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Trans-Tibetan Railway


A brief introduction to China before embarking on the Trans-Tibetan Railway and experiencing mystical Tibet




Get amongst the bikes and bustle of Beijing before boarding a flight to Xining, which was once a major hub of the northern Silk Road. From here, we board the Sky Train for our marvellous high altitude journey through the Tibetan back-of-beyond. Explore the fabled Potala Palace in Lhasa and a series of famous and functioning Buddhist monasteries from Gyantse and Shigatse. We keep things rollicking as we travel across the high Himalaya by Pang La (Pass), before arriving amidst the grand splendour of Everest at Rongphu Monastery. Visit Everest Base Camp for a closer look at this behemoth of rock, ice and adventure and wind your way down to bustling Kathmandu - your journey’s end.



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Tour Highlights

  • Tibetan rural life and the Kumbum Monastery in Gyantse
  • The North Face of Mount Everest from Rongbuk (5000m)
  • The cliff-cut road to the border town of Zhangmu
  • Tashilhunpo Monastery - the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama
  • Kathmandu’s hidden old town
  • Potala Palace of Lhasa - home of the 14th Dalai Lama and most of his prior incarnations

Inclusions

  • Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.

  • 4WD vehicle
  • Minibus
  • Private bus
  • Sleeper train
  • 11 breakfasts

Trans-Tibetan Railway

Day 1
Beijing
Meals Privided:
On arrival in Beijing you are transferred to your hotel. In the evening you meet your tour leader and the other group members for a pre-tour briefing. This is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant - Peking Duck is often a popular choice.
Day 2
Beijing to Xining
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We are transferred to the airport and board a flight to Xining. This afternoon we visit the famous Ta'er Temple, where we can explore nine of the temples and look for yak-butter carved sculptures of animals, humans and landscapes.
Day 3-4
Xining to Lhasa
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
This morning we visit the Great Mosque of Xining, which is the most important mosque in the Qinghai Province. We board the Sky Train at midday for our magnificent high altitude train journey across the Tibetan plateau to Lhasa. We arrive at Lhasa Railway Station late the following afternoon and are met and driven to the fabled city of Lhasa, which lies at 3650 metres above sea level.
Day 5-6
Lhasa
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We have two full days to explore Lhasa, a city that was once-isolated, with its monasteries and markets bulging with pilgrims and traders. This includes an organised tour to the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera and Ramoche Monasteries. Free time to explore the city is subject to the Chinese authorities and the ever-changing political climate, although there are never any problems with filling in the days to great advantage in such a fascinating city. In your free time you may wish to visit the Norbulingka Summer Palace or the interesting Tibet Museum.
Day 7
Gyantse
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Today we travel for about four hours as we take to the Friendship Highway; a spectacular road, which traverses high mountain passes and crosses plateaus, connecting Lhasa with Kathmandu. Please note that the road conditions are very poor in Tibet, so we should be prepared for bumpy journeys. We first travel through Tibet's richest farming areas, then cross the Brahmaputra River as it winds its way down to the Bay of Bengal. Running here at an altitude of 3939 metres above sea level, it is the highest major river in the world. We cross the river on a solid suspension bridge and wind our way to Kamba La (Pass) and enjoy a view over the huge Yamdrok Tso Lake. After the lake, we climb again to Karo La (Pass) (5010 metres) before descending to the historic town of Gyantse, a small village and home to the Kumbum Monastery, where we find interesting Buddhist murals.
Day 8
Shigatse
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
In the morning we explore Gyantse, a town renowned for the exploits of Colonel Younghusband in the 1920s. We walk down the newly rebuilt main street, along with the Nepali Kumbum stupa. In the afternoon we take a ninety minute drive across the Tibetan Plateau. Shigatse is the second largest city of Tibet with a population of some 40,000 people. The Tashilhunpo Monastery is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the most important incarnation for Tibetan Buddhists, after the Dalai Lama. This impressive religious centre contains a giant statue of Buddha in the Temple of Maitreya as well as an ornate tomb, which is the final resting-place of the fourth Panchen Lama. Its huge size ensures it is almost a town in itself. One of Tibet's most active monasteries, it is currently being restored to its former beauty.
Day 9
Shegar
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Our adventure continues with a five-hour drive over rough, dusty roads to Shegar. In the morning we cross the Gyatso La (Pass) with stunning views of the Himalayan peaks to the south. Although the scenery is desolate, the country is dotted with busy villages and ruined monasteries. Amongst these villages is the major town of Lhaze, which makes a convenient halfway stop, where we have a local-style lunch break. Shegar is a small village of 1500 inhabitants, overlooked by an impressive fort (unfortunately this is currently closed to visitors).
Day 10
Everest Base Camp - Sherger
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Departing from Shegar, we drive to the south towards the mighty Himalaya. The initial part of the road journey involves climbs in a series of zigzags to the top of the Pang La (Pass) (5150 metres), where we stop to take photos of Mount Everest. Along the drive we can bask in the splendour of majestic views of all the other snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. As we are now travelling off the main highway it could get dusty travelling on these dirt roads, so you may like to carry something like a scarf or big handkerchief with you when we’re driving. Even though we are only travelling 140 kilometres on our round journey, it is a long day due to the poor road conditions. At 5000 metres above sea level, Rongphu is home to the highest monastery in the world. From here we can enjoy a breathtakingly close-up view of Mount Everest as it seemingly hovers over us. We then branch off on to a small path that leads to Everest Base Camp itself, which is situated at 5040 metres above sea level. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the stunning view of Everest more than compensates. It truly is an awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. This is certainly a major highlight on our incredible journey. From here we return to Rongphu and make our way back to Shegar.
Day 11
Zhangmu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We continue our journey on the main road and head in the direction of the Nepalese border, passing through a checkpost and continuing to Tingri, where we still enjoy more views of the world’s highest peaks including the 8201-metre-high Cho Oyu - the world’s 6th highest peak. From Tingri the road ascends to reach the Lalung La (Pass) (5050 metres), where the scenery is again fantastic. The panorama also includes the 8000-metre-high Xixapangma. From the top of the pass we descend nearly 3000 metres to the small town of Nyalam, before continuing to the border town of Zhangmu. As you near the border, the road is cut into the cliffs high above the valley floor. If you don’t like heights, sit on the left-hand side of the vehicle! At Zhangmu we say farewell to our Tibetan guide and driver.
Day 12
Kathmandu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Today, after finalising departure formalities, you exit from China and enter Nepal. Descending steeply down the zigzag road, you reach the Nepalese immigration and customs at Tatopani. During the monsoon season there may be landslides, which may cause sections of the road near the border to be closed. Should this be the case, porters then carry our luggage as we walk across the border to our Nepalese vehicle. It is then a 4½-hour drive to Kathmandu. There is much to see in the Nepalese capital, so you may consider extending your stay with extra time here to explore Kathmandu and the valley. There are fascinating temples in the city's Durbar Square as well as the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple and the Buddhist Bodnath Stupa, whilst the neighbouring towns of Patan and Bhaktapur are both worth a visit.
Day 13
Kathmandu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning. A transfer to the airport is not included, however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the options available.

IN A NUTSHELL

13 days
from $3,595
15

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
17/10/201130/10/2011 $3,595
14/05/201326/05/2013 $3,680
30/04/201312/05/2013 $3,680
16/04/201328/04/2013 $3,680
02/04/201314/04/2013 $3,680
30/10/201211/11/2012 $3,680
16/10/201228/10/2012 $3,680
09/10/201221/10/2012 $3,680
02/10/201214/10/2012 $3,680
25/09/201207/10/2012 $3,680
11/09/201223/09/2012 $3,680
04/09/201216/09/2012 $3,680
29/05/201210/06/2012 $3,680
15/05/201227/05/2012 $3,680
01/05/201213/05/2012 $3,680
03/04/201215/04/2012 $3,680
28/05/201309/06/2013 $3,680
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