I don't know where to start with the highlights of our April 2027 group tour. Let's try:
Everest Base Camp (Tibet side)
Pandas in Chengdu
Chongqinq, China's viral cyberpunk city (home to the world's largest drone show)
2 day train journey from China to Tibet through the Himalayas
Lhasa, the ancient Tibetan capital
Overlanding from Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal
Supporting our partner school in Tibet with new supplies for the kids
Wow. And all just 13 days. This is a SERIOUS trip! Normally when I plan the trip, there is 1, maybe 2, MAIN events. But this thing has about 7! But I know 13 days is long, and not everyone has enough holiday days to make it. So we if you would prefer to cut-out Chengdu (and the lovely Pandas), Chongqing (and the world's biggest drone show), and the train from China to Tiber (the world's highest train journey!), then you can also opt to book just the Lhasa, Tibet road trip to Kathmandu, Nepal via Everest Base Camp too. That's still an epic, epic journey!
I’ve been to every country on Earth. People always ask me which places surprised me the most or where I'd visit if I could only visit one country? It's always China. Partly of course because Tibet, strictly speaking, is included there! Tibet is always near the top of any travel list. It’s spiritual, remote, breathtaking and unlike anywhere else I’ve ever visited. Combining it with China’s most exciting city, the world’s cutest animal, one of history’s greatest train journeys and a road trip to Everest before finishing in Nepal…
Honestly? It’s one hell of an itinerary. Even if I do say so myself!
That combined with the fact that China is doing it's best to water down Tibet. It's better to go to Tibet NOW than in 5/10 years. God knows what it'll be like then. Take the opportunity now.
Explore futuristic Chongqing
Watch the world’s largest drone show
Visit giant pandas in Chengdu
Ride the legendary Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Spend two days crossing the Tibetan Plateau by train
Explore ancient Lhasa
Visit the magnificent Potala Palace
Support our partner school in Tibet
Drive across the Himalayas
Visit Everest Base Camp (North Face)
Cross overland into Nepal
Explore Kathmandu
If you’re looking for cocktails by the pool… Probably not. Although having said that, we can probably still squeeze that in (the cocktail part is guaranteed!). But If you want one of the most unique overland adventures anywhere in Asia, you’re in exactly the right place.
Also, There’s no 'trekking' don't worry! No fitness required. We do spend time at altitude, but the itinerary is designed to acclimatise gradually before reaching Everest. Bring your camera. And definitely some warm clothes! We’ll take care of the rest.
Thanks to our Mudita Foundation, and THANKS TO YOU FOR JOINING MY TRIPS, we've donated over $300,000USD to grass root NGOs across the developing world. Thank you!
One of the things I love most about running these trips is that they’re about more than simply seeing incredible places.
I’ve been friends with our local Tibetan partners for well over a decade, ever since I first travelled through Tibet with my mum. Over the years we’ve stayed in touch, and one thing they’ve always spoken about is the importance of supporting local communities in a way that’s genuinely useful.
During our journey, we hope to visit a local school and spend some time with the students and teachers. Rather than arriving empty-handed, we’ll work with our local partners beforehand to identify items that would genuinely be helpful. Whether that’s books, school supplies, sports equipment or other essentials. We’d much rather provide what the school actually needs than simply guess. This isn’t intended to be a publicity exercise or a staged photo opportunity. It’s simply an opportunity to meet local people, learn a little more about life in rural Tibet and, hopefully, leave a small positive impact behind.
As our plans develop closer to departure, we’ll share more details with everyone joining the trip, including if there are any optional ways you’d like to contribute.
Getting into Tibet sounds complicated. BUT that’s exactly why you should travel with us.
Most nationalities can now apply for a Chinese eVisa quickly and easily, and we’ll guide you through that process.
Once that’s sorted, we handle all of the Tibet permit paperwork through our long-standing local partners. We’ve been working with the same trusted team in Tibet for over a decade, so you don’t need to worry about navigating the bureaucracy. We know the process, we know the people, and we’ll make getting to Tibet as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
12 nights’ accommodation (plus the iconic Tibet sleeper train)
With a bed!
All transport throughout the itinerary
We manage the whole thing
Josh, or Johnny, or Both
Significant donation to our partner school
(Except on the train)
The trip starts in either Chongqing, or Lhasa depending if you do both sections. And finished in Kathmandu, Nepal. We offer free advice on international flights too (we love that stuff!)
Mandatory folks. We can recommend.
We can assist, but with the apps is cheap and easy these days
We normally tip our local guides $10 per day per person (so another $100 or so for this trip)
NOTES: DAY 1- 6 are included if you book the whole trip from April 17-29. If you don't have the time (or money! we get it!) to do the whole thing, then you can start your trip from Lhasa, which is Day 6 on this itinerary, and continue on with us from there.
Welcome to one of the wildest cities on Earth. I recently took my family to Chongqing and LOVED IT!
Chongqing has exploded across social media over the last couple of years thanks to its futuristic skyline, trains running through apartment blocks and multi-level highways that seem to defy physics.
It honestly feels like Blade Runner brought to life. We’ll meet at our hotel this afternoon for introductions and a trip briefing before heading out for our first dinner together. If timing allows, we’ll kick things off with a sunset cruise along the Yangtze River, watching China’s ultimate cyberpunk city transform as darkness falls and the skyscrapers light up.
Today we properly explore this incredible city. We’ll visit some of Chongqing’s most famous viewpoints, wander its bustling streets and discover why millions of people now call it China’s coolest destination. Ancient alleyways sit beneath giant skyscrapers while elevated roads twist through the skyline in every direction. Then comes tonight’s main event.
If conditions allow, we’ll watch the famous Chongqing drone show, where thousands of drones fill the sky to create enormous moving displays unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s ridiculous, futuristic and an unforgettable way to begin our adventure.
This morning we travel to Chengdu, home of China’s most famous residents. the giant pandas. We’ll visit the renowned Panda Research Base to watch these gentle giants eating, climbing and generally being ridiculously photogenic.
Afterwards we’ll explore Chengdu itself, wandering its relaxed streets and perhaps sampling some legendary Sichuan cuisine, don’t worry, we’ll find options that won’t melt your face off too.
Tonight we enjoy a comfortable night in Chengdu before tomorrow’s journey towards Tibet begins.d.
Before leaving Sichuan, we’ll visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The incredible Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved directly into the cliffs over 1,200 years ago, it’s the largest stone Buddha anywhere on Earth and an astonishing sight in person.
Then, forget airports. This is how journeys are supposed to happen. Today we’ll spend the day rolling across some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in Asia. Endless grasslands, snow-covered mountains, crystal-clear lakes and tiny Tibetan settlements stretch endlessly outside your window.
The railway climbs above 5,000 metres, making it the highest in the world, with oxygen supplied throughout the train to make the altitude easier. Bring a good book, a camera and enjoy slowing down for once. The scenery genuinely gets better every single hour.
Wake up aboard the Tibet train is every bit as spectacular as yesterday. Wake up to endless open plains dotted with yaks, frozen lakes reflecting the mountains and landscapes so vast they barely seem real. This is one of those travel experiences where the journey itself is the destination. Spend time chatting with locals, photographing the incredible scenery or simply watching Tibet slowly unfold outside your window.
Today is all about the journey. As the train climbs above 5,000 metres, the scenery outside becomes increasingly surreal. Endless grasslands dotted with yaks, frozen lakes reflecting snow-covered peaks, wild Tibetan antelope and tiny settlements sitting in complete isolation. Oxygen is supplied throughout the train as we cross the highest railway on Earth, allowing everyone to relax and simply enjoy the ride.
99% of people fly into Tibet.
Almost nobody experiences it like this. By tonight you’ll understand why this railway has become a bucket-list journey in its own right.
NOTE: If you book the shorter trip, this is essentially your day 1. You fly into Lhasa airport, and the trip begins for you here.
If you're coming on the train with us, then early this morning we arrive in Lhasa, Tibet’s ancient capital, sitting at around 3,650 metres above sea level. We’ll transfer to our hotel before taking things easy to allow everyone to acclimatise.
Later we’ll stretch our legs with a gentle walk around Barkhor Street, where pilgrims spin prayer wheels and circle Jokhang Temple exactly as they’ve done for centuries.
The atmosphere here is unlike anywhere else in China. Prayer flags flutter overhead, incense fills the air and the pace of life slows dramatically. Welcome to Tibet.
Today we discover one of Asia’s most remarkable cities.
We’ll explore the magnificent Potala Palace, once home to the Dalai Lama, before visiting Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest religious site.
Afterwards we’ll visit our partner school, spending time with the children and delivering supplies we’ve brought with us. It’s a chance to give something back and always becomes one of the most meaningful moments of the trip.
This isn’t just about ticking countries off a list. It’s about making genuine connections with the people who call these extraordinary places home.
Today we begin one of Asia’s greatest road trips.
Leaving Lhasa behind, we’ll drive west across the Tibetan Plateau, climbing high mountain passes and stopping at breathtaking viewpoints overlooking turquoise lakes and endless Himalayan scenery. Every few kilometres seems to reveal another unbelievable panorama. Cameras will be working overtime today.
y evening we reach Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city and our final major stop before heading towards Everest. The excitement is definitely building no, we’re getting incredibly close to the highest mountain on Earth.
Bucket-list day. Today we travel to Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side, arguably the finest viewpoint anywhere of the world’s highest mountain. I can't believe I climbed this thing once upon a time!
Standing beneath Everest’s enormous north face is one of those moments that photographs simply can’t capture. Weather permitting we’ll spend plenty of time taking in the views before settling into our accommodation nearby. There aren’t many places on Earth that make you feel quite so small.
Tonight we’ll sleep beneath the tallest mountain on the planet, something very few people ever get the chance to experience.
This morning we leave Everest behind and continue south towards the Nepal border.
The scenery changes dramatically as we descend from the vast open Tibetan Plateau into greener valleys surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks. The drive itself is spectacular, winding through remote villages and dramatic mountain landscapes all the way to Gyirong. Tonight we’ll stay close to the border crossing, enjoying one final evening in Tibet before tomorrow’s journey into Nepal. Two countries.
Two completely different cultures. One incredible adventure.
Today we cross one of the world’s most iconic land borders, leaving Tibet behind and entering Nepal. Almost immediately everything changes. The roads become busier, the villages livelier and the atmosphere wonderfully chaotic. From the border we’ll continue through the Himalayan foothills to Kathmandu, Nepal’s colourful capital.
After checking into our hotel we’ll head out together to soak up our new surroundings before enjoying another fantastic group dinner. We’ve travelled by bullet train, sleeper train and crossed the Himalayas by road, and somehow the adventure still isn’t over.
ur final full day is spent exploring one of Asia’s great capitals.
We’ll visit Kathmandu’s incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple, learning about Nepal’s fascinating history and culture along the way. There’ll also be free time to wander the lively streets of Thamel, grab a coffee, hunt for souvenirs or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Tonight we’ll celebrate an extraordinary journey together over one final dinner, sharing stories from thirteen days that packed in more adventure than many people experience in a lifetime.
Sadly, every adventure has to end.
After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye and head home. Over the last thirteen days we’ve explored China’s most futuristic city, met giant pandas, travelled across the highest railway in the world, wandered ancient Lhasa, stood beneath Mount Everest and crossed the Himalayas into Nepal. Not bad for less than two weeks. Safe travels, and hopefully this won’t be the last ridiculous adventure we share together.
