Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Xian
With hotel check-in sorted, you have the day to explore at your own pace. Your guide can suggest optional activities if you'd like some structure, or you can just wander around and see what catches your interest in this historic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Xian's attractions and local culture
- Day 3
Xian
Start the morning at the Terracotta Army, where you'll see thousands of life-sized warriors and horses made for China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. After that, check out the workshop where artisans recreate the warriors using ancient techniques. Later, walk along Xian's 14th-century city walls. In the evening, you'll have a dumpling feast and catch a Tang Dynasty dancing show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dumpling feast with Tang Dynasty dancing show)
Included Activities
- Visit the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang
- Workshop tour - see warriors recreated in ancient style
- Walk the 14th-century city walls of Xian's old town
- Dumpling feast
- Tang Dynasty dancing show
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Xian City Walls - Day 4
Xian to Xining
Head to the train station and board a 5-hour bullet train to Xining, capital of Qinghai province in western China. Once there, visit the Qinghai Tibet Cultural Centre to see the hand-painted thangka that stretches 618 metres long. This evening, explore the lively night street markets and try some local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- 5-hour bullet train to Xining
- Visit Qinghai Tibet Cultural Centre - hand-painted thangka and world's largest display
- Explore night street markets
Optional Activities
- Sample local cuisine at night street markets
Landmarks/POIs Qinghai Tibet Cultural Centre - Day 5
Xining to Lhasa
Spend time at Kumbum Monastery, also called Ta'er Temple, which holds significance in Tibetan Buddhism. Later, make your way to the railway station to start a 21-hour overnight journey on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa, the highest rail route in the world.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple)
- 21-hour overnight train journey on Qinghai-Tibet Railway - world's highest rail journey
Landmarks/POIs Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple) - Day 6
Lhasa
Travel across the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, crossing the 5,072 metre Tanggula Pass and the Tibetan Plateau toward Lhasa. From your window, you'll see vast plains, permafrost areas, spectacular lakes, mountains, and wildlife. The train has a dining carriage where you can grab meals, and there's plenty of time to relax with a book or cards. You'll arrive in Lhasa, the heart of Tibet, in the afternoon and the rest of the day is free to rest and adjust to the altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Scenic train journey across Qinghai-Tibet Railway - Tanggula Pass and Tibetan Plateau
Landmarks/POIs Tanggula Pass - Day 7
Lhasa
Walk the Barkhor Circuit through Lhasa's old streets, where you'll see traditionally dressed locals, religious trinkets at stalls, and pilgrims making prostrations. Head into Jokhang Temple to see people worshipping by flickering yak butter candles. Later, visit Sera Monastery, one of Tibet's three great monasteries, to watch monks debate. This evening, you'll have Tibetan dinner and a dance performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tibetan dinner and dance performance)
Included Activities
- Wander Barkhor Circuit - see traditionally dressed locals, religious trinkets and prostrating pilgrims
- Visit Jokhang Temple
- Visit Sera Monastery - watch debating monks
- Tibetan dinner and dance performance
Landmarks/POIs Barkhor Circuit Jokhang Temple Sera Monastery - Day 8
Lhasa
See the Potala Palace, the largest monastery in the world, sitting high on Red Mountain with its traditional deep red and white paint. After that, check out Norbulingka, which functions like Lhasa's version of Beijing's Summer Palace, set in parkland just outside the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Potala Palace - largest monastery in the world
- Visit Norbulingka - Lhasa's Summer Palace set in parkland
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Norbulingka - Day 9
Lhasa to Shigatse
Travel across Tibet's stark plains to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet and traditional home of the Panchen Lama. A fort reminiscent of Potala Palace dominates the skyline. The city blends traditional and modern Tibetan culture, and you'll have free time to wander the local markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel across Tibetan plains to Shigatse
- Free time to explore local markets
Landmarks/POIs Shigatse - Day 10
Shigatse
Visit Shalu and Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama. Join pilgrims as they do the 'Kora', a walk around the monastery, giving you a real sense of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual practice and devotion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Shalu Monastery
- Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery - founded 1447 by the first Dalai Lama
- Join pilgrims on 'Kora' (circumnavigation) of the monastery
Landmarks/POIs Shalu Monastery Tashilhunpo Monastery - Day 11
Shigatse to Everest Base Camp
Get up early for the drive through some of the world's most dramatic scenery toward Rongbuk Township with stops along the way. Mount Everest comes into view on the horizon as you head toward Everest Base Camp Boundary Monument. Stop at the world's highest post office, then make your way to see the peak from the north face perspective (weather allowing). Visit Rongbuk Monastery and the smaller Old Rongbuk Monastery, both draped in colourful prayer flags. You'll stay overnight in a Tibetan tent camp or guesthouse depending on weather.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Tibetan scenery to Rongbuk Township
- Visit world's highest post office
- Visit Everest Base Camp Boundary Monument
- Visit Rongbuk Monastery
- Visit Old Rongbuk Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Mount Everest Base Camp Everest Base Camp Boundary Monument Rongbuk Monastery Old Rongbuk Monastery - Day 12
Rongbuk to Shigatse
Rise early to catch a sunrise over Mount Everest if the weather cooperates, then head back to Shigatse. On the return journey, you'll pass through Tso La Pass and Gyatso La Pass, with incredible views of the Tibetan plateau stretching out in every direction.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Mount Everest (weather permitting)
- Return journey to Shigatse via Tso La Pass and Gyatso La Pass
Landmarks/POIs Tso La Pass Gyatso La Pass - Day 13
Shigatse to Gyantse
Travel to the pleasant town of Gyantse. While there, visit Gyantse Kumbum and the Tsang Traditional Folk House to see how locals lived, check out a traditional kitchen setup, and taste some local snacks along with homebrewed 'chang' (a traditional Tibetan beverage).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel to Gyantse
- Visit Gyantse Kumbum
- Visit Tsang Traditional Folk House
- Taste local snacks and homebrewed 'chang'
Landmarks/POIs Gyantse Kumbum - Day 14
Gyantse to Tsedang
Head along the Brahmaputra River toward Tsedang. Visit Gangpo Ri, known as the 'birthplace of the Tibetan people', a place with significant historical and spiritual importance to the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel along Brahmaputra River to Tsedang
- Visit Gangpo Ri - 'birthplace of the Tibetan people'
Landmarks/POIs Gangpo Ri - Day 15
Tsedang to Lhasa
Make your way to Yumbulhakang Palace, perched on a hill overlooking the Yarlung River. According to legend, this was Tibet's first building and the palace of the first Tibetan king. Continue to Tradruk Monastery and see the King's Tomb before heading back to Lhasa for a free evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Yumbulhakang Palace
- Visit Tradruk Monastery
- Visit King's Tomb
- Return to Lhasa
Landmarks/POIs Yumbulhakang Palace Tradruk Monastery - Day 16
Lhasa to Chengdu
Fly 2 hours to Chengdu. After you arrive, transfer to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore. Your guide can point out activities and places if you want suggestions. This evening, there's a farewell dinner planned.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- 2-hour flight to Chengdu
- Hotel transfer
Optional Activities
- Explore Chengdu attractions suggested by guide
- Day 17
Departure from Chengdu
Make your way to the airport for your onward flight back to the UK. You'll arrive home the same day or the next day depending on your flight times.
- Meals
- Breakfast
