Travelling in Tibet

Once you've built your trip using our bite-sized trips to Tibet or chosen from one of our holidays in Tibet, it's a good idea to get clued up for your journey ahead.

To help you prepare and get the most out of your trip to Tibet, take a look at our handy information pages for top tips on travelling in Tibet:

Visa and Currency information

Weather in Tibet

Tibet Accomodation

Further Useful Information

Choosing a Tibet trip

China Travel Plan arranges trips to Tibet for independent travellers. Independent travel gives you flexibility, something you genuinely need when travelling in Tibet. You can stop at any scenic view point, take a toilet break or catch your breath before climbing higher into the mountains. China travel plan offers as much information and as many tips as possible for an independent trip. We will also try to help you choose what would you would like to do and where you would like to go. Most travellers combine travel to Tibet with travel to China or Nepal and plan to visit Tibet for about 18 days. This amount of time will give you an opportunity to see quite a bit of Tibet.

Build your own trip to Tibet using our bite sized trips to Tibet or choose from one of our holidays in Tibet to get you started. You can, of course, combine your Tibet holiday with travel in China; simply take a look at our bite-sized China trips or our ready-made holidays in China. After you've selected your favourite trips (or modules), our China and Tibet Travel Specialists will help you build your ideal trip. You can contact us by e-mail, phone or through the China and Tibet quote request form.

Travelling in Tibet - Everest mountain peak

Whats the most logical route?

Most people arrive in Lhasa, Tibet's capital, by plane at the start of their Tibet holiday. There isn't really a very good connection from Europe. so its likely you'll fly to China first (either Beijing or Chengdu). Both these areas are at low altitude, so it's best to acclimatise in a city at a higher elevation before moving on to Lhasa. We recommend travelling to Zhongdian first and spending a few days acclimatising there before flying on to Lhasa.

You'll start off your Tibet trip in Lhasa with our Lhasa trip. This will give you some 'downtime' to slowly acclimatise to the altitude. There's also so much to see in Lhasa that you'll need two full days to see it all. Then you can continue you tibet holiday with one or more of our trips to Tibet, short travel programmes lasting 2 to 10 days. You could choose a Tibet trek that would take you to Tibet's most important and historic Buddhist monasteries, or a 5-day journey to Mount Everest. Afterwards you could go on another trip in Tibet to visit Tibet's most stunning lake. Finally you could end your holiday in Tibet back in Lhasa with our 10-day Himalayas tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

Transport in Tibet

During your Tibet holiday, you'll usually travel by jeep or minibus. You'll cover large distances each day and naturally you'll want to do so as comfortably as possible. That's why we'll arrange private transport so that you'll have your own private driver and guide for the length of your stay. You can stop off wherever you want to to take the most beautiful pictures and you can ask your guide any questions you may have. Your guide will speak English very well and will know all about Tibetan life and Tibetan culture.

There are quite a few top attractions in Barkhor and Jokhang, within walking distance from each other. There are plenty of taxis in the city and a bicycle taxi is a comfortable alternative when the distances are just a bit too much to walk. We recommend having a map of the city and your hotel's business card with you when sightseeing.

Train travel

In July of 2006, the world's highest altitude railway became operational; you can now travel by train from Beijing to Lhasa within 48 hours. A ride on this train is an incredible experience. During the train ride you can enjoy the alternating panoramic views as you travel across vast plains and through the mighty Himalayas. The train leaves Beijing Central Station daily at 21:30, but you can also catch the train in Chengdu. You'll stay in a compartment for 6 people, with an extra oxygen supply. You'll travel above 4000m for most of the trip and you'll notice how your body will need time to adjust.

Our local representatives

China Travel Plan has a local English-speaking agent and a local contact address in Tibet. You can contact them with any questions and they will also provide tips regarding excursions or day trips out of town. They are used to working with Europeans and know what most travellers want to see and do.
Our partner is used to working with independent travellers and has a 24-hour telephone number in case of emergency, which can be a comforting thought when travelling so far from home.

Travelling in Tibet - Colourful monastery doors

Whats Included?

All of our China and Tibet trips include:

• An information pack with your travel documents
• All transport from town to town, by minibus, land cruiser or jeep
• A transfer when arriving in Lhasa
• All accommodation in hotels, guest houses, tents, at monasteries etc., based on room-only accommodation
• The excursion(s) described in the module. These are activities you don't want to miss and which are best arranged prior to departure. This will give you more time to go out and do your own thing as well.
• Customer service from our local representatives

Meals are not included unless we indicate that they are. Usually you can choose from either a western breakfast or Chinese-style breakfast at your accommodation. You may not always feel up to a Chinese breakfast (which is usually noodles) and a western breakfast may get boring after a while. That's why we leave it up to you to decide what you want to do. Meals aren't expensive in Tibet (count on spending about 20 Yuan for breakfast, 60 Yuan for lunch and 100 Yuan for dinner and drinks).