The mysterious and unique Tibet has always attracted adventurers to trekking. Tibet has something for everyone, from climbing the high mountains, visiting and hiking around the holy lakes, hiking through national parks, or visiting numerous monasteries.
Tibet lies under the Himalayas of the Tibetan Plateau, which has an average height of 5000 meters outside height and is the only region in the world with that high elevation.
If you want to explore the beauty of Tibet, the best way to do that is trekking. With choosing the right Tibet Trekking tour, you can enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and the most beautiful scenery, meet the local people and learn more about their tradition and culture.
Before starting your once in a lifetime adventure trekking in Tibet, here are the most important things you need to know and the best trekking routes in Tibet.
Essential things you need to know before trekking in Tibet
Traveling in Tibet on your own is not allowed. You must book a tour with a travel agency where you get a tour guide to Tibet. Whether you go to trekking or you will only visit Lhasa, you must never walk alone through Tibet without escorting a guide.
Another significant thing when you go to Tibet trekking is acclimatization.
It is compulsory to acclimatize at least two days in Lhasa before starting the trekking tour. That is why all travel agencies start their tours for Tibet trekking by Potala Palace and all the must-see places in Lhasa.
When to go on Tibet trekking
The best time for trekking in Tibet is spring and summer when the oxygen level is higher, and the weather is not so harshly. So plan your trip to “the land of snow” to be from April till October. However, you must know that the period from July and August is a rainy period so that the trekking routes may be messy, and therefore the conditions will be more severe.
Documents needed for trekking in Tibet
First, you must apply for a Chinese visa (if you travel from mainland China to Tibet), but Tibet Travel Permit is a necessary document for entry to Tibet, regardless of which neighbouring country you enter.
You can not apply for Tibet Travel Permit yourself; the travel agency will do this on your behalf.
Other documents may be required, like Alien’s Permit or Military Permit, depending on which part of Tibet will be trekking routes.
Do not worry, the right travel agency which has the licence will apply for every permit that will be necessary for you.
What to pack for trekking in Tibet
Although the summer period is most suitable for trekking in Tibet, you will still have to wear several layers of clothes, because the summer in Tibet is not like the usual summertime elsewhere.
You must wear some type of indestructible shoes for protection or any kind of comfortable boots that are specially designed for trekking. Woolen socks, you must wear a hat and glasses, as well as sun cream. It is advisable to have hiking poles.
Take with you medicine for pain, medicine for flu and cold, also medicine for nausea and diarrhea. Be sure that you acclimatize before start trekking in Tibet.
The top trekking routes in Tibet
Tibet is a wonderful country for trekking. In the surroundings of Lhasa, there are trekking routes that can be visited at any time of the year. Throughout Tibet, there is beautiful scenery that is included in the trekking routes of travel agencies. I will tell you the most popular five trekking routes between tourists.
Ganden to Samye trek
This is the most popular trekking route among the tourists, but also one of the shortest routes. It is, therefore, an excellent choice for those who have less time for such an adventure. It connects famed Ganden and Samye monasteries, however, although it is one of the easiest routes, there are two challenging passes Chitu La and Shug La with an altitude of 5000 meters.
Mt. Kailash trek
The Mount Kailash trekking route is with an average altitude of 5,000 meters and is still known as kora journey.
The trekking route includes trek around Mt.Kailash-the secret mountain for four religious, and Lake Manasarovar. Many pilgrims go on the same trek to the Mt.Kailas, so it is possible that you can be part of their journey on this trekking route.
Tibet Everest Base Camp Trek
Tibet Everest Base Camp trek is the highest trek in the world, and it is the most popular trekking route for those passionate hikers adventurists. Everest Base Camp in Tibet has a stunning view over the north side of Mount Everest, which comes as a gift after this hard trekking.
The Everest Base Camp trek is the most spectacular trekking route, because of the scenery and the monasteries that you can see and visit during the trek.
If you want to go on this fantastic, but hard trekking route, you need to have good health, and you need to be fully prepared for this adventure.
Gyama Valley trek
The tourists say that Gyama Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world and it is one of the favourites among the trekkers. The highest point of the track is Pass Shauwula at 4900m. Due to the distance of the track and the poor conditions in the valley, you must go with this well-trained guide who knows the environment on this trekking route. On this trek, you can see part of the beautiful nature of Tibet, as well as Gabatso Lake and Tsokuotso Lake.
Tsurpury to Yangpachen trek
If you want to get to know the culture of the semi-nomadic Tibetan herders Drokpa, then Tsurphu to Yangpachen trek is the best trek route for you.
It is the shortest route among the Tibet trekking routes, and it usually lasts for seven days. The trek has an altitude over 4400m for the entire duration and a maximum elevation 5400m at the Lasar-la. This trail is a combination of the Dolphin tundra and convincing mountain panoramas with visits to monasteries and that beautifully balances the cultural and desert activities.
Final thoughts
If trekking is your passion, then you must have a Tibet vacation and have the best adventure in life, because Tibet trekking routes have so many beauties and mysteries that you will be so amazed, that you will not want to return home.
However, high altitudes and complicated pathways can cause discomfort, so before leaving for trekking in Tibet, do all necessary health tests with your doctor.
Do not go to trekking if you are not acclimatized enough. It is better to wait for complete acclimatization before starting trekking because all the altitudes are over 4000 meters above sea level.
If you are ready for an adventure like this, I hope we will see each other on one of the trekking routes in Tibet.
