All Frequently Asked Questions by our clients are answered below. Please click on the respective Questions to get the answer.
Tibet is known as Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Tibet is located mainly on the Tibetan Plateau in the southwest of China. Its neighboring nations are Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Myanmar to its south.
Yes, definitely. Due to the Tibet travel policy, all international tourists can only visit Tibet via local travel agencies. Your tour must be guided either through a group tour or a private tour. Himalayan Wander Walkers organize a Tibet tour by collaborating with our local agent in Lhasa, Tibet.
No, a Tibet permit is mandatory to travel to Tibet before getting your China Visa. Individual traveler is not allowing in Tibet. You need to join other groups. Let us arrange a group visa to Tibet.
Himalayan Wander Walkers have a team from Tibet who are locally expert. To organize your tour you need to send a copy of the personal detail page of your passport and that must be in JPG format less or equal to 100 KB size. You have to send us this one month before your Tibet tour. We will do all the necessary paper works for your travel permit, Chinese Visa, and tour booking.
Nepal is bordering Tibet in the southern part of China. Great Himalayan ranges mark the border between Nepal and Tibet. Nepal is the closest gateway to Tibet.
After arriving in Kathmandu you will have two choices to get to Tibet either by flight or overland. The overland option starts from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi and later crosses the Kyirong border to Tibet, China; it takes around 7-8 hours to drive around 200km. While the entire Kathmandu to Lhasa tour covers around 1,300km in 8 days. Besides, the flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa is also available, which takes 1h29min covering 603km. - Check for more details for traveling to Tibet from Nepal.
Yes, Kyirong (or Gyirong) border, currently the Sino-Nepal border, remains open to international tourists for Tibet travel.
Yes, Tibet is open for tourists. The main seasons for Tibet are between March to October. Due to the less rainy area, summer is considered a good time to visit Tibet when the climate is moderate.
To travel to Tibet you need a Tibet travel permit in addition to a Chinese Visa. With only a Chinese visa, you are not allowed to enter Tibet. Thus, for international tourists, you have to get Tibet Permit via a Tibet travel agency. And we offer free service for that. The processing of it takes 8-9 business days.
Independent travelers are not allowed to visit Tibet unless; your tour is booked or guided tour with a local Tibet travel agency. We have a team from Tibet who owns a travel agency in Lhasa. Himalayan Wander Walkers arrange all the paper processing for Tibet.
From Shanghai, there are two options to reach Tibet. The distance between Shanghai and Lhasa is 4,373km by Train and it takes about 47:27hrs. While the distance is 2,944km by flight, it takes about 7h 55min flight, with transit in Xi’an or Chengdu.
To visit Tibet from India, you may firstly fly from New Delhi to Kathmandu and then either take a flight or enjoy the Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour to Lhasa.
The documents required to visit Tibet is called Tibet Travel Permit. If you already got a Chinese Visa then send us your Chinese visa and we will prepare your Tibet Permits.
You will see snow mostly in winter and springtime. While at high mountain passes like Lagenla Pass (5190m) or any places with high altitudes like EBC (5200m), the snow may fall randomly.
Averaging 4000m above sea level, Tibet is dubbed as the “Roof of the World.” The highest region lies in the northwest of Ngari Prefecture, topping 4500m on average, while the lowest places are in Nyingchi Prefecture, southeast of Tibet, where the average altitude stays around 3000m.
There are several popular cities in mainland China from where you can find jump-off points to Lhasa such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xining, Xi’an, and Chongqing. From these places, you can easily enjoy the flight or Tibet train from these places to Tibet.
Chinese Yuan or RMB is the official currency widely used in Tibet just like elsewhere in China.
Due to the high altitude, the air in Tibet is thin and arid. The weather is also marked by the huge temperature change between day and night, with long hours of sunshine and powerful UV light.
Tibetan and Chinese are the official languages spoken in Tibet. Some street vendors also speak some useful English phrases. Learn more about the Tibetan People, Language, and Lifestyles.
Yes, like other international tourists, Indian citizens are required to have Tibet Permit for Travel in Tibet. If there enter Tibet from Nepal, an additional China Group Visa is also needed.
The easiest way is to fly from Changi Airport to Chengdu, then travel either by flight or Tibet train to Lhasa.
You may fly from the below cities to Nepal and then take a direct flight from Nepal (Kathamndu) to Lhasa.
Pacific US: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles
Mountain US: Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City
Central US: Dallas, Michigan, Chicago, Mississippi
Eastern US: New York, New Jersey, Miami, Tampa, Washington DC, Philadelphia
Even in the 21st century, Tibet remains a sacred and peaceful virgin land for exploration. Though Lhasa has become much modernized, with more shopping malls and modern facilities, the devoted Tibetan pilgrims live in peace and harmony and old traditions stay intact. From local delicacy to intriguing lives of local Tibetans and magnificent Tibetan monasteries and exotic festivities, epic landscapes, and rich wildlife, etc. you will be bewitched by this last “Shangri La” on our planet.
Explore Potala Palace, home to Dalai Lamas; worship a life-size statue of Buddha in Jokhang Temple; experience the famous Barkhor Circuit; roam over Barkhor Bazaar; taste sweet tea in local teahouse; watch princess Wencheng outdoor musical; watch monk debate in Sera Monastery; Hike in Drepung Monastery and Enjoy the kora in Ganden Monastery; Explore cliff-side Drak Yerpa meditation cave, etc. - Find out more of things to do in Lhasa.
Due to the huge temperature change and arid climate with strong UV light, it’s better to bring multiple layers of clothes, esp. those for windproof and cold-proof jackets; headwear, sports shoes, and gears for sun protection, toiletries, and personal medicines, esp. ones needed for cold relief and altitude sickness; other items like a vacuum flask, etc.
Definitely, in fact, based on our years of Tibet tour operating experiences, American citizens account for the largest group of international tourists to Tibet.
The exact amount of cost for Tibet tour varies greatly, given the travel season, travel mode (private or group tour), and transport, and hotel, etc. It’s better to consult our pro travel consultant for a more accurate quotation for your Tibet tour.
Yes, definitely. With over 90% of locals being faithful Buddhists, the crime rate of Tibet is fairly low. As a distinguished local Tibet travel agency, we put “the safe and pleasant travel” as one of our top priorities. Our designated customer service manager, oxygen supply, and seasoned local leaders, and systematic emergency services will ensure your travel safety.
The Tibetan name for Everest is Qomolangma. Yes, to be more exact, as Mt. Everest stretches across both China and Nepal, Mt. Everest is jointly shared by these two countries. To enjoy the amazing close-up view of Mt. Everest.
For the most classic Lhasa tour, 4 days are needed. To enjoy the serene lakes like Lake Namtso or Yamdrok around Lhasa, make it 5 or 6 days. For the Everest Base Camp and epic Himalayan vista, budget 8 days for the trip. While visiting holy Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, you need at least 15 days.
The quickest way is to take a flight from London to Kathmandu with a stopover in New Delhi. Then either travel overland across the Kyirong border to Tibet or change flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Tibet is known for its profound Buddhist traditions, epic Himalayan ranges and serene holy lakes and innocent and resourceful local Tibetans and massive unspoiled land and little-known flora and fauna, of course, its eye-blinding sunshine and high altitude, etc., Tibet is the last “Shangri La” waiting for your exploration.
For souvenirs, go to Barkhor Street. From hand-made Tibetan incense, Tibetan carpet to exquisite Tibetan Thangka and dried yak meat and turquoise bracelets, tiny prayer wheels, etc, there are plenty of options.
Tibet can be visited all year round. The best time to visit Tibet is from April to mid-June and September to October for the best Himalayan view and most outdoor activities. For budget travelers like students, the best time to visit Tibet would be in winter, i.e. from Nov to early Feb next year. Many discounts like flights, hotels, etc. are available, with very few tourists.
While the summertime of Tibet, i.e. July to Aug, is the most comfortable season in Tibet, with the highest oxygen content and more moisture in the air, pleasing breeze and verdant grasslands, and plenty of festivities to enjoy, etc.
Visiting during the major festivals and events is also a great way to experience your trip to Tibet.
Admittedly, the hotel facilities and service in Tibet can’t be compared with that of the western world. The best hotels and facilities with many options are found in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi. Like in the Kailash Kora the lodges are more basic and less fancy than hotels in cities.
Covering 1,228,400 square km, Tibet is the second largest region in China, full of infinite opportunities for adventures.
From Chengdu to Lhasa you can take either train (36:18 hrs) or Flight (2hrs). Flight is a time saver and easier.