Introduction To Tibet
Known as the ‘Roof of the World,’ Tibet is a unique holiday destination. With an average elevation of above 4000 meters, Tibet is one of the world’s highest places inhabited by humans. Surrounded by stunning snow-capped Himalayan mountains, crystal clear lakes, colorful Buddhist monasteries, flat-roofed villages and isolated nomadic settlements, the barren, treeless landscape is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon. The sacred mountain of four religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon), Mount Kailash is located in the heart of Tibet. The Tibetan capital, Lhasa, is home to some of the most magnificent Tibetan structures – the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery, etc. And some of the famous attractions in Tibet include the North Face of Mount Everest, the Tibetan cities of Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsetang, Everest Base Camp, Yamdrok Tso Lake, Mount Kailash and Mansarovar, which are part of the magnificent Tibetan landscape of natural wonders.
Best Time to Visit Tibet
The best time to visit Tibet is Spring (March to May) – Summer (June to August) – Autumn (September to November). Since Tibet is a high-altitude desert, winters can be very harsh and cold, making travel impossible.
The spring and autumn months offer ideal weather conditions for making travel enjoyable. Summer is also great for traveling to Tibet as it does not rain as much as most parts of Asia. Tibet lies in the Trans-Himalayan rain shadow, which protects it from the torrential monsoon rains. If you travel in early spring, you can attend the Peach Blossom Festival. Some of the major Tibetan festivals are celebrated during the summer. Summer festivals include the Saga Dawa Festival, Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival, Shoton Festival, Ongkor or Harvest Festival, Gyantse Horse Racing Festival, and Nagqu Horse Racing Festival, etc. Similarly; During your autumn trip, you can attend the Gongbu New Year Festival, Palden or Fairy Festival, Buddha’s Descent Day, and Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival. If you are brave enough to brave the winter cold in Tibet, you can attend Losar or Tibetan New Year, Monlam Prayer Festival, and Butter Lantern Festival.
Things to do in Tibet
Tibet, filled with ancient Buddhist monasteries, palaces, and palaces, is like a country suspended in time. The people have not given up their culture or traditions and still hold on to the faith and values of their ancestors. This makes Tibet a great destination to learn about the Himalayan Buddhist culture and traditions.
You can take a cultural tour in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. If you have more time, you can travel to other destinations like Shigatse, Gyantse, Tsetang, and the Yarlung Valley. The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Ngari Province is the ultimate spiritual journey for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, or Bon. Overland 4WD Landcruiser and motorcycle tours throughout Tibet are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. These tours let you explore the Tibetan highlands and experience authentic Tibetan culture. In addition; you can also enjoy a ride on the world’s highest railway, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. You can enter or exit Tibet via this train. The trek from Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp is extremely popular. For climbing enthusiasts, the mountaineering expeditions to Everest and Sishapagma are the ultimate climbing adventure.
How many days are enough to visit Tibet?
You can experience the major attractions of Tibet in 4 days or a week. This will allow you to explore Lhasa and the surrounding areas where most of the tourist attractions are located. If you want to explore more of Tibet, you should set aside at least 14 or 20 days. Cultural tours can be completed in less time, while trekking, underground and motorbike tours can be extended to 20 days or more. It varies depending on where you are starting your journey: the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage can take 12 to 24 days, where spirituality and nature offer a profound travel experience unlike any other.
For more details on how to embark on an unforgettable journey to Tibet, click here to know more…