Tibet trekking holidays & tours

Lying in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, there are exceptional touring, walking and trekking opportunities during the summer months in Tibet. Trekking tours in the rarefied air require excellent acclimatisation so it’s not possible to rush a holiday to Tibet - just as well with so many wonderful sights to see.

Culturally, Tibet still packs an impressive punch. In Lhasa, the Potala Palace is the landmark sight with its towering white walls and prostrating pilgrims. The Jokhang and surrounding streets of the Barkhor Market form both the spiritual and commercial heart of the old city. Outside of Lhasa, the old towns of Gyantse, Shegar and Shigatse provide a glimpse of life in old Tibet with their monasteries and forts. Our Definitive Cultural Tour of Tibet provides an in-depth exploration of these significant religious and cultural sights.

Away from the cultural centres, the Tibetan mountains and endless plateau form a dramatic landscape that is its crowning glory. The sacred mountain of Kailash is one of Tibet's most impressive natural sights attracting both trekkers and pilgrims alike. But it is probably the endless, high-altitude plateau of brown rolling hills, pierced occasionally by enormous peaks, that best characterises Tibet and leaves an indelible impression on all visitors. Travel on our Ancient Kingdom of Tibet trekking adventure and you'll discover the timeless landscapes and fascinating cultural remnants of the vast Tibetan plateau, far from any modern-day centres of population. In fact all of Mountain Kingdoms holidays in Tibet, are guaranteed to take you deeper into the rich culture and history of this remarkable region of the world.

All of our Tibet holidays include the services of an expert local guide, a good standard of accommodation and all meals. If travelling to Tibet with us via Kathmandu we will also arrange for your Chinese visa to be obtained on your behalf whilst you relax and enjoy some time in Nepal.

If you would like to visit Tibet on a private departure of one of our group tours - arranged at dates to suit you - or would like us to use our years of knowledge and experience of travelling to Tibet to help create your perfect holiday, then talk to our friendly travel team today about your very own Tailor Made holiday to Tibet.
 

• Capital city: Lhasa
• Population: 3,145,000 (est 2015)
• Size of country: 474,300 km sq
• Currency: Renminbi
• Power supply: 220v / 50hz
• Sockets: Round-three pin variety, but can also be European or British type sockets
• Language: Standard Tibetan and Mandarin Chinese
• Time difference: GMT +7 hours
• Visas: British nationals require a Chinese visa to visit Tibet.
• Religion: Tibetan Buddhism with a small minority of Muslims and Christians
• Popular dishes: Tukpa, noodles with meat
• Popular drinks: Yak butter tea
• Did you know: The Tibetan Plateau is roughly 4 x the size of France with an average altitude of 4,500m.
• FCDO link for holidays to Tibet from the UK: FCDO travel advice China (Tibet)

When is the best time to travel to Tibet?

Our climate charts will give you a guide as to the weather conditions and therefore the best time of year for holidays to Tibet.

Late spring-early summer and autumn are considered the best time to visit Tibet, particularly if you would like to go on a trek. The days are usually dry and bright and the nights are likely to be cool. Remember that at altitude the temperatures will be lower. 

In the summer months, parts of Tibet can experience heavy monsoon rains. However, for HImalayan regions, which lay within the rain shadow of the mountains, the precipitation is actually quite low and it is a good time for trekking.

What is the difficulty level of trekking in Tibet?

We offer trekking tours in Tibet graded from moderate to strenuous. Due to Tibet being at high altitude – the average altitude of Tibet is around 4,400m - all trekking is more demanding than it would be in a lower altitude environment. We therefore carefully plan our itineraries to include good acclimatisation programmes. For both our Mount Kailash Trek and our Ancient Kingdoms of Tibet trekking holiday, we include a pre-trek in Nepal. Further challenge is also added if you are trekking in Tibet’s mountains, as with the Kailash trek, where you have more ascent and descent.

Do I need special permits to trek in Tibet?

Currently, no special permits are required to trek in Tibet, however, entry visas and travel permits are required. All British visitors must have a Tibet Travel Permit and, if travelling direct to China from the UK, a Chinese entry visa. The Tibet Travel Permit can only be obtained by an authorised agency so our local partners will apply for this on your behalf. If any regional permits are required by the Chinese authorities we would also obtain these for you. If you book a Tibet holiday with Mountain Kingdoms we will, of course, provide detailed and up-to-date information about the entry requirements, fees and processes.

What should I pack for a trekking holiday in Tibet?

A Tibet trekking tour requires the same type of kit as you would take for any other trekking holiday. Clothing should be multi-layered with a good waterproof and warm layers that you can easily put on when the temperatures drop. Comfortable trekking boots with support and a good grip are essential, and we would also advise taking trekking poles, especially if your itinerary includes a lot of climbs and descents. Given the high altitude, your exposure to sun will be greater so you should carry a high factor suntan lotion and lip balm plus a sunhat. You should also have a large capacity water bottle which can be re-filled on trek. Another handy piece of kit for your trekking holiday in Tibet is a portable solar charger which will help re-charge phones, batteries and other tech when you are out on the trail and away from power supplies. We provide a detailed kit list in the dossier that we send out once your holiday is booked.

What type of accommodation is available during the trek?

We normally use small lodges in the areas where we run trekking holidays in Tibet. Camping is no longer permitted on the Kailash Circuit so we also use lodges here. These lodges are often very basic with rudimentary facilities. Our trek support team may provide additional services for you, such as cooking meals, whilst staying at the lodges.

Can I trek in Tibet alone or should I join a group?

The entry requirements for travel to Tibet make it very difficult to trek alone as you cannot enter Tibet independently. However, we would always advise trekking as part of a group anyhow. Your group will be led by a knowledgeable local guide who will enrich your experience with their deep knowledge of the history, culture and flora and fauna of the places you are trekking through. They will also help surmount any operational issues, language barriers and cultural sensitivities, and ensure you comply with any official rules and regulations. The leader will have a trek support crew to carry your luggage and cook hearty meals if required. In a group you will also have like-minded travellers to share your experiences with and to give you convivial company on the trail.

When is the best time to trek in Tibet?

The ideal time for trekking in Tibet is between the months of May and September. The weather during these months is mild, with warm sunny days and cool to chilly nights – especially at the higher altitudes. In fact, not dissimilar temperatures to summer conditions in Europe’s mountain ranges. July and August are Tibet’s monsoon season, and parts of the country can see a lot of rain during the day at this time of the year. However, in the south of the country, in Tibet’s mountains, the precipitation is much lower. This is because the Himalaya, which run along the length of the border with Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan, form a natural barrier against the monsoon rains from India – this is known as the Himalayan rain shadow. It keeps rainfall levels low in the region meaning that you can trek there throughout the summer months. The Saga Dawa Festival, at the foot of Mount Kailash, occurs annually around May/June. This is also a time of pilgrimage so you will encounter many devout Buddhist pilgrims performing a Kora (circuit) of the sacred mountain. Trekking alongside them adds an extra dimension to this classic trek in Tibet.