How to travel in Tibet is more than simply joining a group tour or customizing a private sightseeing journey to the region. Besides the common options like tourist coaches or minibuses, there are other exciting ways to explore Tibet, such as intensive trekking through the mountain regions or more freely travel by bike, motorcycle, or even self-driving tours.

Here, we’ll explore each travel option to help you find the best way to travel in Tibet.

Join a Small Group Tour is the Best Way to Travel in Tibet

There is no better way to travel in Tibet than joining a small group tour. The pre-arranged tours offer the essence of Tibet for first-time travelers who are new to Tibet. Since the cost of a Tibet tour is not cheap, it is also a good way to share travel costs with group members.

As the best local travel agency in Tibet, we at Tibet Vista provide types of Tibet Small Group tours, including the popular trip to Everest Base Camp and the epic overland journey between Lhasa and Kathmandu. We also offer small group tours of different lengths, from the most essential 4-day Lhasa city tour to the 15-day Mount Kailash tour. You can choose the best one according to your destination and time.

All of our small group tours in Tibet guarantee your Tibet Travel Permit and all necessary local travel documents for your trip. If you are looking for your first Tibet tour in 2025, joining a Tibet small group tour with us could be your best choice!

Enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass on the way to EBC in Tibet.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

Join the most popular Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour for your next journey in Tibet!

Tailor a Private Tour for a Customized Travel Experience in Tibet

If you already have some ideas for visiting Tibet or want a more private travel experience, you can customize your private tour to Tibet. Since traveling independently is not available in Tibet, the best way to explore the region freely is by tailoring your own trip with a local travel agency.

Once you contact us, our 1-on-1 travel consultant will reply to you as soon as possible. No matter the places you want to visit or some special activities to experience in Tibet, like meditation in a local monastery or a local family visit, just feel free to tell your personal travel consultant, and he/she will work on the itinerary and make a private itinerary for you based on your requirements.

Without sharing the vehicles and the tour guide services with others, you can enjoy a private vacation in Tibet that is completely yours.

You can customize a private tour in Tibet with a meditation experience at a local monastery.

Trekking in Tibet: An In-depth Journey to Mountains in Tibet

Trekking in Tibet is the best way to explore the hidden beauty of mountains in Tibet. However, it requires high physical demands, as you need to trek through areas at altitudes above 4,000 meters.

Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trekking route in Tibet. The classic trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp takes 4 days, taking you trekking through the northern side of Mount Everest to the base camp, where you can witness the top of the world up close. Additionally, the scenic Gama Valley trek through the eastern slope of Mount Everest offers the most beautiful landscapes of Mount Everest in Tibet.

Gama Valley trekking tour Through the beautiful landscapes of Mount Everest in Tibet.

Mount Kailash trek, also known as Kailash kora, is the most sacred trekking in Tibet. The 3-day trek around Mount Kailash is a lifelong dream for many pilgrims. This is also one of the most challenging trekking in Tibet, as the average altitude of Mount Kailash trek is around 5,000 meters and you need to cross the Drolma La Pass at 5,630.

Of course, there are also leisure trekking and hiking trails near Lhasa City. For example, the Ganden Monastery trek is a popular trek among families with kids, offering an educational and entertaining travel experience around one of the greatest monasteries in Lhasa.

Notice: The best time for trekking in Tibet is in April, May, September, and October, with the finest weather to enjoy clear views of mountain ranges.

15 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: A pilgrim’s final fantasy and the greatest overland trip in Tibet.

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2069 p.p

This is the epic journey to Mount Kailash with a classic 3-day trek around the sacred mountain.

Biking in Tibet: A Challenging Way to Travel in Tibet

Cycling on the Roof of the World is a challenging way, which demands strong physical fitness to cope with high-altitude cycling. Tibet cycling tours are almost road cycling, following the popular travel routes at your own pace.

The 15-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp bike adventure and the 16-day Lhasa to Kathmandu bike tour are the most popular bike tours in Tibet. Cycling to the holy Lake Namtso, which is 240 kilometers north to Lhasa City is also an exciting biking experience through the vast grassland of northern Tibet to explore the nomands’ life in Tibet.

You can bring your own bike to Tibet, or it is also convenient to rent a professional bike upon arrival in Lhasa. As the best local travel agency in Tibet, we at Tibet Vista provide Tibet bike tours, covering all biking routes in Tibet. Our professional backup teams will take care of your journey all the way, ensuring a safe and unforgettable two-wheeled adventure in Tibet.

It could be a lifetime memory to bike from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.

16 Days Cycling across the Himalayas, Lhasa to Kathmandu Bike Adventure

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse - Lhatse - Everest Base Camp - Rongphuk - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD2790USD p.p

Cycling along the Friendship Highway from Lhasa to Kathmandu!

Motorcycling in Tibet: The Ultimate Thrill for Exploring Tibet

Unlike the physically demanding cycling tour, a motorcycle tour in Tibet brings you the sheer joy of freedom to explore Tibet on your roaring motorbike.

The most popular motorcycle tour is from Kathmandu to Lhasa, during which you will ride your motorcycle across Mt. Everest from Nepal in the south to Tibet in the north. Along the way, you will experience a change of scenery, from dense valley forests to the majestic scenery of vast plateau snow-capped mountains. Along the way, you will encounter winding mountain roads, magnificent mountain passes and beautiful plateau lakes, and you can also feel the different cultures and customs of Nepal and Tibet.

If you plan to explore Tibet by motorcycle, you need to book as early as possible, so that you can have enough time to apply for all necessary travel documents. Besides the Chinese Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit, you also need to get a Chinese Driving License and permit for your motorbike driving in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Once you book a Tibet motorcycle tour with us, we will take care of all necessary local travel documents so you can enjoy your cycling adventure without any worries.

Enjoy a Tibet Motorcycling tour with us.

18 Days Kathmandu, Mt.Kailash, EBC and Lhasa Motorbike

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Mt.Kailash - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

Take this epic motorcycle journey from Nepal to Tibet, exploring Mount Kailash and Mt. Everest along the way!

Self-Driving in Tibet: The Flexible and Hassle-free Road Travel in Tibet

Since last year, the self-driving tour in Tibet has been available for overseas tourists. You can explore Tibet by driving your own vehicle or renting a car through a registered local tour agency like us.

At Tibet Vista, we offer various kinds of vehicle options for different travel needs, such as SUVs, RVs, and so on. Our experienced local tour guides will also be with you to provide co-pilot service throughout the journey.

For all of our clients who book our self-drive tour in Tibet, we guarantee the Tibet Travel Permit and all necessary travel documents based on the itinerary. Also, we will help you obtain a Chinese Temporary Driver License upon your arrival in Lhasa.

If you want to drive your own car to Tibet, feel free to contact us for more information.

It's time to fulfill your dream of a self-driving journey to Tibet.

10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Self Drive Road Trip

Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse - Tingri - Everest Base Camp - Sakya - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD1,660 p.p

A seamless self-drive journey across five destinations with nearly 20 world cultural heritage sites.

Necessary Travel Documents for Travel in Tibet

There are two indispensable documents for foreign tourists who want to travel in Tibet: the Chinese Visa, which can be applied for in the Chinese Embassy in your home country; and the Tibet Travel Permit, which is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa.

If you are planning to travel to some regions outside Lhasa City, you will need to have some more travel documents, such as the Alien’s Travel Permit for visiting Everest Base Camp in Shigatse or some regions of Nyingchi in eastern Tibet. Furthermore, the Military Permit is required to visit Mout Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

While this may sound like a lot of paperwork, the only thing you need to obtain is your Chinese Visa. Once you book your Tibet tour with us, simply provide the scanned copies of your passport and Chinese, and we will do the rest for you. You can just sit back and relax as we will handle everything else. We can even help you arrange your transport to Tibet from mainland China.

Notice: If you travel to Tibet with a passport that enjoys a 15-day or 30-day visa-free stay in China, you can simply apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with a copy of your passport after booking your Tibet tour.

Tibet Travel Permit

More Insider Tips for Smooth Travel in Tibet

It is important to acclimate gradually to altitude in Tibet. Upon arrival in Lhasa, it is recommended to spend some days acclimatizing to the altitude of 3,650 meters. After that, you can gradually travel to higher altitude places, such as Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash.

Staying hydrated during your days in Tibet is also helpful to release altitude sickness in Tibet. Since it is dry at such a high altitude, you need to drink plenty of water to stay energized.

Preparing for long-hour driving when you visit outside Lhasa. For example, the journey from Lhasa to Shigatse takes almost 7 hours. Even if you visit Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier en route, the hours driving between attractions also drain your energy. You can bring some energy bars and other snacks to replenish your energy during the journey.

When the best time to visit Tibet depends on what you want to do and where you want to go in Tibet. Generally, April, May, September, and October are the best months for visiting Everest Base Camp and treks in Tibet. Summer, especially July and August, is the monsoon season in Tibet, which is not an ideal time for the overland journey between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Winter, from December to February, is the coldest time of year, but also the best time for a budget trip to Tibet.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

This is the best choice for your first travel to Tibet!

Conclusion

Traveling in Tibet can be done in several ways. No matter which way you choose, traveling with a reliable local tour operator is essential for a safe and smooth journey.

Hardhearted in Lhasa, we at Tibet Vista have been the pioneer of Tibet tourism for overseas travelers since 1984, offering 100% guaranteed Tibet Travel Permit for over 8,000 international travelers every year. If you are looking for a seamless travel experience in Tibet, don’t hesitate to plan your Tibet tour with us today!