Tibet Trekking Tips

Tibet is not a hazardous place for trekking to those people with healthy bodies. Nevertheless, it is important to have a thorough physical examination before trekking, which can save you from unexpected dangers. For you cannot get prompt medical attention when you are in remote areas of Tibet where have poor medical condition and poor medical facilities.  It is necessary to prepare the basic drugs and accessories with you before trekking in Tibet.

How to Prepare for Trekking in Tibet

With the development of Tibet tourism, trekking is more and more popular while embracing the authentic natural beauty. It is unquestionable that tourists are attracted to the several trans-Himalayan mountain ranges and the steep mountain peaks in Tibet for trekking and hiking. Meanwhile, the several peaks and places in Tibet are attached with the religious sentiments  and the famous Kora Ceremony(转山会), which increase the sense of mystery of the mountains.

1. Tibet Travel Permit

A Tibet Travel Permit is not a visa or any other kind of stamp that goes in your passport. It is an entirely separate document that is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. You shall obtain a Tibet Travel Permit before trekking in Tibet, otherwise, you cannot enter into Tibet.

Note: Generally, the people with foreign passports can enter into Tibet when they get the Tibet Travel Permits. However, when people want to go to other cities, they also need other permits. For example, you need Aliens’ Travel Permit if you want to go to Mount Everest.If you want to do Mt. Kailash kora, apart from the Tibet Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit is also needed.

2. Famous Trekking Sites in Tibet

Known as the ‘roof of the world’, Tibet is located in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is the highest plateau in the world, at the average altitude of above 4,000m. The great trekkings are surrounded the Himalayan ranges. Trekking in Tibet will provide a  totally different view from that in Nepal and India. There are several greatest trekking sites in Tibet, such as:

  • The Advanced Everest Base Camp Trekking
  • Mount Kailash Trekking
  • Gama Valley Trekking
  • Tsurphu to Yangpachen Trekking
  • Ganden to Samye Trekking
  • Shalu to Nartang Trekking

The recommended trekking tours are as follows:

3. What to Pack for Trekking in Tibet

Trekking in Tibet is very interesting and adventurous. It will be safer if you take the proper measures, follow the principles and bring what you need. 

What to Wear

  • Casuals, warm clothes and woolen clothes, gaiters, down jacket
  • Trekking trousers and trekking shoes
  • Polar fleece sweater, wind fleece gloves, sunglasses
  • Rain proof coats, windproof jackets and trousers
  • Scarf and woolen hats
  • Cotton socks and woolen socks

Trekking Accessories

  • Torch or head lamp, camera and spare batteries
  • Trekking sticks, GPS
  • Umbrellas, thermos bottle
  • Money pouch(used for money and important documents)
  • First aid box
  • Plastic bags
  • Camera and spare batteries
  • Trekking Route Map and Tibet Map

Daily products

  • Tissue paper, wet issue, toothbrush, toothpaste and comb
  • A set of two towels
  • Sachets of shampoo and soap
  • Cotton plugs
  • Toilette kit including sunscreen cream, lips balm

What to Eat and Drink

  • Cooked food and dry food, such as nuts, chocolate bars, candies and dried fruits, snickers, compressed biscuit
  • Lots of water

Best Time to Trek in Tibet

The best time to go to Tibet is in spring and autumn, which are respectively from April to May and August to October. During these times there is no rain that stops your trekking tour in Tibet and it’s not too hot to walk in the wildness of Tibet.

Just Stop and Rest

Altitude sickness is an obstacle while trekking in Tibet. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevation above 3,000 meters. If you have these symptoms, such as, lose of appetite, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, dizziness, light headiness, disorientation, persistent headache, weakness, fatigue, lassitude, breathlessness and breathing irregularity, slight swelling of hand and face, reduced urine output, you shall consider to stop ascending. Otherwise the more serious problems may occur that can even cause death sometimes within just a few hours. The only remedy for the Altitude Sickness is to walk to a lower altitude. 

Tibet is a wonderful and popular place for hikers. If you are also planning a Tibet trekking tour, these Tibet travel tips for trekking in Tibet are just for you. You will find some good and useful Tibet trekking advice.