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Pioneer of Tibet Tourism for Overseas Travelers since 1984!
Join me as I recount my incredible 7-day journey through Tibet, starting with a scenic train ride from Chengdu to Lhasa, and continuing to Everest Base Camp. Thanks to Tibet Vista’s flawless organization, I explored iconic Tibetan landmarks, visited sacred monasteries, and marveled at Mount Everest. From the Potala Palace to crossing into Nepal, this trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Join our 7 days Lhasa to Kathmandu tour to uncover the essence of Tibet and admire Mount Everest from both sides.
From Chengdu to Lhasa: Comfortable Tibet Train Ride, Scenic Views, and Seamless Arrival
We chose to depart from Chengdu, and, thanks to the excellent organization of the Tibet Vista, we were able to travel on the direct train to Lhasa from Chengdu, without having to wait in Xining. We only had to change trains on the same platform because the carriages to Lhasa are equipped with oxygen, given the altitude. It was a 3,000 km journey. One day and two nights. 34.5 hours.
We chose the six-person hard sleeper because there were five of us. The peak elevation is 5,200 meters above sea level, with constant elevations above 4,000 meters. The berths are comfortable, and there are no food problems, both because officials pass by regularly and because there is a dining car. The restrooms are cleaned continuously, and there is hot water for tea or noodles.
The landscape of Qinghai-Tibet plateau is quite varied, dominated by corn and cabbage crops; then it gets increasingly arid: mountains, canyons, rivers, and lakes make for an interesting view. The only truly large city is Golmud, home to a huge industrial center. We arrived in Lhasa in the morning, and right outside the modern station, Tibet Vista staff welcomes us and takes us to our hotel.
The happy moments we experienced on the Qinghai-Tibet train, one of the highest railways on Earth.Exploring Lhasa: Comfortable Stay, Tibetan Cuisine, and Iconic Monasteries
The hotel is centrally located in an area with various shops. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. There is a restaurant serving a buffet breakfast and a Starbucks-style coffee shop. The hotel wings enclose a quiet area with tables and chairs.
In Lhasa, a visit to the POTALA would be enough. However, there are many other interesting things to see and do. The city is modern, orderly, efficient, full of Chinese tourists, and has historical traces. Follow the directions of our Tibetan guide, who is very knowledgeable and helpful.
There are many restaurants serving Tibetan cuisine, and the welcome dinner offered by Tibet Vista was a pleasant surprise - both for the ambiance, the food, the location, and the people.
Today, more than 1,700 active shrines remain throughout Tibet. In the Lhasa region, there are at least twenty. We visited four: Ganden, Drepung, Sera, and Johkang. Many people prayed with various offerings, lighting candles, absorbed and confident. Sometimes they conversed with the monks.
On the Lhasa tour, we visited Drepung, Johkang, and Sera, but since we had an extra day, Ganden Monastery was recommended to us. It was a very interesting visit to a rich complex with an excellent location on a mountain ridge. About 50 km from Lhasa.
Group photo at Jokhang temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet.
At the top of the Potala Palace, the most iconic landmark of Tibet.Lhasa to Shigatse: A Scenic Journey Through Himalayan Landscapes and Tibetan Culture
This is a 360 km route from Lhasa to Shigatse through extraordinary landscapes. The enormous sacred Yamdrok Yumko Lake, the Karola Glacier, other glaciers in the distance, all the way to the city of Gyatse with its fortress. Each site was enlivened by the typical colorful Tibetan flags.
This route takes you deep into the Himalayan mountains and offers a breathtaking natural landscape. We particularly enjoyed the lunch offered by a rural family, where we ate a variety of traditional dishes and closely observed the local families' way of life and their structures. This was after we stopped at the lake. Along the way, we saw numerous buffalo, goats, horses, and birds, which further enhanced the experience.
Shigatse is Tibet's second largest city, also connected to Lhasa by rail, boasts a dominant fortress and the superb Tashilumpo Monastery, home to the world's tallest indoor Buddha statue at 26 meters. It's a lively city, also known for its music, and is also full of restaurants and pastry shops offering excellent and particularly interesting cuisine.
On the way from Lhasa to Shigatse, we visited a local Tibetan family along the shore of Yamdrok lake and had lunch together.Journey to Everest Base Camp: A Scenic Adventure Through the Himalayas
The Himalayan mountain range. High mountains and glaciers, Tibetan flags, Route 318, known as the Friendship Road between China and Nepal. The journey is fantastic, and the climb after entering the park is a series of hairpin bends that offer a view that changes with every turn.
Once over the pass, you can see the Himalayan mountain range rising in the background, with Mount Everest towering in the center. The descent takes us to a village where we need to change vehicles because access to the Base Camp is protected for environmental reasons. It's a 40-km approach until, surrounded by high mountains, the majestic Mount Everest appears. We arrived at sunset and enjoyed a privileged view.
Everest base camp in Tibet is a tented village at 5,200 meters above sea level. The restaurant is excellent. The rooms are clean and well-maintained; there's plenty of blankets, and the agency provides oxygen if needed. From the base camp, we can reach a small but elegant monastery where we've placed some Tibetan prayer flags.
We have placed several Tibetan prayer flags near Rongbuk monastery, one of the highest monasteries on earth
Group photo at Everest base camp, one of the best viewpoints to admire the world’s highest peak.Crossing the Border: A Smooth Journey from Everest Base Camp to Nepal
From the base camp, we set off again, crossing ever-changing mountain scenery, with numerous snow-capped peaks alternating in the background. We arrive at the border town Gyirong, where we departed early the next morning. Since there's a two-hour time difference between China and Nepal, we must wait a bit for the gates to open.
The crossing was quite quick, and everything runs smoothly, thanks in part to the excellent guide who accompanied us until we're past, leaving us in the hands of another Nepalese guide who took care of everything, from visas to transfers.
Despite the area having been hit by an earthquake and landslides, everything was easy thanks to the perfect organization. We travelled about 2 km (by jeep and on foot) to reach the paved road. The journey descends along a beautiful river for 100 km, taking four hours.
Enjoy the delicious Tibetan food along the way is also the highlight of our Tibet tour.Tibet Vista: Exceptional Organization and Service on Our Journey to Tibet
Tibet Vista's trip organization was excellent. We handled everything with Gigi, who resolved every issue, cleared up any doubts, and ensured that the organizational aspects were as seamless as possible. We got the Tibet train tickets we requested, despite it being high season, and there were no problems with the visa and Tibet travel permit either. We communicated via email, WhatsApp, and, once in China, even WeChat.
Special thanks to the guide who accompanied us from Lhasa to the border, a young man named Kunchok, who speaks excellent English. He provided us with all the necessary explanations during our visits to the monuments and sites and facilitated our organizational procedures during the visits. In short, he was the perfect guide.
The others who accompanied us to Ganden Monastery and on arrival were equally commendable, albeit for a shorter time. The driver, who was impeccable, deserves special mention. Speaking for all five of us, I have to say that it was a fantastic trip, and I think the price paid was adequate for the service provided.
Join our 7 days Lhasa to Kathmandu tour to uncover the essence of Tibet and admire Mount Everest from both sides.
"Epic 7-Day Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour: Experience the Tibet Train, Explore the Essence of Lhasa, and Admire Everest from Both Sides"