Before booking, please read the entry and health notes below. Tibet is not like the rest of China: entry paperwork, altitude and the pace of travel all need planning, and some of it cannot be arranged at short notice.
Entry formalities. Every foreign visitor needs a Tibet Travel Permit (often called the TTP or 入藏证) in addition to a Chinese visa. Independent travel is not permitted: you must travel as part of an arranged group with a licensed Tibetan guide and a licensed vehicle with driver throughout. For areas beyond Lhasa prefecture — Shigatse, Everest Base Camp and the border counties among them — additional permits are required on top of the TTP. We handle the paperwork, but it takes time, so please book well ahead and send passport details early. Apply at least 15 to 30 working days in advance, and longer in peak season. The original permit must be carried with you throughout the trip: photocopies are not accepted, and it is checked at airports, railway stations, checkpoints, hotels and attraction entrances. The name, passport number, nationality, travel dates and permitted travel shown on the permit must match your actual information and itinerary. Permits are issued at the discretion of the authorities and can be withdrawn at short notice if policy changes.
China visa. You must hold a valid Chinese visa for the whole trip, including the domestic flights and trains used to enter and leave Tibet. In most cases this is an L tourist visa. If you hold another type of visa, tell us when you enquire, as additional supporting documents may be needed.
Altitude. Lhasa sits at 3,650 m and much of this programme runs higher. Acclimatisation days are built into the itinerary for a reason: guests who fly in and drive straight up do not enjoy the trip. Expect some breathlessness and disturbed sleep for the first day or two, drink more water than usual, avoid alcohol on the first nights and keep the first day gentle.
Health. Travellers over 60, and anyone with a heart or lung condition, high blood pressure, or who is pregnant, should consult a doctor before booking and bring a medical certificate. Please tell us about any relevant condition when you enquire. Oxygen is carried in the vehicle on all high-altitude days.
Everest accommodation. Lodging near Everest Base Camp is basic and very cold, and no hotel upgrade changes that. It is a fixed condition of going there, and it is oxygen supplied.
Pace and conditions. Road distances in Tibet are long and journey times depend on road works, weather and checkpoint queues, so treat all driving times as approximate. Accommodation outside Lhasa is simpler than in the big eastern cities, and hotels of the same standard are used where the ones shown are full; specific hotels cannot be guaranteed. Photography is prohibited inside many chapel interiors; your guide will tell you where.
Q: Do I need a Tibet Travel Permit, and do you arrange it?
A: Yes. Every overseas visitor needs a Tibet Travel Permit in addition to a Chinese visa, and for Shigatse, Everest Base Camp and the border counties further permits are required. We arrange them as part of the booking. You cannot apply for them yourself, and you cannot travel in Tibet independently, so please book early and send passport details as soon as you can.
Q: Is the Potala Palace open every day?
A: No. The Potala Palace closes on Mondays. If your programme falls on a Monday, the order of visits is rearranged so that no site is lost.
Q: What should I bring?
A: A valid passport and Chinese visa, your permit, warm layers including a down jacket, sun protection with high-factor sunscreen and sunglasses, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, and any regular medication. Lip balm and hand cream are useful, since the air is very dry.
Q: Can the itinerary be adjusted?
A: Yes. These programmes are built to be adjusted — a longer acclimatisation stay, a hotel category upgrade in Lhasa, or a different route out of Tibet. Tell us what you need when you enquire and we will price it.
