Young Pioneer Tours

China – Tibet Tours and Travel

Embark on a journey you won’t forget with our Tibet tours, to a place often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” where majestic mountains, ancient traditions, and spiritual enlightenment await. Immerse yourself in the spiritual essence of Buddhism through monk chants and prayers wheels, all while experiencing the charm of rural Tibetan villages. 

While Tibet was historically isolated, the 20th century brought external influences and social challenges to this pristine land. With improved transportation, Tibet’s once-closed doors opened to the world, ushering in a new era of connectivity and complexity.

As you wander down Barkhor Street in Lhasa, you’ll witness devout Tibetan Buddhist believers clad in simple garments, bowing in worship every few steps on their pilgrimage from distant homes. This profound display of faith speaks volumes about the spiritual devotion of the locals.

For those seeking adventure, we can also organize Mt. Everest Base Camp tours, as this is one of our favourite places in Tibet. Along the way, we will encounter natural marvels, towering peaks and magnificent glaciers, and experience the unique culture of the region.

GROUP TOURS TO TIBET 

YPT are happy to announce that we have brought back our Tibet all time favourite tour.

Tibet Roof of the World & Everest Base Camp Tour – July 13th – July 20th / 24th 2025 – €1495 / €2145

INDEPENDENT TOURS TO TIBET

Since 2009, YPT has been offering Tibet travel packages with the intention of exploring not only the well-known attractions but also uncovering some of the lesser-known tourist sites of the country. As we reopen our Tibet tours, we are excited to announce that we can arrange a variety of independent tours across Tibet with bilingual guides and transportation. 

Additionally, we offer our bespoke whole Tibet tours, tailored to provide a comprehensive exploration of the region, which you can check out further below. 

Example of a classic Tibet tour (9 days)

The following is an example of one of our Tibet tour programs, and can be adapted, or combined with other places to suit your needs.

Day 1 – Lhasa

  • Group meets at Xi’an Airport by the check-in counter for our Lhasa bound flight on Tibetan Airlines.
  • Arrive at Lhasa and receive a traditional Nada welcoming ceremony.
  • Free afternoon to acclimatise and adjust to Lhasa’s 3800m altitude by exploring the old town by foot. 
  • Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 2 – Lhasa 

  • Take a drive to visit Drepung Monastery, Tibet’s largest monastery built in 1416 with space for up to 10,000 monks. Enjoy stunning view of West Lhasa from this mountainous location. 
  • Explore Norbulingka also known as the Summer Palace of Lhasa – serving as a traditional summer residence of the former Dalai Lamas from the 1780s and onwards.
  • Visit Sera Monastery – here we’ll watch student monks partake in public debates within the courtyard of the monastery where one monk stands making clapping actions asking questions and the other sits and answers (and laughs occasionally). 
  • Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 3 – Lhasa

  • On today´s list is the major highlight of exploring Lhasa – Potala Palace – this was the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama until he fled to India in 1957, and previously was used as the main seat of Tibetan government for centuries. We’ll climb our way to the very top of the palace and gain access inside to see numerous waiting and prayer rooms, as well as large golden tombs of previous Dalai Lamas. The view from the top is breathtaking.
  • Joining the pilgrims on the Pilgrim Path to the viewing platform of the Potala Palace from the famous view that’s also seen on the Chinese 50RMB note.
  • Lunch in Lhasa
  • Walk to Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet and explore Liberation Square located in front of the palace.
  • Visit Jokhang Temple – this temple is actually considered the most important of Lhasa’s temples by Tibetans and was built for the Nepalese Princess of the Tibetan King
  • Free afternoon to explore Barkhor Street market. 
  • Overnight Lhasa.

Day 4 – Namtso Lake – Damxung

Morning

  • Wake up early and begin our four-hour drive to Namtso Lake – the highest and largest lake in Tibet at 4718m. We’ll drive by stunning plateau scenery and pass a peak that tops 5190m, incredible for photo opportunities.
  • Once arriving at Natmso Lake we can make our way down to the water for reflective views and have a further understanding why this lake is known as ‘Heavenly Lake’ to the locals.

Afternoon

  • Head back to Lhasa stopping in a small local village for lunch
  • Arrive back in Lhasa for dinner
  • Overnight in Lhasa. 

Day 5 – Namba Tibetan Village – Lhasa

  • The next morning, we’ll hit the road first to explore Namba, a rural Tibetan village where Nomads base themselves during summer. 
  • Hike higher into the mountains and keep a look out for possible Nomad tents and their livestock and enjoy the stunning scenery.
  • Head back to Lhasa and visit the Tibetan Museum with exhibitions on Tibetan culture and history and a section on British imperialism in the area before 1949, a good chance to learn the Chinese interpretation of Tibetan history.
  • Overnight in Lhasa. 

Day 6 – Shigatse 

  • The majority of today will be spent on the road as we make our way to the city of Shigatse. 
  • Along the way we will drive up to the top of a snowcapped mountain standing at 5000m high with an unrealistic view of Yamdrok Lake from below – one of three sacred lakes in Tibet. 
  • Drive up another peak to have a stunning view Karola Glacier that sits 5560m above and is an exceptionally unique photography opportunity.
  • Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 7 – Mt. Everest Base Camp 

  • Drive to Mt. Everest Base Camp on Highway 318 most notorious for being China’s longest highway. 
  • Trip highlight: Arrive in Mt. Everest Base Camp – you’ll know when we arrive if weather permits as Mt. Everest stands before us at 8844m high, the highest mountain the world.
  • Have the afternoon free to walk around the base camp for photos of this mighty mountain.
  • Overnight in Rongphu Monastery Guest House.

Day 8 – Mt. Everest Base Camp – Shigatse 

  • After breakfast it is time to explore Rongpuk Monastery, the highest temple in the world.
  • On our way back to Shigatse, we’ll stop for lunch and anywhere we see fit for a perfect photo opportunity of Mt Everest in the foreground and to stretch our legs.
  • Arrive into Shigatse in the afternoon to catch our breathe and to explore more of Shigatse
  • Dinner and evening nightlife in Shigatse
  • Overnight in Shigatse

Day 9 – Shigatse – Lhasa

  • Exploring the largest monastery in western Tibet, the Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, built in 1447. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha – the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in the world and a tomb of all the Panchen Lama, containing jewels and gold.
  • Drive back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley– here we’ll use this time to catch up on anything last minute that needs seeing or buying in the city.
  • We will help you with drop-offs for the night train back into mainland China or to the airport, if you are airborne.

BESPOKE TOURS TO TIBET

As part of our travel packages within China, we can offer bespoke and independent tours to Tibet. These tours can be tailored as full Tibetan experiences or combined with visits to other regions of China.

For more details on our Tibet programs and to explore the possibilities of these unique journeys, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to assist you in creating an unforgettable and personalized travel adventures in Tibet.

Festival Tour in Tibet

YPT offers a variety of Tibetan Festival tours that provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in the colourful spiritual world of Tibet. For example, during the Saga Dawa Festival, you can observe locals replacing their small prayer flags on the pole, while the Shonton festival features a traditional Thangka unfolding ceremony and Tibetan Opera performances. These festivals feature a traditional glimpse into the vibrant cultural traditions and atmosphere of Tibet, allowing you to witness local celebrations of their most important religious festivals and experience the essence of their unique culture. 

Heritage Tour in Tibet

Tibetan architecture embodies the wisdom of building against the harsh environment in a sophisticated manner. YPT offers an architectural-themed tour where we will guide you into the intricate carvings and organic design principles found in heritage places such as the Potala Palace and other residential houses. Explore how these architectural elements are intertwined with the beliefs and daily life of the Tibetan people.

Cuisine Workshop in Tibet 

Tibetan cuisine is the soul of the highland culture. YPT can offer you a hands-on cooking workshop with local families. During the workshop, you will learn to prepare traditional Tibetan dishes using authentic ingredients and techniques. Join us for a memory journey through the gastronomic traditions of Tibet. 

Spiritual Tour in Tibet 

The Tibetan highlands are often regarded as place closest to the divine. If you ever desire to explore the spiritual real of Tibet, we are delighted to offer you a pilgrimage tour to Mount Kailash. It is a 52-kilometer trek around the mountain, known as the “kora”, and you can fully embrace the essence of Tibet by indulging in its stunning landscapes. Purify your karma, revitalize your spirit, and establish a profound connection with the divine on this remarkable journey.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL TO TIBET

A Tibet Travel Permit is required for foreign visitors to enter Tibet, in addition to a Chinese visa. Independent travel is not permitted, so travellers must be part of an organized tour with a registered travel agency to obtain the permit. Additional permits may be needed for certain areas like Mount Everet Base Camp.
Tibet is generally safe for tourists. However, travellers should be mindful of the high altitude and take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. It’s important to respect local customs and follow guidelines while traveling in Tibet.
Yes, the usual itinerary starts in a chosen city in mainland China, where we either meet for a flight, Xi’an being our preferred port of embarkment, or the train to Lhasa. There we ensure for the last time that everyone is well prepared, and all group members will be provided with their Tibet Travel Permit before boarding.
Finding vegetarian and vegan options in Tibet can be challenging due to the traditional focus on meat and dairy in Tibetan cuisine. However, in larger cities like Lhasa, some restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan dishes.
The major telecom operators in China, and therefore also Tibet, are China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. Each offers various prepaid and postpaid plans. You can buy SIM cards at major international airports, retail, or convenience stores. You will need your passport for identification and registration purposes due to government regulations. Note that some international websites and services are restricted. If you need access to these, consider setting up a VPN before your arrival. If you arrive without SIM card in Lhasa, you can find the stores in the city centre as well.
The currency in Tibet is the Renminbi (RMB), which is also commonly referred to as the Chinese Yuan (CNY). The primary unit of the Renminbi is the yuan, and its symbol is ¥.
We do strongly recommend that travellers to all our destinations have travel insurance. Accidents or medical conditions can happen anywhere and it’s best to be prepared. A proper travel insurance should include coverage for (medical) evacuation/repatriation costs by helicopter, plane or ship.

You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: https://www.iatitravelinsurance.com/en/?r=23612524710385
Why should you choose Young Pioneer Tours for your Tibet tours? Having run tourism packages within China since 2008and nearly as long in Tibet, YPT are one of the most experienced travel operators within China.

This gives our combination of YPT and professional bilingual guides a unique insight into travel throughout China and means we get to offer behind the scenes experiences. This will be a unique advantage in one of the most culturally rich regions but difficult to travel regions on the planet.

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