Chengdu Lhasa Train Tour
- Duration:
- 6 Days
- Price:
- From USD785
- Route:
- Chengdu-Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
Explore Lhasa on the highest-altitude railway adventure from Chengdu. The plateau landscape such as boundless plains, endless grasslands, desolate deserts, snow-capped mountains, and blue lakes may fascinate you. On the other hand, train travel is a great help in getting used to the high altitude. Lhasa is a very popular destination for travelers, here you will appreciate its famous historical buildings Potala Palace, mysterious Jokhang Temple, bustling Barkhor Street, the biggest Tibetan monastery Drepung, and the most distinctive Monastery Sera, to get acquainted with Tibetan Buddhism and the daily life of local Tibetans.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chengdu - Lhasa Train | Get to Chengdu West Railway Station on your own |
| 2 | On the Train | Enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way |
| 3 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 4 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 5 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drak Yerpa, Sera Monastery |
| 6 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapsePlease go to Chengdu West Railway Station on your own and you'd better reach there 2 hours before departure. Usually, you need to show your original passport, the booking number & a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit (maybe 1 copy will be kept by the conductor) to pick up the train ticket at the ticket office. Your travel consultant will send you a copy of the Tibet permit at least several days in advance and you need to print it out (3 copies are highly recommended) to bring with you. You may also need to show a copy of your Tibet permit to get on the train.
Stay overnight on the train
Today, you will spend the whole day on the train and you can enjoy the fantastic view along the railway. In the morning, you will pass through Shaanxi and Gansu provinces to witness the majestic mountains and the barren land of western China. At noon, you will arrive in Xining - the start point of the Qinghai Tibet Railway. You will see massive deserts, immense grasslands, vast valleys, snow-capped mountains, picturesque lakes, and flocks of yaks and sheep.
Stay overnight on the train
Your guide and driver will greet you at Lhasa Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Railway Station, it usually takes about 20 mins. After being transferred to the hotel, you will be free for the rest of the day to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water and eat light. Not to have a shower if you can help it.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Today you will visit the famous world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m at the topmost point. 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.
In the afternoon, take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of old Lhasa city town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After visiting the temple, you will have time to walk around the Barkhor Street, which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as the crowded central market of Lhasa. In the early days, it was the most famous local market but now it's the tourist shopping center.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, you are heading to Drak Yerpa, the most famous meditation retreat near Lhasa. It's a monastery embedded in the cliff wall. Drak Yerpa is described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. The site had strong spiritual power, having been visited by almost all great Tibetan masters. You can feel the power of the meditation caves here.
In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also enjoy the three sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Buddha. The sight here is splendid because you can see wild roses around. That's why people also call it "the Court of Wild Rose."
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Tour Price and Service
From US$785 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- Soft-sleepers from Chengdu to Lhasa;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Other domestic flights/trains to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Thor***
Hi there, I'm looking to book a private tour for 2 pax (my girlfriend and me). We are looking to travel to Tibet from Chengdu via train for a 6 days trip between Oct 20 - Oct 25 and wanted to enquire on a few things.
(1) Is there a tour package that covers the cost and bookings of the train rides from Chengdu to Lhasa and return trip from Lhasa to Chengdu?
(2) Will the itinerary be customisable according to our preference before the trip? E.g. We are keen to see the Milky Way at Everest base camp.
(3) What would the ballpark cost be per pax for the tour package?
Dear Thor***,
We can arrange the 6-day Tibet private tour for you and help you book the train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa and flight/train tickets from Lhasa to Chengdu. We can customize the itinerary as per your preference now. After we start to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit, you'd better not change the itinerary because we will write the dates on the permit.
If you want to visit the Everest Base Camp, the tour usually takes 8 days.
Asked by Cour***
Hello, could I have information on the 6 day Chengdu train tour? I am wondering what days it departs and if there is a similar tour without train ride if we decided to come plane? Thank you.
Dear Court****,
We have 4 Days Lhasa City Essential Group Tour similar to Lhasa part of 6 days Chengdu train tour. We can open this group tour departing on 31 Oct. but it needs further confirmation if you are a solo traveler. This group tour is based on 2 pax. Or we can arrange a private tour for you, which has the same itinerary as the 6 days tour (Lhasa part).
Asked by Dean***
I would like to join up with a small group of other travelers for the 6-day tour from Chengdu to Lhasa. I would like to upgrade to 4 star hotels if possible.
Dear Dean****,
We can arrange the Tibet tour for you. We can help you book the train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa. Then I suggest you consider our similar 4-day Lhasa City Group tour. Currently, we have a group departure on 15 August and you can join.
Asked by An***
I do not understand how we will get food, if we are always travelling to somewhere and on the first day we are fully on the train...
Dear Ana,
We can arrange 6 days Chengdu Lhasa train tour around January 1st. There is no direct train from Chengdu to Lhasa on 1st January but connecting trains are available. Up to now, there is only one direct train from Chengdu to Lhasa departing every other day.
For the food, you can bring some snacks on the way. Usually, there is a dining hall on the train. In addition, meals, food and drinks, etc. are sold on the train. For the following sightseeing days, the attractions in the itinerary are all in/around Lhasa City. It's easy to get food/meals on the way.
Asked by Sawi***
I am traveling with my friends (total 4-5 persons). I will arrive at TFU airport at 2 am on 22 June 2024. I plan to catch a train to Tibet (soft sleeper)and depart from Lhasa by airplane, China Eastern Lhasa 17:15 - TFU 19:20 on 29 June 2023, then transit to Bangkok at 2 am on 30 June 2023.
I would like to visit Namtso Lake and Yamdrok Lake. Your official trip plan includes Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drak Yerpa, and Sera Monastery. Could you arrange or suggest a plan that includes all these places? Also, is it possible to visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street on the day I arrive in Lhasa by train?
Dear Sawi****,
As per your request, we can arrange a private Chengdu-Tibet tour on 22 June 2024 for you. The entrance tickets of Potala are limited daily and required to be reserved in advance. Usually, we suggest guests visit it on Day 2.
Here is the itinerary for your reference. If you agree, I'll quote you in my next email. Let me know your preferred hotel class. Thanks.
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