Certain places in the world are so otherworldly and remote that they seem almost mythological, like they are cut off from the rest of civilization. Tibet is one such place.
The highest region on the highest plateau on Earth, Tibet does something no other place can boast, offer a completely unique blend of otherworldly natural wonders, centuries-old spiritual traditions and a remote quality that connects you to your inner self and the universe all at once.
Yet it’s not as easy as booking a flight and going. The massive details surrounding travel to Tibet, its political situation, its regulations, its tourism issues and its altitude, make it an sometimes inaccessible country. But it’s not impossible. Thousands of travelers every year visit, and with advance planning and an understanding of what’s involved, you can make it happen.
Why There is No Place Like Tibet
You should go just for the views, the endless stretches of high desert, the myriad turquoise lakes reflective against dry, low mountains, the mountains themselves that dwarf any mountain range you’ve ever seen elsewhere. The north face of Mount Everest lives here along with countless more peaks most will never see in their lives.
Then, of course, is the culture. Tibetan Buddhism permeates daily life; prayer flags trim every hillside, monks engage in philosophical debates in monk courtyards, while pilgrims throw their hearts and souls into full body prostrations along sacred pilgrim routes that can stretch on for hundreds of miles (sometimes taking months to complete). The Potala Palace looms over Lhasa like something from ages past; its white and red walls houses the history of centuries gone by.
Most travelers write that Tibet feels timeless, and it’s true. Yes, there are signs of civilization in major cities, but step foot in any temple or travel outside city limits into rural areas and you’re engaging traditions that have changed little since the 1950s and before.
The Permit Situation (You Can’t Just Show Up)
And this is where things get tricky about travel to Tibet. You can’t just go there without intervention. Due to China’s control over the region, foreigners must have multiple permits to visit along with arrangements for guided tours. There is no exception, backpacking through Tibet isn’t allowed.
You will need a Tibet Travel Permit (also known as a TTB permit) that can only be issued through registered tour companies. You’ll likely also need additional permits if you’re heading to certain areas as well as military zones and border areas. The paperwork must be submitted weeks in advance with passport copies, visa numbers and itineraries down to the day.
This is why many travelers go through and utilize companies like Songtsan Tibet Travel that can both facilitate all the paperwork and possess the knowledge necessary to create itineraries that honor the regulations at hand while still providing meaningful experiences.
The mandatory guide requirement is actually a benefit to most travelers, too. Guides provide invaluable cultural understanding that would be otherwise missed on your own, help navigate language barriers, and are specifically trained in altitude acclimation issues. They know which monasteries are open to tourists, which customs are honored at sacred sites, what meaningful participation looks like, and how to best interact with local populations.
Dealing with the Altitude
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Lhasa sits at 11,975 feet above sea level. High ski resorts operate around this altitude. The average Tibetan altitude is approximately 14,800 feet above sea level. Your body will notice if you’ve come from sea level.
Altitude sickness is real and it does not discriminate between in-shape athletic travelers or sedentary tourists. Young, healthy people can be just as affected as middle-aged less active persons. Symptoms range from slight headaches and fatigue to nausea and breathing problems. In rare cases it can be life threatening when not addressed.
Acclimatization is key. Most tour itineraries provide extra time in Lhasa before heading to higher elevations. This is not wasted time; this is extra time where your body is adapting to the pressure changes while simultaneously exploring local markets and sacred temples. Drink tons of water. Avoid alcohol for the first few days (to reduce dehydration). Move slowly! Don’t overexert yourself!
Some travelers take altitude medication like Diamox which can mitigate symptoms, ask your doctor about this medication before you go. But this does not serve as a replacement for acclimatization; rather it gives you extra assistance when dealing with your body acclimating.
What Will You Do and See?
On a typical tour itinerary, you’ll spend your entire time based out of Lhasa, and that’s for good reason. Just the Potala Palace can fill an entire day; this massive structure boasts over 1,000 rooms, more than 100 chapels and serves as a museum, former residence of the Dalai Lama and an active pilgrimage site for those seeking spiritual ascent. Plus, it’s much more dimly lit by butter lamps which gives a transcendent feel, and slightly eerie quality, inside.
Jokhang Temple is said to be the holiest of holy sites in Tibetan Buddhism, as such pilgrims make their way from across Tibet to visit, this is where you’ll see many full-body prostrations being made around the temple itself (a kora), a humbling sight, and inside there’s little light but smoke from incense burning plus centuries-old murals and statues.
Beyond Lhasa are many tours going west to Everest base camp on the Tibetan side; it’s a long drive through what looks like lunar landscapes, vast expanses devoid of life but breathtakingly stark, and suddenly you’ll see Everest from the base camp vantage point, and it dwarfs everything in sight.
The same goes for Namtso Lake, a massive body of turquoise water surrounded by snow capped peaks, as if someone turned up the saturation on the computer photo app but it’s genuinely that blue. Yamdrok Lake provides similar views, but does so on a wholly different route.
The Practicalities: Cost and Timing
Tibet is not a cheap destination. Be prepared to spend anywhere between $200-300 per person per day for budget tours; $300-500 per person per day for mid-range tours, etc. Luxury tours can start at $1,000 per person per day. This includes necessary permits/tours/guides as well as accommodations and meals, these logistics are too complicated to arrange by yourself which is why you’re paying someone who knows better than you how to navigate this territory.
The best time to visit Tibet is between April-October; May/September are even better months, good weather with fewer tourists than summer heat but all major sites are open. Winter is not recommended unless you enjoy cold weather, with open passes at high altitudes possibly closed due to snow.
How to Make it Happen
Give yourself at least three or four months of research time before traveling; this ensures your permits are in place and travel plans are constructed well. You need plenty of time to book tours/arrange permits/get proper visas (and these take time) before setting into your travel journey.
Even physical preparation helps, even if Tibet isn’t about extreme hiking challenges (though there are some), being prepared helps make getting to higher altitudes easier for your body. If you can spend time at altitude beforehand, a weekend in the mountains or even just back East somewhere that has higher elevations, it will help your body remember what elevation feels like.
While the restrictions surrounding travel can feel overwhelming on the surface, they’re actually systematic and reliable once you get into a groove with what’s required. Thousands of travelers do this every year successfully, and once there it’s easy to see why this majestic region is one worth every effort to access.
If Tibet were easy to reach then it wouldn’t have the same magical feel. There’s something about making it there that makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something more than just hitting another tourist destination. For anyone who’s ever fantasized about dramatic landscape views worthy of every postcard or cultures from centuries ago that proudly maintain their trajectories, Tibet shouldn’t be missed.
