12 days Beijing to Lhasa train group tour

Upon your arrival in Beijing airport or train station, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is for free for you to explore Beijing or catch up from your jet lag.

In the morning you will be pick up and drive to Mutianyu Great Wall in about 2.5 hours. Later you will enjoy about 3 hours of walking along this wonderful ancient wall.

See with your own eyes this national treasure and photography the magnificent scenery of the wall winding its way across the mountains. Comparing to Badaling, Mutianyu Great Wall is less crowded. You can ascend the great wall by cable cars or walk.

In the late afternoon, you will be driven back and drop at your hotel.

(B)=breakfast

Today you will spend the whole day to visit the highlights of historic Beijing city.

Start your morning tour to see the magnificent imperial city that once was the seat of government for over 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Enjoy your lunch, before heading to visit the Beihai park, also known as Northern Sea Park, is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardens in Beijing.

In the evening, you will be transferred to the train station for the train to Lhasa (Z21, 20:00 - 12:30 +2 days).

Enjoy the scenery along the train journey. With each hour you get closer to Tibet as you traverse along the worlds highest railway.

Today you will see the beautiful Tibetan plateau and keep a keen eye for the nomads out the large windows of the train as you cross the Kekexili Nature Reserve.

You will arrive in Lhasa around 12:30 and upon exiting the railway station be warmly greeted by your Tibetan guide. They will greet you with a Khatag, which is typical Tibetan greeting style. Take a short ride into the city and get checked into your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, visit the Potala Palace is known worldwide as the 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).

The next stop is the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred place in all of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built during the 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa.

The circuit that surrounds it is called Barkhor street. A popular place for purchasing souvenirs and other gifts. Afterward, explore the old Lhasa town near Barkhor, walk on the small alleys and get in touch with local lifestyles.

Today you will visit Drepung monastery and Sera Monastery. 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 monks debating every day between 3 pm to 5 pm (except on Sunday).

In the morning depart Lhasa and start to the drive towards Shigatse.

Stop to visit Yamdrok Tso Lake, which is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet, it appears like jasper in a dark blue color. It takes about half an hour driving along the lakeshore to the nearest town.

Afternoon follows the southern Friendship highway along the sprawling lakes and bloom glaciers towards Gyantse 3,980 m (13058 ft.). This is a small town in Tibet, a very typical Tibetan town that still keeps its own feature, and it is a worth a stop when heading towards Mount Everest.

In Gyantse, you will visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum, which is one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. A kumbum is a type of Tibetan chapel, and Gyantse's boasts multiple levels and 108 small chapel rooms.

Another driving day towards Everest Base Camp, at Pangla pass [5,250 m], you will see the spectacular Himalayan Range and the glorious peaks of Mt. Makalu [8,463 m], Mt. Lhotse [8,516 m], Mt. Everest [8,844 m], Mt. Cho Oyu [8,201 m] and Mt. Shishapama [8,020 m] (from left to right in your view at the pass).

Enjoy the splendid sunset at E.B.C, you will also visit Rongbuk Monastery, it is the highest monastery in Tibet and is functioning with both monks and nuns. You can visit and see the workings of the monastery.

Note: It is cold and windy in the valley, so we recommend taking a sleeping bag with you. Also, food options are scarce, so be sure to prepare for providing your own meals at Rongbuk.

If the weather permits, you will see the splendid sunrise just out side of your guest house. Afterwards, drive back to Shigatse.

Today's highlight is Tashilunpo Monastery, it is one of the six prominent yellow hat sect monasteries and is the seat of the Panchen Lama lineage. There is a panoramic view of the whole monastery from the entrance, as well as a massive Jamba Buddha Statue.

Afternoon drive back to Lhasa along the Northern Friendship Highway, with marvelous landscapes and scenery along the Brahmaputra River continuing all the way back to Lhasa.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will see you off at the Lhasa Airport or Train Station, which concludes the tour.