Western China Tour Companies

We had a great guide but local provider was not so much

This trip takes you from the hustle and bustle of Beijing to the serene beauty of the Tibetan Plateau! So much variety, the train ride was a highlight, getting to talk to locals and share stories and snacks was a truly incredible experience. Breathing the fresh mountain air and taking in the scenery, I will never forget it. Our Tibetan leader was the best part of our trip, wildly knowledgeable and funny to boot. I would do this trip again in an heartbeat.

The itinerary begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Kerung, crossing the Nepal-Tibet border and taking in the stunning Nepali landscapes. The journey continues with high-altitude drives across the Tibetan Plateau, stopping at Pikucho Lake, and views of majestic peaks, including Mt. Kailash. In Lhasa, participants will explore significant sites like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and various monasteries, experiencing the rich culture and spiritual life of Tibet. Finally, the tour wraps up with a return drive from Shegar to Kathmandu, creating a memorable adventure through diverse and breathtaking scenery.

My husband and I recently completed the Lhasa Tour from Kathmandu, and overall, it was an incredible experience. The tour was well-organized, and everything went smoothly from the moment we were picked up in Kathmandu. The arrangements, including transportation and guides, were top-notch, ensuring we could fully enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and cultural experiences. The accommodations were basic but manageable, which is typical for the region. One thing to note, however, is that restroom facilities along the way were in very poor condition—this is beyond the control of the Peregrine. I highly recommend carrying hand sanitizer and being prepared to use open toilets when necessary. This small inconvenience was easily outweighed by the stunning scenery and unique cultural experiences. Despite these challenges, the tour provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Lhasa’s spiritual and historical landmarks. The visits to Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple were unforgettable highlights. If you’re prepared for a bit of adventure and some rustic conditions, this tour is an amazing way to experience the heart of Tibet. Highly recommended!

Attempted to book the Forbidden Lhasa and Everest Base Camp tour with Adventure Himalayan Travels. Caveat emptor (buyer beware): You cannot enter Lhasa by air without using a China gateway city (Chengdu). You cannot enter Lhasa without a Tibet permit. To get a Tibet permit you must spend five days in Nepal and then fly to Chengdu and then to Lhasa. The PRC will not issue a China visa if you book travel to Tibet unless your tour operator has already obtained a Tibet permit. The tour operator does not disclose any of this in their brochure and you can be stuck with large expense.

The guide and driver provided the seven persons on the tour, which included me, with excellent service and information about Llasa and the southernTibet sites we viewed. I particularly enjoyed the Mount Everest Tibet basecamp visit and our tour of a Bhudist nunnery.. The accommodations were first class. While the roads in Nepal are unpaved and rocky, the driver and 4by4's shocks and suspension took us through the jolting terrain.

Tour was excellent. Better than expected. Amy (the tour leader) was particularly good. Great itinerary - a lot packed into a short time.

Best trip ever! Potala palace Is a jewel!

Thank you Asmita & the whole team of Outshine Adventure for making this great tour possible. We've been in safe hands with a very sympathic guide and driver that conveyed us a lot of knowledge about the fascinating culture in Tibet. Highly recommended, Haiko & Manuela from Germany.

We have just finished a private Indian Tour with Odynova. I suggested my rough itinery and they did the rest, organizing sightseeing, hotels and travel between cities. We had an excellent driver and local guides in the cities we visited making it a stress free adventure. Don Li my main contact with the company always answered my queries promptly and honestly. I would highly recommend this company. Rebecca R

This was all together a very pleasant experience. Starting with the process of building and adjusting all the details of the trip to our wish, to the execution, all was perfect. We were very satisfied with our tour guides, and have made friends for life while in China. Highly recommended! Thank you once again

Outstanding tour and guide.!!! Always on time.

Fantastic!!! Everything!!! Wonderful guide!!!

The trip was very well organized by Silk Road Tour. The local tour guide and program were well coordinated and offered great insights with opportunities for independent exploration. A delicious and varied lunch was the daily highlight. The group was nice and small with four people. The tour guide and driver were responsive to special requests and I felt safe and comfortable.

Although the weather was very cold, hotels were warm. The history and sights were amazing. Guides were helpful and knowledgeable. I could have spent an extra day in the sand dunes. Arrival was delayed and didn't have enough time to see everything.

The trip seemed very poorly organised. Hotels were a few times overbooked. We had two reasonably good hotels in 15 days. The rest was crap. Overrunning toilets, no heating or airco, tv’s did not work, Wifi never worked, screaming and yelling from the staff all evening and nights long. Staff can’t speak a word of english. Beds were rock hard. Felt like just dump the tourist somewhere, as cheap as possible. Price/ quality did not match at all. We have seen Tibet mainly by endless busrides up to 12 hours a day. The bathrooms we had to use on the way were undescribably dirty and disgusting. The guide was good in doing the paperwork for the checkup's, and taking us from here to there but seemed not really involved in trying to get us the information we needed or telling us about Tibet, the people, the boeddhisme (where I came for!) We did the Kailash trek. I booked a horse in front because of my lungproblems. It seemed no one knew about this arrangement and because many people came to the Sagadawa Festival, there was probably no horse available. Same thing, I had to pay 450 dollar in front for a horse. And I had to pay approximately 1050 yuan for a someone who would carry my backpack. When we arrived at he Kailash all the horses were overbooked. I encouraged the guide to fight for it and he finally turned up with a very old and skinny horse and a boy from 12 years old to guide the horse. It was the boys first time. When we came to the Drolma pass the horse refused to walk any further. So I climbed the hill on my own and almost died 60 meters from the top. A german tourist/ docter helped me. She measured the oxygen in my blood (60!!) gave me oxygene and helped me te get over the top where i found people of my group who helped me another 6 km downwards over loose laying slippery rocks. No guide of the agency to find anywhere. Other tourists cane to my rescue. The agent I booked this Saga DawaFestival tour was Nepal Hiking LTD in Kathmandu, mr Tilak Thapa Magar. He did not answer the many questions I asked him, so I (so to speak jumped in the deep without knowing anything about what, why and when.) I tried a phonecall with the man but his english was so poorly, that did not work either. The confusion was about the question: would I travel directly to Lhasa or better to Kathmandu because of the reluctancy of the chinees to welcome foreigners to Tibet. Finally, He encouraged me to come to Katmandu first. So I changed my original flight from Adam to Lhasa into Adam to Kathmandu. Turns out I was the only one who made that choice, so I had to pay another €1000,- to get from Katmandu to Lhasa. Because I wanted single rooms, he also charged me €500,- extra. At the end of te tour my flight was cancelled from Lhasa to Kathmandu and instead I had to fly to Chengdu and from Chengdu to Kathmandu. ( in Kathmandu I have a retreat for 5 days now) A woman from the agency (the guide did not want to tell the name of the agency ??!) took care of that. But first, mr Tilak wanted €150 more to do so. That is where we stand now. I have no trust or faith what so ever because nothing in this trio worked out according to plan. All and all: the country Tibet with the mountains and the people and the display of boeddhisme I was able to see. But the trip itself was a accumulation of stress and sorrow. Extra costs: €1000 for the unnecessary flights Kathmandu - Lhasa and back. €150, extra for a flight to chengdu- Kathmandu ( because the flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu from Himalaya Airlines was cancelled) $ 450 dollar for a horse that was to old and skinny to do the job. 1050 yuan to carry my luggage over the mountains which was done by car told the guide smiling. I would like Tourradar to react on this response.

I have toured twice with this company in 2010 and 2016 and most important the guides are always concerned about your well being and health. I was never left alone and this is important when dealing with issues such as high altitude and felt comfortable with the guides. I have recommended this tour company to friends