Itinerary
- Day 1
Germany to Chengdu
You'll board your international flight from Germany to Chengdu today. After landing, you arrive in the capital of Sichuan Province where your China and Tibet adventure begins.
- Day 2
Chengdu
Your tour guide meets you on arrival. Head out to the panda breeding station where you'll see over 100 pandas up close. From there, take a short city tour through Chengdu's historic center, wandering past restaurants, traditional teahouses, and galleries before heading to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit panda breeding station and observe over 100 pandas
- City tour of Chengdu historic city center
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Panda Breeding Station - Day 3
Chengdu to Lhasa
Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Lhasa, Tibet's capital. Once you land, your guide takes you to the hotel so you can settle in and let your body adjust to the altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lhasa - Day 4
Lhasa
Today you'll explore Lhasa's spiritual center. Start at the Potala Palace, the former home of the Dalai Lama with its distinctive architecture and 1,000 rooms. Later, head to Sera Monastery University, one of Tibet's most important religious institutions dating back to the 15th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Potala Palace
- Visit Sera Monastery University
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Sera Monastery - Day 5
Lhasa to Shigatse
You'll travel 175 km by coach from Lhasa to Gyantse, an ancient trading town. Check out the monastery town of Palkhor and its 32.5-meter-high Kumbum chorten. Then continue to Shigatse, where you'll see the Panchen Lama's historic residence with its beautiful gardens.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Palkhor monastery town
- View Kumbum chorten
Landmarks/POIs Palkhor Monastery Kumbum Chorten - Day 6
Shigatse to Tingri
Visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, one of Tibet's most important religious sites, featuring a 26-meter-high bronze Buddha and beautiful murals. From there, drive toward Tingri, crossing two high mountain passes. Tsola Pass sits at 4,600 m and Gyatsola Pass at 5,248 m. On clear days, you'll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Tashi Lhunpo Monastery Tsola Pass Gyatsola Pass - Day 7
Mount Everest Base Camp
Head to Mount Everest base camp early to see Everest in the morning sun. You'll also visit the world's highest monastery where nuns and monks live together. Later, drive back to Shigatse for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Mount Everest base camp
- Visit the highest monastery in the world
Landmarks/POIs Mount Everest Base Camp Mount Everest - Day 8
Shigatse to Lhasa
Board the high-speed train from Shigatse to Lhasa. After arriving, visit the Jokhang Temple, the most important shrine in Tibetan Buddhism. Then check out the Gendun Qunpei Museum below the Potala Palace, which holds Tibetan cultural treasures including rare Buddhas, masks, and ancient sutras.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Train journey from Shigatse to Lhasa
- Visit Jokhang Temple
- Visit Gendun Qunpei Museum
Landmarks/POIs Jokhang Temple Gendun Qunpei Museum - Day 9
Lhasa to Xining
Transfer to the train station for one of the world's highest railway journeys. You'll travel via Golmud to Xining, passing through tunnels and crossing bridges at altitudes over 5,000 meters. The route offers views of scree deserts and snow-capped mountains across the high plateaus. You'll sleep in a 4-bed compartment overnight.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Journey on high-altitude railroad from Lhasa to Xining
- Day 10
Xining to Beijing
You'll arrive early morning in Xining, Qinghai's provincial capital at 2,260 meters altitude. Take an excursion to Kumbum Monastery nearby, one of six great Gelupka monasteries. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing, where your guide takes you to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Excursion to Kumbum Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Kumbum Monastery - Day 11
Beijing
Explore Beijing's imperial heritage by visiting the Imperial Palace, also called the Forbidden City. This 720,000 m² complex features imperial yellow glazed bricks and shows the ceremonial grandeur of the southern section and private quarters in the north. Afterwards, head to the Great Wall of China for lunch and see this iconic structure in person.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Imperial Palace (Forbidden City)
- Visit Great Wall of China
Landmarks/POIs Forbidden City Great Wall of China - Day 12
Beijing to Frankfurt
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Germany. You'll arrive in Frankfurt the same day, completing your 12-day journey through China and Tibet.
