Last updated: 2012-04-25

Day by Day

Day 1-2

Gathering at the hotel in Beijing. One day in the Chinese capital. You can visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City or the Summer Palace. Evening markets, the variety of restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating and evening entertainments show how Beijing has changed during the past years. The train ride to Lhasa departs in the evening.

Day 3-4

The journey takes you through a varied landscape. Starting with fertile agricultural regions, followed by steppe and desert, the second day on the train the actual climb starts. An incredible landscape with lakes and snow coated mountains appear. Scattered nomad camps and small villages, wandering goats and yaks can be seen in the distance. In Tibet the rails are mainly at 4000 m altitude. You pass Tanggula Mountain Pass, the highest situated train station in the world at 5068 m. The last night you arrive in Lhasa after 47 hours on the train.

Day 5-6

Two days in Lhasa, situated at 3700 m height. Lhasa has changed dramatically and is partly beginning to look like other Chinese cities. Yet there is no way you can mistake where you are. Wander around Tibet's holiest monastery, the Jokhang Temple in the Barkhor neighborhood, together with locals and monks. Visit Norbulingka, The Dalai Lamas previous summer residency surrounded by several parks and palaces. Rent a bicycle and make your way to the Sera and Drepung Monasteries. Be prepared to feel the effects of the high altitude during your first days in Tibet

Day 7-8

By bus to Gyantse. You pass a glacier at the Karo La pass at 5045 m height. From the Karo La pass you have a magnificent view over the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. In Gyantse you can climb the six floors in the gigantic Kumbum or visit the Pelkor Chöde Monastery, which is very beautiful with its mural paintings and thangkas. If you climb up to the Gyantse Fort ruins you get a good view of the city.

Day 9-10

On to Shigatse. Situated in Tibet's second largest town, with a population of 40000 inhabitants, you'll find the Panchen Lamas holy Tashilhunpo Monastery . A khora (to circumambulate a holy place) around the monastery, takes about two hours.

Day 11

Back to Lhasa.

Day 12-13

By jeep to Namtso, Tibet's largest lake at 4718 m altitude. It is surrounded by mountains tops that rise 7000 m. The lake is sacred and many buddhists make pilgrimages to the lake. You'll stay two nights in a guest house, from where you can make trips and hikes. The landscape is barren and majestic.You will probably feel the effects of the high altitude. Food is included.

Day 14

The journey continues to Reting. The monastery that was founded in the 11^th century was once the largest in the area. It was destroyed by the communist regime during the Cultural Revolution, but is now partially reconstructed. Nowadays only about a dozen monks are allowed to live there. You spend the night in tents.

Day 15-16

You continue by jeep to Tidrum, an important religious centre and pilgrimage destination. Here you can bathe in hot springs and go trekking. You're spend the nigths in tents.

Day 17-19

Back to Lhasa for a couple days. You stop at the Ganden Monasteries outside of Lhasa.

Day 20-21

Flight to Beijing and a couple of days to explore the huge city.

Day 22

End of tour.