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Home China Tours from Chengdu 10 Days Chengdu to Lhasa and Everest Base Camp Tour
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Tibet remains an almost mythical destination to many people. It has a magic attractive force for travelers for hundreds of years. Why do so many people want to go there? For many visitors, the highlights of Tibet will be of a spiritual nature: magnificent monasteries, prayer halls of chanting monks. Tibet's other big draw is the elemental beauty of the highest plateau on earth. Geography here is on a humbling scale and every view is illuminated with spectacular mountain light.

No matter what reason you go, Asia Odyssey Travel can realize your dream of Tibet. There are no direct flights from other countries to Tibet. Chengdu is most used transfer gateway city to Tibet with frequent flights and trains schedule. You can discover Tibet from Chengdu, which is the home to precious giant panda, you can get a close contact with cute pandas, and then take a direct flight to explore the mysterious Tibet, where you will witness the fervent religious worship in sacred Tibetan monasteries like Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace, etc. Then, you are expected to travel to the second-best city in Tibet, i.e. Shigatse where you will explore the historical Tashilumpo Monastery. The highlight comes when tourists keep moving towards Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp (5200m) to closely observe majestic Mt. Everest (8844.43m). This is a classic itinerary covering most of the highlights of Tibet. Come and join us to have your bucket list tick off now.

You Can Experience “Must-see & Must-do” with This Tour
Highlight 1: Encounter with adorable pandas in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding; feel the laid-back atmosphere in Chengdu People's Park.
Chengdu Tibet Everest Tour
Highlight 2: Reach the Roof of the World and pay a holy visit to the Potala Palace comprising the White and Red Palaces built on the Red Mountain and see local Tibetan Buddhists making a pilgrimage in front of the Jokhang Monastery
Chengdu Tibet Everest Tour
Highlight 3: Travel outside of Lhasa city to one of the “great three” Gelug university monasteries of Tibet - Sera Monastery to explore exceptional Buddhist religious complex and see the famous debate among monks on the Buddhist doctrines
Chengdu Tibet Everest Tour
Highlight 4: Catch the breathtaking view of the Yamdrok Lake, one of the Great Three Holy Lakes in Tibet and also enjoy the magnificent white glacier framed by colorful prayer flags and high mountains
Chengdu Tibet Everest Tour
Highlight 5: Get close to the the highest point on the Earth’s Surface - Mount Everest, at 8848 meters, and marvel at its grandness and holiness and you can stay overnight at the EBC Base Camp
Chengdu Tibet Everest Tour
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Itinerary at a Glance

10 Days Chengdu to Lhasa and Everest Base Camp Tour
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Chengdu (2 Days)

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu People's Park, Wenshu Monastery, Jinli Old Street

Lhasa City (4 Days)

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Dadong Village, Sera Monastery

Shannan & Gyantse

Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier

Shigatse (2 Days)

Tashilumpo Monastery

Mount Everest (2 Days)

Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp, Gyawu La Pass

Itinerary Day by Day

Day 1 Arrival in Chengdu | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in

Nihao! Welcome to Chengdu, the Hometown of Giant Pandas! Your private driver and guide 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 (6-6.5hours), etc.

Free Time Ideas:
You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.

Day 2 Chengdu Classic Tour | Chengdu Panda Base, Jinli Old Street

After breakfast, you are going to fulfill your panda dream with a 17-kilometer drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Also called Chengdu Panda Base, accommodated over 100 pandas, it is the base with the largest population of captive giant pandas in the world. You will see giant pandas of different ages there. It’s great fun to watch them playing, eating, climbing, sleeping… If you come in autumn, you will have the chance to see the pink newborn giant panda cubs in the Sunshine Nursery House and the Moonlight Nursery House. Besides giant pandas, you can also meet the cute red pandas walking by your side in the Red Panda Playgrounds. Then follow your guide to discover more about panda’s secrets through the Panda Museum. (Note: Pandas like cool weather, so we advise you to arrive there early as pandas are more active in the morning.)

Later, be transferred to the best preserved Buddhist monastery in Chengdu - Wenshu Monastery to feel the peaceful atmosphere. Pay a visit to Chengdu’s Renmin Park to witness the city’s leisurely lifestyle and how the local people are doing. Order a cup of fragrant green tea while sitting in the time-honored tea-house, chat with your friends and see local playing mahjong and having fun. After that, return to Chengdu downtown for an relaxing stroll at Jinli Old Street. With a history over 1,800 years, it showcases the profound cultures of Ancient Shu Kingdom. Take a nice walk on the traditional stone-paved street full of delicious local snacks, delicate artifacts, interesting folk shows, etc. (Optional Activity: Try some local spicy dishes such as chuanchuan, dandan noodles, or even get out of your comfort zone and try some rabbit's head!)

Recommended Optional Evening Activities:
1)Watch a wonderful Sichuan Opera performance which includes face changing, spitting fire, hand shadows, puppet show, dancing, singing and acrobatics. (usually from 20:00 to 21:30).
2)Appreciate the city’s night view by boat (30mins) along the Jinjiang River, which winds through central Chengdu. ( 18:00~23:30)

Day 3 Chengdu to Lhasa by Flight

This morning you can explore Chengdu freely. Then your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and you will be escorted to airport for your flight to Lhasa (about 2.5 hours).

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the airport 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.

Kind Reminds:
1. It is good to avoid the highland sickness by slow down, keep warm, drink some water frequently, no shower for the first one or two days, take it easy, and sleep well.
2. You should always follow your doctor’s advice on altitude according to your health condition.
3. Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and good at dealing with altitude sickness.

Day 4 Lhasa City Tour | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

Today you will explore Lhasa for its brilliant architectures, culture, and history, then stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and experience the daily kora life of Tibetans.

In the morning, you can walk into Potala Palace, the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). It takes 365 steps from potala gate to reach the Red Palace which is the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m. Through the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be astonished and touched by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace you will meet lots of Tibetan pilgrims who come all the way from afar to this sacred site to pray as their life time destination. You can also ask your guide to share more information about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first build the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. (Note: We may adjust the visit order due to the visiting time of your Potala Palace ticket. All visitors must visit the Potala Palace with a tour group while staying inside for an hour. No photo inside.)

After exploring the Potala Palace Museum, move to the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet and a world cultural heritage site. It is said that the Jokhang Monastery is built for King Songtsen Gampo's two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal Princess Bhrikuti. "Jokhang" means "House of Buddha", it houses the statue of the life-size 12-year-old Sakyamuni which is the treasure of the Buddhism world. That is why Buddhist pilgrims take it as the holiest destination. The time seems to stand still when you watch them pray in front of the temple during the day and night.

Later, you can take a walk back to the busy Barkhor Street, it was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) around the Jokhang Monastery in ancient times. Nowadays, it become a thriving local market where you can try local snacks, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

Day 5 Lhasa Surrounding Tour | Dadong Village, Sera Monastery

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. The first stop today is to visit Dadong Village, one of the best preserved Tibetan villages hidden in the peaceful valley. It is said that the 6th Dalai Lama - Tsangyang Gyatso had lived in coupled with the original local Tibetan house and he conducted his spiritual exercise there for years and left numerous romantic poems like On the Top of the East Mountain. Take a relaxing walk to the Nyimatang Monastery. This monastery is the place that the first generation of grand Tibetan Medicine masters studied the Medicine, and it makes plenty of Tibetan medicinal substances and remains the only temple in Tibet that mainly enshrines Bhaiṣajyaguru. Walk around and enjoy the primitive local Tibetan life in this beautiful village and then pay a visit to a local Tibetan family and enjoy lunch offered by the family.

In this afternoon, drive about 50 minutes (30km) to visit Sera Monastery. Step on one of the most beautiful monastery compounds, and its white stone roads and walkways makes you feel almost Mediterranean. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watch the monks’ debate at around 15:00 - 17:00 (except Sundays). It is an interesting form of debate, you can see one monk, the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers, sitting. The standing monk will ask question and slap his palms and stomp, each action has its special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive. Furthermore, pay a visit to Tibetan Religious Scripture Printing House and appreciate three sand Mandalas and the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

After that, be escorted back to your hotel in Lhasa.

Day 6 Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse | Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier

On this day, drive about 8 to 9 hours (340km) from Lhasa to Shigatse via a visit to two amazing natural landscapes - Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier on the way.

In the morning, after about 3 to 4 hours’ drive (200km), you'd better have your camera ready. When reaching Kampala Pass (4,797 meters), you’ll have a breathtaking view of Yamdrok Lake (a freshwater lake) down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. It is one of the four largest sacred lakes in Tibet along with Lake Lhamo Latso, Lake Manasarovar, and Lake Namtso. And Lake Yamdrok is said to be able to help Tibetans find the reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama. You will be happy to see dressed-up Tibetan mastiffs/dogs, goats, and yaks there. It is optional for you to pay 5-10 yuan to pose with and take photos of them, for local Tibetans, it’s a subsidy income for their family.

In the afternoon, drive about 1.5 hours (70km) to visit one of the most beautiful Glaciers in Tibet - Karola Glacier, the location of the film Red Valley (Hong He Gu). As one of Tibet's three major continental glaciers, backed by the southern slope of Naiqin Kangsang Peak (7,191 meters), one of the four highest peaks in Tibet, this white glacier is also the source of the eastern part of the Nianchu River. The Karola Glacier (5,012m) is only 300 meters away from the Highway connecting Lhasa to Gyantse town. You can view it right off the highway from your car. Sure you can easily walk to the foot of the charming glacier which shape is like a frozen waterfall right above the road and you. Besides the fantastic hike to the Karola Glacier, on the opposite side of the road, you can appreciate the beautiful snow-capped mountain of Mt Kalurong.

Karola Glacier Visiting Notes:

1. The altitude at the glacier scenic spot is about 5,012m, be sure to slow down to avoid altitude sickness.
2. The public toilet at the glacier is very basic.
3. Local people would ask you to take photos with them for a fee. Be sure to ask before taking photos to avoid potential little troubles.

After that, drive about 3.5h (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 lifetime trip to EBC the next day.

Day 7 Shigatse - Mt. Everest | Mount Everest, Rongbuk Monastery

After breakfast, drive about 6.5 hours (330km) to the peak of the world - Mount Everest, while stopping by the Rongbuk Monastery - the world’s highest altitude monastery before spending the night at the Everest Base Camp.

Departing from Shigatse, after about 4.5 hours of driving (240km), you would get your first glimpse of Mt. Everest from the Gyawu La Pass (5,200m, Gyatso La Pass), between Lhatse and Shelkar. Apart from Mt. Everest, you will be marveled at the zigzag road that looks winding to the end of the world. On the road, you may see local people biking or hiking all the way to Everest Base Camp, for them reaching the base of the world's highest mountain is a must do goal or holy belief that is worth the effort.

After enjoying the beautiful and unique scenery on the pass with incredibly snow-capped mountain ranges, blue skies, floating high clouds, and endless grasslands, it is time to head to Rongbuk Monastery (about 3.5 hours,122km) for the first good view of Mt. Everest. At an altitude of 5,154m, Rongbuk Monastery is the world’s highest monastery, a must-visit for spiritual travelers, and you will find it photo worthy. It used to be an area of meditation huts, and you can find hermitage meditation caves with a history of over 400 years, dotting the cliff walls all around the monastery and the valley. Along with incredible Mt. Everest views, at Rongbuk Monastery you will be touched by the breathtaking scenery such as large white chorten, piles of mani stones, colorful prayer flags, devout pilgrims passing by...

Notes:
1. Travelers can only go as far as the Rongbuk Temple area rather than a few kilometers farther as before. But it’s no big difference in terms of viewing Mt. Everest.
2. Today’s food and lodging is very basic. Due to the high altitude, it is possible that you may have some symptoms of altitude sickness. We recommend that you stay well hydrated, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery to minimize your symptoms.

Day 8 Mt. Everest - Shigatse | Tashilumpo Monastery

You will get an early start with the sunrise of Mt Everest, then head to Gyatso La Pass (Gyawu La Pass, the Dingri Boundary, 122km, 3.5 hours) again with a quick photographic stop. After that, drive back to Shigatse (240km, about 4.5 hours) to visit Tashilumpo Monastery.

Founded by His Holiness the 1st Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gedun Drup in 1447, Tashilumpo Monastery is the largest monastery in Tsang Area, Tibet. In Tashi Lumpo Monastery, you can unveil the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, Tibet's second-highest incarnation. Pay a visit to the ancient tombs of the fourth and tenth Panchen Lama and the chortens, which hold the bones and remains of the sacred Tibetan lamas. Learn more from your guide about Panchen Lamas and Dalai Lamas while appreciating the brilliant religious painting on Tibetan architecture, listening to the Tibetan Buddhism chanting by local monks, and even participating in the kora like locals. Don’t forget to hike up to the top of the monastery and have a stunning bird view of the monastery itself and Shigatse City.

After that, drive back to your sweet hotel in Shigatse, take a shower and prepare for the departure by train the next day.

Day 9 Shigatse to Lhasa

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. It is time to drive back to Lhasa from Shigatse. On the way, you have a chance to appreciate some stunning landscapes on the viewing platform. With several hours’ driving, you will arrive in Lhasa and be transferred to the hotel for a good rest.

Day 10 Lhasa Departure | Hotel Check-out and Airport see-off

It is time to end your 10 Days China Tibet tour. You will have some free time in Beijing and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.

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

Price: What’s Included & What’s Excluded

Price: Request
The above price is based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on travel date, group size, hotel class, program in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.

What’s Included?

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Experienced drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
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Professional licensed English-speaking local guide
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Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
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Domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class) listed in the itinerary
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Admission tickets, activities, meals listed in the itinerary
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Accident insurance
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Our service from tour planning, handling, operational and finishing your trip

What’s Excluded?

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International airfares
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Entry visa fees
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Personal expenses
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Single room supplement
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Recommended optional activities
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Arrival/departure flights or train on the first and last day
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Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers

Important Trip Notes for Booking a Private China Tour

How do I book a private China tour?
It is very simple to book a private China tour. Select the tour you are interested, and click “Make an Enquiry for Free”. Tell us your demands and likes while submitting the form. During this process, you don’t need to pay immediately. After sending us your requirements, one of our professional travel experts will get back to you within 0.5 to 24 hours. When all the information have confirmed, then you make the deposit. Please feel free to contact the travel expert directly if you have any questions prior to booking.
Extend Your China Tour
The above itinerary is the sample one that most travelers would go like that. The tour can be customized based on your likes, interests and budget. At the same time, if you want to extend this tour, just tell us your favored destinations and things to do. Our professional travel experts will redesign the trip totally for you and your group at the best price. Tell us your ideas now >>
Transportation
In a private tour, it means you will transfer to the tourist attractions in one city by private vehicle. The private car we selected is spacious, comfortable and air-conditioned. And the driver we use are very experienced. As for traveling between two destinations, we use domestic flights (economy seat) or high speed trains (second class seat, usually less than 6 hours). The local guides and drivers will pick you up at the airport/train stations, and escort you to the hotel.
Meals
“B” stands for breakfast. You will have it at your hotel in the morning.
“L” stands for lunch. The restaurants we will arrange for you are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. All are in good sanitary conditions. Your guide will assist you with ordering the dishes.
“D” means dinner. All dinners are excluded in the itinerary. You have the chance to taste some authentic Chinese food and local snacks.
If you have special dietary requirements (vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free), please let us know before your booking. We will try our best to take care of you.

Accommodation & Hotel Condition for Your China Tour

Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
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Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
Have a good sleep everyday is very important during your China tour. In a private tour, you can decide on your own which hotel class you want - luxury 5 star, comfortable 4-star or economic 3-star.
All the hotels in each destination we selected are at good location, close to commercial street or tourist attractions. And, all the hotels we use have a business relationship for many years and they have windows, air-conditioners, hot water, showers, wifi... (except for basic accommodation condition when travel to Mount Everest) to ensure you luxury and comfortable sleep experience. The staff can speak English and they will provide you the high quality service. If you have any requirements, you can ask them to help.

Photo Gallery for This Itinerary

  • Chengdu Panda Base
  • Chengdu Panda Base
  • Chengdu Jinli Old Street
  • Chengdu’s Renmin Park
  • Wenshu Monastery
  • Potala Palace
  • Potala Palace
  • Jokhang Temple Lhasa
  • Barkhor Street Lhasa
  • Sera Monastery Lhasa
  • Yamdrok Lake Tibet
  • Mount Everest

Latest China Tours from Chengdu Reviews from Our Customers

Discover what our customers are saying about the latest China Tours from Chengdu. Browse through their recent reviews and feedback on tour arrangements, guides, transportation, attractions, dining, hotels, and detailed itineraries to plan your own unforgettable China tour. View All Customers Reviews >>
Maziar
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I’m Maziar from Australia
I’m Maziar from Australia. We had a wonderful private tour guided by Asia Odyssey in June 2023. Issac from Asia Odyssey was very helpful all through out our trip. The trip was very well organised and well planned. Hotels perfectly located and tour guides and drivers in each city been very supportive and helpful. I hope I can go back to China to visit that wonderful land again and I will defend suggest Asia Odyssey to anyone searching for help and guide to visit china.
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Maziar
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I’m Maziar from Australia. We had a wonderful private tour guided by Asia Odyssey in June 2023. Issac from Asia Odyssey was very helpful all through ...
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My wife and I had a reliable and friendly experience with Asia Odyssey Travel whenbooking our high speed train tour. The entire process went smoothly, with clear information provided and fair pricing.Even when tickets were no longer available, they went the extra mile to explore alternative options, ensuring that we reached our destinations at a similar time. We were highly satisfied with their service and appreciate theircommitment to customer satisfaction. Contact them for a high speed train tour around China!
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l had a fantastic experience with their great service, which came at a very low fee.They provided excellent support through email or WeChat to address any issues that arose. During our high speed train tour with Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Chongqing, we encountered a canceled train and had to cancel another one while requesting to book a different train instead.Their assistance was invaluable in navigating these situations, providing solutions every step of the way.They even went the extra mile to explore alternative options when the train we wanted was fully booked.As a foreigner inChina, their help was incredibly valuable, and l highly recommend Asia Odyssey Travel for its excellent services.
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l had a fantastic experience with their great service, which came at a very low fee.They provided excellent support through email or WeChat to address...
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Destinations
  • Chengdu
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  • Lhasa
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  • Shannan & Gyantse
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  • Shigatse
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  • Mount Everest
Tour Information
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Flexible Dates
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Trip Style: Private Tour (flexible travel dates & numbers of travelers)
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Tour Code: AOT-FCD-005
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Travel Route: Chengdu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Mt. Everest
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Features: Pandas, History, Culture, Religious Sites, Holy Mountains

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(Based on a private tour for two people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people.)

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