10 Days Chengdu & Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour via Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Nihao! Welcome to Chengdu, the Hometown of Giant Pandas! Our team will be ready for you when you arrive in Chengdu. Enjoy a trouble-free transfer to your hotel. The rest of today is yours to relax in panda city on your own.

Arrival Ideas:

Chengdu is well connected by air and high-speed rail. There are two airports - Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport operating many international and domestic airlines. Travelers can go to Chengdu by air from most cities in China, like Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, Guiyang, Chongqing… In addition, travelers can take high speed train to Chengdu from Xian (3-4 hours), Chongqing (1.5-2 hours), Guiyang (3.5-4.5 hours), Kunming (6-6.5 hours), etc.

Your morning begins with a short drive to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. As the world's largest sanctuary for captive pandas, it is home to over 100 residents of all ages. We recommend an early arrival to see the pandas at their most active-munching on bamboo or playing in the cool morning air.

If you visit in autumn, look out for the newborn cubs in the nursery houses. Beyond the giant pandas, you can also spot red pandas in their designated playgrounds and visit the Panda Museum. Your guide will share "insider secrets" about their conservation and daily lives.

Next, dive into Chengdu's famous "slow life" at Renmin (People's) Park. Often called the city's living room, this is the best place to witness local culture firsthand. We'll grab a seat at a time-honored tea house for a cup of fragrant green tea, watch locals play mahjong, and soak in the relaxed atmosphere.

Later, take a stroll through Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys). This historic block features a unique blend of Qing Dynasty architecture and modern lifestyle. It's a vibrant hub for folk arts, boutiques, and street food. If you're feeling adventurous, this is the perfect time to try local spicy snacks like dandan noodles or "chuanchuan."

In the evening, our team will transfer you to the railway station for your journey to the "Roof of the World." The Train No. Z322 departs from Chengdu West at 21:08. During this 37-hour scenic ride, you'll witness the landscape transform into the high-altitude plateau.

You are riding on Qinghai-Tibet Railway - the world's highest railway. Pull up a window seat to view Himalayan mountains, shimmering lakes, plains dotted with yaks and herders' tents, and barren deserts, as you inch slowly up onto the high plateau. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the journey for antelope, foxes and wild asses, plus the occasional nomad.

Useful Tips:

Sleeping Berths: The train has four types of sleeping berths, including soft sleeper, hard sleeper, soft seat, and hard seat.

Dining: The train offers a variety of Chinese and Tibetan dishes in dining cars. If Chinese food is not to your taste, you can bring some instant food.

Toilets: The train has both Western-style and squat-style toilets available in each soft sleeper carriage. However, passengers should be prepared for their towels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.

Oxygen Supplies: When reaching to Xining, all passengers usually are required to transfer to another train that is equipped with an oxygen supply system to help passengers acclimate to the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau.

Altitude: 3650m

After the morning on the train enjoying the views outside, the train finally arrives in Lhasa.

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the train station in Lhasa, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Lhasa. You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude (3,650m) in your hotel and get ready to explore Lhasa with your guide the next day.

Altitude: 3650m

Your exploration begins at the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet for over 1,300 years. This UNESCO site was built for King Songtsen Gampo's brides, Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti. You'll witness the profound devotion of pilgrims before the sacred, life-size Jowo Shakyamuni statue, considered the holiest treasure in the Buddhist world.

In the afternoon, we head to Sera Monastery, one of the three great Gelug university monasteries. You'll have the unique opportunity to witness the famous Monks' Debating (usually 15:00–17:00, except Sundays). Watch as monks use rhythmic palm claps and stomps to symbolize the activation of wisdom during their lively philosophical exchanges.

The day concludes with a stroll through Barkhor Street, the ancient kora (pilgrim circuit) surrounding the Jokhang. Today, it is a vibrant marketplace where ancient traditions meet modern life. You can join the locals in their daily walk, sip authentic yak butter tea at a local teahouse, or browse for unique Tibetan and Nepalese handicrafts.

Note on Logistics: The order of today's visits may be adjusted based on your Jokhang Temple ticket reservation time. During the monk debates, please remain respectful and observe the monastery's guidelines for visitors to ensure a peaceful experience for the practitioners.

Altitude: 3650m

Start your morning at the Potala Palace, the iconic winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will ascend 365 steps to reach the Red Palace at an altitude of 3,700m. Inside, you'll find jeweled stupas and ancient murals that date back to the 7th-century reign of King Songtsen Gampo.

You will join local pilgrims who travel from across the plateau to this sacred site. Please note that photography is prohibited inside the chapels, and visits are strictly limited to one hour. Your guide will manage all the ticket logistics to ensure a smooth entry despite the high demand for this historic landmark.

Next, we explore Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastic university in Tibet. This was the primary seat of power before the Potala was expanded in the 17th century. It remains famous for its dramatic monk debates and the annual Shoton (Yogurt) Festival, where massive Buddha tapestries are unfolded across the hillside.

End the day with an immersive 2-hour cultural workshop. You'll try your hand at Tibetan incense making and traditional block printing. These hands-on activities offer a deeper connection to local heritage than a standard sightseeing stop, allowing you to create your own authentic souvenirs.

Altitude: 3850m | Distance: 380km, about 7 hours' drive

Today's 8 to 9-hour journey takes you 340km across the heart of the plateau. After a morning drive, we reach the Kampala Pass (4,797m), the perfect vantage point for Yamdrok Lake. This sacred, turquoise lake stretches toward the horizon, framed by the towering Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar.

At the lakeside, you'll see local herders with decorated Tibetan mastiffs and yaks. These animals are a vital part of local life. If you'd like a photo, it's customary to pay 5-10 RMB, which directly supports the local families. After soaking in the views, we continue toward the glaciers.

Next, we visit the massive Karola Glacier, which sits at 5,012m just steps from the highway. Famous as a filming site for "Red Valley," the ice looks like a massive frozen waterfall cascading from the peaks. You can easily walk to the base for a closer look at the ice and the neighboring Mt. Kalurong.

Essential Tips for the Glacier: Since the altitude here exceeds 5,000m, please move slowly to avoid altitude sickness. The public facilities at this remote spot are very basic, so we recommend using the restrooms before arrival. Also, always ask for permission before photographing locals to ensure a smooth experience.

The day ends in Shigatse, the gateway to the Friendship Highway and Everest. We'll settle into our hotel to rest and acclimatize for the higher altitudes ahead. Tomorrow, we head for the ultimate destination - Everest Base Camp.

Expert Insight: A Local's Perspective

"I've driven this route hundreds of times, and the color of Yamdrok Lake never looks the same twice; it shifts from turquoise to sapphire depending on the light. I always tell my guests to take the 'basic' facilities at the glacier in stride - it's all part of the raw, high-altitude adventure that makes reaching Everest tomorrow feel so much more rewarding."

After that, drive about 3.5 hours (170km) to your hotel in Shigatse, the nearest town on the Friendship Highway between Tibet and Nepal. Have a good rest and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to EBC the next day.

Altitude: 5100m | Distance: 340km, about 6.5 hours drive

Morning: Drive to Gyawu La Pass

After breakfast, you leave Shigatse and head toward the roof of the world. The road stretches west, climbing slowly through wide valleys and small Tibetan villages. Tonight you'll stay at Everest Base Camp-a simple lodge at 5,100 meters, with Everest towering above.

About 4.5 hours into the drive (240km), you'll reach Gyawu La Pass at 5,200 meters. This is your first real view of Mount Everest. The mountain rises in the distance, dwarfing everything around it. Below you, the road curves in endless switchbacks-a favorite shot for photographers. You might spot cyclists or pilgrims making their way toward the mountain. For Tibetans, reaching Everest's base is a sacred journey.

Stop here. Breathe. Let the scale of it sink in.

Afternoon: Rongbuk Monastery

From the pass, it's another 3.5 hours (122km) to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest-altitude monastery in the world at 5,154 meters. The road follows valleys carved by ancient glaciers, with Everest growing larger by the minute.

Rongbuk isn't just a monastery-it's a place of meditation. For over 400 years, hermits have sat in caves dotting the cliffs around the valley. You'll see white chortens, mani stone piles, and prayer flags stretched across the rocky slopes. Monks and pilgrims move slowly in the thin air.

This is also your best view of Everest before reaching Base Camp. The north face rises directly behind the monastery, close enough to touch (though it's still 20km away). Take your time here. Walk the grounds. Light incense. Watch the light change on the mountain.

Evening: Everest Base Camp

A short drive brings you to Everest Base Camp. Tonight you'll stay in basic lodges-simple beds, shared facilities, and a warm dining tent where the group gathers for dinner. Expect a hot pot meal, hearty and welcome after the long drive.

The air is thin at 5,100 meters. Move slowly. Drink water. If the sky clears, step outside before bed. The stars over Everest are unlike anywhere else.

Altitude: 2800m | Distance: 370km, about 8 hours' drive

Watching the sunrise over Mt. Everest is a popular activity, you can choose to wake up early in the morning and hike to a nearby vantage point to witness this breathtaking and unforgettable sight.The sunrise over Mt. Everest is not only a beautiful natural phenomenon but also a symbol of human achievement and perseverance. (Note: The sunrise usually starts around 6:30 am to 7am)

After having breakfast at EBC, it will be the time to drive from Rongbuk Monastery to Gyirong Town.

During the drive, you will make a stop at the Gyawu La Pass (5,200m) to catch another glimpse of Mount Everest. When the weather is clear, you will be able to see four mountains that are above 8,000m (Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, and Cho-Oyu). Apart from Mount Everest, you will be amazed by the zigzag road that looks as though it winds to the end of the world.

You will then head to Gyirong Town, where the Gyirong Port is located, via part of the Friendship Highway, also known as the China-Nepal Highway. Overnight in Gyirong/Kyirong.

It is time to end your 10-day Chengdu-Tibet-Nepal Overland Tour. Our team will say goodbye to you at Gyirong/Kyirong border between Tibet and Nepal in the morning, and you will continue on your next destination in Nepal. 

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Tibet tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!