January 2019: This updated post highlights 5 things you should know before going to Tibet. Contact us for more info at: thelandofsnows@gmail.com

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5 travel tips when going to Tibet

Tibet is full of natural and unique cultural beauty. Located on the north side of the Himalayas, Tibet has a reputation as being a difficult place to travel to. In reality, getting to Tibet is quite easy, as long as you use the right travel company. Here are 5 things to know before going to Tibet.

1. Travel to Tibet requires an organized tour

Independent travel in Tibet is not permitted. All foreign travelers going to Tibet must be on an organized tour that includes a private vehicle, a driver, Tibet travel permits, set travel itinerary and a tour guide. There are no exceptions to these travel regulations. Only a travel company can assist you in getting to Tibet. Getting to Tibet is not difficult, as long as you use a reputable, local company. The travel company that you use will take care of all arrangements and permits for you in Tibet. It is best to contact a travel company at least 2 months before you plan to go to Tibet.

When traveling to Tibet, be sure to travel ethically and responsibly by choosing to use a Tibet-based company that is staffed with local Tibetan people. For advice on which travel company to use, contact us at: thelandofsnows@gmail.com

2. Group tours in Tibet are not required

The biggest misconception on travel to Tibet is regarding group tours. Group tours are not required when going to Tibet. I find new travel articles on Tibet every few weeks that state that group tours are required. These are FALSE. You are free to go to Tibet as a solo traveler or travel with your friends and family. You do not have to travel with a group of people that you don’t know.

While group tours are not required for Tibet, they can be a more economical way to visit the region. Group tours. which have fixed dates and a fixed-itinerary, can be considerably cheaper than a private tour, but there are some drawbacks. With a group tour, you cannot customize the travel route, you often cannot choose your own exact travel dates, you have to travel with people that you don’t know and you might have to share a hotel room with someone you don’t necessarily like.

A private journey will cost more than a group tour, but it gives you much more freedom. With a private tour you can customize your own travel route in Tibet, can arrive to Tibet anytime that best fits your schedule and you can travel just with yourself or your family and friends.

For some recommendations on travel routes to take in Tibet, go to the following link: Package Journeys in Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan

3. Tibet is closed each year during March

When planning a journey to Tibet, make sure that you plan around the annual closure that takes place from mid February thru March. The exact starting date of this closure varies from year to year, but starts sometime between February 15 and February 20. The closure then lasts thru all of March, until very early April. This yearly closure is not new, but has been in place for over a decade. For more details on this yearly closure in Tibet, go to the following link: Tibet Closed in March

4. The view of Mt Everest is amazing

Mt Everest lies along the Tibet—Nepal border, meaning there is an Everest Base Camp on each side. The Nepal side Everest base camp can only be reached by trekking. The trek there is amazing, however, you cannot actually see Mt Everest from the Nepal side base camp. The Tibet-side base camp can be reached by road from Lhasa and offers a spectacular, unobstructed view of the world’s highest peak. The journey to reach the Tibet-side Everest base camp is easy as it can be done by vehicle. Go to the following link for more info on traveling to Everest base camp: Journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

5. Best times of year to visit Tibet

Planning when to go to Tibet is crucial as going in the wrong season can mean clouded mountain views, large tourist crowds or frigid temperatures. The best months to go to Tibet are from early April thru mid June and again from mid September thru the end of November. These months are generally dry and clear allowing for good mountain views. The temperatures during these months are also relatively mild (but remember, you are in the Himalayas, and not a tropical beach!).

Tibet can also be visited from December thru mid February as long as you are prepared for cold weather. The nice thing about visiting Tibet during the winter months is that there are almost no other travelers during that time. I’ve been to Everest base camp numerous times in winter and had the place all to myself! Most places in Tibet are accessible in the winter, though going to Nam Tso Lake and trekking are not possible.

The summer months from mid June thru mid September can bring clouds to most of Tibet, blocking the views of the mountains. Also, the summer months brings millions of domestic Chinese travelers to Tibet. Expect places like Lhasa, Tsetang and Shigatse to be very full of tourists in the summer months.

Summary

Tibet is an awesome region of the Himalayas that relatively few foreign travelers experience. Though an organized tour is required to go to Tibet, a group tour is not required. With the right travel company, getting to Tibet is very easy. Don’t plan to go to Tibet in March as the region is completely closed that month. If seeing Mt Everest is on your bucket list, you’re in luck as the view from Tibet is amazing. The best months to visit Tibet are in the spring and autumn as these months have clear weather and relatively mild temperatures.

If you have any questions about these 5 things to know before going to Tibet, email us! We’d be happy to answer any travel questions you have on Tibet (or Nepal and Bhutan): thelandofsnows@gmail.com