How much does it cost?

From $599 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $599 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. The hard sleeper train ticket from Xining to Lhasa is included in the price; a soft-sleeper upgrade is available for an additional fare.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is a small group tour with a local Tibetan English-speaking guide throughout.

The Xining to Lhasa train, travelling in hard sleeper class, with an optional soft-sleeper upgrade.

What is not included?

The Chinese visa, international flights to and from China, domestic train or flight travel out of Tibet, tips and gratuities, and personal expenses are not included.

Does the trip build in time to adjust to the altitude?

Yes. The first day is spent gradually acclimatising to altitude aboard the train, and the second day includes rest time in Lhasa to adjust further.

China Tibet Train · Small group tour

5 Days Lhasa Small Group Tour by Tibet Train

China Tibet Train runs this 5-day small group tour from Xining to Lhasa, starting with an overnight hard sleeper train that the operator uses as the first day of altitude acclimatisation before travelers even reach the city. A local Tibetan English-speaking guide meets the group, provides a traditional Hada scarf welcome, and stays with travelers through four days of touring, including a rest day built in on arrival to help with the altitude change. The middle days take in Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet, the monk debates at Sera Monastery, and a welcome dinner at a Tibetan restaurant, before a final day of sightseeing at the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street. The pace suits travelers who want a compact, guided introduction to Lhasa without a long trip, and the operator addresses solo travelers directly by offering a shared room or a single supplement. Departures and hotel tier are confirmed at enquiry, rather than fixed in this package outline.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at US$599 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The Chinese visa is not included and must be arranged separately; the operator does provide the Tibet travel permit needed inside Tibet.
Hotel class is offered at several tiers, Standard, Comfortable, or Top 5-star, at enquiry, so the exact hotel used depends on which tier is chosen.
The evidence does not list current departure dates; confirm availability directly with China Tibet Train.
Domestic train or flight travel out of Tibet at the end of the trip is not included, though the operator offers a booking service for it on request.

Day by day

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.
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 Rivers. Rest to acclimatise to the altitude.
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.
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.
Day 5rail
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 Xining to Lhasa train departs, with the first day spent gradually acclimatising to altitude on board.
Day 2Arrival in Lhasa is marked with a traditional Hada scarf welcome, then a transfer past the Yarlung Tsangpo and Lhasa Rivers.
Day 3Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet, is followed by Sera Monastery's afternoon monk debates.
Day 4The Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple's Shakyamuni Buddha statue, and Barkhor Street are visited, ending at a Tibetan tea house.

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)
3 nights' hotel accommodation in Lhasa (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.)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From $599 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $599 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. The hard sleeper train ticket from Xining to Lhasa is included in the price; a soft-sleeper upgrade is available for an additional fare.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is a small group tour with a local Tibetan English-speaking guide throughout.
Which train is used?: The Xining to Lhasa train, travelling in hard sleeper class, with an optional soft-sleeper upgrade.
What is not included?: The Chinese visa, international flights to and from China, domestic train or flight travel out of Tibet, tips and gratuities, and personal expenses are not included.
Does the trip build in time to adjust to the altitude?: Yes. The first day is spent gradually acclimatising to altitude aboard the train, and the second day includes rest time in Lhasa to adjust further.