Tibet Trekking : All You Need to Know

For the adventurous who loves hiking and trekking, Tibet is the perfect destination to satisfy any challenge and adrenaline rush. Its towering mountains, rugged terrain, expansive plains, and sparkling lakes provide stunning views and landscapes that will captivate and impress even the most experienced adventurers. Best of all, Tibet trekking offers a more exclusive experience, as there are fewer trekkers here compared to Nepal. So, if you’re up for this one-of-a-kind experience and opportunity, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Tibet Shambhala Adventure.

Plan your trekking adventure with us!

Getting into Tibet and trekking your way through it can be tough without the help of professional guides and experienced, knowledgeable locals. At Tibet Shambhala Adventure, our local Tibetan staff will work with you to eliminate the complications of planning a safe and enjoyable trip. We are the best local travel agency in the country, with extensive experience in organizing trekking tours on vast plateaus, snow-capped mountains, forested gorges, and lush grasslands.

From arranging permits to your lodging, transportation, meals, and itinerary, our seasoned, educated, and well-trained staff will provide a worry-free experience. Plus, we offer a range of hiking and trekking trips for every skill level—whether you’re a seasoned mountaineer or a novice hiker. Our Tibet trekking itineraries are sure to be rewarding and challenging at the same time.

If you’re ready, this blog has everything you need to know for a worry-free trip

Traveling to Tibet

Tibet is a restricted country that doesn’t allow independent travel, so you’ll need our help for your trekking trip. At Tibet Shambhala Adventure, we provide prearranged Tibet trekking tours and secure the necessary travel permits.

We recommend getting a Chinese visa, especially if you’re boarding a train or flight from China. Remember to get your Chinese visa at least one month before your trip because we need it to secure your Tibet travel permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. (You don’t have to worry about this if you’re a citizen of countries that have mutual visa exemption agreements with China.)

Besides your travel permit and visas, you’ll also need extra permits for Tibet trekking, which only a licensed tour operator like us can arrange.

How to get to Tibet?

There are three ways to get to Tibet for your Trekking trip:

• Via flights from major cities in China or Kathmandu to Lhasa.

• Travel by land from Kathmandu to Lhasa. This is recommended if you prefer to take it slow and have a lot of time to spare since it could take anywhere from 4 to 5 days. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views on the route’s rugged highways.

• Travel by train aboard the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world’s highest rail track. It starts in Beijing and takes about 40 hours to Lhasa, with impressive landscapes that include tunnels, mountain passes, vast plains, and high-altitude lakes starting from Xining. Note that you can only book train tickets through a tour operator like us, so don’t think twice about asking us!

When is the best time to go trekking in Tibet?

You can visit Tibet all year, but Tibet trekking is best experienced in spring and summer, specifically from April to October. The weather isn’t too harsh during this time, and many treks are accessible because there’s no snow.

Additionally, many Tibetan festivals occur around these seasons, particularly the Saga Dawa (a month-long celebration of the birth of Buddha, Nirvana, and enlightenment). During your tour, you might also experience the Nagqu horse racing festival and the week-long Shoton festival.

Know before you go

One of the most important things to know before going on a Tibet trekking adventure is that you must be in good physical health and condition.

If you’re new to hiking, take the time to build your stamina. Experts advise going on multi-day hikes elsewhere and traveling to high-altitude areas before you attempt to trek in Tibet. This is because the entire country is on a plateau, with an average altitude of 13,000 ft (4,000 m) above sea level. Plus, most treks will take you above 16,400 ft (5,000 m). If you’re inexperienced and unable to acclimatize to these conditions, acute motion sickness will prevent you from going further.

Note that even highly experienced hikers and mountaineers should still prepare for their Tibet trekking trip. We recommend the following:

• Get Acetazolamide or Diamox before you go, and start taking it at least a day before you fly to Lhasa.
• Take a lot of time to rest and spend at least 2-3 days acclimatizing in Lhasa before you start your trek.
• If you experience light-headedness, headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, and other symptoms of acute motion sickness during your trek, you must immediately go to lower altitudes.

Best places to trek in Tibet:

Tibet trekking itineraries involve plenty of breathtaking places, but here are the most popular ones:

• Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Trek (medium to difficult)
• Everest Kangshung Trek (moderate to difficult)
• Ganden to Samye Trek (very difficult)
• Gyama Valley Trek (medium difficulty)

Things to pack and wear:

Make sure you have warm clothes, even if you’re traveling in the summer, autumn, or spring, because temperatures can drop at higher altitudes. We also recommend investing in high-quality winter gear and layering your clothes to stay warm.

If you need more advice, you can always contact the Tibet Shambhala Adventure team. We’ll make sure your Tibet trekking trip is safe, fun, and memorable. Call +86-13908907271 or email us!