Tibet tours & travel guide from Singapore

Tibet is known for being the world's highest plateau, averaging over 4,000 m, and for a Tibetan Buddhist culture that still shapes daily life. Travellers come for the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, working monasteries such as Sera, Drepung and Tashilhunpo, turquoise high lakes like Yamdrok and Namtso, the north face of Mount Everest, and the sacred Mount Kailash pilgrimage circuit. For Singaporeans it is a completely different world only one connection away, with cool, dry air, huge skies and a slower rhythm built around prayer and pilgrimage.

The best places to visit in Tibet are Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp (north side) and, on longer trips, Mount Kailash with Lake Manasarovar. A typical route covers:

• Lhasa (3,650 m): Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera and Drepung monasteries
• Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse: a turquoise lake and the Kumbum stupa
• Shigatse: Tashilhunpo Monastery
• Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk: close views of Everest's north face
• Mount Kailash and Manasarovar: the far-west pilgrimage

Namtso Lake and greener, lower Nyingchi are popular additions.

The best time to visit Tibet is April to October, with May, June, September and October giving the best balance of mild days, clear skies and open roads. July and August are the warmest months but bring some afternoon rain and more domestic tourists. October usually gives the clearest Everest views. Winter (November to March) is cold, very dry and quiet, and Lhasa can still be visited, though high routes such as Kailash are effectively closed. Permit issuance around February and March varies from year to year, so check before planning an early-spring trip.

You need about 7 days for Lhasa and its nearby highlights, 8 to 12 days to add Gyantse, Shigatse and Everest Base Camp, and around 14 days for Mount Kailash. The first two days in Lhasa should be kept easy for acclimatisation, so very short trips are not recommended. As a guide, HSJ's Tibet Discovery Tour runs 7 days, the Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour 8 days, the Tibet & Nepal Grand Journey 12 days with three nights in Kathmandu, and the Mount Kailash & Manasarovar Kora Tour 14 days. Allow for connecting flights from Singapore on each side.

Plan on roughly 5 to 6 days of annual leave for a 7-day Lhasa trip, and 7 to 10 days for an Everest or Kailash itinerary, if you use a weekend at each end. There are no direct flights from Singapore to Lhasa, but you can usually reach Lhasa in one travel day via Chengdu or another Chinese hub, or via Kathmandu. Build in a buffer day on the way home, because flights out of Lhasa can be delayed by weather, and it helps not to go straight back to the office after a week at altitude.

Tibet has often stopped issuing permits to foreign travellers for part of February and March, around Tibetan New Year (Losar) and sensitive anniversaries, but the timing and length change every year and in some years it stays open. Closures are announced at short notice, sometimes only weeks ahead. If you are considering a trip between February and early April, treat it as provisional and book flexible flights. From April to October permits are routinely issued, although individual areas such as the Everest region can occasionally close for local reasons.

The best time to see Everest from the Tibet side is October and early November, followed by April and May, when skies are clearest. In these months you often get a cloud-free sunrise or sunset over the north face from the Rongbuk area. June to August is the monsoon period, so Everest is frequently hidden by cloud even though the plateau itself gets relatively little rain. Winter can be crystal clear but bitterly cold at around 5,000 m. Our Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour spends a night near Rongbuk for both the sunset and the sunrise.

The Kailash kora is normally done from May to early October, when the Dolma La pass (about 5,630 m) is usually free of heavy snow. Late May and June are popular for the Saga Dawa festival, which falls on the full moon of the fourth Tibetan month and draws large numbers of pilgrims, so permits and rooms fill early. July and August can be wet on the approach roads, and September gives crisp, clear conditions. Outside this window the route and guesthouses largely close. Our Mount Kailash & Manasarovar Kora Tour runs 14 days.

For a first visit, a Lhasa-based itinerary of 7 to 8 days is best, because it gives you time to acclimatise before going any higher. The Tibet Discovery Tour (7 days) covers Lhasa's great monasteries, Yamdrok Lake, a night in Gyantse and Shigatse. If you want to see Everest, the Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour (8 days) adds the North Face, and the Tibet & Nepal Grand Journey (12 days) starts with three nights in Kathmandu before flying to Lhasa. Save Mount Kailash for a later trip, or choose it only if you are fit, comfortable at altitude and can take two weeks off.

Tibet and Nepal can be combined, most simply by flying between Kathmandu and Lhasa, a flight of about 1.5 hours with some of the best Himalayan views anywhere. The overland route through the Kyirong-Rasuwagadhi border was damaged by floods in 2025 and again in August 2026, so do not plan on driving across unless it is confirmed open when you book. A combined trip usually needs 12 days or more. Starting in Kathmandu (about 1,400 m) also gives you a softer start than flying straight to Lhasa from Chengdu.

The festivals most visitors plan around are Saga Dawa (late May or June), when pilgrims fill Lhasa and Mount Kailash, and the Shoton (Yoghurt) Festival in Lhasa around August, which opens with the unveiling of a giant thangka at Drepung Monastery. Tibetan New Year (Losar) usually falls in February or March, but permit availability then is uncertain. Dates follow the Tibetan lunar calendar and move each year. Festivals bring colour and atmosphere, but also crowds, higher prices and sometimes extra restrictions, so book early.

No, foreign visitors, including Singaporeans, cannot travel independently in Tibet. Every foreign traveller needs a Tibet Travel Permit, which is issued only through a licensed Tibet travel agency and only for an organised itinerary with a licensed Tibetan guide and arranged transport. You do not have to join a large group, though: a private tour for one person, a couple or a family meets the rules. In Lhasa's old town you can usually wander on your own at set times, but monastery visits and trips outside the city are made with your guide.

No, Singapore passport holders do not need a Chinese visa for a Tibet trip of up to 30 days, thanks to the Singapore-China mutual visa exemption in force since 9 February 2024. However, being visa-free does not remove the separate Tibet Travel Permit, which every foreign visitor needs to board a flight or train to Tibet. If your total time in mainland China, including Chengdu or other cities, will exceed 30 days, you need a Chinese visa instead. Check the latest rules with the Chinese Embassy before you travel.

The Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) is an entry document issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa that all foreign visitors need, and you can only get it through a licensed Tibet travel agency. You cannot apply for it yourself. Once your itinerary, guide and transport are booked, the agency submits your passport details, and the permit is sent to you or your guide before departure. Airlines and the Qinghai-Tibet train check it at boarding, so you cannot travel to Tibet without it.

Allow at least three to four weeks for the Tibet Travel Permit, and book your tour one to three months ahead. Processing in Lhasa itself usually takes around 8 to 10 working days, but the agency also needs time to confirm your itinerary and deliver the permit. For Kailash, Everest and other border areas, extra permits add time, so book two to three months ahead, especially for Saga Dawa season. Avoid buying non-refundable flights from Singapore until your tour is confirmed, as permit rules can change at short notice.

Trips to Everest Base Camp, Mount Kailash and other areas outside Lhasa need extra permits on top of the Tibet Travel Permit. These typically include an Alien's Travel Permit and, for the far west and border areas, a military permit and frontier permit. Visiting Everest Base Camp also requires a separate entry ticket for the Qomolangma nature reserve. Your agency arranges all of these as part of your itinerary, so you only need to send your passport details in good time.

At present, Singaporeans generally don't need the China Group Visa when entering Tibet from Nepal, because the 30-day visa-free arrangement covers entry, but they still need the Tibet Travel Permit. The Group Visa, issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, is required for nationalities without visa-free access, and it replaces any individual Chinese visa already in the passport. Rules for entry from Nepal have changed several times, so ask your operator to confirm the current requirement for your passport before booking a Kathmandu-Lhasa route.

There are no direct flights from Singapore to Lhasa, so you connect through a mainland Chinese city or Kathmandu. The most common routes are:

• Via Chengdu: direct flights from Singapore take about five hours, with frequent onward flights to Lhasa
• Via Kathmandu: fly Singapore to Kathmandu, then a scenic flight of about 1.5 hours to Lhasa
• Via Xining: fly to Xining and ride the Qinghai-Tibet train

Other Chinese hubs such as Chongqing, Beijing or Shanghai also connect to Lhasa. You need your Tibet Travel Permit to check in for the Lhasa leg.

You can take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa, most often from Xining, a journey of roughly 20 to 22 hours covering about 1,950 km. The line crosses the Tanggula Pass at about 5,072 m, and the carriages have supplementary oxygen. Arriving by train lets your body adjust more gradually than a flight and gives you views of high grasslands and nomad camps. You must show your original Tibet Travel Permit to board. Sleeper berths sell out quickly in summer, so your agency should book them as early as possible.

The overland route between Nepal and Tibet was disrupted again in 2026: flooding on 26 August 2026 badly damaged the Rasuwagadhi-Kyirong border crossing, and there was no confirmed reopening date for tourists at the time of writing. The same crossing had only recently reopened after earlier flood damage in July 2025. For now, the reliable way to travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa is the direct flight. If you want to drive across, check the border status with your operator shortly before booking and keep a fallback route.

Singaporeans can stay up to 30 days per entry into mainland China visa-free, and that covers time in Tibet as well as any days in Chengdu, Xining or elsewhere in China. Your Tibet Travel Permit, however, only covers the dates and places on your booked itinerary, so you cannot extend your time in Tibet on your own. Even the longer standard Tibet tours, such as a 14-day Kailash trip, fit comfortably within 30 days. If you plan to add a wider China holiday, count all the days together.

You need a Singapore passport with at least six months' validity and blank pages, plus the Tibet Travel Permit your agency arranges. Send your operator a clear colour scan of your passport photo page early, because permits are issued against those exact details, and don't renew your passport between booking and travel. Also carry travel insurance that covers high altitude and medical evacuation, copies of your permit and itinerary, and your flight confirmations. Passports are checked often at road checkpoints in Tibet, so keep yours with you.

HSJ's Tibet tours are priced per person in SGD, and each tour page shows the current price and what it includes: the 7-day Tibet Discovery Tour, the 8-day Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour, the 12-day Tibet & Nepal Grand Journey, which starts in Kathmandu and flies to Lhasa, and the 14-day Mount Kailash & Manasarovar Kora Tour. Budget separately for return flights from Singapore, travel insurance, tips and personal spending. Prices depend on group size, season and hotel standard, so check each tour page for the current rate.

Tibet tour prices usually include the Tibet Travel Permit and other permits, a licensed Tibetan guide, a private vehicle and driver, hotels, and entrance fees to the sites on the itinerary. Some itineraries also include most meals, airport transfers, the flight or train into Lhasa, or oxygen in the vehicle. What is included varies from tour to tour, so always read the inclusions and exclusions on the specific tour page. International flights from Singapore and travel insurance are generally extra.

Tibet costs more than the rest of China because the rules require every foreign visitor to have a licensed guide, a private vehicle and arranged permits for the whole trip. You pay for the guide and driver on every day, including long driving days, and fuel, hotels and food cost more on the remote high plateau. Distances are long, too: Lhasa to Everest Base Camp takes about two days by road. Travelling as a group of four to six makes the per-person cost noticeably lower than travelling alone.

Flight costs from Singapore to Lhasa vary widely with season and route, so there is no single reliable figure. You usually book two parts: Singapore to a hub such as Chengdu or Kathmandu, then a domestic or regional flight to Lhasa. Lhasa flights are priced higher in July, August and China's Golden Week holiday in early October, and are cheaper in spring and late autumn. Book the international leg only after your tour is confirmed, and leave generous connection time, as flights into Lhasa can be delayed by weather.

A private Tibet tour usually costs more per person than joining a small group, because your party alone pays for the guide, driver and vehicle. The difference narrows quickly as your party grows: a family or four friends often pay only a little more per head than a shared tour, and get their own pace and flexible start dates. Solo travellers pay the highest per-person rate on private trips, plus a single-room supplement. Ask us for a private departure quote if you have specific dates in mind.

The currency in Tibet is the Chinese yuan (CNY, also called RMB), and most payments are made by Alipay or WeChat Pay, both of which can be linked to Singapore-issued Visa or Mastercard cards. Set them up and test them before you leave Singapore. International cards are accepted at some larger hotels in Lhasa but rarely elsewhere. Bring some cash yuan as well, for small shops, rural stops and tips. Changing money in Singapore before the trip, or using bank ATMs in Lhasa, is usually easiest.

Budget separately for tips to your guide and driver, meals not included in your tour, drinks, souvenirs, and optional extras such as photography fees inside some monastery halls. Tipping is not compulsory but is customary for guides and drivers, usually given at the end of the trip. Personal spending varies a lot: Lhasa has cafés and restaurants at a range of prices, while rural areas offer little to spend on. Check the tipping guidance on your tour page and carry small yuan notes for this.

The costs usually not included in a Tibet tour are international flights from Singapore, travel insurance, tips for your guide and driver, some meals, drinks and personal spending. Other common extras are a single-room supplement, optional activities, extra nights if flights are delayed, and porters or yaks on the Kailash kora. Some tours also exclude the flight or train into Lhasa, so check this before comparing prices. Reading the exclusions list carefully is the easiest way to compare two Tibet quotes fairly.

Many standard Singapore travel insurance policies don't cover the altitudes you reach in Tibet, so check before buying. Some plans cap cover at around 3,000 to 4,000 m, below Everest Base Camp (about 5,200 m) and the Kailash kora's Dolma La pass (about 5,630 m). Look for a policy that explicitly covers travel or trekking up to at least 6,000 m, emergency medical evacuation, and cancellation if permits are withdrawn. Read the policy wording itself, not just the summary, and declare any pre-existing medical conditions.

HSJ's 14-day Mount Kailash & Manasarovar Kora Tour is priced per person in SGD on its tour page, excluding international flights from Singapore and travel insurance. Kailash trips cost more than Lhasa tours because of the long drive to far-west Tibet, the extra military and frontier permits, and costly logistics at remote guesthouses. Budget extra for porters or yaks on the three-day kora if you don't want to carry your own pack, and for tips. Saga Dawa season is the busiest and most expensive time to go.

HSJ's cancellation, refund and payment rules for Tibet trips are set out in the booking terms and conditions, which apply to every tour on hsj.sg, so read them before you book. Mountain and long-distance travel carries risks that sit outside those terms: flights and roads can be delayed by weather or landslides, and extra nights or flights caused by delays are usually at your own cost unless a tour page says otherwise. Travel insurance with trip-delay and cancellation cover is the way to protect yourself.

In spring, pack warm layers, because days in Lhasa are mild at around 15 to 20°C but nights are still close to freezing. For Lhasa, take a long-sleeve base layer, a fleece, a light down jacket, trousers, a sunhat and sunglasses. At Everest Base Camp (about 5,200 m), spring nights are well below freezing and the wind is strong, so add thermal leggings, a warm down jacket, a windproof shell, gloves and a beanie. Coming from Singapore's steady 31°C heat, you will feel the cold more than you expect.

In summer, wear light layers in Lhasa, where sunny afternoons reach the low to mid 20s°C but nights drop to around 10°C. Bring a breathable long-sleeve shirt for sun protection, a fleece, a light waterproof jacket for afternoon showers and comfortable walking shoes. Higher up, summer is still cold: at Everest Base Camp and on the Kailash kora nights can be near freezing, and snow is possible on the Dolma La, so pack a down jacket, gloves and a beanie even in July.

In autumn, dress for clear, sunny days that feel warm in the sun and cold in the shade, with Lhasa daytime temperatures usually in the mid-teens°C and nights around freezing by late October. Pack thermal base layers, a fleece, a down jacket and a windproof outer layer, plus gloves and a beanie. At Everest Base Camp in October, expect sub-zero nights and biting wind, so a proper down jacket and warm sleepwear are essential. Early September on the Kailash kora can still bring snow on the pass.

In winter, bring proper cold-weather clothing, because nights in Lhasa drop to around −10°C even though sunny days reach 5 to 10°C. Pack thermal tops and leggings, a thick fleece, a warm hooded down jacket, insulated gloves, a beanie, a neck gaiter, wool socks and warm, waterproof shoes. Everest Base Camp is far colder, with strong wind and night temperatures well below −15°C. Kailash is not normally visited in winter. Hotels outside Lhasa may have limited heating, so warm sleepwear helps.

Dress in layers you can add or remove quickly, because temperatures in Tibet often change by 15°C or more between midday sun and night, even in summer. A simple system works: a thin long-sleeve base layer (quick-dry or merino), a fleece mid-layer, and a down or synthetic insulated jacket, with a windproof shell for high passes. Avoid cotton next to your skin, since it stays cold when damp. For Singaporeans used to one outfit all day, a small daypack for spare layers makes a big difference.

The sun in Tibet is extremely strong, because there is much less atmosphere above you at 3,650 m and higher, so UV levels are very high even on cool or cloudy days. Use SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm with SPF, and reapply often. Wear good UV-blocking sunglasses (darker category 3 to 4 lenses for Everest and Kailash, where snow reflects light), a hat and long sleeves. Singaporeans are used to strong sun, but cold air and high UV together mean you can burn without ever feeling hot.

For Everest Base Camp on the north side (the visitor area near Rongbuk is about 5,000 m), pack for sub-zero temperatures and strong wind in every season. Pack a warm down jacket, thermal base layers, a fleece, a windproof and waterproof shell, insulated gloves, a beanie, a neck gaiter and wool socks. Add high-UV sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm, a headlamp, a refillable water bottle, snacks and any personal medication. Accommodation near Rongbuk is basic and often unheated, so a warm sleeping layer helps. The Everest Base Camp Tibet Tour includes one night near Rongbuk.

For the Mount Kailash kora, wear broken-in waterproof hiking boots and layered trekking clothing, because you walk about 52 km over three days and cross the Dolma La at around 5,630 m. Pack thermal layers, a fleece, a warm down jacket, a waterproof shell, gloves, a beanie, trekking poles, high-UV sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen. Snow is possible on the pass even in summer. Carry only water, snacks and rain gear in your daypack, and hire a porter or yak for the rest. Break in your boots in Singapore first.

Buy the essentials that must fit well in Singapore before you go: broken-in hiking shoes, thermal base layers and a good down jacket (outdoor shops in Singapore stock them, though the range is small). If your route passes through Kathmandu, shops in Thamel sell fleeces, down jackets, gloves, beanies and trekking poles at lower prices, though quality varies. Lhasa also has outdoor shops, but you arrive needing warm clothes straight away and should be resting, not shopping. Gear rental is not widely available in Tibet, so don't rely on it.

Dress modestly when visiting monasteries in Tibet, which means covering your shoulders and knees and removing hats inside temple halls. Beyond clothing, follow a few basic customs:

• Walk clockwise around temples, stupas and prayer wheels
• Don't touch statues, murals or ritual objects, or point your feet at altars
• Ask before photographing monks or pilgrims, and check whether photos are allowed inside, as many halls ban them or charge a fee
• Speak quietly and don't step over prayer cushions

Your guide will explain the rules at each site.

You need an adapter, because Tibet uses Chinese Type A, C and I sockets at 220V/50Hz, while Singapore uses the three-pin Type G plug. The voltage is close to Singapore's 230V, so phone and camera chargers work without a converter. A universal travel adapter is the simplest option. Bring a power bank as well, since electricity can be unreliable in rural guesthouses near Everest and Kailash, and cold temperatures drain batteries quickly.

Most visitors feel some effect of altitude in Tibet, because Lhasa is at about 3,650 m and many routes go above 5,000 m. Coming from sea-level Singapore, you can expect headaches, breathlessness, poor sleep or loss of appetite in the first day or two, and these usually ease with rest. Serious altitude sickness is less common but can affect anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Good itineraries spend at least two days in Lhasa before going higher. If symptoms get worse rather than better, descend and see a doctor.

The best way to prevent altitude sickness in Tibet is to go up gradually and take the first days in Lhasa slowly. Practical steps:

• Rest on arrival day and avoid strenuous walking or stairs
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol for the first few days
• Eat light meals and sleep well
• Consider entering via Kathmandu or the train for a more gradual climb
• Tell your guide early if you have symptoms

Acetazolamide (Diamox) can help prevent symptoms but needs a doctor's prescription, so see a GP or travel clinic in Singapore before you go.

Oxygen is widely available in Tibet. Many hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse supply oxygen in rooms or at reception, pharmacies sell small portable oxygen canisters, and the Qinghai-Tibet train carriages have supplementary oxygen. Some tour vehicles also carry oxygen cylinders, so check your tour inclusions. Oxygen relieves symptoms but does not replace acclimatisation. If you feel severely unwell, the right treatment is to descend and get medical help. Oxygen canisters generally cannot be taken on flights, so buy them locally.

Many older travellers and children visit Tibet, but everyone should see a doctor before booking. People with heart or lung conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure or severe anaemia, and pregnant women, are generally advised against high-altitude travel. For older parents, a Lhasa-focused itinerary such as the Tibet Discovery Tour is gentler than Everest or Kailash, and a private tour lets you add rest days. The Potala Palace has many steep steps, so take it slowly. Young children may not be able to say they feel unwell, so watch them closely.

Tibet is generally safe for travellers, with very little violent crime, and the main risks are altitude, long road journeys and cold rather than personal security. You will see a visible security presence, including routine checkpoints where passports are checked. Keep your passport and permit with you, follow your guide's advice, and avoid photographing police, military sites or checkpoints. Steer clear of political discussion. Register your trip with Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs eRegister before you go, and check its latest travel advice.

Vegetarian food is easy to find in Lhasa and possible elsewhere in Tibet with a little planning. Lhasa has Tibetan, Chinese, Nepali and Indian restaurants with vegetarian dishes such as vegetable momos, noodle soups, tsampa (roasted barley flour) and potato dishes. In rural areas and on the Everest and Kailash routes, choices shrink to simple rice, noodles, eggs and vegetables. Traditional Tibetan food leans heavily on yak meat and dairy, so tell your operator when booking if you are vegetarian, vegan or avoid eggs.

Halal food is available in Lhasa, which has a long-established Muslim community and a historic mosque near Barkhor Street, with Hui Muslim restaurants nearby serving halal noodles, lamb and beef. Outside Lhasa, halal options are limited and inconsistent, especially on the long drives to Everest Base Camp and Kailash. Muslim travellers from Singapore often bring packed snacks for these stretches and ask their guide to find Hui restaurants in larger towns such as Shigatse. Mention halal requirements when booking so meals can be planned.

There is no time difference between Singapore and Tibet. Tibet uses Beijing time (China Standard Time, UTC+8), the same as Singapore, all year round. Because the clock is set far to the east in Beijing, the sun rises and sets late in Tibet: in summer it can stay light until after 9pm, and winter mornings stay dark until around 8am. If you arrive from Kathmandu, clocks move forward 2 hours 15 minutes from Nepal time.

No, WhatsApp, Google, Instagram and many other Western apps are blocked on local Chinese networks in Tibet, as elsewhere in mainland China. The simplest workaround for Singaporeans is data roaming on a Singapore SIM or a roaming eSIM, which routes traffic outside China. Also install WeChat before you go, as guides and hotels use it widely, and download offline maps and any apps you need. Mobile coverage is good in Lhasa and along main roads, but patchy on the Kailash kora and in remote areas.

The most important customs in Tibet are to walk clockwise around sacred sites, dress modestly and ask before photographing people. Other points to keep in mind:

• Don't touch anyone's head or point your feet at people or altars
• Accept a khata (white scarf) or tea with both hands
• Don't step over or sit on prayer flags or mani stones
• Avoid raising politics with local people, as it can put them at risk

A small donation at monasteries is welcome but never required. Your Tibetan guide is the best source of advice on local etiquette.

Lhasa has hospitals experienced in treating altitude sickness, and Shigatse has basic hospitals, but medical facilities are limited outside the larger towns. Near Everest Base Camp and on the Kailash kora, help can be many hours away by road, and serious cases usually mean descending or transferring to Lhasa or out of Tibet. Bring a personal first-aid kit, enough regular prescription medication in its original packaging, and insurance that covers medical evacuation at altitude. Tell your guide about any medical conditions before the trip starts.