11 Days Shanghai Lhasa Namtso Everest Base Camp Tour by Tibet Train

After arrival in Shanghai, you could have a rest or look around in shanghai on your own. In the evening, you will be transferred to Shanghai Railway Station to board the overnight train to lhasa. Train Z164 starts at about 19:16 from Shanghai and arrive in Lhasa at 17:40 on the third day, totally about 46 hours and 24 minutes.

A full day window sightseeing along Qinghai-Tibet Railway, you will see land of snows, desert, immense grassland, ice mountain, beautiful lakes which will fairly entertaining.

Shortly after your arrival in Lhasa in the late afternoon of third day, you will be warmly received by your tour guide who would say Tashi Delek, which means wishing you all the best and transferred to your reserved hotel in Lhasa. You can have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

• Qinghai-Tibet railway
• Qinghai-Tibet railway

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

In the morning, you’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet - Drepung Monastery, which was once the home to over 10,000 monks. As you walk through the Coqen Hall, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and introduce notable figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Next, you’ll visit the renowned Loseling College (or an equivalent), offering a glimpse into the study and life of Tibetan monks. Explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk debate held in the courtyard of Sera Monastery

This is the day of holy Lake Namtso!

In the morning, heading north from Lhasa, you’ll pass through the vast prairie in Damxung, where you can see the closest nomads area to Lhasa, with herds of yaks and sheep. Besides, you can also enjoy the view of the Qinghai-Tibet railway against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

While crossing the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges, pause at the renowned Lagenla Pass (5190m) to marvel at the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake from a distance. Descend the road to reach today’s destination, Namtso Lake, one of the ‘Three Holy Lakes’ in Tibet.

Upon reaching the lake, you can enjoy your time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. For a panoramic view of Namtso Lake, climb to the top of the hill on Tashi Dor Island, where the circular lake resembles a boundless blue sea surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Marvel at the magical stone pillars and peaks, and explore meditation caves and Buddhist holy sites on the island with your travel guide.

After visiting Namtso Lake, you will return to Damxung via the mountain pass.

Stay overnight in Damxung.

Insider Tips:
1. If the majority of your group is interested in witnessing the beautiful sunset at Namtso Lake, you can stay longer for the sunset. While you wait, we’ll provide hot coffee or Tibetan sweet tea.

2. Due to the higher altitude of Lake Namtso, standing at 4718 meters above sea level, it tends to be colder than Lhasa. It is advisable to bring a warm jacket with you for today’s visit.

• Meditate at the shore of Lake Namtso
• Take photo with Tibetan Yak at holy Namtso Lake

In the morning, you will start your drive to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. You will pass through a long distance of rough road between Yanpachen and Dazhuka. Along the way through northern Tibet, you will have the opportunity to see yaks and sheep tended by local Tibetan nomads.

In the late afternoon, you will finally arrive in Shigatse. After the long drive (about 8 to 9 hours), you can take a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Road to Nagqu through the vast grassland
• Enjoy the landscape of the northern Tibetan grassland along the way.

After breakfast, you will head directly to Mount Everest.

First, you will pass Gyatsola Pass (5280m). At Gyatsola Pass viewpoint, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest. Hidden behind the mountain range, the Everest resembles a budding lotus flower, a captivating sight along the roadside.

Shortly after we enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5198m). At this viewpoint, you will marvel at the majestic lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Everest at the forefront. This is your second glimpse of Everest.

Then we drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200m). As you get close to the base camp, the majestic Everest gradually unfolds before you, drawing nearer with each winding turn. This marks your third view of Everest.

Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, the colossal white pyramid peak of Mount Everest stands towering before you. As the day transitions to dusk, witness the golden hues of the sun casting a warm glow on Everest's northern face—your fourth view.

As night falls, the sparkling Milky Way and the snow-white peak of Mount Everest reveal your fifth and final encounter with Everest.

Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp or in the local village near EBC if the EBC tent hotels are closed during the winter season.

Insider Tips:
1. The visibility of Everest is subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

2. During the winter season, typically from November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp close. Therefore, if you’re traveling in winter, your accommodation options are limited to the village near EBC.

• Drive along the zigzag road to Everest Base Camp
• Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base Camp

In the morning, before departing from the base camp, you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, where nuns and monks live together at 5154 meters above sea level.

Then, you'll return to Shigatse via Dinggye, taking an alternative Himalayan route different from the traditional path. Here, you’ll stop at the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint. You can not only see the majestic eastern slope of the towering Mount Everest again but also the world's fourth-highest peak, Mount Lhotse, standing at an elevation of 8,516 meters. Additionally, you can enjoy the vast and delightful wetland landscape at the foot of Mount Everest.

Next, you’ll make a brief stop in the ancient town of Sakya to stroll around Saga Ancient Town.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you to a local Langma Hall, a local venue for Tibetan song and dance performances. Here, you can witness the traditional Tibetan performances and celebrate the success of your lifetime Mount Everest journey during dinner with your fellow group members.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Rongbuk Monastery, the higest monastery in the world
• Pelku Tso Lake is surrounded by rugged mountains.

After breakfast, we will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery. The grand and magnificent halls of the largest local monastery occupy the entire hillside. This is the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you will see monks adorned with yellow hats and red robes, moving about the temple.

Next, we will return to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the mother river of the Tibetan people.

Finally, you will arrive in Lhasa. Enjoy leisure time wandering freely through Barkhor Street, where you can shop for gifts to bring back home for your family.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchan Lama
• Yarlung Tsangpo River in autumn

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.