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Great Tibet Tour · Private Tour

9 Days Guangzhou Lhasa Shigatse Namtso Train Tour

Guangzhou to Lhasa by sleeper train, then Tibet plateau by coach

Illustration of 9 Days Guangzhou Lhasa Shigatse Namtso Train Tour

Great Tibet Tour's 9-day private tour is anchored by one of the world's most remarkable train journeys. You depart Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station and board the Z264 soft-sleeper train, traveling 4,980 kilometers over 53 hours on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's highest railway. After two nights in your berth, you arrive in Lhasa on Day 3 at 3,650 meters elevation. An experienced local English-speaking guide meets you at the station with a Tashi Delek greeting and white Hada scarf. The remaining six days blend acclimatization rest with coach excursions to Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and monasteries including Tashilhunpo and Tsurphu. You also drive south through mountain passes to Namtso Lake and east to Gyantse en route to Shigatse, viewing Yamdroktso Lake and Karola Glacier. Hotel accommodation tiers range from guesthouse to luxury five-star. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking an authentic, guided introduction to Tibet and passengers drawn to Buddhist history and high-altitude scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (USD 1,604) excludes international flights to China and Chinese visa; the operator can provide visa support documents.
  • Most meals are not included; plan for USD 5-15 per person per meal; breakfasts and a welcome dinner only are provided.
  • Altitude in Lhasa is 3,650m; the itinerary builds in acclimatization time on Day 3, but bring altitude medication and follow your guide's advice.
  • A Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit is required and included; pickup at Lhasa station occurs only if the permit has been obtained in advance.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: on the train

    Train: Guangzhou - Lhasa

    Board the Z264 train at Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station (arrive 1 hour early with passport and Tibet Travel Permit).

  2. Day 2railovernight: on the train

    On the Train

    Second day of a 53-hour, 4,980km journey, crossing Shaanxi, Gansu and Qinghai en route to Xining, the start of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lhasa

    Arrival in Lhasa by Train

    Met at Lhasa railway station with a Tashi Delek greeting and white Hada, transfer to the hotel; rest to acclimatize to altitude (3,650m).

  4. Day 4overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and walk Barkhor Street.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lhasa

    Lhasa Sightseeing

    Visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace, and Drepung Monastery.

  6. Day 6overnight: Shigatse

    Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs

    Via Gambala Mountain Pass with views of Yamdroktso Lake and the Karola Glacier; visit Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse.

  7. Day 7overnight: Damxung

    Shigatse - Namtso, 380km, Approx. 5.5hrs

    Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, then drive via Shoggu-la and Kyang-la Passes to Namtso Lake.

  8. Day 8overnight: Lhasa

    Namtso - Lhasa, 220km, Approx. 3.5hrs

    Drive back to Lhasa, visiting Tsurphu Monastery, the main temple of the Karma Kagyu sect, en route.

  9. Day 9rail

    Departure from Lhasa

    Transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for onward travel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Z264 soft-sleeper train at Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station for the 4,980km, 53-hour Qinghai-Tibet Railway journey to Lhasa.
  • Day 3Arrive in Lhasa by train after crossing the Qinghai-Tibet Railway; receive a Tashi Delek greeting and white Hada scarf at the station.
  • Day 4Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and walk Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
  • Day 6Travel the 360km from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gambala Mountain Pass with views of Yamdroktso Lake and Karola Glacier; visit Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse.
  • Day 7Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, then drive via mountain passes to Namtso Lake at the roof of the world.

Included

  • Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
  • Soft-sleepers from Guangzhou to Lhasa
  • All entrance ticket fees for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary
  • Experienced local English-speaking tour guide
  • Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as needed by the itinerary including gas and parking fees
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it's your decision to choose the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economical 3-star hotel, or guesthouse
  • Breakfasts provided by hotels & a welcome dinner
  • Pick-up & Drop-off service from the airport/railway station
  • Travel Agency Liability Insurance
  • Government tax
  • Express delivery fee of the Permit (eg. SF Express)
  • Food & lodging for guide & driver
  • Oxygen tank for emergency use
  • Two bottles of mineral water per person per day

Not included

  • International flights to and from China
  • Chinese Visa/China Group Visa (the operator can provide hotel/flight reservation copies or an invitation letter to support the visa application)
  • Other domestic flights/trains to and out of Lhasa (the operator can book these at the best price on request)
  • Meals (not included; typically USD 5-15/person per meal, operator can recommend options)
  • Gratuity for guide and driver (not mandatory but expected; suggested USD 8-15/person/day, given on the last day)
  • Commissions and taxes charged by PayPal or Bank, and government, when making a payment (e.g. PayPal 4.4%, wire transfer 2%)
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc. Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The soft-sleeper berths on the Z264 train from Guangzhou to Lhasa are included. Other domestic flights or trains to reach Guangzhou or depart from Lhasa are not included but can be booked on request.
Which train is used?
The Z264, a soft-sleeper train on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The journey is 53 hours and covers 4,980km, crossing Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
Escorted. Great Tibet Tour provides an experienced local English-speaking tour guide for the entire 9 days, plus a driver and vehicle.
What accommodation is included?
Hotel lodging in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Damxung. You choose your accommodation tier: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economical 3-star hotel, or guesthouse.
What is not included in the price?
International flights to and from China, Chinese visa, most meals (except hotel breakfasts and a welcome dinner), gratuities for guide and driver (suggested USD 8-15 per person per day), and personal expenses such as laundry or snacks.
What permits do I need?
A Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and a Chinese visa. Great Tibet Tour includes the permit in the package; you obtain your own Chinese visa or request the operator's support documents for a visa application.

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