Beijing, Lhasa Overland tour

Tibet

Duration

17 Days

Group Size

Grade

Easy

Max. Altitude

5250 m

Your tour commences in Beijing, a city in Northern China. Beijing, an ancient capital and a bustling modern metropolis is a city of amazing contrasts. In Beijing some incredible historical sites awaits you. On a guided tour, you explore the Forbidden City, the Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and the Temple of Heaven. Leaving Beijing you embark on a train journey to Lhasa, aboard the world’s highest railway, the Qinghai-Tibet railway. As the train trundles along the high Tibetan plateau, picturesque scenes of Tibetan countryside whiz by. Owing to Tibet’s high altitude the train has been equipped with oxygen-supplying equipments. Oxygen masks are available for those who are prone to altitude sickness. In the old city of Lhasa, you will be taken on a guided tour to all the city’s major attractions: Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka etc. Excursions to important Tibetan cities of Shigatse, Gyantse and Shegar are also included in your itinerary. On reaching Rongbuk, you get to view the world’s highest mountain Mount Everest. As you leave Zangmu and cross the Friendship Bridge you enter Nepal. There is a refreshing change in scenery, as verdant greenery replaces the dry and arid Tibetan landscape.

Places you'll See

Highlights

Map & Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Beijing

After landing at Beijing airport, you will be escorted to your hotel. At the hotel, you shall be briefed about your travel arrangements and travel destinations by our representative. Thereon, you can enjoy the lively ambience and excellent facilities of the hotel.

Room with Breakfast

Day 01: Sightseeing tour in Beijing

Today you will first visit the historic Tiananmen Square, and then the magnificent Forbidden City. In the afternoon, you will visit the fine Summer Palace. You will also visit the Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised exactly at sunrise every day, the Forbidden City, located in the center of Beijing, which used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years ( it is the grandest integral palace complex still remaining in China). You will also be taken to visit the Summer Palace, located on the northwestern outskirts of the city. It was an imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. With its perfect layout, magnificent buildings and enchanting landscape, it is the most splendid classical garden in China.

Room with Breakfast

Day 03: Sightseeing tour in Beijing

Today you will visit the majestic Great Wall (Badaling section) and the Chang Tomb of Ming Tombs. You will be taken on a tour to the Great Wall, the most famous symbol of China and one of the world’s most remarkable architectural wonders. It was built over 2,000 years ago and stretches a long distance for about 6,700km.You will visit the Great wall at Badaling, the most outstanding representation of China’s Great Wall, located 70km north-west of Beijing, at an elevation of 1000m. This section was first built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). It stands at a strategic highest point from north-west of Beijing and gives access to every direction. Badaling section is composed of Guan City, with city platforms, wall platforms and watch towers along the Wall. The surrounding scenery is magnificent and impressive. You will be taken on a visit to the Ming Tomb the burial site of the emperor Wanli, the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty who ruled for 48 years until his death in 1620.

Room with Breakfast

Day 04: Sightseeing tour / Board the Train to Lhasa

Early in the morning you will be taken for a visit to the Temple of Heaven which spreads across a 267 hectare park. This temple serves as the best example of the fine Ming architecture. To the Chinese this is a sacred site where prayers for good harvests, prosperity and harmonious life are offered. In the evening you board the ‘Sky train’ to Lhasa and experience the world’s highest railway journey.

Overnight at Train.

Day 05: On Board

The 4,064 km journey lasts for 48 hrs. Looking through UV blocked train window, you remain captivated by the flashing glimpse of Chinese countryside, flat cultivated lands, brown hills, and riverside valleys. The train passes across 5200m high Tanggula Mountain pass, amidst surreal mountain vistas, as you near the Tibetan plateau. The train continues to pass through mesmerizing views of the turquoise Qinghai Lake and uniquely shaped vast Tibetan Plateau right below huge mountain range with 7000+ meter peaks, dominating the entire landscape. Equipments for oxygen supply and an oxygen mask are also available in the train for those who are prone to altitude sickness. The train is fitted with soft sleepers, vacuum flush toilets, flat-screen TVs and the finest dining service.

Overnight at Train.

Day 06: Arrive in Lhasa [3650m]

After traveling for approximately 48 hrs, across the ‘roof of the world’, you finally arrive in Lhasa. At the Lhasa train station you will be met by your Tibetan tour guide who will escort you to your hotel.

room with Breakfast

Day 07: Sightseeing tour in Lhasa

After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa.

Room with Breakfast

Day 08: Sightseeing tour in Lhasa

After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest. Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala Palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your Tibetan guide.

Room with Breakfast

Day 09: Free day in Lhasa

A final day in Lhasa for acclimatization. This day is for you to spend it as you wish. Explore and soak in the sights and sounds of the old city, revisit a favorite monastery, go for souvenir hunting in the busy local market at Barkhor Square, or simply sit in a café and watch pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang. There is also the option of an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this additional tour will incur an extra cost.

Room with Breakfast

Day 10: Drive to Gyantse [3950m] 261km

Driving along the Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La, at 4794m with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa, standing at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. From the roadside, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down. After driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages come into view as you enter the town of Gyantse.

Room with Breakfast

Day 11: Drive to Shigatse [3900m] 90km

Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong, a 14th century historical fort, overlooks the entire Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has a large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After exploring Gyantse, you take a 90 km drive and arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet that lies at an altitude of 3900m. Tashilhunpo Monastery, being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, is the major attraction of Shigatse.

Room with Breakfast

Day 12: Sightseeing tour and drive to Shegar [4050m] 244km

Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, you pass many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders en route to Shegar.

Room with Breakfast

Day 13: Drive to Rongbuk [5000m] 68km

Leaving Shegar, you will drive towards the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. Along the way, you delight in the amazing views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After driving for 68 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. You can view the spectacular Mount Everest from here. You will have overnight accommodation in a guest house.

Room with Breakfast

Day 14; Drive to Nyalam [2300m] 181km

You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. You can delight in the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. As you drive along, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Nylam on the Nepalese border.

Room with Breakfast

Day 15 : Drive to Kathmandu [1400m] 123km

From Nyalam drive to Nepal Boder und drive via Langtang valley to Kathmandu. Drive takes ariund 5 Hrs to reach Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Room with Breakfast

Day 16: Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

After breakfast at the hotel commence the sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath and Bouddhnath Stupa. Pashupatinath: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in Pagoda Style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Pashupatinath is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. Boudhnath: One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Furthermore it is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list this site is considered very much like Mecca for the Buddhists. Evening explore Thamel, the epi-center for shopping in Kathmandu. It can be a stressful place because of the street vendors, rickshaw drivers and high speed motorbikes. But there is no question that it is jam- packed with shops, selling everything from ready-to-wear Western clothes, embroider T-shirts, Tibetan carpets, clothing, Thangkas (Buddhist paintings) and curios (“singing bowls” etc), Pashmina shawls, Nepali souvenirs like khukuris (Gurkha’s traditional knife) and madals (drums), jewellery, paper products (the local lokta plant is used to make a fine & unique paper – a nice and practical souvenir or gift), colorful masks and puppets, metalwork & woodcarvings Farewell dinner with cultural dance show at local restaurant. Taste authentic organic Nepalese food. Enjoy simultaneously local folk dances and songs. Fascinating Nepalese cultural décor and artifacts bring past and present alive.

Room with Breakfast

Day 17: Departure : Transfer to Airport.

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to international airport fly to home. We ensure that you will leave Kathmandu with cherishing memory and an experience of a lifetime. Our representative from Explorer Nepal will drive you to the airport in time for your flight back home.

Breakfast

What's included

Meet, assisted upon arrival at the airport by our office representative.

Guided sightseeing tour including a visit to the Great Wall in Beijing.

Lhasa / Beijing train fare (soft sleeper; if unavailable would opt for hard sleeper and refund the difference).

3 Star Hotels all the places as per the itinerary in Beijing, Tibet and in Kathmandu and best available en-route with breakfast.

Transportation by van or as per the group size.

Sightseeing tours with English speaking local Tibetan guide in Beijing and in Lhasa.

All entry fees.

Tibet travel permit and airport transfers.

What's not included

Tibet / Chinese Visa fee [as above].

Train fare [as above].

All personal expenses like telephone calls, tips, shopping, laundry, cold/hard drinks etc.

Service which are not mentioned above inclusion part.

Any meals.

Dates & Availability

Start Date	Price	Availability
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-17.01.2026	from 3200 USD €	Book Now >

Travel Notes

It is one of the moderate types trekking, because you are going above the 4156 meters at high. That’s why before you decide to do this trek you have to do some training. You will be walking 5 to 8 hrs a day; you need to have very good shoes. As you are going every day 500 to 1000 meters of altitude, you have to drinks lots of Water. During your trek you might get altitude sickness. Please read the symptoms of altitude sickness. If you have symptoms of ATS please tell our guide, so that he can take care of you.

List of things you need to bring: Dawn Jacket-1, Wind Proof-1, Gore-Tex-1, T-Shirt-4/6, Socks-4/6, Hat-1, Woolen Hat-1, Gloves-1pair, Trekking Boot-1Pair, Hiking shoe or Plipflop-1Pair, Raincoat-1, Water Bottle(1/2ltrs), Sunglass-1, Sun lotion, Towel, Thormel Trouser-2 pairs, Pool over-1, Sleeping Bag-1.

Best Months to do this trek: Middle of September – November, Feb- April.

Rhododendron: Middle of March – April.