9 Days Beijing Lhasa Kathmandu Tour by Train

The train departs from Beijing West Railway Station. Train Z21 from Beijing to Lhasa departs at 19:53. Please be sure to arrive in train station at least 1 hour and a half before the train departure. Your Tibet Permit will need to be checked when you check in.

Stay overnight on the Train.

Note:
You can also choose to start this journey from Shanghai or Chengdu to take a Tibet train to Lhasa.
Shanghai-Lhasa Train departs at 18:22, every day.
Chengdu-Lhasa Train departs at 21:11, every other day.

It is quite a long journey that will take about 40 hours. Today you will pass through two important provincial capital cities in northwest China, Lanzhou and Xining.

Xining is known as the beginning of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Travelling along the rail line, you could see the scenery of countryside and city in northwest China.

Stay overnight on the Train.

Today, you will witness the most beautiful scenery of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The land of snows, the desert, the grassland, snow mountains and the lakes will continually appear and strongly attract your heart.

You will arrive in Lhasa at about 11:36. Your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit of the train station to welcome you. A private car will take you from the train station to the reserved hotel.

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.

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, your journey unfolds from the iconic Everest Base Camp to the Sino-Nepal border at Gyirong Port, allowing you to immerse yourself in the extraordinary landscapes along the route.

Begin your morning with the serene sunrise over Mount Everest at EBC, followed by a delightful hike to Rongbuk Monastery (5154 meters), the world's highest monastery. Nestled in proximity to Mount Everest, this Tibetan Nyingma monastery is a peaceful retreat where nuns and monks coexist.

Subsequently, you will traverse the Himalayas and embark on a drive to Gyirong at the Sino-Nepal border. Over the 380-kilometer journey, be captivated by the ever-changing landscape - from majestic snow-capped peaks soaring over 5000 meters to the verdant forests and breathtaking canyon vistas at an altitude of around 2800 meters above sea level.

En route, pass by Mt. Shishabangma (8027 meters), one of the world's highest mountains above 8000 meters. Enjoy a close-up view of Shigabangma's three main peaks and the golden radiance of Pelku Tso Lake nestled beneath the peaks.

As the altitude gradually descends, you'll be enchanted by lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and seemingly bottomless canyons at the edge of the Himalayas.

Upon reaching Gyirong Valley, the landscape transforms into dense forests with snow-capped peaks rising above. In Gyirong town, relish the abundance of oxygen in the air.

This marks the end of your journey in Tibet.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

After enjoying breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to your Tibetan guide and driver. Our Nepali staff will be ready to meet you at the Nepal border. They will assist with handling your large luggage (additional fee required), facilitate the application process for a Nepal Visa, and ensure a safe transfer for both you and your belongings to your hotel in Kathmandu using Tibet Vista’s vehicle.

As you enter Nepal, you will be greeted by the spectacular sight of numerous snow-covered mountains in the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Some of these include Gaurishankar Himal (7134m), Ganesh Himal (7422m), Annapurna Range's Annapurna III (7555m), Lamjung W (6983 m), Mount Kanguru (6981m), Himchuli West (6441m), Ngadi Chuli (7871 m), and Gaurishankar (7181m).

Due to the challenging road conditions, frequent stops will not be made. Nonetheless, you will be treated to captivating landscapes along the way, savoring the last glimpses of the Himalayas.

Upon reaching your hotel in Kathmandu, the tour service ends.

Insider Tips:
1. For those opting to use our border transfer service, please note there is an additional charge of 60 USD per person, as the transfer from the Gyirong border to your hotel in Kathmandu is not included in the Tibet tour package.

2. Alternatively, you can choose to take the public bus from the border to downtown Kathmandu and then take a taxi to your hotel from the downtown bus station. The cost for the public bus is less than 50% of our transfer service, and the taxi fee is usually around 5 USD.