11 Days Easy-paced Tibet Sky Train, Lhasa Shigatse Tour for Seniors

Welcome to Xining, the starting point of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway!

After you arrive in Xining, our local guide will pick you up at the airport or train station and escort you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure and get acclimatized to Xining’s altitude (2,275m). You can explore the surrounding areas at your own pace.

Stay overnight in Xining.

Where to Stay?
Throughout your journey, our senior guests will stay in carefully selected 4-star or 5-star hotels in Xining, Lhasa, and Shigatse, ensuring a comfortable and restful experience. All of these hotels are equipped with diffuse oxygen supply systems to help you relax after each day’s exploration.

After breakfast, you will first visit Ta’er Monastery, also known as Kumbum Monastery. As one of the six major Gelug sect monasteries in Tibet, Ta’er Monastery is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.

Here, you will appreciate the ancient architectural complex that combines Tibetan and Chinese artistic styles, as well as various cultural treasures in the temples, such as various thangkas, murals, etc.

Then, you will visit the Museum of China Tibetan Medicine Culture, where you can learn more about the mysterious Tibetan medicine and Tibetan handicrafts. The highlight of this museum is the world’s biggest Thangka, featuring the development of Tibetan medicine.

Besides Tibetan medicine, the museum gives a vivid display of Tibetan calligraphy, costumes, astrology, and the history of Tibetan Buddhism.

In the evening, you will enjoy the finger-licking local snacks in Mo Street, the well-known gourmet street in Xining. You can taste local delicacies like boiled mutton, lamb soup, noodles with chicken shreds and sesame, Muslim Yogurt, etc.

Stay overnight in Xining.

• Visit the iconic and sacred Taer Monastery in Xining.
• Dongguan Mosque

After breakfast, you will take a 2.5-hour drive from downtown Xining to Qinghai Lake, China’s largest inland saltwater lake.

Along the way, you will pass through Huangyuan, Riyue Mountain, etc. You will be amazed by the stunning landscapes of green grassland, blue sky, white sky, and herds of sheep.

After arriving in the Erlangjian Scenic Area, you will enjoy leisure time appreciating the beauty of Qinghai Lake. The lake stretches out like a long, narrow blade in the water. As you stroll along the boardwalk, you’ll take in a sweeping view of the lake, which changes colors because of its varying salt levels.

The scenery around you includes endless grasslands, fields of rapeseed flowers, sandy beaches, and grazing sheep, horses, and yaks.

On clear days, you can see snow-capped mountains and Sand Island’s dunes in the distance. Moreover, you will meet devoted Buddhists here because Qinghai Lake is also a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhists.

After the day tour is done, we will head back to the city of Xining.

Stay overnight in Xining.

• Qinghai Lake
• Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area

After breakfast, our guide will take you to Xining railway station for your train to Tibet. It is suggested to get to the railway station around 1 hour before departure.

You’ll need to present your passport and Tibet Travel Permit when boarding the scenic overnight train from Xining to Lhasa, the world’s highest railway. For our senior guests, we’ll help arrange a soft-sleeper berth with a lower bunk, offering the most comfortable and private way to enjoy your journey across the Tibetan Plateau.

Along the way, you’ll enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway as it crosses the Tibetan Plateau. Snow-covered mountains, vast grasslands, desert landscapes, and crystal-clear alpine lakes appear one after another, offering an unforgettable journey through the roof of the world.

Besides, the train is pressurized and equipped with an oxygen supply to ensure a more comfortable journey at high altitude.

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, your private Tibetan guide will welcome you at the airport or train station with a traditional white Hada.

Then, you'll be comfortably escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. Your private guide will provide a personalized overview of your journey ahead and share thoughtful advice to help you acclimate smoothly to the altitude.

Once you've checked in, please take some time to rest and allow your body to acclimate to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Where to Stay?
Throughout your journey, our senior guests will stay in carefully selected 4-star or 5-star hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse, ensuring a comfortable and restful experience. All of these hotels are equipped with diffuse oxygen supply systems to help you relax after each day’s exploration.

• Qinghai-Tibet railway
• Our local Tibetan guide will greet you at Lhasa Railway Station.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will immerse yourself in the sacred Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Follow a long line of pilgrims in the dimly lit chambers to worship the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, walk clockwise with prostrating Tibetan pilgrims to experience the famous 1km Barkhor circuit kora (pilgrimage trek) and unwind in a local teahouse to rest your legs and enjoy Tibetan sweet tea, noodles, momos, and Sha Phaley (crispy Tibetan bread), while soaking in the lively local Tibetan life, chatting with friendly locals. If time and energy allow, you may enjoy a slow wander through the quiet backstreets of Lhasa.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery, the second-largest Gelug monastery next to Drepung. You can appreciate the exquisitely made sand Mandala and admire Buddhist paintings.

The biggest highlight is to watch the dramatic monk debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). By clapping hands, jumping, yelling, and rolling a Buddhist mala, the standing monk furiously debates with the other monk sitting on the ground about Buddhist philosophy.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Explore Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet.
• Witness the dramatic Tibetan monk debate in Sera Monastery.

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.

Since visiting the Potala Palace involves a steady climb up stone stairs, for some of our senior guests who may find walking difficult, we can arrange a comfortable teahouse or café nearby, where you can relax and still enjoy beautiful views of the Potala Palace without the need for a long climb.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Zongjiao Lukang 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 like the traditional Tibetan circle dance.

In the afternoon, we head to Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Here, we’ll set up a traditional Lingka (Tibetan picnic) under lush trees. You can sip Tibetan sweet tea, snack on local pastries, and enjoy the cool afternoon breeze. Besides, you can follow our local guide to explore the traditional Tibetan palaces within walking distance.

After a full but gentle day of sightseeing, we return to the hotel for a comfortable rest.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Visit the iconic Potala Palace at a gentle pace.
• Stroll through the enchanting Norbulingka Palace.

After a hearty breakfast, we will enjoy a leisurely visit to Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest monastery in Tibet, capable of accommodating over 7,000 monks.

We take our time walking through the monastery at a comfortable pace, allowing you to explore its murals & mantras on the gigantic rocks, and spin Tibetan prayer wheels with locals. Our guide will provide detailed explanations of the famous Coqen Hall and Loseling College, and the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and its history.

By exploring Tibetan monks’ dormitories, you will gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, we will gather at our cultural center workshop. Here, you will be guided by local Tibetan experts through meaningful hands-on activities.

You will begin with a peaceful Tibetan meditation session, gently guided in a simple and easy-to-follow way.

After that, our local expert will introduce you to the art of traditional Tibetan incense making, where you’ll experience how natural herbs are carefully blended by hand. You will also print a Tibetan prayer flag pattern, symbols of blessings carried by the wind across the mountains.

What’s more, you’ll have a chance to try writing Tibetan script yourself and appreciate its unique, flowing beauty as an art form. You can take home these precious handmade Tibetan incense, prayer flags, or your own Tibetan calligraphy works as lovely gifts for your family and friends.

Finally, we return to your hotel in the late afternoon, leaving the evening free for rest or a peaceful stroll in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Print patterns of traditional Tibetan prayer flags.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake, a turquoise gem surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Here, you’ll experience a different side of Tibet, the peace and tranquility outside the bustling Lhasa city.

The Yamdrok Lake reflects various colors in different lights. You can also see local nomads grazing their yaks on the lakeshore.

Besides, since the weather here can be cool and windy at high passes, we recommend dressing warmly and comfortably. Please bring a beanie, a light down jacket, and anything else that helps you stay cozy while enjoying the scenery at a relaxed pace.

For lunch, you will visit a local family restaurant and enjoy the local dishes by the lakeside. On the platform, you can also savor a cup of coffee and relish leisure time while indulging in the stunning view of Yamdrok Lake from the southeast corner.

Then continue your journey to Gyantse. Along the way, stop to admire the stunning Karola Glacier right by the roadside, perfect for a few unforgettable photos. You’ll also cross Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags and send heartfelt wishes for your family and friends.

After arriving in enchanting Gyantse County, you will enjoy a gentle stroll through Pelkor Monastery, a special Buddhist site where three Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Gelug, Sakya, and Bon, coexist harmoniously under one roof.

Just a minute’s walk away, you can explore the Gyantse Kumbum, the most famous landmark of Gyantse. This 32-meter-high, seven-story stupa features a unique Nepali style, with Buddha's wise eyes on all four sides. Its white layers are decorated with stripes, and it’s topped with a golden dome that looks like a crown.

From Gyantse, we continue with a beautiful 1.5-hour drive to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city. You’ll see endless Tibetan barley fields and quiet farmhouses along the way, giving you a real feel of rural Tibetan life.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Enjoy sweeping views of the turquoise Yamdrok Lake.
• Marvel at the stunning Karola Glacier on the way to Gyantse.

After breakfast, you can roam over the Tashilunpo Monastery, the main sect of the Panchen Lama, a great scholar in Tibetan Buddhism. After you enter this massive monastery, you can see locals doing kora around iconic white stupas, while those beneath the tree are drinking sweet tea and chatting leisurely.

In the Maitreya Temple, you can admire the world’s largest statue of Maitreya (26m), made of 278kg of gold and 23,000kg of copper, and continue through peaceful alleys to visit the tomb of the 10th Panche Lama and sit on a cushion and meditate along with the monks in the tranquil Assembly Hall.

In the afternoon, you will wander through the Samzhubze Old Market in the old quarter of Shigatse, where narrow lanes, traditional shops, and local stalls offer a glimpse into everyday Tibetan life at a relaxed and easy pace.

Here, you can take your time browsing handmade crafts, prayer items, and local snacks, or simply sit back and enjoy a cup of Tibetan sweet tea while soaking in the warm, authentic atmosphere of the town.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

• Explore the revered Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.
• Samzhubze Old Market stroll in Shigatse’s historic lanes.

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Shigatse Railway Station, where you will board the high-speed bullet train back to Lhasa for a comfortable journey of about 2 hours.

Upon arrival in Lhasa, you can either connect to your onward train or enjoy our arranged transfer to the Lhasa Gonggar Airport for your flight home.

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

• Experience the high-speed train from Shigatse to Lhasa.
• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!