Tibet: Beijing to Kathmandu Overland

Live the high life on an overland adventure from Beijing to Kathmandu

Go on an epic 5000-km overland journey from imperial Beijing, through the mystical land of Tibet, to Nepal’s compact capital, Kathmandu. Experience one of the world’s greatest train journeys, discover the highland haven of Lhasa and visit the world’s highest monastery in the heart of the Himalayas. You’ll find temples aplenty, divine landscapes and unbeatable views of Mt Everest. Celebrating Buddhist cultures past and present, this insightful journey to the Roof of the World is simply unforgettable.

Trip code: CBST

Start: Beijing, China

End: Kathmandu, Nepal


Duration
15 days
Group size
1 to 12
Minimum age
15 years old
Style

Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders

Original
Theme

Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.

Explorer, Rail
Physical rating

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From
EUR €3,435

Why you'll love this trip

  • Like everything else it does, China’s ancient history is on a grand scale – see it first-hand, with time to explore and walk the epic Great Wall’s Mutianyu section.
  • Sit back and relax on one of the world’s greatest train journeys – a marathon 45-hour ride to the literal Roof of the World, passing by incredibly mountainous and remote terrain, and the occasional grazing yak!
  • Immerse yourself in Tibetan culture, from the spiritual side – explored on monastery visits, pilgrim trails and a monk-led meditation session – to traditional daily life, experienced at a momo-making class and Tibetan family home.
  • Climb phenomenal mountain passes and thrilling peaks on your scenic overland journey to see the mightiest of them all – Mt Everest – and visit the world’s highest monastery on your way!
  • With a Tibetan leader by your side, it’s a great opportunity to gain true local insight and understanding of the Tibetan culture and the modern life on the plateau.
This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026

Itinerary

Map of Tibet: Beijing To Kathmandu Overland including China and Nepal

Inclusions and activities

Destinations
China, Nepal
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)

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

Optional activities
  • Beijing - Forbidden City - CNY60
  • Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
  • Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
  • Beijing - Summer Palace (entrance fee) - CNY60
  • Beijing - Panjiayuan Antique Market - Free

This trip generates 61 kg of CO2-e per person per day

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Before you book you should know

Dates and prices

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Important notes

1. In order for us to apply for your Tibet entry permit and purchase your train ticket to Lhasa you must provide a scanned, colour copy of the personal details page of your passport and Chinese visa to your booking agent no later than 40 days prior to the start date of your trip. You will also need to advise us of your current profession at the same time. When applying for Chinese visa it is imperative not to mention travel to Tibet. You must first apply for your Chinese visa as instructed and Intrepid will then apply for the Tibet group permit on your behalf. Please check our Essential Trip Information for more details.
2. Please be aware that in recent years there have been times when restrictions on nationalities being able to travel on specific departures have been implemented or Tibet has been closed to foreign tourists without warning.
3. You must bring an emergency fund of 500 USD in cash with you on this trip, which you may need to use in case when foreign groups are denied of purchasing Beijing to Lhasa train tickets due to government decision and we'll need to make alternative plans depending on what's possible.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 and Day 3 (Overnight sleeper train) and Day 11(Permanent Tent Camp or Guesthouse) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. It's a criminal offence for anyone to carry images of the Dalai Lama or the Tibetan flag - doing so may lead to confiscation of the items, detention, arrest or imprisonment by Chinese authorities.
6.Travelling in China will heavily rely upon using local payment apps – Wechat and Alipay for making payments. It’s essential to install them on your phone and have a data package ready prior to your travel. Please read ‘money matters’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details. You shouldn’t rely on credit card for travel in China.
7. While travelling in China, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. You may consider installing a VPN to access those sites and apps. Please check the Essential Trip Information for more details.
8. Please note that there are some prohibited items for trains and flights in China. Please refer to Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Reviews

5 . 38 reviews
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Alexander
Traveled August 2025
Stephanie
Traveled August 2025
Timothy (Tim)
Traveled July 2025
Elpidio
Traveled June 2025
Darren
Traveled June 2025
Tibet: Beijing to Kathmandu Overland
From
EUR €3,435