11 Days Xining-Lhasa Train tour

From

$0.00

Duration

11 days

Tour Type

Adventure, City Tours, Historical

Best Months To Travel

June, July, Aug, Sept

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Terms & conditions How to pay Reviews

Overview

Xining is the capital of Qinghai province and a day trip to the breathtaking lake Kokonor is a pure nomadic experience. It is the largest saltwater lake in China and its prominent religious value receives lots of pilgrims from the whole Tibet plateau.

The train tour from Xining to Lhasa is the best part of the scenery that offers spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and bloomy glaciers from the Thangula ridge (5072m), endangered wild lives like Tibetan antelopes by traversing the Kekexilin Wildlife Reserve, lone nomad families dwelling black tents and scattered villages in the isolated Changthang (Northern plain). Traveling from Mainland China by taking the train to Lhasa is one of the best ways to travel to Tibet. It is the best Tibet private tour.

The Lhasa train tour is one the best Tibet train tours in Tibet. Your arrival at the holy city of Lhasa will greet by its fair blue sky and a glimpse of the Potala palace perching on the red hill, in the following days, you will be overwhelmed by mystical buildings and temples which reflect the rich culture and tradition of the ancient city, moreover, it is a great pleasure to mingle into the bustling Bakhor street with devoted pilgrims. The Xining to Lhasa train schedule is updated on our website and you can follow it.

Included/Exclude

Tour Cost Includes:

- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canister for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;

Tour Cost Excludes:

- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:

Tour Amenities

Accepts Credit Cards

Car Parking

Free Coupons

Laundry service

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Restaurant

Smoking Allowed

Wireless Internet

Tour Plan

DAY 01. ARRIVAL IN XINING BY AIR/TRAIN

Today you will be greeted by our local guide and driver at the airport/train station, then transfer you to the hotel to rest and acclimate the plateau environment, Xining is the capital of Qinghai province with altitude of 2295m. Rest of the day you can explore around the town and take easy for the day. Overnight in Xining.

DAY 02. XINING ESCORTED TOUR AND BOARD THE TIBET TRAIN LATE IN THE AFTERNOON

Attractions; Stunning view of Kokonor lake (Qinghai Lake) and beautiful nomadic surrounding with blossomed flowers. Today our local guide and driver meet you at the hotel and then drive to Kokonor lake, it is 151km west from the city, it takes less than 2 hours, Kokonor lake is largest salt water lake in China and the surrounding nomadic environment is beautiful with blossomed rapeseed specially in June and July. Then we will drive back in the afternoon and catch the flight to Lhasa that depart late in the afternoon around 7p.m. You may have few hours repacking time at the hotel and then our guide and drive deliver you to the train station per the train schedule.

DAY 03. ARRIVAL IN LHASA

Attractions; Perennial snow covered Thangula ranges, Tibet northern lakes and vast pastures, lone wild animals and scattered nomad’s families. Today we will cross over the mighty Thangula ranges at mid night around 2a.m. with altitude of 5072m set the world highest train, rest of day you will impress by the vast pastures and plains with sparsely populated nomadic region, then finally you will get to the terminal station as Lhasa in the afternoon, there our local Tibetan guide and driver will greet for your arrival and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa city, from the train station it is only 25km and it takes about half hour, check in the hotel and take it easy for the rest of the day to acclimatize and alleviate the jet lag. Overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 04. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR

Attractions; Jokhang temple and bustling Bakhor street and Sera monastery. Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have little head ach which is very common for travelers by the high altitude, so drinking enough water and mild activity on the first few days is recommendable. In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the centre of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is one of the most scared temple in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since from early days. After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is the one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa, during the old days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to tourist gift shopping centre. The amazing day will ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery, it is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who is disciple of Tsongka pa, few different monastic colleges in Sera is home to several hundred monks from different part of Tibet, the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening every day in the afternoon except Sunday. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 05. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR

Attractions; Potala palace and Drepung monastery. Today we will visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century and later in 17th century rebuilt by 5th Dalai Lama, since then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking though the long steps are quite challenging but it is worthwhile to leave your foot steps in the spiritual palace of God of compassion which listed in the world heritage in 1994. And in the afternoon, we will visit the Drepung monastery, once the world's largest monastery that housed for more than 10,000 monks, it was resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, but several destructions were taken place in different time but still you have lots of things to see by walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane through the monk’s apartments is thrilling. Continues acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 06. LHASA-TSEDANG-SAMYE MONASTERY(3500m), 220km, 6hrs

Attractions; Fertile Yarlung valley-ancient Tibet capital, Samye monastery. Today we will drive southern part of Tibet to Samye monastery, we will stop at Tsedang for lunch, Samye monastery is the 1st ever Buddhist monastery in Tibet which was built in 7th century during the regime of King Trisong Desen, it exist for centuries despite of culture revolution and other means of destruction in different period of time, the Manadala design monastery is beautifully located at the Northern bank of the Brahmaputra river, in the small valley mingled with villages around, visit Samye Tsuglhak Khang at the arrival and you may have a short hike up on the Hepu hill close from the monastery, Hepu hill has a very prominent historical value as in the 7th century when Samye monastery was first built, lots obstacles by Bon devils made it failed several times, finally Indian Guru Padmasambhava had controlled all the devils on the Hipu hill and punished with a stone rainfall. Overnight at Samye monastery guest house.

DAY 07. SAMYE-CHIMPU HERMITAGE-TSEDANG, 2hrs, 50km

Attractions; Chimpu nunnery, Yogis in the caves, Yumbo Lhakang, Tramduk monastery. Today we will drive back toward Tsedang, en route we will drive to Chimpu hermitage, there were several caves that Guru Rinpoche and Khangdo Yeshi Tsogyal(one of three consorts of Guru) mediated in the 7th century and since then it became very famous for retreatants and hermits from different part of Tibet, after visiting the nunnery at the bottom of the hill we will hike up through the caves to experience the life of Tibetan yogis, you may get chance to interact with some yogis if you are lucky. Afternoon drive back to Tsedang, Tsedang is the cradle of Tibetan civilization and capital of Tibet prior to Lhasa, so we will visit the 1st King’s palace Yumbu Lhakang there, which is only few kilometers south of the town. Overnight in Tsedang.

DAY 08. TSEDANG-GANPA LA PASS(4900m)-GYANTSE (3900m), 7hrs, 380km

Attractions; Yamdrok lake, Mt.Nyechen Kangsar glacier, Gyantse Kubum stupa and Pelkhor Choede monastery. Today we drive upstream of the Brahmaputra river to Gyantse, after passing numbers of Tibetan towns villages we will climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m) through a distorted road, right from the top of Gampa la pass you will have the first glimpse of the breathtaking view of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise color deep within the mountainous valley, then continues drive along the lake for few kilometers. En route we will stop at Karo la (5150m) to see the holy mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that we pass through. Arrival at Gyantse we will visit Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery.This magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around the inner walls have centuries of history. Overnight at Gyantse.

DAY 09. GYANTSE-SHIGATSE(3800m), 90km, 1.5hrs.

Attractions; Villages and farms, Shalu monastery, Tashi Lhunpo monastery. Today it is short drive to Shigatse on a very good road, en route we will visit Shalu Monastery which is the seat of Buton Rinchendrub(1290-1346) who was the great codifier of the Tibetan translations of the Indian Buddhist canon, Shalu monastery is the only one that combines Tibetan and Chinese styles in its design, though the whole monastery gone under several renovations in different period but the green tiled Chinese style is clearly visible in these days. afternoon drive to Shigatse and visit Tashi Lhunpo monastery, Tashi Lhunpo monastery is built by the 1st Dalai Lama-Gedun Drup in 1447 and later it became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineages, there you will see tombs of 7 passed Pachen Lamas lineages. Overnight at Shigatse.

DAY 10. SHIGATSE - LHASA, 280km, 4/5 hrs.

Today we will drive back to Lhasa along the northern friendship highway, the road cuts through numbers of villages and we will stop at Nyimo local home based incense factory, this region is well known for their incense production since centuries ago, they use primitive water operated tools to process incense materials and each incense sticks are handmade, you may see locals making it on the spot, then we will arrive in Lhasa later in the afternoon and you have plenty of time to explore around the Bakhor to shop gifts for your families and friends at home. Overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 11. LHASA AIRPOR/TRAIN STATION SEND OFF.

Today our guide and driver will send you to the airport or train station and it is time to say your farewells and depart to your next destination. The trip end officially

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Cristian Pumarino Jun,11 2019 01:29:35
We are 3 people that will travel from Chengdu to Lahsa by train, arriving around August 5th. We want to take 4 days tour in Lhasa. We need to know how to book the tour with you, the price, how to pay it and what are the documents we need to go there. We will get our tourist visa to visit China after we book the tour. Two of us will travel form Chile in South America and our son -also chilean- will do it form South Africa. Stay tuned to reply

Admin(06-12,2019): Dear Cristian pumarino, Thanks for your inquiry, this is Mia from Explore Tibet, I am very happy to be your personal trip advisor, I am confident that I can answer all the questions you may have based on my own experience and help you plan a memorable tour in Tibet.
Explore Tibet is one of the few Tibetan owned agencies based in Lhasa, we practice Responsible travel by using local services and employ locals as much as possible. We use Tibetan drivers and tour guides for their strong Tibetan Cultural and religious background to make your travel unique and authentic.
We are an agency based in Lhasa, not anywhere in mainland China. Since if something happened or you need anything during the tour, we local agency will be more convenient.
Tour information: Yes, you can join our group tour 4 Days Lhasa Highlight group tour departure on July 9th it will end on July 12th, For group tour, there will be at most 12 group members in one group, and the starting and ending dates are fixed, price will be cheaper. http://www.exploretibet.com/tibet-group-tours/4-Days-Lhasa-Highlight.html
The cost of the Group tour 4 Days Lhasa Highlight costs USD532 per person based on maximum 12 people in the group& triple-bed rooms
Best Regards
Mia (Trip Advisor)

Lakshmi May,23 2019 15:20:14
Hi, I am interested in this tour. But I cannot exert myself much and was wondering if I can skip the Kailash Kora and use other forms of transportation. I do however want to see Mt. Kailash. Also are you able to provide oxygen?

Admin(06-12,2019): Dear Lakshmi, Thanks for your inquiry, this is Rex from Explore Tibet, I am very happy to be your personal trip advisor, I am confident that I can answer all the questions you may have based on my own experience and help you plan a memorable tour in Tibet. Explore Tibet is one of the few Tibetan owned agencies based in Lhasa, we practice Responsible travel by using local services and employ locals as much as possible. We use Tibetan drivers and tour guides for their strong Tibetan Cultural and religious background to make your travel unique and authentic.
Permit application：
Tibet travel permit process takes around 22 days and we need 3 days to send you the permit in mainland China . We also need your passport and China visa copy for the permit application. Please send me clear photos or scan copies. If your China Visa is not an “L” visa, then you must also provide additional documents such as student certificates, work permits, residence permits and so on. If you enter Tibet by plane, you need original permit which we will mail it to your last hotel in mainland China, if you by train, only need copy of the permit, which we will send you by email. Tour Information:
Here I recommend you 15 days Kailash group tour below, sorry, since this is group tour, basically everything is fixed, so, we cannot find other transportation for you to avoid the trekking. What’s more, there is no public bus.
Please check the details below. Also, please let me know if your nationality is India, thank you!
Have a wonderful day!
Best Regards,
Rex(Your personal trip advisor)

matteo May,18 2019 16:19:11
Hello! we would kindly like to know what’s the cheapest offer you have for this guided tour. We’re two people thank you!!

Sdmin(06-12,2019): Dear matteo, Thanks for your inquiry, this is Sherry from Explore Tibet, I am very happy to be your personal trip advisor and I hope me and my team can offer you a memorable tour in Tibet.
Explore Tibet is one of the few Tibetan owned agencies based in Lhasa, we practice Responsible travel by using local services and employ locals as much as possible. We use Tibetan drivers and tour guides for their strong Tibetan Cultural and religious background to make your travel unique and authentic.
As you have 2 pax, the cheapest way for this tour must be joining our group tour, in June, it’s still not high season, cost is USD900 per person. Max. 10 pax.
We have fixed dates starting on June 11th, 14th, 21st, 25th, and 28th. Which date is suitable for you?
In July, cost is USD1020 per person.
Best Regards
Sherry (Your Trip Advisor)