11 Days Xining-Lhasa Train tour
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Price: from 0 USD Explain>>2. Comfortable hotels in cities and guesthouses in some remote places.
3. Flight and train are not included.
4. Tour cost is only for reference, please inquire for detailed quotation.
5. The more people, the cheaper cost.
Explain>>
In order to make it easier for you to choose the right trip, we have graded our trips with certain Trip Level System from 1 to 4 according to the degree of activities and altitude. We have also suggested the most suitable groups or individuals for each Trip Level.
In the Trip Overview of each itinerary there is also a brief description of what the Trip is like.
Our staffs at the Explore Tibet are always happy to answer any questions you have and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness.
1. Easy
Light walking and hiking that is suitable for all level of fitness, generally altitude range between 3500m/9800ft to 4000m/13000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids and senior groups.
2. Moderate
May included moderate level of hiking, biking, horse riding and maximum altitude of 5000m/16000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids bigger than 12 years, individual having average level for fitness.
3. Moderate to Strenuous
May include high altitude hiking up to 6 hours, long hour driving and sometimes overnight at around 5000m/16000ft, require a moderately high level of fitness, camping and basic lodging facility.
Suitable for adult family, individuals physically fit and have experiences of high altitude trekking.
4. Strenuous
May include high altitude trekking and mountaineering, camping and basic lodging facilities, altitude range from 3600m/9800ft to 6000m/19000ft.
Suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.
The Lhasa train tour is one the best tibet train tours in Tibet. Your arrival at the holy city Lhasa will greet by its fair blue sky and glimpse of Potala palace perching on the red hill, in the following days, you will be overwhelmed by mystical buildings and temples which reflects rich culture and tradition of the ancient city, moreover, it is a great pleasure to mingle into the bustling Bakhor street with devoted pilgrims. Xining to Lhasa train schedule is updated on our website and you can follow it.
Click on the map to enlarge
| Day | Trip Outline | Activity | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Xining （2261m) | Pick up and transfer to hotel, rest at hotel. | |
| Day 2 | Xining sightseeing and board train to Lhasa | Mysterious sceneries along the way | |
| Day 3 | Arrival in Lhasa (3680m) | Pickup and transfer to hotel, rest at hotel. | Hotel in Lhasa |
| Day 4 | Lhasa sightseeing | Bakhor street, Johkang Temple, Potala Palace | Hotel in Lhasa |
| Day 5 | Lhasa sightseeing | Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery | Hotel in Lhasa |
| Day 6 | Lhasa-Tsedang-Samye (3500m), 220km, approx 5hrs | Samye monastery | Monastery hotel |
| Day 7 | Samye-Chimpu-Tsedang (3800m), 60km, approx 1.5hrs | Chimpu hermitage, Tsedang | Yulong hotel |
| Day 8 | Tsedang-Yamdrok-Gyangtse (3900m), 380km, approx 7hrs | Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Kumbum Stupa | Hotel in Gyantse |
| Day 9 | Gyangtse-Shigatse (3800m), 90km, approx 1.5hrs | Tashi Lhunpo monastery | Hotel in Shigatse |
| Day 10 | Shigatse-Lhasa (3680m), 280km, approx 6hrs | Yarlung Tsangpo | Hotel in Lhasa |
| Day 11 | Depart from Tibet | Send off to train/airport |
Tour Cost Includes:
- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canister for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;
- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:
Today you will be greeted by our local guide and driver at the airport/train station, then transfer you to the hotel to rest and acclimate the plateau environment, Xining is the capital of Qinghai province with altitude of 2295m. Rest of the day you can explore around the town and take easy for the day. Overnight in Xining.
DAY 02. XINING ESCORTED TOUR AND BOARD THE TIBET TRAIN LATE IN THE AFTERNOON.
Attractions; Stunning view of Kokonor lake (Qinghai Lake) and beautiful nomadic surrounding with blossomed flowers.
Today our local guide and driver meet you at the hotel and then drive to Kokonor lake, it is 151km west from the city, it takes less than 2 hours, Kokonor lake is largest salt water lake in China and the surrounding nomadic environment is beautiful with blossomed rapeseed specially in June and July. Then we will drive back in the afternoon and catch the flight to Lhasa that depart late in the afternoon around 7p.m. You may have few hours repacking time at the hotel and then our guide and drive deliver you to the train station per the train schedule.
DAY 03. ARRIVAL IN LHASA.
Attractions; Perennial snow covered Thangula ranges, Tibet northern lakes and vast pastures, lone wild animals and scattered nomad’s families.
Today we will cross over the mighty Thangula ranges at mid night around 2a.m. with altitude of 5072m set the world highest train, rest of day you will impress by the vast pastures and plains with sparsely populated nomadic region, then finally you will get to the terminal station as Lhasa in the afternoon, there our local Tibetan guide and driver will greet for your arrival and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa city, from the train station it is only 25km and it takes about half hour, check in the hotel and take it easy for the rest of the day to acclimatize and alleviate the jet lag. Overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 04. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR.
Attractions; Jokhang temple and bustling Bakhor street and Sera monastery.
Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have little head ach which is very common for travelers by the high altitude, so drinking enough water and mild activity on the first few days is recommendable. In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the centre of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is one of the most scared temple in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since from early days. After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is the one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa, during the old days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to tourist gift shopping centre. The amazing day will ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery, it is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who is disciple of Tsongka pa, few different monastic colleges in Sera is home to several hundred monks from different part of Tibet, the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening every day in the afternoon except Sunday. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 05. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR.
Attractions; Potala palace and Drepung monastery.
Today we will visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century and later in 17th century rebuilt by 5th Dalai Lama, since then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking though the long steps are quite challenging but it is worthwhile to leave your foot steps in the spiritual palace of God of compassion which listed in the world heritage in 1994. And in the afternoon, we will visit the Drepung monastery, once the world's largest monastery that housed for more than 10,000 monks, it was resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, but several destructions were taken place in different time but still you have lots of things to see by walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane through the monk’s apartments is thrilling. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 06. LHASA-TSEDANG-SAMYE MONASTERY(3500m), 220km, 6hrs.
Attractions; Fertile Yarlung valley-ancient Tibet capital, Samye monastery.
Today we will drive southern part of Tibet to Samye monastery, we will stop at Tsedang for lunch, Samye monastery is the 1st ever Buddhist monastery in Tibet which was built in 7th century during the regime of King Trisong Desen, it exist for centuries despite of culture revolution and other means of destruction in different period of time, the Manadala design monastery is beautifully located at the Northern bank of the Brahmaputra river, in the small valley mingled with villages around, visit Samye Tsuglhak Khang at the arrival and you may have a short hike up on the Hepu hill close from the monastery, Hepu hill has a very prominent historical value as in the 7th century when Samye monastery was first built, lots obstacles by Bon devils made it failed several times, finally Indian Guru Padmasambhava had controlled all the devils on the Hipu hill and punished with a stone rainfall. Overnight at Samye monastery guest house.
DAY 07. SAMYE-CHIMPU HERMITAGE-TSEDANG, 2hrs, 50km.
Attractions; Chimpu nunnery, Yogis in the caves, Yumbo Lhakang, Tramduk monastery.
Today we will drive back toward Tsedang, en route we will drive to Chimpu hermitage, there were several caves that Guru Rinpoche and Khangdo Yeshi Tsogyal(one of three consorts of Guru) mediated in the 7th century and since then it became very famous for retreatants and hermits from different part of Tibet, after visiting the nunnery at the bottom of the hill we will hike up through the caves to experience the life of Tibetan yogis, you may get chance to interact with some yogis if you are lucky. Afternoon drive back to Tsedang, Tsedang is the cradle of Tibetan civilization and capital of Tibet prior to Lhasa, so we will visit the 1st King’s palace Yumbu Lhakang there, which is only few kilometers south of the town. Overnight in Tsedang.
DAY 08. TSEDANG-GANPA LA PASS(4900m)-GYANTSE (3900m), 7hrs, 380km
Attractions; Yamdrok lake, Mt.Nyechen Kangsar glacier, Gyantse Kubum stupa and Pelkhor Choede monastery.
Today we drive upstream of the Brahmaputra river to Gyantse, after passing numbers of Tibetan towns villages we will climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m) through a distorted road, right from the top of Gampa la pass you will have the first glimpse of the breathtaking view of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise color deep within the mountainous valley, then continues drive along the lake for few kilometers. En route we will stop at Karo la (5150m) to see the holy mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that we pass through. Arrival at Gyantse we will visit Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery.This magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around the inner walls have centuries of history. Overnight at Gyantse.
DAY 09. GYANTSE-SHIGATSE(3800m), 90km, 1.5hrs.
Attractions; Villages and farms, Shalu monastery, Tashi Lhunpo monastery.
Today it is short drive to Shigatse on a very good road, en route we will visit Shalu Monastery which is the seat of Buton Rinchendrub(1290-1346) who was the great codifier of the Tibetan translations of the Indian Buddhist canon, Shalu monastery is the only one that combines Tibetan and Chinese styles in its design, though the whole monastery gone under several renovations in different period but the green tiled Chinese style is clearly visible in these days. afternoon drive to Shigatse and visit Tashi Lhunpo monastery, Tashi Lhunpo monastery is built by the 1st Dalai Lama-Gedun Drup in 1447 and later it became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineages, there you will see tombs of 7 passed Pachen Lamas lineages. Overnight at Shigatse.
DAY 10. SHIGATSE - LHASA, 280km, 4/5 hrs.
Today we will drive back to Lhasa along the northern friendship highway, the road cuts through numbers of villages and we will stop at Nyimo local home based incense factory, this region is well known for their incense production since centuries ago, they use primitive water operated tools to process incense materials and each incense sticks are handmade, you may see locals making it on the spot, then we will arrive in Lhasa later in the afternoon and you have plenty of time to explore around the Bakhor to shop gifts for your families and friends at home. Overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 11. LHASA AIRPOR/TRAIN STATION SEND OFF.
Today our guide and driver will send you to the airport or train station and it is time to say your farewells and depart to your next destination. The trip end officially
Tour Cost Includes:
- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canister for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;
- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:
In order to make your trip worry free and indisputable, here we have carefully collected all the essential information that will give you a clear image of the trip as well as logistics during your stay in Tibet, this also will be helpful for your trip preparation before you leave, so please go through it and make sure you are well prepare for the trip, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our tour consultant or write us on sales@exploretibet.com
Legitimate Claim;
As we mentioned above, Tibet is politically very sensitive and any political activities are restrictedly prohibited, so we always advising our clients to keep away from any political conversations or activities that bound against the policy of People’s republic of China. Your involvement in such activities would influence the whole group as well as future of all your guides, driver and the company. If any one does, then we have the full right to cancel the trip and we are not responsible for so caused hassle and costs.
Emergency contacts:
Being a responsible company, we are always available for 24 hours a day, in case if you need any emergency help. It is best to first call your designated travel coordinator or sales person (whose contact numbers are will be listed on your tour agreement), for any reason if you are not able to reach to him/her then please ring us on the below numbers;
Lhasa Head Office: (0891)-6329441 (the area code 0891 is not necessary if you are calling from Lhasa)
Chengdu Office: (028)-86262365
Note: office working time is 9am – 7pm from Monday to Friday.
Sonam Jamphel (Sales Manager) 0158890904080 or 013398000993 (Available for 24 hours a day)
Chinese Visa
Every one should have the valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity) and Chinese visa to travel into China and the Chinese visa is also valid in Tibet, generally the Chinese visa is can be applied either by your self or use a visa service agency in your home country, but the visa application and requirements are little vary in different countries, so please check with your regional Chinese Embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements.
NOTE; It is your responsibility to obtain the Chinese visa, so just for your information it is better not to list Tibet as your travel destination on your visa application form, just list Chengdu or Beijing, whichever your in-bound city is as your travel destination. If you enter Tibet from Nepal then you don’t need the Chinese individual visa and please check the next line for what you need.
If You Enter Tibet From Nepal
If you enter Tibet from Nepal, then the permit and Chinese visa formalities are slightly different, to enter from Nepal, you don't need the Chinese individual visa and instead you should obtain the Tibet group visa from Chinese Embassy in Nepal, you can’t apply it directly and you should have a local Nepalese agency to apply for it, so our Nepalese partner agency will assist you for that application, normally the application takes 2 to 5 working days for different cost and it only can be applied when you arrive in Nepal, because your original passport is needed along the application. More about the Tibet Group Visa and cost please check here
Tibet Travel Permit and Its Process
Tibet travel permit is compulsory for all the travelers to visit Tibet and it can be obtained within 15 days prior to the trip starting dates, once you have booked the tour with us, we will obtain it for you which is included in the tour package. We need clear scan copies of your Chinese visa and passports to apply for the permit.
For more detail and latest permit updates, please check here
Etiquettes and Taboos:
Cultural Considerations: Be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of locals. These may include different concepts of time, personal space, communication, etc., which are not wrong or inferior, just different. Making the extra effort to respect local customs and cultural differences will enhance your interactions with locals during your time in Tibet and contribute to building mutual respect between locals and tourists.
Appropriate attire: Most Tibetans are pretty conservative from our western perspective so it is always polite to wear long pants at all times (guys and girls). If you wear shorts in rural villages or in the Bakhor district in Lhasa you will definitely get stranger looks than normal! Women should wear long pants or skirts. Shirts should not be revealing and bras should be worn. Unfortunately, many tourists ignore these cultural norms and can be seen in towns and villages wearing shorts and revealing summer attire; while it may be comfortable, it is not appropriate, especially when visiting monasteries. Don’t be shy to inform other tourists of the proper dress for monasteries; perhaps they are not aware of the cultural considerations and etiquette.
Itinerary Disclaimer
Generally we adhere to the original itinerary that we described but sometimes little alterations can be born due to the situations that are beyond our control. On the other hand, in order to make our trip for your personal experiences and flexible, we allowed our clients to make minor changes by discussing with us (office staff) and guide (field staff). The trip detail itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destination or activities is by no means of guarantee that they will be encountered or carried due to the local circumstances and climate.
Keeping in touch with folks at home
If your family members or colleagues or friends want to connect with you during the tour, then you can either provide your guide mobile number to reach you during the trip or if you don’t know your guide number at the time, please don’t feel hesitate to provide our company contact numbers listed in the Emergency Contact section and we can find a way to reach you through guide mobile.
Meals
In order to provide you the maximum flexibility of what, where and when to eat, we generally doesn’t include meals in the tour cost except breakfast included at the hotels, but our local guide will suggest you good local restaurant per your requirements. In the cities like Lhasa, Tsedang, Gyantse, Shigatse and Zhangmu you can find good restaurants serve wide range of Tibetan food, continental food, Nepalese food, Indian food and Chinese cuisine, but in Tingri, EBC and in remote places, there is a limited choice for noodles and pan cakes. Approximate cost of a meal in Tibet is USD3 – USD10 per person/meal depending on your individual requirement.
Destination Guide & Recommended Reading List:
Tibet is a unique travel destination with some special considerations. It is highly recommended that you undertake some background reading before travel to Tibet. The more you learn about your destination, the more rewarding your travel experience will be. While we include a recommended reading list, which you can refer to for in-depth information, the following is a recommended reading list that might be helpful for you.
| Tibetan History | Tibetan Culture & Arts | Tibetan Religion |
Lhasa and the TAR:
- Tibet: The Lonely Planet Country Guide
- Trekking in Tibet: A Traveler's Guide by Gary McCue
- Tibet Handbook: Moon Travel Guide
- Fodor's Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan: Expert Advice and Smart Choices: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore On and Off the Beaten Path
- To a Mountain in Tibet by Colin Thubron
- The Mount Kailash Trek by Constance Roos/Sian Pritchard-Jones
- Trekking Tibet by Gary McCue/George Schaller
- The Heart of the World, A Journey to the Tibet's Lost Paradise by Ian Baker
- My Journey to Lhasa by Alexandra David-Neel
Kham and Amdo regions:
- Footprints Tibet Handbook by Gyurme Dorje
- Lonely Planet China (See Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu Provinces)
- Bradt Guide Tibet by Michael Buckley
Domestic Flights and Trains to Tibet
There is only one international flight to Tibet, which is from Kathmandu (Nepal), and then there are lots of flights from different cities in Mainland China like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai and so on. Please Check Flight Schedule and Cost Here
There is no international train to Tibet and all the trains are from Mainland China like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xining and so on. Please Check Train Schedule and Cost Here
Responsible Tourism Initiative:
Tourism has the potential to have positive and negative effects on the local environment and peoples. Making a conscious decision about how you travel can make a difference. Whether you are traveling to the Amazon rainforest or to Mt. Everest Base Camp, taking the initiative to reduce negative impacts and help sustain local communities is the responsible thing to do. Read more how we practice Responsible Travel
How & What To Pack
It is important to pack light and effectively, specially when you travelling to a new place, you need to know some necessary items should be carry with, depending on the length of your trip and where you go, you can get away with a minimal amount of clothing. One medium-large backpack or rolling duffle and a day pack should be just right for a 2-4 week trip. We suggest you to check our packing guideline here
Complaint & Feedback
We are always trying to provide the best service that can achieve a memorable Tibet tour for you, but sometimes you might be dissatisfied with some arrangement as different people has various aspirations and requirement, so please let us know instantly and we will try to solve everything right away to avoid repeating mistakes unknowingly. As we are looking for every single opportunity to improve our services, so your valuable suggestions and constructive complaints are very much appreciated.
“Tashi Delek Sonam!
We had a wonderful time traveling in Tibet and I thank you for making our trip so fabulous
You are an amazing and special man Sonam.
I thought you might like some copies of the photos I took when we went out with you.
Your mother is a beautiful person.
Thank you again”
-------Amon and Margaret. Traveled in 28th April,2012.
---From Paola Erba & family (Italy) , traveled on 8th August, 2012.
“Our guide and driver were excellent always glad to help, went out their way to make our experience the best”.
----From Alberto Zuniga (Costa Rica), traveled on 24th May, 2012.
“Visiting Tibet was a dream comes true for us, and particularly for Colin, who has wanted to visit the Potala Palace since he was a child. We've been to other Buddhist countries and regions -- Sikkim, Nepal, and all over Southeast Asia -- but Tibet seems particularly remote and starkly beautiful. We don't know anyone else who has been to Tibet."
-- From James & Colin (USA). Traveled in Oct 2012.
“We were extremely pleased with our guide and itinerary, our guide gave us good suggestions for activities when we were on our own, responded well to our requests and was adaptable, and was good company for these few days. he talked with local people and monks to give us more interesting experiences.”
----From Ruth Rosenfeld and her son (USA), traveled in May, 2011.
“Overall very enjoyable experiences, thanks to our knowledgeable and caring guide. We look forward to coming back next time.”
----From QuynhTien Cao & Gia Chan Vuong (Australia), traveled in December, 2011.
“Base camp was very nice. The stay with a Tibetan family very interesting. “
----From Silke Neumann (Germany), traveled on 15th May, 2012.
“Overall had a great trip and were very happy with the driver and the guide. Especially Phurtse was always available to help and was very knowledgeable, especially on the monasteries and temples. Greatly enjoyed the personal touch on my birthday from Phurtse and Explore Tibet. Thank you.”
----From Janie Neumann (Germany), traveled on 15th May, 2012.
“We had a wonderful time travelling in Tibet and i thank you for making our trip so fabulous.”
----From Margaret (Australia), traveled in April, 2012.
“We had a wonderful time traveling in Tibet and i thank you for making our trip so fabulous. You are an amazing and special man Sonam Jamphel.”
