16 Days Beijing Xian Tibet Everest and Kathmandu Tour

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our local guide and escorted to your downtown hotel. After check-in, you can relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Optional Activity:
We recommend a stroll through Beijing’s historic Hutongs, traditional alleyways filled with charm and culture. Popular ones to visit include Nanluoguxiang, Yandaixiejie, Mao’er Hutong, and Bada Hutong.

Start your day with a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, known for its "graceful" beauty and well-preserved watchtowers. Hike along the ancient walls and take in the breathtaking scenery.

After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1590 for Emperor Shenzong and his queen, the tomb is a grand example of Ming Dynasty architecture. Covering 100,000 square meters, it features the traditional layout of imperial tombs, with the emperor’s and empress’s underground palaces offering a fascinating look into history.

After breakfast, your guide will take you to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Next, you’ll explore the Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors over 500 years. Though only a portion of its 9,000 rooms are accessible, you'll get a glimpse into imperial life and governance.

You’ll also visit Jingshan Park, located behind the Forbidden City, where a climb to the hilltop offers stunning panoramic views of the palace. For lunch, enjoy the famous Beijing Roast Duck, served with thin pancakes, spring onions, and sweet bean sauce.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, where ancient Chinese emperors once prayed for good harvests and the nation’s well-being.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred to the train station for your overnight high-speed train to Xi’an. The journey lasts about 12 hours, and you’ll travel in modern sleeping cabins aboard China’s high-tech bullet train.

Upon arrival in Xi’an, your guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel. After a short rest, you’ll begin your tour.

Start with the Ancient City Wall, the best-preserved Ming Dynasty wall in China, stretching 14 kilometers. Enjoy a walk along the wall for a view of the imperial city's layout from over 1,000 years ago.

Next, visit the Bell Tower, a 600-year-old landmark with a large bronze bell. Adjacent is the Drum Tower, China’s largest, with impressive drums engraved with the 24 solar terms.

End the day with a stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter, where you can explore the largest mosque in China and sample local snacks and ethnic handicrafts.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

Travel Tip: You can rent a bike for 45 RMB to cycle along the City Wall.

Today, visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the famous Terracotta Army.

Start with the Terracotta Army, one of the world’s eight wonders. These life-sized warriors were buried with the Emperor in an expansive underground palace.

Next, head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built 1,300 years ago by Buddhist Master Xuanzang. It showcases Tang Dynasty craftsmanship and offers insights into the spread of Buddhism in China.

Finish the day with a visit to Weiyang Palace Relics Park, the former imperial palace from 200 BC, now a public park where you can enjoy local leisure life.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

Travel Tip: An extra 30 RMB is required to climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Today marks the start of your legendary Tibet train journey!

In the morning, take a high-speed train from Xi’an to Xining, the gateway to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Upon arrival in Xining, your guide will greet you at the station and take you to a local restaurant for a traditional Beef Noodles lunch.

Next, visit Ta’er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Explore the stunning architectural blend of Tibetan and Chinese styles, and admire cultural treasures like thangkas and murals.

Afterward, return to downtown and prepare for your overnight train to Tibet. Your guide will escort you to the station, where you’ll need your passport and Tibet Travel Permit to board.

Stay overnight on the train.

Tibet Permit Notice:
1. We will handle your Tibet Travel Permit when you book with us.

2. Please send us the necessary documents at least 20 days prior to your trip.

3. Your travel permit will be sent to you before your train departs; keep it safe.

Tibet Train Travel Tips:
1. Your package includes a soft sleeper train ticket from Xining to Lhasa.

2. There’s a dining car on board offering simple Chinese dishes, but feel free to bring snacks.

3. Trains to Tibet are equipped with oxygen supply systems, so don’t worry about altitude sickness.

Today, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. As you pass through Nagchu, keep an eye out for locals and yaks by the tracks, with stunning snow-capped peaks appearing on the horizon.

Upon reaching Lhasa, your local guide will meet you at the train station and transfer you to your hotel, offering beautiful views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and traditional Tibetan villages along the way.

After settling in, take time to acclimate to the altitude and stay hydrated. Later, your guide will present you with traditional Tibetan gifts and introduce you to your fellow travelers.

Warm Tips:
If you need assistance or have specific requests, feel free to visit our service center at Gangjian Hotel.

After having breakfast, we’ll keep exploring Lhasa with a trip to Drepung Monastery, the biggest in Tibet and once home to over 10,000 monks. Here, dive into Tibetan Buddhism at Coqen Hall, where your guide will share insights into its teachings and the lives of its most famous figures.

Then, take a stroll through Loseling College, or a similar place, within Drepung Monastery. This gives you a peek into how monks live and study, including a look at their dorm rooms.

In the afternoon, head over to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and an important place for Buddhist study. The monk debates are the highlight of this spot, a key part of their learning process that your guide will explain.

End your day with a welcome dinner in a local Tibetan style restaurant.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your day with a trip to the magnificent Potala Palace, which offers stunning views of Lhasa. Listen as your guide recounts the histories of the Dalai Lamas and shows you around the palace's many halls and treasures. And then, you’ll participate in the folk activities of the local Tibetan people at the Longwangtan Park near the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, head to the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to the remarkable statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha. Afterwards, take a walk around Barkhor Street to see the religious customs of the local Tibetans.

Finish your day with a tour to visit a bustling Tibetan tea house in Lhasa to enjoy some sweet tea and learn about Tibetan social customs.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, the second-biggest city in Tibet.

Your first destination is Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three most sacred lakes. You'll see the lake's beauty from the Gambala Pass, where it looks like a blue ribbon against the landscape, with the tall Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the background. When you go down to the lake, there are many spots to see it up close. Near the end of the lake, you'll get to visit a local family who will host you for lunch.

After that, you'll drive past the Karola Glacier. This glacier is right next to the road and looks calm and beautiful, with big snowy mountains in the distance.

Next, on your way to Gyantse, you'll stop at the Simila Mountain Pass. There, you can hang prayer flags, which is a way to pray for peace in the world and for the people you care about.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today’s journey will take you directly to Mount Everest.

Your first stop is Gyatsola Pass (5280m). From the Gyatsola Pass, you'll be treated to your initial glimpse of Mount Everest. Concealed behind the mountain range, Everest appears like a budding lotus flower, creating a captivating scene along the roadside.

As you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, a panoramic view of the Himalayas awaits you at Gawula Pass (5198m). At this vantage point, marvel at the majestic lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, with Everest taking the forefront. This marks your second encounter with Everest.

Next, traverse the new zigzag road leading to Everest Base Camp (5200m). As you approach the base camp, the grandeur of Everest gradually unfolds, drawing nearer with each twist and turn. This marks your third view of Everest.

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

As night falls, behold the sparkling Milky Way above and the snow-white peak of Mount Everest, presenting your fifth and final encounter with this iconic mountain.

Overnight accommodation will be provided at Everest Base Camp or in the local village near EBC, especially if the EBC tent hotels are closed during the winter season.

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

Please Note:
1. The visibility of Everest depends on the weather.
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.

Today, your journey unfolds from the iconic Everest Base Camp to the Sino-Nepal border at Gyirong Port, allowing you to immerse yourself in the extraordinary landscapes along the route.

Begin your morning with the serene sunrise over Mount Everest at EBC, followed by a delightful hike to Rongbuk Monastery (5154 meters), the world's highest monastery. Nestled in proximity to Mount Everest, this Tibetan Nyingma monastery is a peaceful retreat where nuns and monks coexist.

Subsequently, you will traverse the Himalayas and embark on a drive to Gyirong at the Sino-Nepal border. Over the 380-kilometer journey, be captivated by the ever-changing landscape - from majestic snow-capped peaks soaring over 5000 meters to the verdant forests and breathtaking canyon vistas at an altitude of around 2800 meters above sea level.

En route, pass by Mt. Shishabangma (8027 meters), one of the world's highest mountains above 8000 meters. Enjoy a close-up view of Shigabangma's three main peaks and the golden radiance of Pelku Tso Lake nestled beneath the peaks.

As the altitude gradually descends, you'll be enchanted by lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and seemingly bottomless canyons at the edge of the Himalayas.

Upon reaching Gyirong Valley, the landscape transforms into dense forests with snow-capped peaks rising above. In Gyirong town, relish the abundance of oxygen in the air.

This marks the end of your journey in Tibet.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

After enjoying breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to your Tibetan guide and driver. Our Nepali staff will be ready to meet you at the Nepal border. They will assist with handling your large luggage (additional fee required), facilitate the application process for a Nepal Visa, and ensure a safe transfer for both you and your belongings to your hotel in Kathmandu using Tibet Vista’s vehicle.

After crossing the border, you'll descend to the southern foothills of the Himalayas, passing through the scenic Langtang National Forest.

Though the road conditions in Nepal differ from those in Tibet, with some bumps and muddy stretches, the journey offers breathtaking views. Along the way, you'll be treated to stunning vistas of Himalayan peaks like Annapurna III (7,555m), Lamjung W (6,983m), Mount Kanguru (6,981m), Himchuli West (6,441m), Ngadi Chuli (7,871m), and Gaurishankar (7,181m).

Finally, after completing the 130-kilometer drive, you'll reach your hotel in Kathmandu.

Nepal Visa Application Tips:

1. Prepare a passport-size photo with a white background.

2. The Nepal visa fee must be paid at the border in US dollars (cash only; credit cards are not accepted).

After breakfast, you’ll visit Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, the historic royal palace complex, home to the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. This site was once the residence of Nepalese royalty and remains a cultural hub.

Next, explore Patan, the "City of Fine Art," renowned for its ancient temples and intricate wood, metal, and stone carvings. Finish your day with a visit to Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple. Perched on a hill, it offers panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley, with its iconic golden spire surrounded by fluttering prayer flags.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Explore the rich culture of the Kathmandu Valley.

Start with Changu Narayan, the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal, famous for its intricate 5th-century stone carvings.

Next, visit Bhaktapur, a medieval city that was Nepal's cultural and political hub from the 13th to the 18th century. Its ancient temples and palaces preserve the charm of Nepalese town life.

Then, head to Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple along the Bagmati River. It’s a major pilgrimage site where you may witness rituals and cremation ceremonies.

Finally, visit Boudhanath, one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist stupas, surrounded by Tibetan monasteries and serving as a spiritual center for Tibetan Buddhists in Nepal.

Afterward, return to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, your unforgettable journey comes to an end. Be sure to confirm your departure flight details with your guide ahead of time. Your guide will escort you to the airport for your onward flight.

Thank you for traveling with Tibet Vista. We look forward to welcoming you back for future adventures!