Tour overview

This 15-day journey crosses the roof of the world from Beijing to Kathmandu, with a leader and a group of no more than twelve. You stay in hotels, spend two nights on the sleeper train to Lhasa and one night in a permanent tent camp or guesthouse near Everest; most meals are left free.

After a visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu you board the train for the 45-hour ride across China onto the Tibetan Plateau. In Lhasa you see monks debating at Sera, walk the pilgrim circuit of the Barkhor, join a cooking class and visit the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

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Driving west past the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, you visit the Kumbum stupa in Gyantse, Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and the grey monastery of Sakya, before a night in Everest National Park with views of the north face. The journey ends crossing into Nepal and descending to Kathmandu.

The physical rating is medium, with high altitude and basic facilities in places. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want an epic overland journey.

Trip highlights

  • The Great Wall at Mutianyu (Day 2)
  • The train to Lhasa (Days 2–4)
  • The Potala Palace (Day 6)
  • Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse (Day 7)
  • A night near Everest Base Camp (Day 11)
  • Kathmandu (Days 13–14)

Your route

10 stops from Beijing to Kathmandu

15-day route: Beijing – Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse – Sakya – Everest – Kathmandu
  1. Beijing Days 1–3
  2. Mutianyu Great Wall Day 2
  3. Lhasa Days 4–6
  4. Yamdrok Lake Day 7
  5. Gyantse Day 7
  6. Shigatse Days 8–9
  7. Sakya Day 10
  8. Everest National Park Day 11
  9. Kyirong Day 12
  10. Kathmandu Days 13–15

Why choose this tour

An overland journey across the Himalaya. A night beneath Everest's north face.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • Rail and overland lovers
  • Photographers
  • Solo travellers
Mount Everest's north face from Tibet

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Beijing, China to Kathmandu, Nepal

  1. Day 1 · Beijing Beijing

    Welcome to China.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing Sleeper train

    The Great Wall and the train.

    Hotel
    Sleeper train
  3. Day 3 · Tibetan Plateau Sleeper train

    Across the plateau.

    Hotel
    Sleeper train
  4. Day 4 · Lhasa Lhasa

    Arrive in Lhasa.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  5. Day 5 · Barkhor, Sera Monastery Lhasa

    The Old Town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple Lhasa

    The Potala Palace.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  7. Day 7 · Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse Gyantse

    Across the plateau.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  8. Day 8 · Gyantse Kumbum, Shigatse Shigatse

    The Kumbum.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  9. Day 9 · Tashilhunpo Monastery Shigatse

    Tashilhunpo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  10. Day 10 · Sakya Monastery Sakya

    Grey earth.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  11. Day 11 · Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp Everest National Park

    Beneath Everest.

    Hotel
    Permanent tent camp or guesthouse
  12. Day 12 · Kyirong Kyirong

    Towards Nepal.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  13. Day 13 · Kathmandu Kathmandu

    Into Nepal.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  14. Day 14 · Kathmandu Old Town Kathmandu

    Kathmandu.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  15. Day 15 · Kathmandu Kathmandu

    The trip ends.

Yamdrok Lake beneath the Himalaya

Where you stay

  • Beijing (1 night) Hotel
  • Beijing to Lhasa (2 nights) Sleeper train
  • Lhasa (3 nights) Hotel
  • Gyantse (1 night) Hotel
  • Shigatse (2 nights) Hotel
  • Sakya (1 night) Hotel
  • Everest National Park (1 night) Permanent tent camp or guesthouse
  • Kyirong (1 night) Hotel
  • Kathmandu (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 11 hotel nights, 2 on the train and 1 near Everest
  • Meals 2 lunches
  • Beijing–Lhasa sleeper train
  • Overland transport across Tibet to Kathmandu
  • Great Wall, Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
  • Tibetan cooking class and monastery visits
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 14 dinners
  • China and Nepal visas
  • Most meals
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A golden stupa in the Tibetan mountains

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You have problems at high altitude
  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You want most meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: none included · Lunch: Days 5 and 8 · Dinner: none included
A stream across the Tibetan Plateau

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,870 per person, twin share, tour only. 34 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for China?

UK citizens can currently visit China visa-free for short stays; check the latest rules before travel.

Do I need a permit for Tibet?

Yes, a Tibet Travel Permit is required and is arranged locally as part of the trip.

How high does the trip go?

Much of Tibet is above 3,500 m and Everest Base Camp is about 5,000 m, so take altitude seriously.

What is the night near Everest like?

A simple permanent tent camp or guesthouse with basic facilities.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £2,870
See dates & prices