Short Tibet Tour

Best Time for Short Tibet Tour

The most fascinating part of the Tibet short tour is that you can visit any season of the year. Each season will offer a unique glimpse of nature in Tibet. Below are the four seasons that you can choose to visit according to your preference, which are briefly described:

Spring

The spring season spans March, April, and May. This 5-day Tibet tour will be spectacular since the entire world is waking up, which is what spring means in Tibet. You can see clear skies, melting snow, and crisp air. The mountains looked like they had been polished.

The only challenge could be the cold at night; thus, appropriate clothing is strongly recommended. Temperatures might also fluctuate significantly throughout the day. However, the scenery makes you want to visit this destination. It isn’t too crowded yet, so you’ll have some breathing room.

Summer

Summer is the peak season for this short Tibet tour, when everything looks alive. Tibet is most vibrant during this time, with green grasslands, blooming flowers, and festivals in full swing. You might catch some fantastic celebrations and rituals.

The warmest time of year occurs when daytime temperatures are mild but nights are chilly. However, it’s also the rainy season, so you might encounter occasional rain, particularly in the afternoons. Additionally, this is when Tibet attracts the largest crowds, causing prices to rise.

Autumn

This autumn season spans September, October, and November. If you are a globetrotter, this season will be your favorite, where you can encounter picture-perfect views. The rains are gone, the skies are clear, and the air is still relatively warm.

The landscapes look magical, with golden fields and deep blue skies. This is the perfect time for trekking and photography. However, it starts to get colder, especially in October. Book your flights beforehand, and remember that hotels can be quite expensive during this busy season.

Winter

The short Tibet tour is perfect if you want a peaceful and budget-friendly trip, especially in winter. This winter season spans December, January, and February. This is the off-season, so there are few tourists, and you will often have the monasteries to yourself. So, this is the best time to visit monasteries because it is less crowded.

During this season, the skies are typically clear, and prices may be lower. However, you will encounter brutal colds, especially at higher altitudes. Some roads and passes, hotels, and restaurants may be closed due to snow, and some attractions may be harder to access. So, be prepared for a rapid shift to intense cold.

Elevation and distance

On this short Tibet tour, you will be at the lowest elevation in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu City. You will ultimately gain about 2326 meters after you arrive in Lhasa city, having an altitude of 3650 meters or 11975 feet from Kathmandu. For the next two days, you will explore different major pilgrim sites in Lhasa city, which will help you gradually adapt to the higher altitude.

Similarly, on the fourth day, you will visit Yamdrok Lake, which lies at an altitude of 4441 meters or 14750 feet above sea level. The highest point of this short Tibet tour will be Gampala Pass at 4,900 meters, which you will pass when returning from Yamdrok Lake or vice versa.

Apart from this, Lhasa is 250 kilometers or 155 miles away from Kathmandu, which you will travel to by plane. On the fourth day of your 5-day Tibet tour, you will cover 250 kilometers (155 miles) in a round trip from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake and vice versa. The total distance of the trip will be about 715 kilometers (155 miles), adding flight and fourth-day travel distance.

Difficulty and altitude sickness on short Tibet Tour

You do not have to worry about being fit because this is not a trekking adventure that demands mandatory physical fitness to complete the journey. Mostly, you are traveling by vehicle, so a short Tibet tour is an easy five-day trip that takes you to the beautiful landscapes of Tibet and different awe-inspiring monasteries.

However, a concerning factor can be altitude sickness, which may be assumed to be the difficulty of a five-day Tibet tour. As Lhasa lies above 3500 meters from sea level, you will spend your time exploring different pilgrim sites of the city. Thus, you will be at that altitude for a few days, which can cause altitude sickness if your body hasn’t appropriately adapted.

Anybody is prone to altitude sickness when traveling in higher elevations, even if you are an experienced traveler, trekker, or climber. You will also explore Yamdroke Lake at 4441 meters in height, which is above 4000 meters, which increases the probability of catching altitude sickness. Thus, you should know the common symptoms of altitude sickness, like dizziness, headaches, nausea, trouble breathing, and many more.

Knowing your body changes can help you to get immediate medical assistance, and the guide will take you to a lower altitude. Your travel insurance will also help if the case is very serious, covering the emergency evacuations and helicopter rescue costs.

There is a minimal chance of suffering altitude sickness as our itinerary includes three three-night overnight stays in Lhasa city before exploring Yamdroke Lake. However, it is equally important to know about altitude sickness before you embark on a short Tibet tour.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

Before you even touch the Tibetan soil, you will stay in Kathmandu, a comfortable, standard-star hotel on a twin-sharing basis. Think of them as your little sanctuary before the adventure. Comfortable and clean rooms—a nice place to settle in before your short Tibet tour. Since breakfast is included, the day starts with a good meal, and maybe you have a last-minute look around the city.

While traveling from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Khasa, you will stay in decent hotels located outside the city. It will be more basic. In Tibet, especially in Lhasa, the hotels are comfortable and offer good service. Despite its lack of luxury, it provides a true taste of Tibetan culture. Although a full breakfast is included in the package, lunch and supper are your responsibility.

A breakfast-inclusive trip package is an excellent place to start. Bread, eggs, porridge, and Tibetan-style butter tea are ubiquitous, basic, and filling dishes. Although lunch and dinner are typically not included in the package, there are numerous options to select from while traveling. There, you may purchase momos, thukpa (noodle soup), and Tsampa (roasted bakery flour). In addition to several noodle-based dinners, you’ll see a lot of rice and veggie dishes.

Don’t be afraid to try local specialties. Tibetan food options are unique, with strong flavors influenced by Tibetan and Chinese cooking styles. It’s worth trying with an acquired taste.

You may encounter yak meat dishes, Tibetan bread, or even unique dairy products like yak cheese, a common ingredient in Tibet. The food is hearty and warming, perfect for high altitudes. Also, remember that your appetite might change, so it’s good to eat light and stay hydrated.

Speaking of drinks, there’s a variety of options, both soft and hard. You can enjoy Tibetan butter tea (po-cha), which has a rich, salty taste and is surprisingly comforting, or opt for regular tea and coffee. Soft drinks like soda, fresh juices, and bottled water are available.

As for hard beverages, Tibetan barley beer (chang) is a popular local drink, and you’ll also find Western beverages in bigger towns like Lhasa than in smaller towns, but remember to drink in moderation, especially in high altitudes.

In general, this short Tibet tour is a combination of adventure and new experiences, from tasting unique Tibetan flavors to adjusting to high-altitude accommodations. It’s an opportunity to travel across beautiful scenery and learn about a different culture.

Who can join this trip?

Anyone eager to explore Tibet’s plateau, unique culture, and jaw-dropping landscapes can join the short Tibet tour. However, we recommend that people in good health travel even though they don’t have good physical fitness, as this trip takes visitors above 4000 meters, which can cause altitude sickness.

The most impressive part of this trip is that there are no age restrictions for traveling on the Tibet short tour. People with kids or other family members can gladly join this trek to enjoy the beauty of different historic sites like Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and many more in this journey.

Even solo travelers or female travelers can join this trek with us, as the 5-day Tibet tour is very safe. Your safety is even a priority for the local authorities in Tibet. However, you should have all the required travel documents to avoid problems in Tibet. In conclusion, if you have decent health and proper documentation, you are ready to go on this adventure of a lifetime to create unforgettable memories and moments.

Gadgets charging, Internet, and Communication

Kathmandu City has good facilities for electricity, Wi-Fi, and communication. Similarly, when traveling to higher-altitude destinations like Tibet, there may be fewer facilities, such as a weak internet connection, which can limit you from browsing. However, the communication service is better than the internet.

You won’t have to worry about electricity services, as you will be staying in a standard hotel in Lhasa City while exploring Tibet. You can charge your gadgets in your room, and you won’t have to pay additional cash in a standard hotel for using electricity. For smooth Internet service, you should consider buying mobile SIMs.

Similarly, WhatsApp and Facebook are prohibited in Tibet. Other popular social media apps run smoothly. Moreover, internet services may not be available in higher altitudes like Yamdrok Lake. Even though there are some limits in connection, the journey will make you forget about the virtual world and inspire you to live in the real world.

Permits for 5 Days Short Tibet Tour

You are not permitted to enter Tibet unless you have the necessary paperwork and a visa. Because this 5-day Tibet travel package begins in Nepal, you will need a special group visa obtained through the Chinese Embassy in Hattisar, Naxal, Kathmandu. To obtain a visa, you must submit your original passport, travel itinerary, passport-sized pictures, Tibet Travel Permit (TTB permit), and other documents.

To obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, our business will organize all relevant documentation, including pre-planned itineraries, official guide information, hotel reservations, flight or transportation details, and other essential documents. This permit allows you to take an aircraft or train to Tibet and ensures a smooth journey.

Transportation

This short Tibet tour package covers all your transportation costs, including by road and air. On the first day, you will travel by plane to Lhasa from Kathmandu City and vice versa. For the next three days after your flight to Lhasa, you will travel by vehicle to explore several sites in Tibet.

However, our Tibet short tour package does not include flight tickets from Lhasa to onward destinations. You will need to bear this cost yourself. After finishing the journey, you can extend your sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley via our private transportation with a guide for an additional fee.

Travel Insurance

Travelling to a remote, high-altitude location like a short Tibet tour is an amazing experience, but unforeseen circumstances happen. Trust me, you don’t want to be caught in that situation worrying about “what ifs” because it will ruin your pleasure. Consider this: your insurance covers what-if scenarios. Insurance guarantees both financial and medical coverage without that nagging worry in the back of your mind.

You won’t have to worry about every little thing while traveling, thanks to insurance. You can relax and enjoy the activities without worrying about what might go wrong. You know that you are covered in case of lost luggage, travel disruptions, or emergency evacuation. It also covers unforeseen trip disruptions, ensuring that you do not lose all of your money if plans change. Consider it your backup “buddy.”

You don’t have to worry about unexpected circumstances ruining your trip with proper travel insurance by your side. With insurance by your side, you can have a hassle-free trip where you can feel safe and free to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Tibet.

Whether it’s medical help or compensation for lost belongings, you can get immediate assistance. So, avoiding insurance is comparable to gambling, where the outcome is entirely dependent on luck.

Now, don’t just take the first coverage you see because not all travel insurance policies are the same. Do your research; select a reputable insurance company that specializes in adventure travel, high altitudes, and medical evacuation, which is critical in a short Tibet tour.

Read the tiny print to learn what is and is not included. Consider whether you should choose the best insurance company that contains everything you need or the cheapest.

A decent insurance company should have a 24-hour helpline for emergencies. But while you are in Nepal, whether you’re strolling or trekking, don’t forget to acquire insurance. The most challenging and hazardous trips will occur where travelers lack insurance coverage.

What to expect from this trip?

The Short Tibet Tour will take you on a breathtaking journey through Tibet’s rich past, culture, and natural beauty. You will fly over the scenic route from Kathmandu to Lhasa in the high Himalayas, with breathtaking views of peaks such as Everest and Cho Oyu. You’ll see landmarks including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka.

Together with the other fellow travelers, you will visit ancient cities and monasteries of Tibet for the purpose of realizing the spiritual place of the region. You will be satisfied with the discovery of the Yamdrok Lake, a silver-like Tibetan jewel, which is surrounded by the most picturesque mountains. Along your journey, you will take pleasure in numerous natural and cultural wonders.

You will be able to discover pieces of the local culture and beautiful city attractions in Lhasa. So, expect an unforgettable trip to Tibet that will offer you deep insights into the monasteries’ cultural importance and spirituality. Moreover, you can visit with your friends and families together to have a memory of a lifetime in these five days of the itinerary.

Your Extra Expenses on Short Tibet Tours

If you want to have a good and relaxed vacation on a short Tibet tour, you must consider and pay for a few extra expenses. Travel insurance is essential for dealing with issues like medical emergencies and trip cancellations. It is a good idea to purchase complete coverage ahead of departure to avoid any complications while traveling.

In addition, the Tibet visa fee is one of the items that travelers must include in their budget, as it is a mandatory permit for entering Tibet and may be charged according to the duration of the trip and other factors.

The flight ticket from Lhasa to the destination of onward travel is another cost that most short Tibet tour packages do not cover, and passengers need to book flights to Kathmandu and other cities separately at their expense.

Similarly, we do not cover lunch and dinner, so you need to remember to save some money for daily meals. Food prices differ from place to place and can also vary according to eating preferences. Personal expenses like drinks, snacks, and tips for guides or staff can add up during the trip. When budgeting for travelers who return to Nepal after a short Tibet tour, the cost of a Nepal re-entry visa should also be considered.

If travelers consider these additional fees, they will not be startled and will have a great time in Tibet without any hassle or guilt. Thus, by budgeting for these additional charges, tourists can avoid surprise costs and enjoy their short Tibet tour with peace of mind.

Banking Services, ATMs, and Currency Exchange

You cannot use currencies like the dollar, euro, Nepalese rupee, or other nations’ money in Tibet. You must exchange your money once you arrive in Tibet and get the Chinese Yuan or Renminbi before traveling to any location here. You can exchange your money in the Bank of China branches, which are also located in Lhasa and Shigatse.

ATMs are mainly found in cities, but they are not available in rural areas. If you have credit cards, they might not work here except in big luxury hotels. The best way to do this is to carry Chinese Yuan whenever needed to avoid monetary problems while staying in a hotel or buying shop items.

Other popular destinations to visit in Tibet

There are many other best destinations which are worth visiting apart from Lhasa which are described briefly below:

Shingatse:

The Tashilhunpo Monastery is located in Shingatse, Tibet’s second-biggest city. On the Tibetan side, this city is sometimes referred to as the entryway to the Everest Base Camp (EBC).

Namtso Lake:

One of Tibet’s three sacred lakes is this one. It is well-known for its views at high elevations. In addition to seeing Tibetan nomadic culture, visitors can take in the tranquil surroundings.

Sakya Monastery:
This monastery is located between Shigatse and Lhasa. It has a fortress-like architecture and several collections of Buddhist scriptures.

Lake Manasarovar:

This is also one of Tibet’s three holy lakes and the world’s highest freshwater lake at 4590 meters. It holds significant value for pilgrims from different nations of the earth. Nearby, there is Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain standing at 6638 meters and having great religious significance.