QingHai-Tibet (QingZang) route, Highway 109, is one of the 5 main roads into Tibet. QingZang route stretches some 1160km, with an average altitude of 4500m, making it the longest and highest paved road on the world.

In this journey, You will travel via the famous QingZang Railway, cutting through major mountain passes of the KunLun mountain, Tanghla mountain (which divides the Qinghai-Tibet border), Nyenchen Tanglha mountain, the salt-rich Qaidam Basin (one of the largest inland basin in China), the vast steppes of KeKeXiLi nature reserve, and the prairie of Wutang grassland. In addition, other highlights include the source of the Yangtze river, sunset at ChuMaEr river and Namtso lake.

Upon arriving to Lhasa Tibet, you will spend some time acclimatizing to the 3650m altitude, doing local city tour such as visiting Potala Palace and other monasteries. The 2nd part of your adventure goes to Mount Everest base camp, where you will also spend a night there in tents. You will also vist Namtso Lake, the highest saltwater lake in the world at 4718m, about 300km north of Lhasa.

Itinerary:

Day01 Arrive in ChengDu

- Airport pickup and transfer to city for some sight-seeing in mini-van (depends on time available)

- In the evening, we will send you to ChengDu train station for your departure to Tibet (train departs

2036hrs)

- Overnight on train

Day02 QingHai-Tibet train

- En-route to Tibet on train. Enjoy the scenery of the QingHai-Tibetan plateau

- As it is a 44-hour train journey, we recommend you to bring some books and music with you

- Overnight on train

Day03 QingHai-Tibet train

- You should enter the QingHai plateau. Please use the above altitude map as a guide to your

location along the route

- After almost 48hrs on the train, you will arrive in Tibet. We will welcome you at train station &transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner in Lhasa

- Overnight in Lhasa (hotel)

Day04 Lhasa - Acclimatization

- Acclimatize to 3650m. You can do short walks around Barkor square and Jokhang Palace

- Overnight in Lhasa (hotel)

Day05 Lhasa - Acclimatization

- Visit to Potala Palace. Check out Barkor Square

- Overnight in Lhasa (hotel)

Day06 Lhasa / Gyantse (drive 259km)

- Enjoy the scenery of Tibet en-route and visit Yamdrok Yumtso Lake

- After lunch, continue drive to Gyantse to see Old Fort ruins and Palchoi Monastery

- Overnight in Gyantse (hotel)

Day07 Gyantse / Lhatse (drive 244km)

- After breakfast, drive to Shigatse to visit Tashilungpo monastery (seat of Panchen Lama)

- We will rest for the night in Lhatse to prepare for the drive into Everest base camp

- Overnight in Lhatse (hotel)

Day08 Lhatse / Mount Everest Base Camp (drive 203km)

- Drive to Rongbuk monastery at 5100m. Do enjoy the awesome view of Mount Everest. From Rongbuk Monastery, take a horse-cart up to the base camp. Do not forget the sunset!

- Overnight in base camp (tents)

Palchoi Monastery

Day09 Mount Everest Base Camp / Shigatse (drive 353km)

- Wake up to view the sunlight shinning on the top of the world’s highest peak.

Everest base camp/Rongbuk drive to Shigatse

- Overnight in Shigatse (hotel)

Day10 Shigatse / Lhasa (drive 270km)

Overnight in Lhasa (hotel)

Day11 Lhasa / Namtso Lake / Lhasa

- Drive up 230km north to see Namtso Lake, the highest saltwater lake in the world at 4718m

- You have time to complete a 1-round hike around the island and take on the steps to the top of the hill after lunch before driving back to Lhasa

- Overnight in Lhasa (hotel)

Day12 Lhasa / ChengDu

- Airport send-off for your flight back to ChengDu

- End of your QingHai-Tibet Rail Adventure. Home Sweet Home!