Search

Tibet Travel (Tibet Vista) · Private escorted tour

8 Days Xining Lhasa Namtso Shigatse Tour by Scenic Tibet Train

Eight-day Tibet train tour from Xining through Lhasa and holy lakes

Illustration of 8 Days Xining Lhasa Namtso Shigatse Tour by Scenic Tibet Train

Tibet Travel (Tibet Vista) operates this 8-day private escorted tour combining the Qinghai-Tibet Railway with exploration of Tibet's sacred sites and holy lakes. The journey begins with an overnight train from Xining to Lhasa on the world's highest railway, covering 21.5 hours of scenic mountain terrain. Upon arrival in Lhasa, guests spend three days visiting monasteries including Drepung, Sera, and Jokhang Temple, walking the Barkhor Street pilgrimage circuit, and viewing Potala Palace. The tour then ventures north to Namtso Lake, one of Tibet's three holy lakes, and continues to Shigatse to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery before returning to Lhasa via the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the historic town of Gyantse. An English-speaking Tibetan guide and private vehicle accompany the group throughout. The operator runs departures year-round, and accommodation tiers from budget guesthouse to luxury five-star hotel allow travellers to choose their comfort level and cost.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package includes accommodation class options (luxury 5-star, standard 4-star, economic 3-star, or budget guesthouse); your final hotel depends on the tier you select.
  • The long drive from Damxung to Shigatse on Day 6 spans 8 to 9 hours; confirm your tolerance for extended coach travel before booking.
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary (roughly USD 3 to 15 per meal) are not included; plan for unspecified meals on your own.
  • Tips and gratuities for the guide and driver are not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Train

    Arrive in Xining and Board the Train to Lhasa from Xining

    Met at Xining airport or railway station, free time, then board the overnight train to Lhasa (all trains to Tibet depart from Xining).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lhasa

    Travel on the Tibet Train and Arrive in Lhasa

    Scenic day on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway; met at Lhasa Railway Station and transferred to the hotel to acclimatize.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

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

  4. Day 4overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street

    Potala Palace and Longwangtan Park; Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street kora and a Tibetan tea house in the afternoon.

  5. Day 5overnight: Damxung

    Lhasa to Namtso Lake and Drive to Damxung

    Drive north through Damxung and over Lagenla Pass to Namtso Lake, one of Tibet's three holy lakes.

  6. Day 6overnight: Shigatse

    Damxung to Shigatse

    Long drive (8-9 hours) through northern Tibet via Yanpachen and Dazhuka to Shigatse.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lhasa

    Shigatse to Lhasa via Gyantse and Yamdrok Lake

    Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, then drive back to Lhasa via Gyantse and the turquoise Yamdrok Lake.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Tour ends

    Depart from Lhasa

    Transfer to the airport or Lhasa Railway Station for departure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the overnight Qinghai-Tibet Railway train from Xining, the world's highest railway, bound for Lhasa.
  • Day 3Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon, where monks debate in the courtyard.
  • Day 4Explore Potala Palace and walk the Barkhor Street kora around Jokhang Temple, visiting a Tibetan tea house.
  • Day 5Drive north to Namtso Lake, one of Tibet's three holy lakes, passing over Lagenla Pass.
  • Day 7Return to Lhasa via the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse, visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

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 the train travel included in the price?
Yes, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway train ticket from Xining to Lhasa is included in the package.
What accommodation choices are available?
Tibet Travel offers four tiers: luxury five-star hotels, standard four-star hotels, economic three-star hotels, or budget guesthouses and tents. Your choice affects the nightly cost.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is a private escorted tour with an English-speaking Tibetan local guide and a private vehicle throughout. The operator runs departures 365 days a year.
What permits and documentation does the package cover?
Tibet Travel includes the Tibet travel permit and all other permits required to visit Tibet. You must arrange your own Chinese visa; the operator offers application support on request.
How much of the tour is spent on trains versus driving?
The main train segment is the 21.5-hour Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining to Lhasa on Day 1-2. The remaining six days involve driving by private vehicle to Namtso Lake, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Yamdrok Lake.
What is the activity level?
The operator rates the tour as easy, suitable for all levels of fitness, families with children, and senior groups.

Similar journeys