On arrival in Xian Xianyang International Airport, you will be met in the arrival hall by your local guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel. Early check-in is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book. An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 1. Late arrivals will receive a box dinner.

Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the life-sized Terracotta Warriors. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located approximately a 1-hour drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance is a 15-minute walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and will take about 2 and a half hours to explore. After this, visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Workshop to see smaller models of the warriors being made. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. The local guide will give you time to explore the ancient city walls at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall. These are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense. Please note: If you wish to undertake a bike ride on the Ancient City Wall, we strongly recommend wearing a helmet. In the evening, enjoy a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. Later, an optional Tang Ever-bright City night tour may be offered (time permitting, payable locally).

Start the day with a visit to the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xian Museum, home to a number of relics and artefacts. Later, transfer to the train station to board your 5.5-hour bullet train to Xining. Please note: You will need to carry your own luggage on and off trains. Overnight altitude: 2,275m

Explore the sacred Kumbum Monastery, also known as Ta'er Temple. Later, transfer to the railway station for your 21-hour overnight train to Lhasa on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest rail journey in the world. Please note: This train reaches 5,072m in elevation crossing the Tanggula Pass. The train is specially designed with oxygen supply system to help adjust to the high altitude. A shared 4-berth soft-sleeper cabin is included with 2 upper and 2 lower berths. Although we try to keep all the group members together in the same compartment, you may find yourself sharing your compartment with locals; an excellent chance to share your experiences. We cannot pre-purchase private use of the cabin or guarantee specific bedding arrangements. A dining carriage with basic meals is available and your guide will arrange for you to purchase some snacks prior to boarding.

Traverse the 5,072 metre Tanggula Pass and across the stark beauty of the Tibetan Plateau to the 'roof of the world', Lhasa. Watch from your window as you cross huge plains and permafrost and pass spectacular lakes, mountains and wildlife. Whether you prefer to unwind with a book, engage in a game of cards, or enjoy a meal in the dining carriage, there's ample opportunity to relax during this scenic rail journey. Arrive in Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet, in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude. Max daytime altitude: 5,072m Overnight altitude: 3,700m

Wander around the Barkhor to see traditionally dressed locals, stalls of religious trinkets and prostrating pilgrims. Inside the Jokhang Temple, the sacred centre of Tibetan Buddhism, the devotion is palpable as queues of people worship in the flickering light of yak butter candles. There will also be a visit to the Sera Monastery, a renowned seat of Buddhist learning, to watch the debating monks. Please be sensitive whilst at the temple as religion is an extremely sensitive topic in China. This is not a chance to converse with the monks, you will be able watch the monks debating between themselves and learning scriptures. Sightseeing at the Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery will involve climbing many steps and walking over uneven surfaces in dim lighting. This evening, enjoy a tasty Tibetan dinner and dance performance. Daytime altitude: 4,000m Overnight altitude: 3,700m

This morning, visit the iconic palace of Potala, the largest monastery in the world. Sitting atop Red Mountain, the Potala Palace is painted in a traditional Tibetan blend of deep red and white. At the Potala Palace there are over 1000 steps. Next, visit Norbulingka, Lhasa’s answer to Beijing’s Summer Palace, set in parkland just outside the city. Enjoy time at leisure this evening. Daytime altitude: 4,000m Overnight altitude: 3,700m

Transfer to the train station for a 2-hour bullet train across Tibet’s stark plains to Shigatse. Dominated by a fort reminiscent of the Potala, Shigatse is Tibet’s second city and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. Spend the afternoon exploring the local markets. Please note – your luggage will be transported by road to Shigatse. Daytime altitude: 3,800m Overnight altitude: 3,6000m

Visit Shalu and Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, and join the pilgrims on their 'Kora' (circumnavigation) of the Monastery.

Drive for around 6.5 hours through some of the world’s most incredible scenery to the Rongbuk Township with stops along the way. See the world’s highest post office, with the Himalayas dominating the horizon (please note, the post office is usually closed). Walk for approximately 20 minutes (one way) to the Everest Base Camp Boundary Monument - sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Situated under the gaze of Everest’s north face, the views of the world’s highest peak are unsurpassed (weather permitting). Visit Rongbuk Monastery, draped in colourful prayer flags, as well as the small Old Rongbuk Monastery. Stay overnight in a Tibetan tent camp or guesthouse, depending on the weather conditions. Please note: Due to government restrictions and to protect the environment of Mt. Everest, visitors are not allowed to visit Base Camp where the climbers stay overnight. You will enjoy the views of Mt Everest from a point further down the mountain. The accommodation is extremely basic and the only facilities are simple public toilets. The rooms are multi-bed rooms shared with other guests. Rooms are not ensuite and there is no hot water or showers. You will have a wash basin and a thermos of boiled water in your room; towels are not provided by the hotel. Ensure you bring layers to sleep in and keep warm. The location of the hotel however is unsurpassed: if the weather is good, you will be able to see Everest when you wake up! Daytime altitude: 5,200m Overnight altitude: 5,100m

Wake up early to see a glorious sunrise over Everest. The road is rough and muddy through this area. Drive around 6.5 hours back to Shigatse, passing the Tso La Pass and Gyatso La Pass and enjoying the awe-inspiring views. The evening is at leisure. Daytime altitude: 3,800m Overnight altitude: 3,6000m

Drive around 3 hours to Gyantse. This afternoon, visit Gyantse Kumbum as well as the Tsang Traditional Folk House to see a traditional kitchen and taste some local snacks and homebrewed 'chang'. Daytime altitude: 4,050m Overnight altitude: 4,050m

Travel along the Brahmaputra River to Tsedang, called the 'cradle of Tibetan civilisation'. Today will be a long driving day of approximately 8 hours. Take a short stop on the way at Gangpo Ri, the ‘birthplace of the Tibetan people'. Daytime altitude: 3,500m Overnight altitude: 3,500m

Perched on a hill over the Yarlung River, legend says that the ancient Yumbulhakang Palace was the first building in Tibet and the palace of the first Tibetan king. Continue to Tradruk Monastery and the King's Tomb before returning to Lhasa for an evening at leisure. Today’s driving time is 3 hours. Daytime altitude: 4,000m Overnight altitude: 3,700m

Fly 2 hours to Chengdu. On arrival, transfer to your hotel where the rest of the day will be at leisure before a farewell dinner this evening. Your guide will be on hand to suggest activities or places to explore, or you can use the time to just relax in your hotel.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Chengdu Tianfu airport or Chengdu Shuangliu airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged.