Board the legendary Qinghai-Tibet Railway at Beijing West Railway Station in the afternoon. Settle into your comfortable soft sleeper compartment. The train features panoramic windows, oxygen supply, and dining cars. Watch the landscape transform from urban Beijing to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia as you head west. Tonight you will sleep aboard the train as it crosses northern China.

Spend the full day aboard the train crossing the vast Tibetan Plateau. The train passes through Xining and begins its climb onto the plateau. Cross the Tanggula Pass (5,072m), the highest railway pass in the world. Spot wild yaks, Tibetan antelope, and kiang from your window. The train has oxygen-enriched compartments to help with acclimatization. The ever-changing landscapes outside your window are breathtaking.

Arrive at Lhasa Railway Station in the afternoon. Your guide and driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel. Rest and acclimatize to the high altitude. Lhasa is known as the City of Sunlight with over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. Your guide will brief you on the tour ahead.

Full morning exploring the magnificent Potala Palace, the iconic 13-story winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace contains over 1,000 rooms filled with ancient murals, Buddhist relics, and the burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon, visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibet, housing the revered Jowo Shakyamuni statue. Walk the Barkhor kora circuit and explore the market.

Visit Drepung Monastery (8km west of Lhasa), once the world's largest monastery housing up to 10,000 monks. Climb through the whitewashed buildings to the Ganden Palace and main assembly hall. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery (5km north of Lhasa) for the famous monks' debating session (3-5 PM). Also visit Norbulingka Summer Palace with its beautiful gardens.

Scenic drive south crossing the Karo La Pass (5,010m). Stop at the stunning turquoise Yamdrok Lake (4,441m), one of Tibet's three holy lakes. Continue past the Karola Glacier to Gyantse. Visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the magnificent Kumbum Stupa with its 9 tiers and 77 chapels. Continue to Shigatse (3,900m), Tibet's second-largest city.

Morning visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historic seat of the Panchen Lama. The highlight is the 26-meter-tall gilded statue of Maitreya Buddha, the largest gilded statue in the world. After lunch, drive back to Lhasa along the scenic Yarlung Tsangpo River valley. The journey takes 5-6 hours with beautiful rural landscapes.

A free day to explore Lhasa independently. Options include visiting the Tibet Museum, taking a Tibetan cooking class, revisiting Barkhor Street for souvenir shopping, or simply relaxing at a traditional sweet tea house on Barkhor Street and watching pilgrims make their kora.

Another free day to enjoy Lhasa at your leisure. Explore the Norbulingka Summer Palace, visit the Ani Tsankhung Nunnery, or take a photography walk around the old city. Your guide can recommend a good restaurant for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station according to your departure schedule, with plenty of time for check-in procedures. Bid farewell to the magnificent landscapes of Tibet. End of services. Tashi Delek! We hope this journey through the Roof of the World has left you with unforgettable memories of Tibet's majestic mountains, sacred monasteries, and warm-hearted people.