12 days Chengdu Tibet train tour

Upon arrival at Chengdu airport, to be met and transferred to your hotel in Chengdu. Overnight at Chengdu. B=breakfast

Morning around 07:30-08:00 to be met at your hotel lobby and transferred to Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, it takes about half an hour. You will catch pandas' feeding time, they are at their most active, both Adults and Babies. Later then watch the film at Panda Museum to know the panda daily life, Baby getting birth, etc.  Afterward, drive back to downtown for lunch. Afternoon visit Jinsha Site Museum to learn the glorious Chinese culture of the ancient Shu Kingdom. Also, you will be arranged to walk around at Jinli ancient streets. In the evening you can choose to watch the culture show - Sichuan Opera, which are very famous for the spitting fire, changing faces and rolling lamp(fee is extra). Overnight at Chengdu.

Morning around 08:00 to be met and transferred to Leshan, it takes about 2 hours. In Leshan visit the biggest sitting Buddha sculpture in the Lingyun Temple. The grand Buddha was completed in 803 of Tang Dynasty after 90 year's construction and enjoys the fame of the biggest sitting stone sculpture in the world with a 71-meter height. Carved on the cliff face, the sculpture is well designed with perfect balance and effective water drainage system. You can also choose to have a boat tour to see Leshan Grand Buddha(fee is on your own). Afternoon drive back to Chengdu, free on your own. In the evening, transfer to Chengdu train station for the train to Lhasa (T22/3, 20:59 - 16:10, +2 days). O/n the train.

Today you will see the beautiful Tibetan plateau with the nomads' groups, Kekexili Nature Reserve, etc. Arrival at Lhasa in the afternoon. Lhasa train station pick-up and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa.  Overnight at Lhasa.

Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only to visit Jokhang temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is the most sacred shrine in Tibet which was built in the 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from the entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Overnight at Lhasa.

Today you will be arranged to visit Drepung, Sera monasteries and Summer Palace - Norbulingka palace. Both Drepung and Sera monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges. Drepung monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala, it was once the world largest monastery in the history with 7,700 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Norbulingka is the summer palace of Dalai Lama, you can visit the residences of different lineages of the Dalai Lama. The park is crowded with picnickers and traditional activities during the Shoton (Yogurt festival) in August. Overnight at Lhasa.

Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4794m], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise-colored Lake Yamdrok Yutso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass is wonders of the day. Then along the Friendship southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon drive to Shigatse. Overnight at Shigatse.

Early morning start driving to Rongphu via Lhatse and Shegar, cross over Gyatsola [5,200m] & Gawu la pass [5,250m], from the top of the Gawu la you will see the spectacular Himalayan Ranges and its glorious peaks viz Mt.Makalu [8,463m], Mt.Lotse [8,516m], Mt.Everest [8,844m], Mt.Cho Oyu[8201m] and Mt.Shishapama [8,020m] from Left to right, climbing down through numbers of switchback bends lead to the dry valley of Tashi Zom and then to today's destination - Everest Base Camp. Rongbuk is the highest monastery in Tibet and consists of both monks and nuns, it is still a good point to see Mt.Everest. Overnight at local guesthouse.

If you are lucky enough, you will see the sunrise at E.B.C. Late morning or early afternoon start driving back to Shigatse. Overnight at Shigatse.

Morning visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas, sometimes it is crowded with local pilgrims. Afternoon drive back to Lhasa along the northern friendship way, marvelous landscapes and sceneries along the Brahmaputra River will accompany you all the way back to Lhasa. Overnight at Lhasa.

Mornining dropping off at Lhasa airport or train station, end the tour.