Tibet Travel Permit/ Visa
A Tibet travel permit is mandatory for all visitors worldwide. After you provide us with a photo of a valid passport, we can assist you in obtaining the travel permit as well as a visa.
To apply visa, we need an original copy of the passport, personal details, and photos sized 354/472mm.
For those entering from mainland China, if you are a citizen from the following nations, as long as you possess a valid ordinary passport and want to visit China for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, or even just for transit, you can travel without a visa and you are eligible for a stay of up to 30 days.
- Brunei
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Malaysia
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Hungary
- Austria
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Norway
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Andorra
- Monaco
- Liechtenstein
- South Korea
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Malta
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Japan
Information on processing and documents required for the Lhasa City Tibet Tour
For the processing of your Visa the following documents are to be prepared:
- Passport Copy: Please submit a clear copy of your passport at least 20 days in advance to initiate the Tibet Travel Permit processing. 6months of validity of the passport is required for the visa process.
- Original Passport: Ensure you have your original passport with you when your group arrives in Kathmandu and provide us in Kathmandu.
- Passport Size Photo: Provide a passport-size photo with a white background, front face, without eyeglasses, and neutral expression.
- Visa Application Form: We will provide you with a Word file of the visa checklist form before your arrival, which you have to fill up and share with us so that we can finish the application process on time.
Best travel Season to travel to Lhasa
The best time to visit Lhasa city is from April to October. The weather is ideal and appropriate for travel during these months.
April is the pleasant season in Lhasa. The average temperature is 8.25°C; the night-time lowest is 0.9°C, while daytime high is 15.6°C. During the daytime, the day is warm. In April, Lhasa looks lovely because of the pure air and flowers blooming around.
The best months to visit Lhasa are May and June. It is comparatively warm, with an average temperature of about 14°C. The temperature rises as high as 16°C during the day and drops to about 5°C at night. These months are the best time to tour Lhasa's beautiful scenery and historical places without severe weather.
Lhasa summers range from July to August. Very different from the sweltering, humid summer experienced in most other places, Lhasa summers are cool and refreshing; they average at 15°C from 9.4°C at night to 22.1°C in daytime.
Lhasa, September, and October are considered autumnal months. The days are clear and sunny, with pleasant weather; it is therefore an excellent time for trekking and sightseeing. The average temperature during these months is about 11.2°C, with chilly nights reaching a low of 1.3°C and highs of 19.7°C in daytime.
Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be a bit chilly, whatever month you travel. It's consequently a good idea to pack clothing in layers - such as lightweight jackets or jumpers. You are also recommended to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.
Possible risks on the City Tour of Lhasa
In general, travel to Lhasa is rather safe. Nevertheless, en route, travelers can face some undiscovered dangers and challenges. Some of the hazards that might come up while touring Lhasa are as follows,
• Unpredictable weather conditions: The Lhasa weather experiences sudden changes. It might even snow or rain suddenly and be accompanied by a rise and fall in temperatures.
• Unforeseen events: In addition, the causes of accidents can be induced through many other factors, including human mistakes or mechanical failures that may happen either as road accidents of all kinds with the involvement of vehicles or accidents in tourist spots.
• Carelessness: Many times, travelers' negligence about safety signs or not adhering to local rules and regulations results in unwanted situations.
• Injuries and illness: As Lhasa is at a very high altitude, altitude sickness among tourists is common. Besides that, minor injuries caused due to slipping, falling, or other accidents and minor sicknesses such as the common cold may also affect tourists during their journey.
Tips for Preventing Risks on the Lhasa City Tour
Here are some precautions you should take during your journey to Lhasa to reduce risks:
- Dress: Dress appropriately for the local climate. Dress appropriately for Lhasa's unpredictable weather, which can range from hot, sunny days to chilly evenings. Add comfortable walking shoes, a windproof jacket, and a warm sweater. Bring waterproof gear like an umbrella and raincoat if there's a chance of rain.
- Hydration: It is essential to drink plenty of water. Always drink enough water. Drink water throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Since altitude sickness can be prevented and proper hydration keeps your body functioning properly, the high altitude of Lhasa can quickly lead to dehydration.
- Nourish Your Body: Eat healthy meals regularly. A healthy diet rich in vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates will give you the energy you need to see all the attractions of Lhasa. Include regional Tibetan dishes like yak meat and tsampa (fried barley flour), which are not only delicious but will also keep you going in the high-altitude setting.
- Trust your Guide: Your local guide's instructions and suggestions should always be followed. They know everything there is to know about the place, including the best routes, cultural standards, and safety concerns. Whether it's avoiding certain areas during specific times or learning about the proper way to visit a religious site, your guide's guidance is invaluable.
- Exercise Caution: Be extremely careful in all your activities. When walking on uneven terrain, watch your step to avoid falls. To avoid theft, remain mindful of your possessions when in crowded areas. A cautious attitude can avoid many possible accidents, whether you're crossing the street or taking part in an adventure sport.
- Keep an optimistic attitude: Remain upbeat during your journey. Positivity can make it easier for you to handle any unforeseen circumstances that may come up. Additionally, it makes your trip more memorable and satisfying by enabling you to completely appreciate the special experiences and beauty that Lhasa has to offer.
Tips for Acclimatization
Altitude sickness is one of the most common concerns for travelers planning to visit Tibet. The capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, lies at an altitude of 3,656 meters above sea level. In addition, the average altitude of the whole Tibet region is 4,380 meters. This altitude may interfere with the physiological processes of the human body and thereby lead to altitude sickness. The following detailed suggestions will help you avoid altitude sickness:
1. Slow and Steady adjustment on arrival
Relax yourself as much as possible on the first day in Lhasa. All the heavy work and activities such as lifting, running, or mountain climbing should be avoided because the human body needs some time to adapt to the low oxygen at high altitudes. Acclimatize to the new altitude by resting the day, doing light walking around the place of accommodation, and familiarizing yourself with the locality. The body will slowly acclimatize its circulatory and respiratory systems to the thinner air.
2. Hydration
Drink plenty of volumes of water-sufficient extra fluid intake. High-altitude dry air can sometimes cause more body water to be lost through perspiration and respiration. Three to four liters of water should be ingested daily. Water helps your body maintain its balance of fluids; this is important daily, but very important when altitude sickness may be taking its toll. Other than water, you may drink hydrating beverages, such as herbal teas; however, caffeine-based teas must be avoided, since caffeine is considered a diuretic. Besides these, you may increase your intake of fluids by having fruit juices but be mindful of the sugar in them.
3. Don't smoke or drink alcohol.
Drinking alcohol dehydrates the human body and has a depressive effect on it. When altitude sickness appears in an environment where dehydration could be there. And all the same way cigarette smoke carries dangerous chemicals that might have serious negative implications for your respiratory system. If the lungs at altitude already try more or differently to draw oxygen out of the air, then you just further complicate life by smoking. The inability to smoke greatly improves your chance of safety against altitude sickness even if the person who remains a non-smoker during this period only has been able to achieve that during a trip.
4. Dietary Modifications
Have a carbohydrate-rich diet. Carbohydrates are easily broken down by the body and converted into energy, which is helpful when your body is working harder at altitude acclimatization. Rice, noodles, and whole-wheat bread are excellent sources of carbohydrates. Consume plenty of veggies and fruits, too. Their richness in vitamins and minerals supports the immune system that may be affected by the altitude shift. Lean proteins, such as beans, fish, and chicken, are also very welcome during the process of acclimatization for the preservation of muscle mass and general body strength.
5. Get Enough Rest and Sleep
Rest and sleep a lot. Sleep is a time when your body heals and rebalances itself. For this, sleep for 7 to 8 hours every night. Create a sleep-conducive environment, and during the day, you can take power naps if you are feeling extremely tired. In case of insomnia, which is an altitude-related common problem, try deep breathing exercises or meditation before sleeping.
Accommodations, Food, and Drinks for a 4-day, 3-night Tour of Lhasa
Lhasa City has a multiple choice of accommodation, that suit all tastes and budgets. Travelers seeking a comfortable and reasonably priced stay in middle-class hotels, or those travelers desiring a taste of grandeur with excellent facilities, will find exactly what they are looking for in Lhasa. Your specific itinerary will determine the type of lodging you choose. If you are going to visit some places in the city in detail, it is better to book a hotel nearby to save your time and make it easy to explore the places. Four-day Lhasa city tour package includes breakfast provided accordingly.
Lunch and dinner are to be paid for by the tourists themselves. You will be provided different types of cuisine, appetizing foodstuffs, and cold drinks as refreshments along the journey. Some food items constituting Tibetan cuisine are momos, which are delicious types of dumplings; Tsampa, the staple made of roasted barley flour; Thukpa, a heavy noodle soup; Tibetan bread, which is something different in both texture and taste; and butter tea, which forms an integral part of Tibetan culture in itself. Besides being nutritionally dense and healthy, these are prepared from ingredients sourced locally and fresh.
These include a variety of drinks in these motels-from hot ones like coffee and tea, even herbal tea, through soft drinks for sweet tooths, regional drinks that give you a taste of where you're passing through, to alcoholic beverages for those people who would want to wind down with them. There are several options for drinking water: boiled water, water from natural sources such as rivers and taps, and bottled water, which is easy and safe. It is highly recommended that water purification pills be used when drinking water from natural sources to ensure its safety. Keep company with the locals and enjoy the flavors of the Tibetan way of cooking and beverages. Each snack, drink, and moment spent with the locals can be made memorable by adding an extra touch to make the trip special.
Internet and Network Accessibility
Having an internet connection in Lhasa has become very accessible. There are a lot of hotels and cafes situated in the city area offering free Wi-Fi connections. Like all parts of China, Tibet also follows particular rules that do not allow access to social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger Etc. To get past these restrictions, some people might think about using a VPN, but keep in mind that using of unauthorized VPN is illegal in China. So that installing We Chat, a Chinese app is highly recommended as it works well and travelers can share their precious moments with their family and friends easily.
Money and Currency
Since Lhasa is an autonomous space of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Yuan is the currency of this region too. Carrying enough RMB on hand is important. Even though exchanging Chinese currency at the airport or the border is available, carrying enough cash before your departure to Tibet is important. Furthermore, be aware that through the currency exchange process, you might be asked for proof of identity, such as a passport, national ID, etc.
