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In reality, Travelling to Tibet is relatively easy and straight forward. Here are things to know before travelling to Tibet.
Tibet is well known for its natural beauty and cultural uniqueness. Yet located on the highest plateau of earth, the region is regarded as a difficult place to travel.
Table of contents
- Travelling to Tibet requires an organised tour.
- Group tours are not obligated to travel to Tibet.
- Different Travel regulation for those travelling to Tibet from Nepal or other regions of China.
- Acclimatisation first in Tibet
- Best time to visit Tibet
- Conclusion of Things to know before travelling to Tibet
Travelling to Tibet requires an organised tour.
Travelling to Tibet requires an organised tour. Independent travel in Tibet is not admitted.
All the international visitors are required to organised tour with a local travel agency in Tibet. Including service of; setting itinerary, tour guide service, Tibet travel permit, and private vehicle with a driver.
The travel agency in Tibet will take care of all the above arrangement and permit for your visit to Tibet. It is advised to contact a traveller choose an ethically and responsible Tibetan Tibet based travel agency.
Group tours are not obligated to travel to Tibet.
One of the biggest misconceptions about travelling to Tibet is about group tours.
We often find the wrong travel articles stating the requirement of joining a group tour to travel to Tibet. Those are false.
You don’t need to be a part of a group tour to visit Tibet. Instead, you can travel as a solo traveller or travel with your family or family as a private organised tour.
There is no requirement to travel with a group of unknown people.
The group tour is an economical way to visit Tibet as you will be sharing the cost of the car and tour guide service.
In the group tour, you will have a fix tour date and itinerary. However, it has the benefit of being economical way. Yet it has its drawback.
In the group tour, there is no flexibility. You can not make any change to the tour itinerary and date. Additionally, you will have to travel with people you don’t know, and you might have to share a hotel room.
Private tour is more costly, yet it comes with much more freedom. Here you can customise the tour itinerary, arrive as your schedule and travel with people close to you.
Different Travel regulation for those travelling to Tibet from Nepal or other regions of China.
The only possible route to get to Tibet is either through Nepal or from the other regions on China. In both cases, the travel regulation about Visa and the Tibet travel permit is a little different.
Travel regulation for those coming to Tibet from Nepal
Suppose you are planning to come to Tibet from Nepal. You will have to get the Chinese Group Visa from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
Chinese Group visa is a two page Visa on a separate paper. Not on the passport.
Please do not apply for it elsewhere. Otherwise, regular visas will get revoked.
Your Tibet travel has to apply by your travel agency in advance without your visa copy. The permits wait in Tibet at the entry port with your tour guide.
Travel regulation for those coming to Tibet from Other parts of China
Suppose you are coming to Tibet from other parts of China. You will have to get the Chinese Visa from your home/residential country in a month in advance.
Your travel agency can help send you the Visa invitation for the group Visa. But it will have a limited number of people require.
Tourism policy is different for the train journey or flight.
Flight:- If you are taking flight from any part of China to Tibet. You will need the original Tibet travel permit in hand before getting into the Tibet bound flight.
We can send the permit to your hotel address in China, or we can arrange someone to deliver your permit at Chengdu airport.
Train: If you are taking the train journey to Lhasa from any part of China. You will only need the printed copy of the permit. We can send it on your email.
Yet, if you are taking the train from Chongqing, You will need the original permit, and we will have to send it to your hotel.
Acclimatisation first in Tibet
This is a most important point things to know before travelling to Tibet.
Your holiday in Tibet can be significantly affected by how well your body is adapting to the high elevation of Tibet.
Due to a higher height of Tibetan plateau, Air in Tibet atmosphere is thinner.
It takes your body some time to get adapted to the less oxygen in Tibet.
Without a good pace for your body to get used to Tibet, It is rather dangerous to go up to the higher elevation without proper acclimatisation in Tibet.
With regular tours, you will have two days in Lhasa (11811 feet) before going up to the higher elevations. Which many people find it harder to get acclimatise to.
You can always choose to arrive early in Lhasa and take a good rest in Lhasa and give yourself plenty of time to use to the environment.
Regular Medicine for the high Altitude sickness is not available in local market in China and specially in Tibet. Please consult your doctor and bring the medicine from home.
Please remember, High altitude sickness can happen with anyone. I especially find it more frequently with younger people as they tend to get careless.
Best time to visit Tibet
The best time to visit Tibet is from April to June and mid-September to November.
During those time, you will find a clear sky and unobscured view of the Mountains and landscapes.
Wheather during those months are generally dry and relatively mild in temperature.
If you are prepared to bear the harsh cold of the wintertime, visiting Tibet from December to mid-February is one of the best.
During the wintertime, there are fewer domestic and international travellers.
Additional to that winter is a time for Tibetan from all over the Tibetan-Qinghai plateau to come to the central Tibet (TAR) for pilgrimage. It presents an excellent opportunity for photography and authentic travel experience in Tibet.
Most places are accessible in winter. But it impossible to visit Mount Kailash region and go for trekking in winter.
The summer month (mid-June to September) brings monsoon in most of Tibet, which blocks the mountains and give you less chance to explore outside.
Additionally, summer holiday and national holiday in the first week of October brings millions of domestic tourist. All over the Tibet, it will be very touristy during the season.
Conclusion of Things to know before travelling to Tibet
Tibet is always a fantastic place to visit. Though you are required to organise a tour with a local travel agency, it is straightforward to arrange tours in Tibet. All you need is contact with a reputable travel agent in Lhasa.
You don’t need to be a part of a group tour to visit Tibet. There is a different tourism policy for visiting Tibet from Nepal and other parts of China.
Always keep acclimatisation in your mind while planing and before departing from home. Proper acclimatisation is a must to enjoy your holiday in Tibet.
Best time to visit Tibet is from April to June and mid-September to November. Winter is also an excellent time for cultural experiences.
I hope you have enjoy reading this post about Things to know before travelling to Tibet.
Our Travel agency ( i-Tibet travel and tours) offers great tours services to the entire plateau.
You can read more Tibet travel guide from this link.
If you have any further questions about travelling to Tibet, please do write to us for a free travel consultant to Tibet. You can reach us at [email protected].
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