Visa Information
Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.
Passport
- All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 month's valid passport
- Passport - valid for 6 months
- Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)
- Group Visa — entry from Nepal to Tibet after Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.
- Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for a group visa (if a visa is in the passport)
- Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.
- A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:
- Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to the movement to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.
- Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.
Weather Information
The weather in Tibet is similar to that of Mainland China, though with lower temperatures due to higher altitudes. Summers have warm days with strong sunshine and cool nights, but summer days can even be chilly at higher elevations. Winters are cold but there isn't all that much snow. Lhasa enjoys a lot of sunshine even in winter. Most Tibet experiences frost at least 6 months of the year. Some high lakes are frozen from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. Lhasa is an ideal destination because it is in a valley area of lower elevation.
Safety Guidelines
We recommend you to go through our following safety guidelines and stay tuned with the latest happenings.
- Have at least 2 copies of the Tibet Permit.
- Keep your belongings properly.
- When you feel uncomfortable due to altitude change or have any troubles, report to train staff promptly.
- Never rush to visit attractions shortly after you arrive in Lhasa.
- Shop around but avoid undue bargaining with street vendors and never buy wildlife and unknown Tibetan herbal medicine and fake products.
- Take your money and important belongings with you all the time.
- Spend a few days in Lhasa for acclimation and always follow a gradual ascent when traveling to higher places to avoid altitude sickness.
- Refrain from heavy drinking and smoking.
- Respect the religion, and customs and avoid taboos in Tibet.
- Pay special attention to the unique alpine climates (such as sunburn, dramatic temperature change, etc.)
- Keep the necessary medicines at the consult of your doctor.
- Never travel alone at night or venture into unknown places without informing your guide.
- In most places, cash is only accepted. Do prepare enough and small changes.
- If an emergency arises, report it to your guide promptly.
- Don’t carry any documents or papers related to Dalai Lama or feel Tibet.
- We also recommend not carrying any guidebook to Tibet.
