9 Days Kathmandu-Lhasa-Beijing Tour by Tibet Train

Early morning drive from Kathmandu to Nepal-Tibet border (Rasuwagadhi ) by private vehicle. After finishing immigration formalities in both Nepal & China side, you will continue to Gyirong Port. Due to the rough road condition in Nepal, the 184km distance would take you about 8 hours.

Stay overnight in local guesthouse in the Gyirong County (2700m).

Our next destination is Lhatse. We will visit Milarepa cave on the way. This cave-monastery is the site of the celebrated philosopher's meditation, and is located only 10 minutes (on foot) from the road.

The trip continues across the Tibetan plateau with spectacular mountain views from Lablung-La pass (5050m). Passing through the old town of Tingri, it is possible to see Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyu.

Stay overnight in Lhatse.

We set off for Shigatse in the morning. On the way, we make a detour to Sakya to visit Sakya Monastery. The Sakya tradition is one of the four main Buddhist schools in Tibet. It was from here that the whole of Tibet was governed during the period of Sakya hegemony and even now there are buildings of historic importance to be seen here. You can see the largest book in the world in Sakya's great library written in gold. Sakya situated just 25 km off the Friendship Highway.

Shigatse is the second largest city of Tibet. The famous Tashilhunpo Monastery is situated in Shigatse, which is home to the official throne of Panchen Lama.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, you will visit the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery where you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa(future Buddha) in the world. This monastery is the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama.

After visiting the Tashilhunpo Monastery, there is a short drive just 90km to Gyantse, which boasts a variety of important cultural and historical sites – Pelkor Monastery (also known as Gyantse Kumbum) and Gyantse Dzong.

After a hours stay in Gyantse, we drive 280km to Lhasa, pass over the Karo la Pass (5010m) and Yamdrotso Lake, which is one of the three greatest holy lakes in Tibet. The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains with spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, the highest mountain near Lhasa.

After crossing Kambala Pass (4794m) tourists can see Lhasa Valley to the north. You will also cross the Brahmaputra River and finally reach Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, visit the famous Potala Palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapels, its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens(stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, figures of the Buddha.

In the afternoon, visit the holist temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during songtsen gonpo’s reign by princess wencheng of tang dynasty, 647 A.D. The inner circuit is also situated inside the temple and is lined with prayer-wheel and murals outlined in gold on red background, which depict the thousand buddhas, interspersed with stupas and relief-images. Johkang is circuit.

The circular pilgrim route around Jokhang temple is called barkhor and later flourished, forming the embryo of the city. The Barkhor market itself is the most active in all tibet, and it is possible to purchase traditional Tibetan artifacts, religious implements, antiques, books, Tibetan music instrument, Thangkas, and tradition tibetan clothes etc.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Drepung monastery is situated at the foothill of a mountain and was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. It was once home of 10000 monks and Ganden podrang in Drepung is famous it was the government centre during fifth dalai lama and later moved to the famous Potala Palace during fifth dalai lama. By the time you can also visit the Nechung monastery located 1km southeast of Drepung and is the abode of the protector deity pehar and the seat of the state Oracle of Tibet.

In the afternoon, exploring the Sera monastery which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most attractive is that Monks debiting is held there in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon section.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Notice
The sequence of sightseeing of first two days in Lhasa may be adjusted according to the reservation of visiting Potala Palace.

Board the Tibet Train from Lhasa to Beijing on the early afternoon of Day 7 and arrive in Beijing on the morning of Day9. The wonderful window excursion along Qinghai-Tibet Railway of land of snows, desert, grassland, Ice Mountain, lakes will travel together with you to Beijing.

(Xian is an famous cultural city between Lhasa and Beijing, if you plan to visit Xian between Tibet and Beijing, we can arrange connection train Lhasa-Xian & Xian-Beijing as well as 1 or 2 days tour in Xian city)