Lupine Travel

Our Roof of the World tour takes in the cultural heritage of two lesser-visited Chinese cities in Xining and Golmud before heading towards ever higher altitudes to experience the cultural and geological wonders of Tibet.

Starting by exploring the Muslim-majority Chinese city of Xining (2,200m above sea-level), we’ll take a high-speed train to Golmud, where a mixture of Mongolian and Muslim culture plays out across a formerly closed-off Chinese military city. Visits to Taoist holy sites are followed by an overnight train to Lhasa (3,650m) on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest in the world. Once in Tibet, altitudes increase further, while we spend time acclimatising, we’ll have opportunities for cultural immersion and visits to the Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and the iconic Potala Palace.

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The tour’s hiking journeys (ranging from three to seven hours, across varying elevation) will take in the monasteries and nunneries on the edges of Lhasa and the Xiqin Hot Springs. We’ll then head to Everest base camp to explore Rongbuk Monastery and wait for the ideal viewing window to see the world’s highest mountain. The journey to Nyalam Town offers glimpses of another 8000m peak, Shishapangma, and a stop off at the rarely visited Milarepa Cave, before the tour finishes in Kathmandu.

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Difficulty rating

Hiking Grade: Mild to Moderate

Our Tibet: Traversing the Roof of the World tour is suitable for people who have some prior hiking experience and are looking for a comfortable yet comprehensive experience. It is also suitable for fit beginners who want to step out of their comfort zone and progress up the difficulty ladder. Paths are generally well marked; however, there may be a few difficult steps to negotiate. You can expect higher elevation gain and the majority of the tour will occur in medium altitude (2,500 to 4,500 metres above sea level). Some short walks will occur in high altitude (above 4,500 metres above sea level).

This tour dips into the Moderate grade due to the effect of the medium to high altitude in our bodies. While the itinerary is design to acclimatise gradually, the altitude can make trails that would have otherwise been Mild into Moderate.

Average distance in a day hike: 6Kms – 12Kms (4mi – 8mi)
Maximum distance in a day hike: 15Kms (9.5mi)
Average elevation gain in a day hike: 250m – 600m (820ft – 1,970ft)
Maximum elevation gain in a day hike: 700m (2,300ft)

Adventure Grade. Moderate

Accommodation and bathroom facilities must be shared for part of the Tibet: Traversing the Roof of the World tour. While the buses and trains are in good condition, some of the roads are very windy and unpaved, specially when we get to Nepal. The effect of the medium to high altitude in our bodies makes everything feel less comfortable. Weather conditions in Everest Base Camp are changeable and unpredictable, while we plan the tour during seasons where the weather is historically stable, the high altitude and montane environment create a degree of unpredictability.