Tibet tours & holidays

All travellers need a permit to travel to Tibet and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and must be travelling as part of an organised tour. Generally, a Chinese visa is needed before an application can be made for a Tibet Entry Permit. If travelling with a tour operator, the tour operator may be able to apply for a group permit for your trip.

Due to political sensitivities, there may occasionally be unexpected challenges in obtaining permits for Tibet. While these situations are beyond our control, travelling with a group and an experienced local leader offers support and helps you navigate these occurrences more smoothly.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

Or, contact our team if you have any questions. 

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

Tipping for good service has become common in tourist regions of Tibet, especially for guides, drivers, bellhops and restaurant service staff. Some hotels and restaurants have started charging a per cent of the bill for service tips.

Tibet is located in a high mountain area with quickly changing weather, so it’s a good idea to pack a range of layers and warm clothing, as well as a windproof and waterproof jacket.

If you're walking or hiking, pack a range of lightweight, quick-drying layers to stay cool or warm up when needed. You should also have a good pair of shoes and sun protection.

If you plan to visit religious sites, pack clothes covering the arms, shoulders and knees.

It is not safe to drink tap water in Tibet.

For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Your local leader will help you find filtered water. You may also like to bring water purification tablets.

Internet can be found in the cities and some towns across Tibet. Some larger hotels, restaurants and cafes may even offer wi-fi.

Mobile coverage is generally fine in popular areas of Tibet, such as the capital, Lhasa, but it may not be reliable in remote areas.

The toilets in Tibet range from indoor/outdoor squat toilets to Western-style flushable toilets. Sometimes, the squat toilets will not have a door or a divider between the other stalls. Sanitisation levels in Tibet will likely differ from those in your home, so managing your expectations is a good idea.

It’s also a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser as these are rarely provided, especially in public places.

While homosexuality is legal in Tibet, it is advised that travellers avoid public displays of affection.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.

We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Travelling from Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

Learn more about safe travels with Intrepid

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.