Preparing your trekking in Tibet can become an overwhelming and time-consuming task. It is recommended to start getting ready by three months in advance. The process of finding and booking your trekking trips with a local Tibet travel agency, applying for Visas, booking flight tickets, organising clothes and gears could be almost like taking a second job.
It is also suggested to start doing regular exercise at least three months before to get your lungs and legs in shapes.
Tibet trail is a complete one-stop place to find information and arrange your trekking in Tibet. Our company was founded in 1997, and we arrange trekking and Adventure in all areas of Tibet Autonomous Region and other regions of Qinghai Tibetan Plateau.
We work with some of the best names of adventures and mountaineering firms of this world with annual regular high-end trekking expedition with most of them.
We hope this post of ours will help you prepare for your trekking in Tibet. Hope you will enjoy reading, and please remember to share the article on your social media.
Physical Conditioning for trekking in Tibet
Good physical condition is a key for successful trekking in Tibet. Here most trekking trail will take you higher than 4500+ meters above sea level. You will probably stay in those high elevations for some night with extensive walking in the daytime. Hence it is of utmost importance to get fit and well before trekking in Tibet.
Getting back to good shape would be the primary things to do while preparing your trekking to Tibet. Start your physical fitness regime several months before your arrival in Tibet. The best ways to prepare for a trek in Tibet are Walking, Hiking and backpacking over a rugged area. Additional, any form of strenuous aerobic could be beneficial like running, swimming, and cycling. Some of our clients even took a regular session of running up and down the staircase of their residential building.
It is not possible to get fit for trekking in Tibet with only a few days of exercises. Getting fit takes much commitment to work on your health, ready to take on the elevation of trails in Tibet. You will be much happier when you climb toward the high pass on Tibet trekking tours for your regular exercise before arriving in Tibet.
Learning About Tibet
Your experience in Tibet will enhance wonderfully if you know about Tibet’s Unique culture and people. Reading a lot of book on Tibet and Tibetan culture can give you a comprehensive understanding of it. You can also visit some great website of Tibetan travel agency in Tibet like i-Tibet travel dot com. These websites have lots of great post about Tibet and its culture and very comprehensive Tibet travel information.
Tibet Travel Regulation
Visiting Tibet can come with its Travel regulation. You will need to book your tour with a local travel agency in Tibet to arrange your tour guide and permits. You can travel independently in Tibet. It is mandatory to hire a tour guide and a private car, and Your travel agency will help you get it.
Hence it is imperative to touch with a local Tibetan travel agency in Lhasa to arrange your papers and trekking tours requirements.
Tibet Travel Permit
Tibet travel permit is an additional document you will need to travel to Tibet after your passport and Chinese Visa. It is often called Tibet Visa. The Tibet tourism bureau issues this travel document in Lhasa, and Only your local travel agency in Tibet can apply it for you.
You will need this produce this document as you enter Tibet and while travelling around the region. You can learn more about this document at this link.
Visa Regulation
For visa regulation, we will discuss base on your travel route into Tibet. There is a slight difference in Visa regulation for those coming to Tibet from Other parts of China or Nepal.
The Chinese Group Visa for Nepal to Tibet
Suppose you are coming to Tibet from Nepal. It is mandatory to get a Chinese Group Visa from the Chinese embassy in Nepal. Chinese Group Visa is a visa on a piece of Paper, unlike a regular Visa on our passport. All the group members are listed on the same visa paper, and the entire group has to enter and exit China together.
We ( travel agency in Lhasa) will have to ask the Tibet Tourism Bureau to send the Visa authorisation letter to the embassy in Nepal. You will have to get to hire a visa agent in Nepal to apply for it. The Visa process will take three business days. Read more about the Chinese Group Visa at this link.
Regular Chinese Visa
If you are coming to Tibet from Other parts of China, You can visit Tibet any other form of Chinese Visa.
When you apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa, it is recommended not to mention Tibet and any Tibet area on the “Place to visit in China” section of the Visa application. Otherwise, your visa will be denied a Chinese Visa. You can either try to apply for a Visa without mentioning Tibet or ask your Lhasa travel agency to send visa authorisation from the Tibet travel bureau.
Read more about Chinese Visa at this link.
Getting to Tibet
Flights to Tibet
Chengdu is the main airline hub to Lhasa, with up to five flight daily. There are less frequent connections to Lhasa from other cities in China like Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc. The only international flights to Tibet is between Kathmandu to Lhasa with regular daily flights.
All flights to Lhasa land at Lhasa Gongkar Airport in the Yarlung tsangpo valley. It takes less than an hour to reach the airport covering a distance of 65 Kilometers through the new Lhasa airport express road.
If you try to book flights to Lhasa through some online ticketing platform, you will be asked to submit the Tibet travel permit. It is best to book your flight ticket through your local travel agency in Lhasa in such a case.
Find more about flights to Tibet on this link.
Overland Route into Tibet
Nepal to Tibet:
The main overland route between Tibet and Nepal is the Lhasa to Kathmandu Friendship highway. This epic journey of two to three days, 1000+ kilometres, is a beautiful drive across several high passes, including Gyatso la at 5285m and Some beautiful attractions in Tibet like Gyantse town, Yamdrok Lake and Mount Everest Base Camp.
All the tours to and from Nepal would starts or ends at a small border town called Kyirong. Here in this town, you will meet your tour guide and driver with a Tibet travel permit if you are entering. If you are leaving China, you will bid farewell to them here in this town.
There is another trek route between Simikot (Nepal) and Burang (Tibet) for entering or exiting the Kalash region in western Tibet. This route requires seven days of trekking in Nepal to reach the Tibet side of the journey.
The overland route to Tibet From other provinces of China:
The major overland route to Tibet includes Qinghai Tibet highway from Qinghai provinces, the rugged Sichuan Tibet highway from Chengdu, and Yunnan to Tibet highway from Yunnan. The last two are a spectacular journey from Sichuan and Yunnan, climb over dozens of ranges and cross many rivers like Yangtze, Mekong and Salween river.
Another great overland route to access Tibet is Xinjiang – Tibet highway from Kashgar. This route will cross four major passes over 5200m above sea level. Travelling on this tour will take about 20 days to reach Lhasa.
Train to Tibet
Qinghai – Tibet railway line open Tibet to the railway grid of the nation. Now there are regular daily train services to Tibet from all the major cities of China. The train journey to Tibet is often called a sky journey as it is the highest railway line in the world.
Now, in few years, we will also get a new railway line between Lhasa and Chengdu in Sichuan, making it even easier for travellers and locals to travel to Tibet.
Equipment and clothing for trekking in Tibet
Essential equipment we will provide
We will supply all the necessary camping equipment like Tent, Sleeping bags, and Mattress. Additionally, it is standard for our company to provide full board meals on trekking tours. You will be trekking with the service of cook, kitchen tent, and yaks to carry the camping equipment.
If you are organising your trekking with cheaper alternatives, it is necessary to check if they provide those equipments. It is also recommended to check the quality of the equipment supplied to you. It is not ideal for getting disappointed at the wilderness above 4500+ meter of elevation.
Recommend equipment to bring
Some equipment is best to arrange by individual travellers. It is best to bring from your home or purchase before arrival in Lhasa. You can find this equipment in the market in Lhasa, but you will not like either the price or product quality.
Following are the equipment.
Footwear: Hiking boots should have thick soles and be high enough to provide adequate ankle support. Consider Gore-Tex-lined boots for treks during rainy summer months. Optional: A pair of sandals or sneakers for crossing rivers and wearing camp. It is also recommended to bring a pair of leg Gaiters if you are hiking during the snowy season.
Packs: You will only need a day pack to carry daily essentials. Buy a backpack with a broad, cushioned waist belt and thick shoulder straps to comfortably support the weight.
Duffel bag: It is recommended to bring a good duffel bag. A long 36 inches, heavy-duty canvas or nylon bag that can secure with a padlock. Waterproof by lining it with one or two thick plastic bags. Yaks will carry this Duffel bag during the trek.
Sleeping Bags: Though we will provide sleeping bags for the trekking. But it is sometimes better and more pleasant to bring your sleeping bags. A three-season, mummy-style down or fibre-filled bag rated for about 10 to 15°F is highly recommended.
Inner sheet: A silk or cotton inner sheet minimise the need to wash your sleeping bag.
Rain Gear: Raincoat should be roomy, preferably mid-thigh in length and have a waterproof hood. Rain pants cans double as wind pants. Gore-tex, Japara, or high quality coated nylon materials are best.
Water bottle: One to two plastic or Metal leakproof quart or litre bottle.
Clothing for trekking in Tibet
Packing right cloth is very important task to do while preparing your trekking in Tibet. Think in term of layers when you are planning for your clothing need for the trek in Tibet. Layer clothing will keep you warm and can be removed gradually to prevent overheating.
During spring and Autumn, the night temperature in the mountains often drips below freezing, making warm gear essential. In summer, the days can be hot, requiring light cloth. Good wet weather gear is recommended during the rainy season.
The mountainous region of Tibet can receive snow any month of the year. So be prepare for cold weather if you plan to trek at an elevation above 4880m. Below is a list of suggested clothing for trekking in Tibet.
Following are the recommended clothing
Thermal underwear: One or two pairs of long-sleeved tops and bottom made from wool, silk, polypropylene or similar synthetic fibre. Short-sleeved thermal tops are good on a cool day while trekking. Avoid long cotton underwear.
Cotton Underpants: four or five pairs.
Socks: at least three pairs of wool/wool mix socks and several cotton pairs. Hand-knit pair can be purchased either in Kathamandu or Lhasa.
Pants: Men should plan to take one pair of loose-fitting wool or fibre pile pants and one pair of lighter cotton or polyester blend pant. Women should bring several mid-calf-length dress or skirt changes, thought loose-fitting pants are also acceptable. Short are not appropriate at any time in Tibet for men and women.
Shirt: one long-sleeved shirt made of wool, flannel or chamois; one or two long-sleeved SPF polyester or cotton shirt; and three or two cotton T-shirt.
Sweater: Wool or wool mix with a high neck for extra warmth.
Jacket:A fibre pile jacket is ideal for trekking and evening camps
Insulated coat or parka with hood: a heavy-duty down or fibre filled coat is usually necessary from mid-May to Mid September. During other months, most evening, you will want to wear a coat or parka that can fit over bulky clothing.
Headgear: One wool or fibre pile ski-style cap or balaclava for warmth. A lightweight brimmed hat is suitable for sun protection. Inexpensive broad-brimmed felt, and straw hats are sold in Tibet’s market.
Absolute recommend Accessories to prepare for your trekking in Tibet
Following accessories are recommended to bring for your trek in Tibet.
Sunglasses: For Tibet is bright, high altitude sunlight. Dark glacier glasses with a side hood are necessary for the mountains and after fresh snowfall.
Sun creams and lip balm: Sunblock rated 30 SPF or high are best. Use Zinc oxide for total block out. Lip balm prevents burning and chapping. Toothpaste can work in a pinch.
Flashlight: Headlamp is ideal for camping. Bring batteries from home for the trek. Chinese batteries are typical of poor qualities. Take used batteries back home for recycling.
Choosing a trekking route in Tibet
Choosing a trekking route in Tibet is very important task while preparing your trekking in Tibet. While choosing the trekking route in Tibet, there are few highly recommended routes in Tibet. Since Tibet tourism regulation doesn’t allow independent travel in Tibet, trekking in Tibet could be expensive. It would need to work with a local Travel agency to organise your trekking tours in Tibet.
From our experiences, we have three favourite trekking route in Tibet, one in Qinghai and one in the Sichuan prefecture.
Our face trekking in the Himalayas is the Karta valley trek, Kangshung face base camp trek and Shishapangma Basecamp trek. This trek takes you to the most beautiful and unexplored region of the Himalayas.
Trekking around the holy Mount Kailash doesn’t require extensive preparation compared to other treks, and It will often make it easier to find a companion traveller. World most spiritual trekking come with less preparation as compared to any other trekking in Tibet.
Ganden to Samye is our favourite trekking route near Lhasa. It requires about ten days for an overland tour plan. The trek is between two of the most famous monastery in central Tibet and two river valleys of Lhasa Kyichu and Yarlung river valley.
Dege Trek takes you to the remotest Tibetan Inhabitat in the Sichuan Province of China. We will be exploring the Upper Yangtse River and the Trola Mountains in the eastern Himalayas in this trek. The region we will explore in this tour is the crown of the Himalayas, with the most beautiful landscapes and authentic cultures of Tibet.
Conclusion of Preparing your trekking in Tibet
In this post of preparing your trekking in Tibet, we have tried to write some of the best information on organizing trekking in Tibet. If you would like to know more about preparing your trekking in Tibet, please write to us at [email protected].
Read more about Travel guide to Tibet and Tibet tour services. Please visit our blog: Nomadictibet.com.