Tour Duration: 13 days
Tour Catalog: Private Tour, Sightseeing
Optimal Season: Late April to end October
Discount Price Valid: in 2009-2010-2010
Destination: 
In Chengdu:Leshan Giant Buddha, Giant Panda Feeding and Research Base
In Tibet:Potala Palace,Johkang Temple, Sera Monastery,Drepung Monastery,Gyantse Kunbum,Shigatse, Tashlunpo Moanstery,Everest Base Camp, Rongpu Monastery,Namtso Lake,Yangpachen Hot Spring

What Are The Features? 

Start Tibet Train Tour from Chengdu
Enjoy the world famous cuisine, visit the adorable giant panda and the world biggest cliff carved seating Buhhda in Chengdu
 The highest Train Journey in the world
train travel is the most wonderful section of Qinghai-Tibet railway, you will see land of snows, desert, grassland, ice mountain and travel along the lakeside which will strongly go to your heart.
 World Heritage & North Side Everest
In this 8 days tour,you will not only have a  chance to see the beauty of the Lhasa city,such as:Potala Palace,Jokhang Temple,Sera Monastery,Drepung Monastery,but also you can have a look of Yamdroktso Lake,Tashilunpo Monastery,Rongphu Monastery and you even can have a more specific view of the life of the Everest Base Camp.
  Camp by Namtso Lake
 A Free Tibetan Style dinner and Show in Local Tibetan Restaurant as a gift for each travelers

Itinerary

Section 1 1Day Chengdu Tour and 3 days train journey
D01 Arrive in Chengdu
Chengdu Airport welcome service by our English tour guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel, check in the hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
Remark
If you arrive in Chengdu in the morning and you want to look around in downtown, our guide will do this favor to show you around in Chengdu in the afternoon like tea house, Chunxi road, Wuhou Temple and etc, by taxi on your own.You may ask for to drive to Leshan upon you arrival to visit Giant Buddha, and overnight in Leshan, then visit Giant Panda on Day02.The private tour arrangement is quite flexible and adjustable according to your requirement.

Overnight in Chengdu, Wenjun Mansion (In Chengdu) 

D02 Giant Panda and Giant Buddha Tour(B) (Leave Chengdu to Tibet at night)
07:10 am, our guide will Pick you up from your hotel, then drive to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base, only in the early morning 8:00am-9:30am. you will have chance to see Giant Panda eating bamboo, that is why we set out so early. Around 10:00am, we drive to Leshan, after have lunch in leshan, board a tour boat to have a panoramic view of the biggest carved Buddha statue in the world. Then drive back to Chengdu. Catch train to Tibet after having lunch.(Train information:Train code, T22, depart from Chengdu at 20:36)

Overnight on the train, soft sleeper berth

D03-D04 Train Journey to Tibet
You will have about 48hours train journey to Tibet, at the 3^rd day, you will go through the most wonderful section of Qinghai-Tibet railway, to see land of snows, desert, grassland, ice mountain and travel along the lakeside which will strongly go to your heart. Arrive in Lhasa at 17:21 on the 3rd day

Overnight in Lhasa, New Mandala Hotel 3 star, or the counterparts

Tips: acclimatize to high altitude at first two days in Lhasa
1.Usually, the Tibet train is full with Oxygen when it is driving on high plateau, you have been acclimatized during your continuously raising train Journey. But the chances to be suffer from the High altitude sickness is still exist, If you still feel lack of oxygen, you can take the oxygen in the hotel, clinic or hospital. but please try to avoid taking oxygen and adapt to high altitude by yourself  if you do not feel too bad,becuase there is still a long way to go, if you quite depend on oxygen, you would be hard to adapt to higher altitude at Shigatse,Rongpu Monastery and Everest,which are above 3400m.

2.Please don't take shower at the first two days when you are in Lhasa, it is easy to catch cold and make you feel exhausted. 
3.Any alcohol is forbiden at the first two days when you are in Lhasa, otherwise you might be suffered from High Altitude Sickness.

Section 2 2 days Sightseeing in Lhasa city
Day05 Lhasa Sightseeing: Potala Palace /Jokhang Temple(B)
Today you will visit Potola Palace, Jokhang Temple,bustling bazaar along the Barkhor Street.Today, you will enjoy 1-2 hours feature service of meditation,including teaching and learning,under the guidance of a knowledgeable Lama in Jokhang Temple.
We guratee your visit to Potala Palace, no matter how busy the entrance ticket purchasing is.
Overnight at Lhasa 

Day06 Lhasa Sigtseeing: Sera/Drepung Moanstery (B)
The escorted  today will cover some other two important Monasteries in Lhasa - the Drepung Monastery, the Sera Monastery.Also you will visit the famous Dalai lama summer palace - Norbulingka and Tibet History Museum which is rebuilt at the end of 2008.
Overnight at Lhasa

Section 3 2 days Namtso Lake Tour
Day07 Lhasa/Namtso Lake ( 250km, 4 hours driving, asphalt road in good condition, 4178mrade)
In the morning around 08:00am, our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel, then we leave Lhasa to Namtso Lake. On the way you will see the huge grassland of Naqu.Then the Nyenchen Thanglha snow mountain ranges appear in front of you, and also you will pass the Nagela Pass. Namtso Lake is the Heavenly lake which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet (other two is Yamdrotso lake, at Shigatse area, Lake Manasarova at Nagri) and also the highest salt lake. You can do a very relax  trekking around the lake side and Zhaxi Island. You can enjoy the sunset by the lake.                                                    
Overnight at Namtso Tent guest house

Day 08 Namtso lake/ Yangpachen hotspring/ Lhasa (250km, 4hours driving)
Morning time to see the sunrise beside the holy lake , then back to Lhasa, on the way back , you will have a chance to enjoy the hot-spring at Yangbachen( from 30-60RMB/p.p). Arrive in Lhasa, end the wonderful trip.
Overnight at Lhasa

Section 4 4 days Shigatse and Everest Base Camp Tour
Day09 Lhasa/Yamdrotso lake/Gyangtse/ Shigatse ( 500km, 6hours driving, asphalt road in good condition , 3900m, 15-19 centigrade) (B)
Morning time around 08:00am depart from Lhasa pass Gangbala Mt. which is over than 5000m, then to Yamdrotso lake which is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet (another 2 is Namtso lake and Manasarova), after visiting Gyangtse Kumbum and having a far view of Zongshan ruins,arrive in Shigatse
Overnight at Shigatse 

Day10 Shigatse/Lhatse/Tingri/ Rongphu Monastery( 340km, 8 hours driving, 4980m) (B)
Take the Friend-ship way to pass Lhatse to Tingri. One the way you will pass the checking point with your TTB permit, travel permit and passport. Then pass by Tingri. Buy the entrance of Everest Base Camp. From Tingri to E.B.C with the very rough road, pass the wild grassland, cross the rapids river and high mountains. During this route,you can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which is 8000m high or more,such as:Mt. Lhotse(8516m),Mt. Everest(8848m),Mt. Qowowuyag(8201m),Mt Mayalu(8463m). Then arrive at Rongphu Monastery.  
Overnight at Rongphu

Tips: Why live at Rongpu Rongpu Monastery
Generally speaking, although the altitude of Rongpu Monastery is 5200m, most healthy travelers are able to live in Rongpu without feeling uncomfortable. We strongly advice you to live at Rongpu Monastery for 1 night. As of our experience in mountain area, Everest can be seen much clearer in the morning than at noon. If you live in Rongpu Monastery, it takes 10 minutes walking to the viewing platform to see the clear Mt.Everest in the morning, on the contrary, living in Tingri might lead you to a bad result that you can not see the clear face of Mt.Everest at noon. 

Day11 Rongphu Monastery/ Evrest Base Camp/ Tingri/ Shigatse ( 340km, 8hours drving, most good road, 4980m) 
Early in the moring to see the sunrise from Rongphu then to view Mt. Everest. It is fabulous and splendid.After walking arrive the place get on the animal carriage then use half of an hour arrive at Everest Base camp ( Or you also can trekking to Base Camp around 1.5-2 hours one way. It's interesting and much more warm, but hard to breath). Hiking up to the top of the photo point to take pictures of the splendid- Mt. Everest. Then late in the afternoon around 13:00 go down from E.B.C back to Tingri by friend-ship highway back to Shigaste.  
Overnight at Shigatse

Day12 Shigatse/ Lhasa ( 300km, 6 hours,  asphalt road in good condition)   
Morning time to visit TashiLumpo Monastery which was Built in1447 , spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas, then driving back with the Friend-ship Highway back to Lhasa. 
Overnight at Lhasa

Section 5  half a days seeing off at airport
Day13 Lhasa airport dropping off
Morning time Lhasa airport/Train staion dropping off, end tour

Winter Discounted Price Quotation

Seasons/Group Size	1  Traveler	2  Travelers	3 Travelers	4  Travelers	Single Room  Supplement
Low Season Nov to next March	-	-	-	-	-
Shoulder Season May, June, October	$	$	$	$	$
Peak Season July to September	$	$	$	$	$
Remark: 1.Prices listed in the table above refers to per person. 2.Rate USD/CNY 6.7, this reference price may be adjusted due to current exchange rate and market situation. 3.This price quotation contains excellent service but NOT luxurious. If you consider it expensive or you need better service, we CAN still change the detailed service according to your requirements. 4.Price we offered is valid in 2009-2010, If you are looking for a tour after 2009, please ask for an update price quotation by then--the price in the table is just for reference due to the possibly elastic market circumstance. Advance Booking Policy One-Month Advance Purchase get 10% discounted off

Tour Includesions and Exclusions
1.  All Breakfast (Remarked in the itinerary, expect Breakfast on the train)
2.  Transport:
In Chengdu, private car or Mini Van, One day Giant Panda and Giant Buddha tour,Airport pick up/train station drop off
D05-D06 In Lhasa City, Taxi
D07-D12 Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse-Lhasa,, Totoya 4500 4WD
Airport pick up and drop off in Tibet, Mini Van
3.  Accommodation:10 nights twin room, 2 nights on the train, soft sleeper berth
4.  Guide: English and Japanese-speaking guide available
5.  Entrance tickets of scenic and historic
6.  Tibet Entry permit & PSB Travel permit
7.  Travel Insurance
8.  The entrance fee for 4WD in Mt. Everest Nature Reserve
9.  The entrance fee for Guide in Mt. Everest Nature Reserve
10. Environment friendly car from Rongpu Monastery to Everest Base Camp
11. Oxygen supply on 4WD
12. Government Tax
13.  Train Tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa, Train T22,soft sleeper berth,departure very two days
Train Frequency (Year 2009):
Odd Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/Oct,  Even Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/Dec
please check the detailed train schedule when you plan the itinerary.

Excluded Service
1. Flight to Chengdu
2. Your own expense;
3. Tips for the guide and driver.around 10USD per person per day.
4. Lunches and Dinner,around 15USD per person per day

Accommodation in This Tour

Clerks in the hotels we recommended can Speak English.All the hotels are popular with foreign tourists and good value for money

 Wenjun Mansion (In Chengdu)

Class: 
Breakfast: Buffet, both Chinese and Western
 Heating/Air conditioner
English Speaking Service
Hot water: 24 Hours; TV: available
Location: Qintai Ancient Style Street in downtown
Room Size:32 square metter
Rivate Bath Room
 Internet available
Single Room Suit:Available, but 10USD surcharge

 Soft Sleeper Berth(On the Train) 

  Class: First Class, soft sleeper berth
  Chinese Style Breakfast: milk,bread,conjee,egg. not included in price quotation
  Heating/Airconditioner
  Chinese Speaking Service
  One car share a bathroom
  12 Private Compartmant in a Car
  Room Size: 4 berth, 2 upper berths and 2 lower berths 
  Hot water: 24 Hours; TV: available
  Location: Next to Restaurant Car 
   

Manzhai Hotel (In Lhasa)

  Class:
  Free Breakfast/Buffet
  Heating/Airconditioner 
  English Speaking Service
  Private Bath Room
  Location:Old Town,close to Jokhang Temple 
  Single Room:Available
  Hot water: 24 Hours
  Internet Cafe
   

Wuzi Grand Hotel(In Shigatse) 

  Class:
  Free Breakfast/Buffet
  Heating/Airconditioner 
  English Speaking Service
  Private Bath Room
  Location:Old Town,close to Jokhang Temple 
  Room Type:Twin room or Single room
  Hot water: 24 Hours
  Internet Cafe
   

Namtso Tent Guest House(by Namtso)  

  Class: Guest House
  Breakfast/Egg,Noodle,Cake,Milk,included in price quotation
  No Heater or Heating
  Chinese Speaking Service
  Sharing Bathroom
  Location: by Namtso Lake
  Room Type: 2-4 beds room 
  Hot water: Hot water bottle supply
  Decor: Tibetan Tent
   

Rongpu Moanstery Everest Hotel(At Rongpu Monastery)

  Class:
  Breakfast/Egg,Noodle,Cake,Milk,included in price quotation
  Hot water bottle or electric blanket provide by travel agency in winter
  Room Type:Twin room
  Private Bath Room
  Chinese Speaking Service
  Location:50 metter from north of Rongpu
  Hot water: 7-9a.m, 8-10p.m
 

 Accommodation Alternatives 

The hotels we provide range from Budget Guest House to Luxury 5 star hotel, if you are looking for better or Cheaper,please visit our hotel list and give us an order to indicate more detailed requirementsIn Shigatse
Tibet Hotel  

Vehicle used in this tour

Compared with other city in China,there is no car rental for tour in Tibet,only Vans,4WDs,Minibuses are avialable.
Due to the rough road condition from Tingri to Everest Base Camp, 4WD plays main role for Everest  Base Camp Tour. compared with Van, the cost for 4WD is much higher, usually 3-3.5CNY/km in low season and 4-5.5CNY/km in peakseason. Most of our drivers are local Tibetan with at least 5 yesrs driving experience in Tibet, some of them can speak good English.All of the 4WD are in good conditions and looks new.
* Type of 4WD: Toyota 4500
* Optimal number of Travelers: 1-4
* Airconditioned
* Comfort Level: Good
   


Road from Tingri to Everest

Warm Notes

1. All of road from Yamtso Lake to Langkazi was repaired in 2007
2. At high altitude sleeping at Rongbu is so cold hard to sleep suggest to overnight at warm Tinggri then safely arrive at E.B.C. 
( If you also prefer accommodation at Rongbu please tell us then we can try our best to do the arrangement to make you feel better,but the itinerary will be changed)
3.  During the raining season sometimes the weather will be not good enough to see the Mt. Everest. But you also have a chance to see the surrouding high snow mountain with fabulous view.
4. Take very warm clothes and shoes with you to Mt. Evrest so that you can focous on the wonderful scenery.
5. You had better take some fast food like cookie chocolate with you because there is not so much delicious food from Tinggri to E.B.C.  

Interested in this tour? Please send us an tour inquiry about the detail.