11 Days Tibet and Silk Road Tour by Train from Xian
Tour Overview
Traveling to Tibet by train, you will have more time to acclimatize to the Tibetan climate and altitude. And you will see more virgin landscapes of the mysterious Tibet. The 11 Days Tibet and Silk Road Tour by Train covers Xi’an, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Xining, Lhasa, Gyantse, and Sigaze.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Xian Arrival
Welcome to starting point of ancient Silk Road, Xi’an! Our driver and guide will wait you at the airport terminal exit by holding a welcome board with your name and escort you to hotel. The rest of the day is free at your disposal.
Accommodation:Sheraton Hotel or same class (5 stars)
- Day 2: XianStatue of Silk Road Starting Point, Famen Temple, Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square (B + L + D)
AM: In the morning meet our guide in hotel lobby and drive to visit Statue of Silk Road Starting Point. Afterward continue driving to Famen Temple, the holy place for Buddhism and the excavated spot of figure relics of Sakyamuni Buddha.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: Thereafter we will return Xi’an to visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square where you could see Big Wild Goose Pagoda in distance. After that have dinner and then back to hotel.
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel or same class (5 stars)
Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Day 3: Xian – Tianshui by TrainTerracotta Warriors and Horses, Huaqing Hot Spring, City Wall, Tang Dynasty Dinner &Show (B + L + D)
AM: Enjoy the western buffet breakfast in hotel. Then meet our guide in hotel lobby and you will be escorted to visit the world famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses which has been praised as “the eighth major miracle of the world”. The 8000+ life-sized soldiers and horse figures in excavated three pits will shock you with surprisingly high level in casting.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.
Terracotta Army PM: Then continue the visit to Huaqing Hot Spring which used to be the imperial hot spring bathing spot in ancient time from the Qin Dynasty (221BC-207BC) to the Tang Dynasty (618AD-907AD). In the afternoon drive back to downtown city, you will take a walk on the 600 years old City Wall. Xi’an City Wall is the largest and most completely preserved city wall in China. In the evening you will enjoy the Dumpling Dinner. After the dinner in dining hall you will appreciate the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show in staging hall.
At 22:00, you will board the luxury “Silk Road Express Train” train to Tianshui. That will be the last night on the luxury train.
Accommodation: Silk Road Express Train
Tang Dynasty show - Day 4: Tianshui – Lanzhou by TrainMaiji Mountain (B + L + D)
The train arrives in Tianshui at 06:30. After breakfast we will drive to visit Maiji Mountain. The existing caves were excavated from the Later Qin Dynasty (384-417) to the Qing Dynasty (1616-1912). Among all Buddhist Caves in China, Maijishan Grottoes boasts most attractive natural view.
At 16:30 the train will depart to Lanzhou. After dinner at restaurant on the train you will arrive in Lanzhou at 21:00. Check in at hotel.
Accommodation: Grand Soluxe Hotel Gansu (5 stars)
Maiji Mountain Grottoes - Day 5: Lanzhou - Xining by CarWaterwheel Garden (B + L + D)
AM: After breakfast meet the guide and driver and drive back to Lanzhou. Arriving in Lanzhou we will visit Waterwheel Garden. The most remarkable thing in this garden is the waterwheel, an irrigation tool invented in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the garden, you will see various kinds of Waterwheels and you will learn about how that ancient irrigation tool functions.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: After lunch drive to Xinning, the staring station of Qinghai-Tibet Railway and check in local hotel.
Accommodation: Sanwant Hotel Xining or same class (5 starts)
- Day 6: Xining - Lhasa by Overnight TrainTa’er Monastery (B + L + D)
AM: After hotel breakfast we will drive to visit the Ta’er Monastery, as one of the six principal temples of the Tibetan Buddhist Yellow Sect, it is listed into the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in Qinghai Province. The construction of the Monastery began in the 1379 of the Ming Dynasty. The Monastery keeps large quantity of Buddhist Sutras and documents about history, literature, philosophy, medicine, legislation, etc. Now the temple is the top Buddhist Institute in Qinghai Province.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: Then take the overnight train to Lhasa.
Accommodation:Over Night Train (4 beds in one cabin)
Ta'er Monastery - Day 7: Lhasa ArrivalYuzhu Peak, Kunlun Mountain, Kekexili Reserve, Tuotuo River, Fenghuo Mountain Tunnel, Qiangtang Grassland (See them in train) (B + L + D)
Today you will spend most of the time in train and you will experience a scenic train journey in Tibet, the Roof of the World. You will pass by snow-capped Yuzhu Peak and Kunlun Mountain, Kekexili Reserve and Tuotuo River, Fenghuo Mountain Tunnel and Qiangtang Grassland. When the train arrives in Lhasa, you will receive a Hada for our local guide. Hada, a white scarf, is a traditional gift in Tibet to wish you good luck. Then you will be escorted to hotel and you need to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude.
Accommodation: Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class
Stunning scenery along Qinghai-Tibet Railway - Day 8: LhasaPotala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Street (B + L + D)
AM: In the morning we will visit the Potala Palace, the most notable attraction in Tibet. The palace was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) when the master of Tibet married daughter of the Emperor Taizong. It is said there are totally 999 rooms in the palace and from the 17th century on, Potala Palace was used as winter palace for Tibetan master.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.
Potala Palace PM: After lunch, we will move to visit Jokhang Monastery, the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple in Buddhist followers’ heart. The temple was built in the golden period of local Tubo Kingdom and is also the earliest earth-and- wood structure building in Tibet. Then take a walk along the Barkhor Street where lots of local handicrafts and little goods full of Tibetan taste waiting for exploring. Come back to hotel.
Accommodation: Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class
Jokhang Temple - Day 9: Lhasa - Sigaze by CarYamdrok Tso Lake, Pelkor Monastery (B + L + D)
AM: After hotel breakfast, pick up from hotel by local driver and guide and drive to Sigaze. On the way we will stop at Yamdrok Tso Lake which means Lake of Swan in Tibetan language. The lake is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. Looking sky from the lake, it just like a coral branch. It is regarded as the most beautiful lake in southern Tibet.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: Next we will visit the Palkhor Monastery, which has about 600 years history. The must see of the monastery is the nine-storey Palkhor Pagoda.
Accommodation:Shigatse Hotel or same class (4 stars)
Yamdrok Lake - Day 10: Shigatse - Lhasa by CarTashi Lhunpo Monastery, Yarlung Zangbo Gorge ( B + L + D)
AM: In the morning, we drive to visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the largest temple in Shigatse Area. In the monastery you will see the largest statute of future Buddha in the world. That monastery was founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447.Now it is one of the six principal monasteries of Gelu Sect (Yellow hat) of Tibetan Buddhism. And on the way we will pass by the scenic Yarlung Zangbo Gorge or Bhamaputra River.
Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: Drive back to Lhasa.
Accommodation: Brahmaputra grand hotel Lhasa or same class
Tashilhunpo Monastery - Day 11: Lhasa Departure (B)
Enjoy your free time till the hotel pickup time. You will be picked up from hotel and transfer to airport for your flight departing Lhasa.
Tour Price Per Person
Book the tour with small amount of deposit. ($=USD)
| Date | Type of Cabin | 1-5 person | 6-10 person | Single supplement in Hotel | Single room Supplement in Silk Road Express Train |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 17-Jun 27, 2017 | Quad | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Jun 17-Jun 27, 2017 | Triple | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Jun 17-Jun 27, 2017 | Twin | $2699 | Contact Us | $400 | $300 |
| Book the Tour | |||||
Memo
- All prices in US dollars.
- Prices subject to change without any further notice.
- Minimum two passengers booking.
- Gratuities are not included, Current rate for all services is Total of USD $10 per day.
- Accommodation and tour itineraries are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control.
- We reserve the right to distribute passengers of sharing cabins.In case the cabin cannot be share, the cost applies on the passengers in the cabin
- Children age under 11, will be credit only the difference on hotel room costs.
- No 3 passengers share one hotel room. If only 3 passengers in a 4-person cabin, one passenger has to pay extra hotel room costs.
Price Includes:
- EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS
Our experienced tour managers and their assistants are selected for their travel knowledge and organizational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your voyage of a lifetime. We receive many exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday. - ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRANSFERS
Arrival and departure transfers are included. - HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION
Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train’s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. Hotel and onboard accommodation as described in your individual tour itinerary are included in the tour price. All hotels are of 5 star standard or, in certain locations, the best available. Room upgrades are available on request and at extra cost. - ROUTE GUIDE, ITINERARY AND INFORMATION PACK
When you board the train there will be a brochure in your cabin detailing more about your journey and the places en-route. Our Tour Manager will organize a programed of briefings on the cities or places we visit and, each evening, will issue a programed for the next day’s touring schedule. - BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY
All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train. - DRINKS WITH MEALS ONBOARD
A drinks allowance is included with lunch and dinner. - ON BOARD SERVICE
Throughout your tour you can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unobtrusive. The high ratio of staff to passenger’s means there is always someone available should you need assistance. - ON BOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES
To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. - 24 HOUR SERVICE ATTENDANT
Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.
Price Excludes：
- International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China.
- China Entry Visa Fees.
- Excess Baggage Charges.
- Personal Expenses such as visa costs, insurance, drinks from the bar car, laundry, spa treatments, hairdressing.
- Single Room Supplement.
- Tip：Full Service Staff Tip USD10.00/per/day (Train staff, Special train porter, the tour leader, local driver and local guide).
