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

16 Days Kailash and Manasarova Small Group Tour by Tibet Train

Small-group Tibet train tour to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

China Tibet Train runs this 16-day small-group tour from Xining to Lhasa, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Day 1 boards the hard sleeper train at Xining Railway Station, with the first night spent aboard while acclimatising gradually to the altitude. After Lhasa's Potala Palace and monasteries and an overnight at Everest Base Camp on day 6, the route continues west past Mt. Shishapangma to Saga and Darchen. Days 9 to 11 cover a 3-day trek around Mount Kailash, crossing the 5,630m Dolma La Pass, followed by a visit to Lake Manasarovar for meditation and a holy water ritual. The return route passes through the Gyirong Valley, described by the explorer Howard Bury as 'the most beautiful valley in the world', before Tingri and a final stop at Tashilhunpo Monastery on the way back to Lhasa. A local Tibetan English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout, and a porter is available to hire on the trek. This suits experienced travellers prepared for sustained high altitude and multi-day trekking around one of the most sacred mountains in Asia.

What to know before you look closer

  • Guesthouses on the 3-day Kailash trek (the Dirapuk and Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouses) are basic; a porter can be hired for the trek at an additional cost, arranged a day in advance.
  • 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 16 (domestic train or flight) is not included; the operator offers to book it on request.
  • 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: Saga

    Everest Base Camp - Peiku Tso Lake - Saga

    Visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, then drive west past Mt. Shishapangma (8027m) and Pelku Tso Lake through the Ngari Plateau to Saga County, the gateway to the Mount Kailash region.

  8. Day 8overnight: Darchen

    Saga - Zhongba - Darchen

    Drive past Gongzhucuo Lake, cross the 5,211m Mayum La Mountain into the Ngari Region, view Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash, and arrive in Darchen to prepare for the 3-day Kailash trek.

  9. Day 9overnight: Dirapuk Monastery Guesthouse

    Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery (Trek Day 1: 13km)

    Eco-bus from Darchen to Sarshung village, then a 13km trek around the base of Mount Kailash to Dirapuk Monastery, with views of the sacred mountain's southern and western slopes.

  10. Day 10overnight: Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse

    Dirapuk Monastery to Zutulpuk Monastery (Trek Day 2: 24km)

    The most challenging trek day, crossing the 5,630m Dolma La Pass with pilgrims, past the Lake of Compassion, descending to the valley at Mount Kailash's southeastern foot.

  11. Day 11overnight: Darchen

    Zutulpuk Monastery to Darchen (Trek Day 3: 12km)

    Final trek leg back to Darchen, then a 30km drive to Lake Manasarovar for meditation and a holy-water ritual, with stops at Trugu Monastery and the Demon Lake viewpoint and optional hot springs.

  12. Day 12overnight: Saga

    Darchen to Saga

    Retrace the route back to Saga across the Ngari Plateau, Himalayas and Gangdise Mountains.

  13. Day 13overnight: Gyirong

    Saga to Gyirong

    Journey to the Gyirong Valley, visiting Sherpa villages, forests and snow-capped peaks, the meditation cave of Master Tsongkhapa and Paba Monastery, with a farewell dinner with fellow group members.

  14. Day 14overnight: Tingri

    Gyirong to Tingri

    A rest morning (optional point to split off toward Kathmandu after the Kailash visit), then an afternoon drive to Tingri County.

  15. Day 15overnight: Lhasa

    Tingri to Lhasa

    Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, home of the Panchen Lama and the world's largest Maitreya Buddha statue, then return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

  16. Day 16rail

    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 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 10The most demanding trek day crosses the 5,630m Dolma La Pass on foot with pilgrims, passing the Lake of Compassion on the Mount Kailash kora.
  • Day 11The trek ends back in Darchen, followed by a visit to Lake Manasarovar for meditation and a holy water ritual at Trugu Monastery.
  • Day 13The route reaches the Gyirong Valley, described by explorer Howard Bury as 'the most beautiful valley in the world', visiting Sherpa villages and the meditation cave of Master Tsongkhapa.

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.)
  • Porter service during the Mount Kailash trek (available on request, additional payment)

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; a porter is available to hire for the trek.
How physically demanding is the route?
The tour includes a 3-day trek around Mount Kailash (13km, 24km, and 12km stages) crossing the 5,630m Dolma La Pass and an overnight at Everest Base Camp (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, porter service on the Kailash trek, meals not listed in the itinerary, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
What are the main highlights on this tour?
An overnight stay at Everest Base Camp, a 3-day Mount Kailash kora trek, sacred Lake Manasarovar, and the Gyirong Valley.
What accommodation is used?
The itinerary lists overnight locations (Lhasa, Shigatse, Saga, Darchen, Gyirong, Tingri) plus monastery guesthouses during the 3-day Kailash trek; specific hotel names and star ratings are not given, though a Standard, Comfortable, or Top 5-star hotel class upgrade is offered at enquiry.

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