So Close to Heaven! On the Tibet Railway to the Roof of the World (2027/2028)
starting at 5.000 €

Tibet Railway

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18-day train adventure through China, including a trip on the Tibet Railway and onward to Nepal

Asia

China

Nepal

8 - 15 people

18 days

The start alone is impressive: Shanghai's glittering skyline and the famous Terracotta Army in Xi'an. But then it gets spectacular: the record-breaking Lhasa Railway takes you up into the highlands of Tibet. Vast scree plains, snow-white glaciers, turquoise lakes, and the deep spirituality of ancient monastery fortresses. Think you can't go any higher? At Rumbuk Monastery on Mount Everest, you'll reach the highest point of your journey at 5,250 m. Finally, a picture-perfect medieval experience awaits you in Nepal's venerable royal cities.

Stephanie Gräf

A specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Select consultation appointment

HIGHLIGHTS

Mega-city Shanghai
China's ancient capital Xi'an at the end of the Silk Road, including a visit to the Terracotta Army
Spectacular train journey on the Lhasa Railway from Xining to Tibet
Visiting Tibet's most beautiful monastery fortresses
In the Potala Palace, following in the footsteps of the Dalai Lama
Sacred Yalung Yamdrok Lake
Journey across Tibet's highlands from Lhasa to Kathmandu
Nepal's royal cities of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur

route

itinerary

Day 1 Flight to Shanghai

(If you booked without flights, your trip begins on Day 2)

Day 2 Arrival in Shanghai

After arrival and immigration formalities at the airport, your local tour guide will welcome you and escort you to your comfortable hotel, where you will stay for the next two nights (A).

Day 3 High-tech and colonial flair

Spend a whole day exploring the megacity: from the old town with its teahouse and zigzag bridge in Yu Garden to the artists' quarter of Tianzifang. In the afternoon, stroll along the famous Bund waterfront promenade and visit Longhua Temple. (FM)

Day 4: Journey back in time to ancient China

Today you will visit the water village of Zhujiajiao. Narrow streets and canals transport you back to ancient China: here, merchants haggle over prices and fishermen divide water plants with sticks. Buy some fish and throw them back into the water—it brings good luck! Travel to Xi'an on the night train. You will spend the night on board. (FM)

Day 5 On the Silk Road

Your train arrives in Xi'an in the morning. Merchants, ambassadors, and pilgrims from all over the world once gathered in the ancient capital on the Silk Road. You will learn that many minorities still live here today when you visit the Great Mosque. From the city wall, you can stroll through the old town. You will spend the next two nights in a hotel in Xi'an. (M)

Day 6 Soldiers in rank and file

An excursion takes you to one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, had a huge tomb complex built during his lifetime, guarded by terracotta warriors. Several thousand figures have been excavated since 1974! (FM)

Day 7: Lhasa Railway Adventure

Travel by high-speed train in second class to Xining. Then your great adventure begins: The Qinghai Express departs from Xining and travels nearly 2,000 km up to Lhasa over the course of 24 hours. You’ll spend the night on board. (B, L)

Day 8 On the roof of the world

At the Tanggula Pass, the railway reaches a spectacular altitude of 5,086 m. Arrival in Tibet's capital, Lhasa. Free time to acclimatize at an altitude of 3,650 m and stroll through Lhasa, where you will be staying for the next three nights. (FM)

Day 9 In the realm of the Dalai Lama

An excursion takes you to one of the largest monastery towns in Tibet. The terraces of Drepung Monastery are home to the burial stupas of three Dalai Lamas. Afterwards, you will visit the monastery town of Sera, whose golden roofs and paintings nestle against bare steep walls. (FM)

Day 10 Lhasa, Place of the Gods

The Potala Palace is arguably one of the most spectacular buildings in China and rightly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Snow-white and reddish-brown walls tower sky-high, crowned by golden roofs. Numerous staircases lead to the halls where the Dalai Lama lived until 1959. In the afternoon, you will stop briefly at Jokhang Monastery before plunging into the hustle and bustle of the Barkhor Market, where kitsch and karma collide. (FM)

Day 11 In the highlands of Tibet

The drive to Gyantse is one of the most spectacular experiences the world has to offer. You’ll pass glistening glaciers and the turquoise-colored sacred lake Yalung Yamdrok. Along the way, you’ll visit a Tibetan family and gain insight into their daily lives. Upon arrival in Gyantse, you’ll tour the impressive Pelkhor Chöde Monastery. Overnight stay in Gyantse. (B, L)

Day 12 Living Buddhism

You will reach Shigatse across the wide plateau. The red walls and golden pagodas of Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, shine from the steep slopes. The monastery was built in 1447 and, with 600 monks, is now the most active in all of Tibet. You will spend the night in Shigatse. (FM)

Day 13 So close to heaven!

On the long drive south (approx. 350 km/10–12 hours, as the speed limit is 40 km/h), the snow-white mountain peaks touch the sky. In the late afternoon, the Rongbuk Monastery appears amid barren scree fields, at 5,250 m the highest point of your journey. In clear weather, the first view of the 8,844 m high Mount Everest is unforgettable! You will spend the night at Mount Everest. (FM)

Day 14 Rumbuk Monastery on Mount Everest

Today you will visit Rumbuk Monastery. It is the closest place to Mount Everest that you can reach. With your tour guide, you will hike in the area around the monastery to hopefully enjoy good visibility of the highest mountain on earth and take unforgettable photos. Afterwards, you will continue to Jilong, where you will check into your accommodation for the night. (FM)

Day 15 Over the Himalayas to Kathmandu

Today, a scenic drive to Rasuwa Gadhi awaits you, where you will say goodbye to your Chinese tour guide. Entry into Nepal. You will continue your journey with your Nepalese tour guide and arrive in Kathmandu in the evening, where you will spend the next three nights in a hotel. (FM)

Day 16 Buddha's Eyes

The heart of Kathmandu, Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site), was reconstructed in detail after the 2015 earthquake. From the Royal Palace, we continue to the temple of the goddess Kumari. As you climb the 365 steps, you can see the eyes of the Enlightened One crowning the white stupa of Swayambhunath from afar. (FM)

Day 17 Journey into the Middle Ages

In the royal city of Patan (UNESCO World Heritage Site), you will embark on a journey back in time to the Middle Ages. Could it get any more impressive? Then wait until you see the old town of Bhaktapur (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its Golden Gate, the Palace of 55 Windows, and the Nyatapola Pagoda. Back in Kathmandu, there will be time for some last-minute shopping. (FM)

Day 18 Return flight to Germany

(If you booked without flights, your trip ends on Day 17)

Information

Included services:

Flights Frankfurt – Shanghai and Kathmandu – Frankfurt (connecting flight) in Economy Class
Day trip on the high-speed train from Xi'an to Xining in 2nd class (seat)
11 nights in good mid-range hotels in Shanghai, Xi'an, Lhasa, Shigatse, and Kathmandu
2 nights' lodging in simple mid-range hotels in Gyantse and Ji Long
1 night's stay in a simple guesthouse on Mount Everest
2 nights on Chinese night trains in 1st class in a 4-bed compartment on the routes Shanghai – Xi'an and Xining – Lhasa
Experienced German-speaking tour guide in Shanghai, Xi'an, and Nepal
Experienced German-speaking local tour guide in Tibet
A German-speaking Chinese tour guide will accompany you from Shanghai to the China-Nepal border; from the border onward, a German-speaking Nepalese tour guide will take over
Extensive sightseeing program according to the itinerary
Entrance fees in the destination area according to the itinerary
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
Bus transfers as per itinerary
Entry permit for Tibet

Not included in the price:

Visa fee for Nepal (approx. $30 USD, payable upon arrival; please bring a passport photo and a copy of your passport in both digital and paper form)
tips
Desired excursions

Travel documents:

Passport and visa required for Nepal.
Required vaccinations: Information before booking. Due to the considerable differences in altitude on this trip, we recommend that you consult your doctor before departure.