthouse near Everest Base Camp

    Shigatse (3900m) to Everest Base Camp (5200m) via Lhatse, Shegar

    Obtain the Alien's Travel Permit, then drive via Lhatse and Shegar, crossing the Pang La pass (5050m) with views of the five highest peaks in the world, to Rongbuk Monastery near Everest Base Camp.

  12. Day 12overnight: Shigatse

    Everest Base Camp (5200m) and return to Shigatse (3900m)

    Watch the sunrise over Mt. Everest at Rongphu, visit Rongphu Monastery (the world's highest monastery, at 5000m), then drive back to Shigatse.

  13. Day 13overnight: Lhasa

    Shigatse (3900m) to Lhasa (3650m): Tashilunpo Monastery

    Drive back to Lhasa along the Friendship Highway (~280km, 6 hours) along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, visiting Tashilunpo Monastery, founded in 1447, home to the world's largest gilded copper Buddha image.

  14. Day 14

    Departure from Lhasa

    Transfer to Lhasa airport for your onward flight.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A sightseeing cruise at Leshan views the Giant Buddha carved into the cliffs, the largest carved stone Buddha in the world.
  • Day 7A full day is spent riding the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world, passing snowfields, desert, grassland, and glaciers before arriving in Lhasa.
  • Day 8In Lhasa, the day covers the Potala Palace, the Tibet Museum, Jokhang Temple, and the Barkhor Street market.
  • Day 11The drive to Everest Base Camp crosses the Pang La pass at 5050m, with views of the five highest peaks in the world.
  • Day 12Travelers watch the sunrise over Mt. Everest at Rongphu and visit Rongphu Monastery, the world's highest monastery at 5000m.

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
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary (accommodation class per traveller preference)
  • 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 out of China
  • Chinese visa
  • Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities to tour guide and driver
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional activities, etc.)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. One overnight train ride on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, from Xining to Lhasa, is included, spanning Day 6 to Day 7 of the tour.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A personal English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide and a private vehicle and driver accompany the group throughout the 14 days.
What is included?
Tibet travel permits, entrance fees, the guide and driver, lodging listed in the itinerary, domestic flights and train tickets listed in the itinerary, listed meals, and tourist accident insurance.
What is not included?
International flights to and from China, the Chinese visa, domestic flights or trains not listed in the itinerary, meals not specified, tips, and personal expenses.
What are the main sights?
The Leshan Giant Buddha, Mt. Emei's Golden Summit, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Everest Base Camp, and Tashilunpo Monastery.

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