Flights not included
Now from
$1190
Was from
$1590
Days
15
Rails to Everest

Beijing, Tibet, Everest, Kathmandu

This 15-day overland journey starts in Beijing, rolls across the high plateau by train, then climbs into Tibet's monasteries, mountain passes and everyday village life before crossing into Nepal and ending in Kathmandu. It is a big, high-altitude route with serious travel days, simple moments, unforgettable landscapes and the rare feeling that the road itself is part of the story.
Expect the Great Wall, the Beijing-to-Lhasa rail journey, Lhasa's sacred sites, Tibetan family hospitality, the north face of Everest, a border crossing into Nepal and Kathmandu's busy old streets.

Why you'll love this trip

  • Great Wall First
    Walk the Mutianyu section, where stone watchtowers roll across steep green ridges.
  • Train To Lhasa
    Spend two nights crossing remote plateau country on one of the world's great rail rides.
  • Lhasa Pilgrim Life
    Follow Barkhor Street's sacred loop and watch faith move through the city daily.
  • Tibetan Home Cooking
    Learn momos, tsampa and yak butter tea with a local family in Lhasa.
  • Everest From Tibet
    Travel to Rongbuk Monastery and stand near Everest's powerful north-side view.
  • Kathmandu Street Energy
    Finish among old bazaars, temple courtyards, bead stalls and layered Nepalese city life.
This is not a soft-focus sightseeing trip; it is a true overland adventure through altitude, rail travel, monastery towns and Himalayan roads. The reward is huge: Beijing's imperial scale, Tibet's spiritual depth, Everest's silence and Kathmandu's wonderfully busy finish.
Itinerary
Beijing
Great Wall / Train To The Roof Of The World
Train To The Roof Of The World
Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa
Gyantse
Shigatse
Shigatse
Sakya
Everest National Park
Kyirong
Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Tour program
  • Welcome to China. Arrive in Beijing, where your high-altitude adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You will meet your trip leader and fellow travelers, go over important details and get settled into the rhythm of the group. Afterward, you may want to head out together for an optional dinner. Beijing is a strong place to begin with Peking duck, and your leader can suggest good local restaurants.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Optional activities
    • Beijing - Forbidden City - CNY60
    • Beijing - Lama Temple entrance fee - CNY25
    • Beijing - Temple of Heaven entrance fee - CNY40
    • Beijing - Summer Palace entrance fee - CNY30
    • Beijing - Panjiayuan Antique Market - Free
  • Special information
    Please attend the welcome meeting, as insurance details and emergency contact information are collected then. If you expect to be late, tell your travel agent or hotel reception. Check at reception or look for a lobby note for the meeting location. The Forbidden City limits daily visitors to 30,000, and tickets are in demand year-round, especially in July and August.
  • Start early with a drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved areas near Beijing. The climb to reach the wall takes about 30 minutes up steep steps, but the payoff is classic: watchtowers, mountain ridges and the wall stretching across the horizon. Later, return to the city and transfer to Beijing West Railway Station, one of the busiest stations in the world, to board the long train to Lhasa.
  • Accommodation
    Overnight hard sleeper train - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Included activities
    • Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
  • Special information
    Today's road travel time is approximately 2 hours, and walking time is approximately 2 hours. Wear sturdy shoes. The train journey to Lhasa is approximately 45 hours in total, though occasional schedule interruptions can happen. The train uses hard-sleeper cabins: open-plan, clean compartments with padded three-tier berths, usually six people per compartment. Sheets, pillows and a blanket are provided, but bringing your own sleep sheet is recommended. Hot drinking water is available, so a mug and spoon are useful if you plan to make tea, coffee or instant meals. Toilets and washbasins are at the end of each carriage, and toilet paper is not always stocked. Upgrades are usually not possible once on board. Depending on ticket availability and group size, the group may be split between compartments, but your leader will assist.
  • Today belongs to the train. Settle in, watch the scenery change and let the scale of the route sink in as the railway moves through Xi'an, Lanzhou, Xining and the wide Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Look for open grasslands, grazing yaks and sheep, distant lakes and dark mountain ridges. Overnight, the train gains altitude, and moonlit cliffs and snow-dusted peaks can appear outside the window.
  • Accommodation
    Overnight hard sleeper train - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Special information
    Much of this rail journey takes place at high altitude. Some travelers experience altitude sickness regardless of age or fitness level. Compartments have oxygen available for passengers, and there is a doctor on board each train if medical help is needed.
  • Arrive in Lhasa after lunch and step into crisp mountain air at 3656 meters. This holy city sits in a small valley and has long held deep cultural and spiritual importance. After two nights on the train, check into the hotel later in the afternoon and take the rest of the day slowly. Your main job today is to acclimatize, drink water, move gently and let your body catch up with the altitude.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Special information
    Lhasa's elevation is 3656 meters. Taking it easy and acclimatizing properly is very important when traveling at high altitude.
  • Begin your first full day in Lhasa with a walking tour of the Old Town. Join the flow of pilgrims on Barkhor Street, the sacred route that circles Jokhang Temple, where Tibetan Buddhists walk clockwise in a meditative kora. Around midday, visit a local family to learn how tsampa, yak butter tea and momos are made, then share lunch. Later, visit Sera Monastery and watch monks debate in the courtyards, a lively tradition full of claps, gestures and sharp exchanges.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    • Lunch
  • Included activities
    • Lhasa - Sera Monastery and monk debating
    • Lhasa - Tibetan cooking class
    • Lhasa - Old Town and Barkhor Street walking tour
  • Special information
    In Tibet, local regulations require you to stay with the group when visiting sites. If you want to do additional sightseeing, discuss it with your trip leader. Many cultural and historical sites in Tibet are temples and monasteries, and the amount of information can feel intense. Pace yourself, ask your leader about the things that interest you most and speak up if you need quieter time rather than another religious site visit.
  • Visit Potala Palace this morning, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, rising about 130 meters above the city. With a local guide, learn about the White Palace, once used for secular administration, and the Red Palace, home to chapels, shrines and tombs. Later, visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet's most sacred temple and a constant draw for pilgrims. The legend says the temple was finally built over an ancient sacred lake after earlier attempts elsewhere failed. After the visit, enjoy free time. A Tibetan tea house is a good place to try sweet milk tea or savory yak butter tea and watch local life unfold.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Included activities
    • Lhasa - Potala Palace; Lhasa - Jokhang Temple
  • Special information
    Potala Palace is Lhasa's most popular attraction and can be very crowded. Tickets are issued for limited entry periods, and visitors must follow a strict viewing schedule. You cannot wander through freely, but the visit remains one of the most impressive architectural experiences in the region.
  • Travel across a dramatic stretch of the Tibetan Plateau toward Gyantse, crossing high passes and winding through valleys and peaks. The road passes Yamdrok Lake, climbs Khama La Pass and gives views toward Noijin Kangsang, a major peak in the Lhagoi Kangri range. Stop in the roadside town of Nangartse for lunch, then continue over Karo La Pass before descending to Gyantse. This small rural town offers a different look at Tibetan life: pilgrims, pop music, cows, motorbikes and monks all sharing the same streets.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Included activities
    • Gyantse - Yamdrok Lake
  • Special information
    Today's total travel time is approximately 8 hours. Accommodation in Tibet outside Lhasa can be basic, with limited options. Hot showers may be sporadic and plumbing can be unreliable. Hotels use twin-share rooms, while guesthouses and Tibetan tents may use gender-based multi-share rooms with shared facilities.
  • This morning, visit the Gyantse Kumbum on the grounds of Pelkor Chode Monastery. The six-level stupa has small chapels, narrow passages and an atmosphere thick with incense as you move upward through the structure. Later, there may be a chance to have a simple lunch in a family home, where conversation and hospitality give a more personal view of life in Tibet. After lunch, continue to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. The afternoon is free, and the local bazaar is a good place to browse.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    • Lunch
  • Included activities
    • Gyantse - Tibetan family visit and lunch
    • Gyantse - Pelkor Chode Monastery
    • Gyantse - Kumbum
  • Special information
    Today's total travel time is approximately 2 hours.
  • Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery with your group leader this morning. The monastery's buildings are filled with religious imagery, detailed decoration and long-held stories. Ask for directions to the Chapel of Jampa, where you can pause near one of the world's largest gilded statues. Outside Kelsang Temple, the courtyard is a strong place to observe pilgrims and monks preparing for ceremonies. In the evening, you may want to join pilgrims on the kora, a one-hour prayer circuit around the monastery perimeter.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Included activities
    • Shigatse - Tashilhunpo Monastery
  • Continue west to Sakya, a town whose name refers to the area's grey earth. Sakya Monastery was founded in 1073 and originally stood in two sections on opposite sides of the Zhongqu River, though the northern section was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The Southern Monastery is built in a medieval Mongolian style, with red, white and grey colors honoring three important Buddhist Tulkus. You will have time inside its walls to see shrines, temples and monastic residences. Afterward, your leader takes you to a local nunnery, where you can meet the resident nuns and share a warm, simple exchange even without a common language.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Included activities
    • Sakya - Sakya Monastery
    • Sakya - Nunnery visit
  • Special information
    Today's total travel time is approximately 4 hours.
  • The drive into Everest National Park is one of the trip's biggest days. On arrival, leave your main luggage in the vehicle and take an overnight bag on the park shuttle to Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery. On a clear day, Everest, known in Tibetan as Qomolangma, rises behind the stupa. Share tea with a resident monk, learn about life at the monastery and take part in a short meditation surrounded by high Himalayan stillness. Tonight's accommodation is in yak-hair tents or a guesthouse. You can relax, walk to the Everest Base Camp Monument Stone, the closest visitors can get to base camp on the Tibetan side, or possibly hike to the upper monastery and caves where monks meditated centuries ago.
  • Accommodation
    Permanent tent camp or guesthouse - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Included activities
    • Everest National Park - Rongbuk Monastery
    • Everest National Park - Base Camp Monument on the Chinese side
    • Rongbuk Monastery - Meditation and tea at the world's highest monastery
  • Special information
    Today's total travel time is approximately 6 hours. In summer, accommodation is usually near Rongbuk Monastery in a tent city along the road to Everest Base Camp. Nomad-style tents sleep up to seven people with basic bedding provided, but a sleep sheet and warm clothing are recommended for cold nights. Basic pit toilets are nearby. In colder months, accommodation is usually in the monastery guesthouse or a nearby town, with quad-share rooms and very simple shared facilities. Everest Base Camp can close without advance notice because of political issues, weather, landslides or other reasons. When possible, travelers will be warned in advance, but closure can happen suddenly. In that case, the group will likely stay in Old Tingri, where Everest may still be visible in clear weather.
  • Take one last close look toward Everest before starting the long drive toward the Tibet-Nepal border. The route moves from the stark highlands of Tibet toward the deeper alpine valley around Kyirong, the nearest town to the border. Tonight, relax and have dinner with your Tibetan leader, who says goodbye to the group tomorrow.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Special information
    Today's total travel time is approximately 10 hours. If road repairs are scheduled on the Nepal side, the group may need to travel to Zhangmu instead. This should not affect overall travel time, and your leader will advise which border route is being used.
  • Cross from Tibet into Nepal this morning. Your Tibetan leader and driver say goodbye at the border, and you will pass through immigration and customs unaccompanied. Once you are through, your Nepal leader will be waiting on the other side. The border process can be slow, depending on lines and overall traffic, so patience helps. After formalities are complete, continue to Kathmandu. On arrival in the late afternoon, follow your Nepal leader on an orientation walk through the busy capital.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Special information
    Today's travel time is approximately 9 to 10 hours, including breaks and the border crossing. If you plan to get a Nepal visa on arrival, confirm your eligibility in advance and carry cash in USD. A 15-day single-entry visa costs USD 30. It is also recommended to carry around USD 20 for meals and drinks during the drive to Kathmandu. You may be able to exchange USD into Nepalese rupees along the way, but exchange rates are usually better in Kathmandu, so only change small amounts if needed. Be cautious at the Nepal border if anyone approaches claiming they can handle the border process for you. Do not follow them or hand over documents or belongings. Your EurotourClub representative or local partner will clearly identify themselves at the Nepalese border.
  • Explore Kathmandu's Old Town with your leader this morning. Walk through the ancient streets of the Kathmandu Valley, including Asan Tole and Indra Chowk Bazaar, where daily life spills into lanes filled with color, sound, market stalls, temples and stupas. You will also see the Pote bazaar, where married Hindu women buy traditional beads, often made by Muslim families who form much of the market's vendor community. Nearby is Seto Machindranath Temple, a place of worship for both Hindus and Buddhists. The afternoon is free. You might visit Durbar Square, see Swayambhunath Stupa or gather with the group in the evening for a final local meal.
  • Accommodation
    Hotel - 1 night
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
  • Included activities
    • Kathmandu - Leader-led old city walking tour
  • There are no scheduled activities today, and you are free to leave the accommodation at any time. If you want more time in Kathmandu, arrange extra accommodation before the trip.
  • Meals
    There are no meals included on this day.
By the end, the trip feels less like a line from Beijing to Kathmandu and more like a slow climb through faith, altitude, patience and mountain light.
Inclusions and activities
  • Destination
    Nepal
    China
  • Meals
    2 lunches
  • Transport
    Overnight Sleeper Train, Private Bus, Public Bus
  • Accommodation
    Hotel (11 nights), Overnight Hard Sleeper Train (2 nights), Permanent Tented Camp/Guesthouse (1 night)
  • Optional activities
    • Beijing - Forbidden City - CNY60
    • Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
    • Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
    • Beijing - Summer Palace (entrance fee) - CNY30
    • Beijing - Panjiayuan Antique Market - Free
  • Included activities
    • Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
    • Lhasa - Sera Monastery & Monk Debating
    • Lhasa - Tibetan cooking class
    • Lhasa - Old town and Barkhor Street walking tour
    • Lhasa - Potala Palace
    • Lhasa - Jokhang Temple
    • Gyantse - Yamdrok Lake
    • Gyantse - Tibetan family visit & lunch
    • Gyantse - Pelkor Chode Monastery
    • Gyantse - Kumbum
    • Shigatse - Tashilhunpo Monastery
    • Sakya - Sakya Monastery
    • Sakya - Nunery visit
    • Everest National Park - Rongphu Monastery
    • Everest National Park - Base Camp Monument (Chinese side)
    • Rongbu Monastery - Meditation & Tea (at the highest monastery in the world)
    • Kathmandu - Leader-led old city walking tour
Planning a group trip? Contact our manager at info@eurotourclub.com — we’ll help you organize every detail for a smooth and unforgettable journey.
Trip moments from our travelers
Before you book you should know
Is this trip right for you?
This trip spends significant time at high altitude, including Lhasa at 3656 meters, Gyantse around 4000 meters, Sakya above 4300 meters and Everest National Park around 5200 meters. Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness or travel experience. Read the medical and health information carefully before booking and speak with a doctor if you have concerns.
The Beijing-to-Lhasa train is a major part of the adventure. It is a long two-night journey in hard-sleeper class, with six-berth open-plan compartments, shared carriage bathrooms and no showers. The scenery is extraordinary, but the facilities are practical rather than polished.
There have been recent cases where foreign groups were not permitted by the Chinese Railway Bureau to travel from Beijing to Lhasa by train without advance notice or a stated reason. You must carry an emergency fund of USD 500 in cash in case the group is affected and needs to fly from Beijing to Lhasa instead.
This itinerary includes many monasteries, temples and sacred sites. They are central to understanding the region, but some travelers can feel overloaded by the amount of religious and historical information. Take breaks when you can and talk with your leader if you need to pace your visits.
Some accommodation is basic, especially outside Lhasa and near Everest. Hot water may be limited or unavailable, power can be inconsistent, and some rooms may be multi-share. A flexible attitude will make the experience much better.
Time in Beijing and Kathmandu is limited. If either city is high on your personal list, consider booking extra nights before or after the tour.
Please review the transport details for Nepal, including information about plane travel, related risks and safety measures if those apply to your wider travel plans.
Visa information
Visa details are provided through Sherpa, a third-party service. The “Add connection” feature only shows transit visa requirements, not full entry visas. Additional service fees apply if you purchase a visa via Sherpa.
Accommodation
Accommodation includes 11 nights in hotels, 2 nights on an overnight hard-sleeper train and 1 night in a permanent tented camp or guesthouse. The exact style listed in the day-by-day itinerary is a guide and may change if preferred accommodation is unavailable. In that case, a similar standard will be arranged where possible.
Hotels are asked to prepare rooms before the group arrives, especially after early arrivals, but immediate check-in is not always possible. If rooms are not ready, luggage can usually be stored while the group explores. On some trips, shared day rooms may be available until individual rooms are ready.
Hotel mattresses in this region can feel firmer than what many American travelers are used to. If needed, ask about an extra quilt or bedding.
Smoking is common in China, and hotels often do not offer dedicated non-smoking rooms. Larger hotels with central air conditioning may carry smoke odors between rooms. Rooms are requested clean and well ventilated before use, but smoke smell can still linger. Speak with your leader if you need help requesting a different room.
Wi-Fi is often available in hotel reception areas and sometimes in rooms. Your leader can advise where to get connected.
Hard-sleeper trains in China are open-plan, clean and practical, with six padded berths per compartment plus sheets, blanket or quilt and pillow. Basic toilets and washbasins are at the end of each carriage. Bring toilet paper, and consider bringing a sleep sheet. Most trains have a dining carriage or snacks, and hot water is available for tea or instant noodles. Compartments are not separated by gender, and you may share with locals or other travelers outside your group. Your leader will help everyone settle in.
In Tibet, accommodation standards vary widely and can be basic, especially outside Lhasa. Hot water and power may be inconsistent, and facilities may feel older due to limited development in the region. At the Everest Base Camp section, the seasonal tented camp uses spacious nomad-style tents with dormitory-style single beds, solid flooring and a central heating stove. There are no showers, and toilets are primitive, but the north-face Everest view is the tradeoff.
Joining point
King Parkview Hotel, also known as Huayu Hotel, No. 55 Shatan Hou Street, Dong Cheng District, Beijing 100009, China.
Phone: +86 (010) 5875 7888.
The hotel is centrally located near Jinshan Park, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the National Art Museum and Beijing's hutong area. Rooms include private bathrooms, TV and air conditioning. Some rooms may include a vanity pack that is not complimentary, and charges may apply if it is opened or used.
An airport arrival transfer can be booked with EurotourClub. Provide flight details no later than 14 days before departure. Meeting points vary by terminal, so check your transfer instructions carefully. The driver will hold a sign with your name and EurotourClub or local partner identification. The maximum waiting time is 2.5 hours after flight arrival. If your flight is canceled or changed, immigration or baggage claim is severely delayed, or you cannot find the driver, contact the local office using the emergency contact details provided in your travel documents. Beijing airports are clearly signed but can be very busy, so allow extra patience.
Dates and prices
Lock in your trip with a 50% flexible deposit
  • Starting
    Wednesday 8 Oct 2025
  • Ending
    Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
  • Prices from
    $1500 $1800
  • Sunday 12 Oct 2025
  • Sunday 19 Oct 2025
  • $1800
  • Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
  • Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
  • $1800
  • Sunday 19 Oct 2025
  • Sunday 26 Oct 2025
  • $1500 $1800
  • Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
  • Wednesday 29 Oct 2025
  • $1500 $1800
Starting Wednesday 8 Oct 2025
Ending Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800
Starting Sunday 12 Oct 2025
Ending Sunday 19 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800
Starting Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
Ending Wednesday 22 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800
Starting Sunday 19 Oct 2025
Ending Sunday 26 Oct 2025
$1500 $1800

Important notes

  1. To apply for your Tibet entry permit and purchase the train ticket to Lhasa, you must provide a scanned color copy of the personal details page of your passport and your Chinese visa to your booking agent no later than 40 days before the trip starts. You also need to provide your current profession at the same time. When applying for your Chinese visa, do not mention travel to Tibet. First apply for the Chinese visa as instructed, and then the Tibet group permit will be arranged on your behalf. Check the Essential Trip Information for full details.
  2. In recent years, restrictions have sometimes been placed on certain nationalities traveling on specific departures, and Tibet has occasionally closed to foreign tourists without warning.
  3. You must bring an emergency fund of USD 500 in cash. This may be needed if foreign groups are denied Beijing-to-Lhasa train tickets because of a government decision and alternative travel plans are required.
  4. A single supplement may be available if you prefer not to share a room. It excludes Day 2 and Day 3 on the overnight sleeper train and Day 11 at the permanent tent camp or guesthouse, where shared accommodation is used. Availability is limited, so ask your booking agent for details.
  5. Carrying images of the Dalai Lama or the Tibetan flag is a criminal offense and may lead to confiscation, detention, arrest or imprisonment by Chinese authorities.
  6. Travel in China relies heavily on local payment apps, especially WeChat and Alipay. Install them before departure and have a data package ready. Do not rely on credit cards as your main payment method in China.
  7. While traveling in China, social media and some websites will not be accessible. You may consider installing a VPN before travel if you need access to blocked sites or apps. Check the Essential Trip Information for details.
  8. Some items are prohibited on trains and flights in China. Review the packing section of the Essential Trip Information before departure.
Reviews
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