Last Train to Lhasa feat. EBC & Pandas | Journey Across Tibet and Sichuan, China


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Secluded, distant, and untouched - Legendary Tibet sits high in the storybook heights of the Himalayas, unlike anywhere else on Earth. With an average elevation of 4,500 meters, it earns its title as the Roof of the World, offering endless plateaus, snow-draped peaks, and skies so close they feel touchable. The landscape is stark, vast, and impossibly beautiful, painted with valleys, glaciers, and lakes that feel like they belong on another planet.
But Tibet is more than just a view, it’s the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, alive in every fluttering prayer flag and spinning prayer wheel. In Lhasa, the capital, you’ll stand before the towering Potala Palace, once the winter home of the Dalai Lama and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a short walk away, Jokhang Temple anchors the city’s spiritual life, as pilgrims circle it clockwise on Barkhor Street, murmuring mantras and spinning hand-held wheels in a moving meditation centuries old.
Tibet’s identity hasn’t come without struggle. Once a theocratic state of monks and monasteries, it was occupied by Chinese forces in the 1950s and officially became part of the People’s Republic of China. The political future of Tibet remains a subject of global debate—but its cultural resilience is undeniable. Tibetan nomads, with their yak-hair tents and deep connection to the land, still roam the high plains. They keep alive traditional crafts like thangka painting and handwoven carpets, embodying a culture shaped by both hardship and deep spiritual calm.
Tibet is a place where nature and devotion blend into one, where silence holds power and every view feels sacred. And yes, the altitude might steal your breath—but the magic of this land will too.
But Tibet is only part of this journey. We’ll also meet pandas and ride the highest railway in the world.
Our adventure begins with the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, a marvel of high-altitude engineering that reaches a jaw-dropping 5,072 meters at Tanggula Pass. It glides over 550 km of permafrost, using futuristic tech to keep the tracks stable. Oxygen is pumped into the cabins to ease the ride—making it the perfect way to acclimate while watching the wild Tibetan plateau unfold outside your window.
And when we reach Chengdu, prepare for a totally different kind of thrill: pandas. At the research center, these sleepy rockstars are most active in the morning, so we’ll time our visit to catch the cubs tumbling, munching, and stealing hearts. You might be surprised to learn that pandas have six fingers, including a thumb-like adaptation for grabbing bamboo.
Are you ready for an unforgettable fusion of ancient and modern? Let's go!
Day 0: Departure
Meet at the airport for your direct flight to Chengdu.
Day 1: Chengdu
After clearing immigration, we’ll stroll through Kuan Zhai Alley and Jinli Ancient Street for their Sichuan vibe and famous, spicy food. Overnight in Chengdu.
Day 2: Chengdu – Xining – High-Altitude Train to Lhasa
Morning flight to Xining, followed by a quick look at the city, to stretch our legs. In the afternoon, we board the legendary Qinghai–Tibet Railway—a 20-hour ride through spectacular landscapes. Settle into your soft sleeper cabin (4 people) and enjoy a slow climb into the Tibetan Plateau. The real views start here.
Day 3: Arrival in Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatization to the staggering 3,650m altitude. Take it easy and hydrate.
Day 4: Explore Lhasa
We begin with Jokhang Temple, the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism, where pilgrims from across the region gather to worship at this 1400-year-old temple. Then we explore Old Town and Barkhor Street, a vibrant market maze filled with incense, prayer flags, and centuries of tradition.
Day 5: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Karo La Glacier – Gyantse – Shigatse
This morning we hit the road early, traversing the picturesque Yarlung River towards the sacred Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest lakes in Tibet. We'll discover the vastness and serenity of this holy lake and its surrounding mountains from the Kamba La Pass. As we drive along the lake shore to Nankartse and ascend to the stunning Karo La Glacier, we'll have close-up views of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang. Here we will stretch our legs on a 2-3 hour trail to discover higher glacier lakes.s.
Day 6: Shigatse – Gyatso La Pass – Everest Base Camp (North)
Today we travel through remote areas, passing through picturesque but isolated Tibetan farming villages before heading over Gyatso La Pass (5,248m) for jaw-dropping views. Continuing on through Geu La Pass, we'll reach Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest. Here we’ll walk near the Everest North Base Camp (5,150m)—an unforgettable place to breathe in the Himalayas.
Day 7: Rongphu Monastery – Shigatse
We'll catch the sunrise at Rongphu Monastery, with chanting monks setting the tone. If time allows, there will be a quick visit to Tashizom village before we return to Shigatse.
Day 8: Shigatse – Chengdu
We return to Lhasa and catch a connecting flight to Chengdu. Free time in the afternoon.
Day 9: Pandas
Before we say 再见 (goodbye) to China, we’ll visit the Chengdu Panda Research Center. These charming black-and-white creatures are most active in the mornings, with the baby pandas being particularly playful.
It won't take long for you to see just how extraordinary they are! Growing to heights of 1.2m to 1.5m and weighing up to 135kg, pandas spend over half their day consuming bamboo. And yes, they are born pink and measure around 15cm.
After, we'll have some time for a last round of souvenir shopping before heading to the airport for our direct flight back home, with heads and hearts full of unforgettable Sichuan-Tibetan memories!
Level: easy to moderate (high altitude ahead).
Activities: trekking, sightseeing, cultural immersion.
Accommodation & meals: 4 star comfortable hotels - double sharing. Restaurant meals excluded.
Cost: 11,580 AED all-inclusive of international and domestic flights + train rides.
Visa: AUS, EU passports visa free, except Czech Republic, Lithuania and Sweden. Other passports - third party visa agency only.
Minimum processing time for visa and permit is 4 weeks.
It is sole responsibility of participant to secure entry to country of destination.
西藏见 x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238
Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup

Last Train to Lhasa feat. EBC & Pandas | Journey Across Tibet and Sichuan, China