Go before
it changes
One hell of an itinerary
Pandas. The Tibet train. Everest Base Camp.
Overland from Chongqing, China to Kathmandu, Nepal, via Lhasa and the north side of Everest. Most trips have one, maybe two main events. This one has about seven.
I’ve been to every country on Earth, and when people ask which one surprised me most, it’s always China (Tibet included). Add China’s most exciting city, the world’s cutest animal, one of history’s great train journeys and a road trip to Everest, and honestly? Not bad, even if I do say so myself.
Short on holiday days? Skip Chongqing, Chengdu and the train, and join us in Lhasa for the road trip to Kathmandu instead, April 22–29.
Tour highlights
-
Everest Base Camp
The north face, Tibet side
-
The Tibet Train
Two days on the world’s highest railway
-
Ancient Lhasa
Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple
-
Chongqing & Chengdu
Drone shows and giant pandas
Trip facts
- Dates
- Trip length
- Shorter option
- Lhasa to Kathmandu, April 22–29
- Visa & permits
- eVisa help, Tibet permits sorted for you
- Max altitude
- About 5,200m at Everest Base Camp
- Guides
- Johnny + local English-speaking guides
Day by day
The Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Chongqing
· Hotel, Chongqing
Welcome to one of the wildest cities on Earth. A futuristic skyline, trains running through apartment blocks, highways stacked on highways. It honestly feels like Blade Runner brought to life. I took my family recently and loved it.
We meet at the hotel in the afternoon for introductions and a briefing, then our first dinner together. If timing allows, a sunset cruise on the Yangtze as the skyscrapers light up.
Day 2: The World’s Biggest Drone Show
Chongqing
Today we properly explore the city: famous viewpoints, buzzing streets, and ancient alleyways sitting beneath giant skyscrapers while roads twist through the skyline in every direction.
Then tonight’s main event. If conditions allow, the Chongqing drone show, where thousands of drones fill the sky. Ridiculous, futuristic, unforgettable.
Day 3: Chengdu & Giant Pandas
Chengdu
On to Chengdu and the Panda Research Base, to watch these gentle giants eating, climbing and generally being ridiculously photogenic. (I held one here years ago. Not allowed any more, probably for the best.)
Then Chengdu’s relaxed streets and some legendary Sichuan food. Don’t worry, we’ll find options that won’t melt your face off.
Day 4: Leshan Buddha & the Tibet Train
Overnight on the Tibet train
Before leaving Sichuan, the Leshan Giant Buddha: carved into the cliffs over 1,200 years ago, UNESCO-listed and the largest stone Buddha on Earth.
Then forget airports. We board the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest in the world, climbing above 5,000 metres with oxygen supplied throughout the train. Bring a good book and a camera.
Day 5: Across the Tibetan Plateau
Overnight on the Tibet train
Wake up to endless plains dotted with yaks, frozen lakes reflecting snow-covered peaks, wild Tibetan antelope and tiny settlements in complete isolation.
Today is all about the journey. 99% of people fly into Tibet. Almost nobody does it like this, and by tonight you’ll understand why it’s a bucket-list ride in its own right.
Day 6: Welcome to Lhasa
Hotel, Lhasa
We roll into Lhasa early, at around 3,650 metres, and take it easy to acclimatise. (On the shorter trip? You fly into Lhasa and this is your Day 1.)
Later, a gentle walk around Barkhor Street, where pilgrims spin prayer wheels and circle the Jokhang Temple as they have for centuries. Prayer flags, incense and a pace of life that slows right down.
Day 7: Potala Palace & Our Partner School
Lhasa
The magnificent Potala Palace, once home to the Dalai Lama, then the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest site.
Afterwards we visit our partner school to spend time with the kids and deliver the supplies we’ve brought. It’s always one of the most meaningful moments of the trip. Not ticking countries off a list, just genuine connections.
Day 8: Lhasa to Shigatse
Shigatse
One of Asia’s greatest road trips begins. We drive west across the plateau, over high mountain passes, stopping at viewpoints over turquoise lakes and endless Himalayan scenery. Cameras will be working overtime.
By evening we reach Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city and our last big stop before Everest.
Day 9: Everest Base Camp
Near Everest Base Camp
Bucket-list day. We reach Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side, arguably the finest view anywhere of the world’s highest mountain. I can’t believe I climbed this thing once upon a time.
Weather permitting, we take our time with the north face, then sleep nearby, beneath the tallest mountain on the planet.
Day 10: Everest to Gyirong
Gyirong, near the Nepal border
We leave Everest behind and head south, dropping from the vast open plateau into greener valleys ringed by Himalayan peaks.
A spectacular drive through remote villages all the way to Gyirong, close to the border, for one last evening in Tibet.
Day 11: Into Nepal
Hotel, Kathmandu
We cross one of the world’s great land borders, and almost immediately everything changes. Busier roads, livelier villages, wonderfully chaotic.
Through the Himalayan foothills to Kathmandu, then out together to soak it all up over another big group dinner. Two countries, two completely different cultures.
Day 12: Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Our last full day, exploring Kathmandu’s UNESCO sites: Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.
Free time to wander Thamel, grab a coffee or hunt for souvenirs, then one final dinner to celebrate thirteen days that packed in more adventure than most people get in a lifetime.
Day 13: Departure
· Fly home
Sadly, every adventure has to end. Breakfast, goodbyes, home.
China’s most futuristic city, giant pandas, the highest railway in the world, ancient Lhasa, Everest and the Himalayas into Nepal. Not bad for less than two weeks.
Your host
Johnny Ward
Irish guy, been to every country in the world. When people ask which country surprised me most, it’s always China. I’ve been friends with our Tibetan partners for well over a decade, ever since I first travelled through Tibet with my mum.
Through our Mudita Foundation, and thanks to everyone who joins these trips, we’ve donated over $300,000 to grassroots NGOs. This one includes a significant donation to our partner school in Tibet.
It’s better to go to Tibet now than in 5 or 10 years.
One of Asia’s great overland trips
Why Tibet?
-
Tibet, before it changes
Spiritual, remote and unlike anywhere else I’ve been. China is doing its best to water it down, so go now rather than in 5 or 10 years.
-
More than sightseeing
We visit our partner school and bring what the kids actually need, worked out with our local partners beforehand. Not a photo op.
-
China’s cyberpunk city
Chongqing went viral for good reason: trains through apartment blocks, stacked highways and the world’s largest drone show.
Before you book
Good to Know
What about visas and Tibet permits?
Most nationalities can now get a Chinese eVisa quickly and easily, and we’ll guide you through it. We handle all the Tibet permit paperwork through the same trusted local team we’ve worked with for over a decade. The Nepal visa is on arrival (not included).
Do I need to be fit?
No. There’s no trekking and no difficult hikes or climbs. The biggest challenge is the altitude, and the itinerary is designed to acclimatise gradually before we reach Everest.
How high do we go?
Everest Base Camp sits at around 5,200 metres (17,060 ft). We acclimatise in Lhasa first, and oxygen is supplied on the Tibet train.
Can I do a shorter version?
Yes. Skip Chongqing, Chengdu and the train, fly into Lhasa and join us from Day 6. The shorter trip runs April 22–29, 2027, and it’s still an epic, epic journey.
Will we really visit Everest Base Camp?
Absolutely. We visit the Tibetan (north) side, which many people consider the most spectacular viewpoint of the mountain. Weather permitting, we sleep nearby too.
What about the charity donation?
The trip includes a significant donation to our partner school. We work with our local partners beforehand to find out what it actually needs, whether that’s books, school supplies or sports equipment, rather than simply guessing.
Price and what’s included
What’s included
- 12 nights’ accommodation (plus the iconic Tibet sleeper train)
- 35-hour Qinghai-Tibet Railway sleeper ticket
- All transport throughout the itinerary
- Tibet Travel Permit, all organised on our side
- All sightseeing and entrance fees listed
- English-speaking local guides
- Western guide for the whole trip (me!)
- Breakfasts and selected additional meals
- Significant donation to our partner school
What’s not included
- International flights
- Chinese visa, if required (we help with the paperwork)
- Nepal visa on arrival
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Lunches and dinners unless stated
- Personal expenses
- Tips for local guides and drivers
Tour price
Per person sharing · 13 days
- Shorter option: Lhasa to Kathmandu only, April 22–29, 2027
- Book online through WeTravel
One hell of an itinerary
See you at Everest.
Pandas, the Tibet train, Lhasa and the north face of Everest, overland to Kathmandu in 13 days. Book online in a couple of minutes, or message me with any questions.
Rather pay by bank transfer? Email johnny@onestep4ward.com
As you know, blogging changed my life. I left Ireland broke, with no plan, with just a one-way ticket to Thailand
and no money. Since then, I started a blog, then a digital media company, I've made
more than $1,500,000 USD, bought 4 properties and visited (almost) every country in the world. And I did it all from my laptop as I
travel the world and live my dream. I talk about how I did it, and how you can do it too, in my COMPLETELY FREE
Ebook, all 20,000
words or so. Just finish the process by putting in your email below and I'll mail it right out to you immediately. No spam ever too, I promise!
