Silk Road Odyssey
Xi'an to Dunhuang along the Hexi Corridor: desert fortresses, camel treks at Mingsha Shan and the caves of a Thousand Buddhas.
★★★★★4.8 76 reviews
From US$2,690/per person
View tourCulture · 11 days
Tibet: Roof of the World
The Potala Palace, Everest Base Camp and prayer flags over the plateau — entered gradually by rail so the altitude does not hit you all at once.
The short version
This 11-day Tibet tour starts in Xining and reaches Lhasa on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, giving you two days to adjust to the altitude before crossing the plateau. It covers the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake and Everest Base Camp, with all permits arranged. From US$2,490 per person.
- Entered by rail from Xining — far safer than flying straight to 3,650 m.
- All Tibet Travel Permits arranged by us before you fly.
- Everest Base Camp at 5,200 m, with an acclimatised route there and back.
- Guided by Tibetan guides in Lhasa, Sherpa-led at the mountain.
Day by day
Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
What's included and what isn't
Includes
- All Tibet Travel Permits
- 10 nights hotels and guesthouses
- Qinghai–Tibet Railway sleeper
- Tibetan guide throughout
- All entrance fees and oxygen on board
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Chinese visa
- Some meals in remote areas
- Personal trekking equipment
Destinations on this route
Tibet
Tibet Autonomous Region · 1 tours
The Tibet Autonomous Region is entered through Lhasa, its capital, and it is the one destination in China that requires planning rather than booking:
Qinghai
Qinghai · 2 tours
Qinghai Province sits on the north-eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and is reached through its capital, Xining. It offers Qinghai Lake, Kumbum Mona
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Frequently asked questions
Do foreign travellers need a permit for Tibet?
Yes. Every foreign visitor needs a Tibet Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau, plus additional permits for Everest. We obtain them; you cannot travel independently to Tibet as a foreign passport holder.
How bad is the altitude?
Lhasa is 3,650 m and most people feel headachy for the first day. Entering by rail from Xining with two nights at 2,275 m first reduces this substantially. We also carry oxygen in every vehicle.
When can I travel to Tibet?
April to October is the main season. March is closed to foreign travellers most years, and winter brings very cold nights but empty monasteries.
Can I take photographs of monks?
Ask first, and accept no. Photography is prohibited inside many monastery halls and the rule is enforced.
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- Do I Need a Visa for China? Requirements, Costs and How to Apply
- China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Who Qualifies and How It Works
- Paying in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Cards and Cash
- China's High-Speed Rail: How to Book, What It Costs, How Fast It Goes
- Is China Safe for Tourists? Honest Risks and How to Avoid Them
- Best Time to Visit China: Month by Month, Region by Region
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