Roof of the World
Plan your Tibet trip
Monasteries of Lhasa, the north face of Everest, the pilgrim circuit of Mount Kailash and the high road to Kathmandu. Guided journeys with permits arranged, planned by our team in Kathmandu and Minneapolis and led by licensed Tibetan guides.
Travel with us
Our Tibet itineraries
Every trip can run privately on your own dates. A few also run as small groups on fixed dates.
7 days
Essential Tibet Tour
8 days
Cultural Heart of Tibet Tour
8 days
Gyantse Horse Racing Festival Tour
9 days
Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour
10 days
Tibet to Kathmandu Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp
10 days
Yamdroke Lake Tour
13 days
Everest Base Camp Trek (Tibet)
15 days
Three Himalayan Kingdoms
16 days
Among Nomads of Amdo and Kham
16 days
Nagchu Festival & Everest Base Tour to Nepal
18 days
Kailash Mansarovar Tour
When to go
Tibet festival dates
Tibetan festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates change every year.
Before you book
Tibet travel guide
The basics on one page: permits, visas, getting there, altitude and when to go.
- Tibet Travel Permit and China visa (Group Visa if coming from Nepal)
- Getting there: flights to Lhasa, the train, overland from Kathmandu
- Altitude and acclimatization
- Best time to go and possible permit closures
- Money, phones, internet and photography
Travel to Tibet with Wind Horse
Tibet sits on the highest plateau on earth, at an average of about 4,500 m (14,800 ft), between the Himalaya and the Kunlun mountains. People call it the Roof of the World and the Land of Snows. For more than a thousand years it has been the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, and its monasteries, pilgrim paths and mountain lakes still draw travellers from around the world.
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Most journeys begin in Lhasa, with the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit. From there the road climbs to Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse, the north face of Everest and on to Kathmandu. In the far west stands Mount Kailash, sacred to four faiths.
Foreign visitors cannot travel independently in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Every trip needs a Tibet Travel Permit and a licensed guide throughout. Wind Horse has run journeys in Tibet since 2004.
Good to know
Tibet FAQs
Can I travel to Tibet on my own?
No. Foreign visitors to the Tibet Autonomous Region must travel on a pre-arranged tour with a licensed guide. You can still travel privately, just you and your companions, or join one of our small groups.
What permits do I need for Tibet?
You need a Chinese visa (or a Tibet Group Visa if you enter from Nepal) plus a Tibet Travel Permit. Everest, Kailash and other areas outside Lhasa need extra permits. We apply for all of them once your trip is booked.
How far ahead should I book?
At least 6 to 8 weeks before arrival, longer for Kailash and festival dates. Permits usually take about three weeks to issue.
Can I go from Nepal to Tibet, or Tibet to Nepal?
Yes. You can fly between Kathmandu and Lhasa, or travel overland through the Kyirong border. Coming from Nepal you need a Tibet Group Visa, which we arrange in Kathmandu.
Is Tibet open all year?
Mostly. In some years permits are suspended for a few weeks, often around Tibetan New Year (Losar) and in March. We will tell you before you book.
How do I deal with the altitude?
Lhasa is at 3,650 m (11,975 ft) and Everest Base Camp at about 5,150 m (16,900 ft). Our itineraries start with two or three easy days in Lhasa and climb slowly.
When is the best time to visit Tibet?
April to October. Spring and autumn give the clearest mountain views. Summer is greener and brings the big festivals.
Can I combine Tibet with Nepal or Bhutan?
Yes. Many guests drive from Lhasa to Kathmandu, and our Three Himalayan Kingdoms journey links Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan in 15 days.
Ready to plan Tibet?
Tell us your dates, pace and interests. A trip planner who knows the road from Lhasa to Kathmandu will reply within a day, and we take care of the permits.