11 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour by Train

Fantastic Tibet travel will start with boarding on Xining-Lhasa trains from Xining Railway Station. Our local guide would sent train ticket and Tibet travel permit to you before train departs. Please be sure to bring all your belongings and Tibet visa to Xining Railway Station one and a half hour ahead.

After checking in, you can find your seat or sleeper easily according to train tickets. And all the train tickets would be checked again before getting out of Lhasa Railway Station. So please keep your train tickets safe!

Today is your first day on Tibet train. Take things easy and acclimate to high altitude gradually.

Stay overnight on the train.

Note:
If you bought ticket for hard or soft sleeper, the train conductor would ask you to exchange it for berth number plate and then change it back to train ticket when reaching Lhasa Railway Station.

Start your amazing trip as you land in Lhasa, Tibet's heart. You'll be warmly welcomed at the airport or train station by our local guide who'll present you with a Hada, a traditional scarf that's a sign of good luck for your journey.

On your way to the hotel in downtown Lhasa, enjoy the beautiful sights of the Yarlung Tsangpo and Lhasa Rivers, and see quaint Tibetan villages.

Once you get to your hotel, take it easy to get used to the high altitude. Rest up, move around at your own pace, and drink plenty of water to help your body adjust the high altitude.

Later in the day, your guide will give you some cool Tibetan gifts and useful tips for your trip. You'll also meet the rest of the people in your tour group.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Note:
If you need any help or have special needs, our service center at the Gangjian Hotel is here for you.

After having breakfast, we’ll keep exploring Lhasa with a trip to Drepung Monastery, the biggest in Tibet and once home to over 10,000 monks. Here, dive into Tibetan Buddhism at Coqen Hall, where your guide will share insights into its teachings and the lives of its most famous figures.

Then, take a stroll through Loseling College, or a similar place, within Drepung Monastery. This gives you a peek into how monks live and study, including a look at their dorm rooms.

In the afternoon, head over to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and an important place for Buddhist study. The monk debates are the highlight of this spot, a key part of their learning process that your guide will explain.

End your day with a welcome dinner in a local Tibetan style restaurant.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your day with a trip to the magnificent Potala Palace, which offers stunning views of Lhasa. Listen as your guide recounts the histories of the Dalai Lamas and shows you around the palace's many halls and treasures. And then, you’ll participate in the folk activities of the local Tibetan people at the Longwangtan Park near the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, head to the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to the remarkable statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha. Afterwards, take a walk around Barkhor Street to see the religious customs of the local Tibetans.

Finish your day with a tour to visit a bustling Tibetan tea house in Lhasa to enjoy some sweet tea and learn about Tibetan social customs.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, the second-biggest city in Tibet.

Your first destination is Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three most sacred lakes. You'll see the lake's beauty from the Gambala Pass, where it looks like a blue ribbon against the landscape, with the tall Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the background. When you go down to the lake, there are many spots to see it up close. Near the end of the lake, you'll get to visit a local family who will host you for lunch.

After that, you'll drive past the Karola Glacier. This glacier is right next to the road and looks calm and beautiful, with big snowy mountains in the distance.

Next, on your way to Gyantse, you'll stop at the Simila Mountain Pass. There, you can hang prayer flags, which is a way to pray for peace in the world and for the people you care about.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today’s journey will take you directly to Mount Everest.

Your first stop is Gyatsola Pass (5280m). From the Gyatsola Pass, you'll be treated to your initial glimpse of Mount Everest. Concealed behind the mountain range, Everest appears like a budding lotus flower, creating a captivating scene along the roadside.

As you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, a panoramic view of the Himalayas awaits you at Gawula Pass (5198m). At this vantage point, marvel at the majestic lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, with Everest taking the forefront. This marks your second encounter with Everest.

Next, traverse the new zigzag road leading to Everest Base Camp (5200m). As you approach the base camp, the grandeur of Everest gradually unfolds, drawing nearer with each twist and turn. This marks your third view of Everest.

Upon arrival at Everest Base Camp, the monumental white pyramid peak of Mount Everest stands prominently before you. As the day transitions to dusk, witness the golden hues of the setting sun casting a warm glow on Everest's northern face—your fourth view.

As night falls, behold the sparkling Milky Way above and the snow-white peak of Mount Everest, presenting your fifth and final encounter with this iconic mountain.

Overnight accommodation will be provided at Everest Base Camp or in the local village near EBC, especially if the EBC tent hotels are closed during the winter season.

Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp or in the local village near EBC if the EBC tent hotels are closed during the winter season.

Please Note:
1. The visibility of Everest depends on the weather.
2. During the winter season, typically from November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp close. Therefore, if you’re traveling in winter, your accommodation options are limited to the village near EBC.

Today, you'll start your journey back to Shigatse. This trip takes you along another scenic route in the Himalayas, giving you more chances to admire the beauty of these mountains.

Before you leave Everest Base Camp, you'll have the opportunity to explore Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, situated at an elevation of 5154 meters.

Next, you'll head back to Shigatse, taking a different route through Dinggye, which is not the usual path people take. Along this route, you'll pause at the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint. From here, you can not only marvel at the majestic eastern slope of the towering Mount Everest once again but also witness the world's fourth-highest peak, Mount Lhotse, soaring to an elevation of 8,516 meters. Additionally, relish the expansive and enchanting wetland landscape at the foot of Mount Everest.

Subsequently, make a brief stop in the historic town of Sakya to wander through Saga Ancient Town.

Finally, you'll reach Shigatse. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you to a local Langma Hall, serving as a venue for traditional Tibetan song and dance performances. Here, you can experience authentic Tibetan performances and celebrate the success of your Mount Everest journey with your fellow group members over dinner.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Please note: During heavy summer rains or winter snowstorms, your travel route back to Shigatse from Mount Everest may change. Instead of passing through Dinggye and Sakya, you might travel via Gawula Pass and Tingri. If this adjustment is necessary, we'll provide you with a written notice while you're in Tibet.

In the morning, you will have the opportunity to explore the residence of the Panchen Lama – Tashilhunpo Monastery. The grand and magnificent halls of this local monastery, which occupies the entire hillside, serve as a spiritual haven for the Tibetan people in Shigatse. Notably, Tashilhunpo Monastery houses the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha.

After this enriching visit, the return journey to Lhasa will take you along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, considered the mother river of the Tibetan people.

Upon arriving in Lhasa, take advantage of your leisure time to freely wander through Barkhor Street. Here, you can explore the vibrant market and shop for meaningful gifts to bring back home for your family.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Start your day after breakfast, enjoying the morning warmth. Today's journey takes you to the beautiful Namtso Lake, known as one of Tibet's 'Three Holy Lakes.' Get ready to be amazed by the peaceful lake and the stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Heading north, you'll travel through the vast Damxung Grassland, a pastoral area filled with herds of cattle and sheep, closest to Lhasa. As you go up the 5,190-meter-high Lagenla Pass, you'll see a breathtaking view of Namtso Lake, like an emerald jewel in the northern Tibetan landscape.

Descending from the pass, you'll reach Namtso Lake, covering 1,920 square kilometers and considered one of Tibet's sacred lakes. Follow your guide to the lakeshore and take a trek to Tashi Dor Island for a close-up view. The scenery here is like a vast blue ocean, with cattle and sheep grazing peacefully under the warm sun. The Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains calmly oversee the northern Tibetan grasslands, creating a serene view. Sometimes, passing trains add liveliness to the pure plateau.

After that, your guide will lead you on a hike along the lakeside, showing you mystical stone columns, peaks, meditation caves, and Buddhist sacred sites. Take your time to enjoy Namtso Lake.

After visiting Namtso Lake, you will return to Damxung via the mountain pass.

Stay overnight in Damxung.

Today, you will go back to Lhasa from Damxung, filled with cultural explorations and scenic wonders.

You will firstly visit Chimelong Nunnery, the largest nunnery near Lhasa. Here, you'll encounter a community of dedicated female practitioners. Wander through the tranquil nunnery, gaining insights into various Buddhist studies in Tibet. As you explore, you might catch a glimpse of a sky burial site in the distance, a unique aspect of Tibetan funeral traditions.

Then, you’ll head to visit Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Nestled in a picturesque valley, Tsurphu Monastery holds historical significance as the birthplace of the first Karmapa, a revered figure in Tibetan history. The monastery houses a wealth of precious artifacts, including relics of the 16th Karmapa, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism.

During the summertime, the valley of Tsurphu Monastery becomes a gathering place for local Tibetans enjoying a 'Linka outing' (a Tibetan-style picnic). If time allows, you may join in for a pleasant lunch or dine at the monastery's restaurant.

Following lunch, you will go back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board. Please confirm your departure flight or train details in advance with your guide.

The tour ends.