A 13-day journey from Chengdu to Lhasa by flight and Qinghai–Tibet soft-sleeper train, this classic circuit links Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple with Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Namtso and Everest Base Camp. Expect high passes, long drives, cultural depth, and required Tibet permits.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the plane and the air sings thin — Lhasa’s high plain opens like a wide, cool room. Glassy Yamdrok Lake slides past the bus windows, prayer flags snap like small sails, and snow rims distant ridgelines where glaciers hold the sky.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
13 days
Fitness Level
Moderate to fit: able to manage long vehicle days and short high-altitude walks; must be prepared for reduced breathing and slower pace.
Wildlife
History
The Potala Palace was seat of the Dalai Lama and a center of Tibetan governance; the Friendship Highway opened modern overland access between Lhasa and the lowlands in the 1950s.
Conservation
The Tibetan Plateau is ecologically fragile; stick to marked roads, minimize single-use plastics, and respect local grazing lands to reduce tourism impact.
Reserve your spot on the 13 Day Classic Tibet Tour on Flight and Soft Sleeper Train today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize on day one
Avoid immediate exertion after arrival — rest 24–48 hours and sip fluids to reduce altitude sickness risk; the tour includes oxygen, but prevention is key.
Carry your permit and passport
Tibet Travel Permit is mandatory and will be provided, but keep your passport accessible for hotel and attraction checkpoints.
Layer for quick temperature shifts
Between valley sun and pass wind, a warm mid-layer and windproof shell will keep you comfortable during photo stops and short hikes.
Protect against strong UV
High altitude amplifies sunburn and snow glare — use SPF 50+, wide sunglasses, and a brimmed hat on bright days.
Sturdy hiking boots
Good traction and ankle support for short walks on uneven trails and icy viewpoints.
Insulated down jacket
Lightweight insulation for cold mornings at high passes and sunrise at Rongbuk.
fall
High SPF sunscreen & polarized sunglasses
Protects skin and eyes from amplified UV at altitude and from glacier glare.
Personal altitude medication (e.g., acetazolamide)
Useful if you are prone to altitude sickness — consult your doctor before travel.