Knowing what to pack is important for a trip to Tibet, as the land is remote with high altitude environment and challenging weather. But there is no need to pack too many things. Here in this guide, we will help you cover the essentials for your Tibet tour.

You will need to bring some basic items, including travel documents, clothing, personal care items and electronic gear; besides, there are also some recommended items and things better left at home. Check the details of Tibet tour packing list below, and prepare yourself a comfortable and worry-free journey!

Basic Packing Items for Tibet Tour: Required Travel Documents

For all Tibet tours, some necessary travel documents are essential. Your passport, Chinese Visa, and Tibet Travel Permit are the most important travel documents you need to remember.

Passport and Chinese Visa: Your passport should be valid for at least six months. The Chinese Visa is applied for on your own from the Chinese Embassy in your home country or a third country. However, at present, many countries enjoy Chinese-visa-free policies, so check with us in advance to confirm whether you need one.

Besides, If you enter Tibet from Nepal, you will need the Chinese Group Visa, instead of a regular Chinese visa. In this case, we will help you to handle the group visa, as it can only be applied through a certified Tibet local travel agency.

Tibet Travel Permit: The Tibet Travel Permit is the most important required document for any Tibet tour. The permit will be checked before you board a train or flight to Tibet. Without it, you cannot enter the region. We will help you to obtain it on your behalf. Once the permit is issued, we will mail it to your address in mainland China, so you can carry it when traveling to Tibet.

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Basic Packing Items for Tibet Tour: Warm Clothes, Shoes and Bags

Tibet has a high-altitude climate and there is a large temperature difference between day and night. It is recommended to pack layered clothing, and a warm coat is essential even in summer. Check the basic clothing list below for all seasons.

T-shirts, thermal underwear: pack a few moisture-wicking T-shirts or long-sleeve shirts to cater to the changing temperatures of Tibet. For the colder winter season or when visiting high-elevation areas of Tibet, thermal underwear is necessary.

Sweaters, hoodies, fleece: These mid-layer clothing are convenient to warm yourself when the weather is cold and easy to remove when the temperature rises.

Windproof jacket or windbreaker: Essential for any time of the year, as Tibet is always windy, especially at lakeside and mountain passes.

Thick down jacket: A thick down jacket is important especially if you plan to visit Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash, or head for a winter tour in Tibet.

Windproof pants: Water and windproof pants are a wise choice for coping with the wind and cold weather in Tibet.

Sports footwear or climbing shoes: A comfortable and durable pair of sports shoes works for most occasions. Climbing shoes are needed if you plan to take a trekking tour or travel to some remote areas with a higher elevation.

Breathable socks: Pack breathable socks to keep your feet comfortable while walking. Disposable socks are recommended for longer tours in Tibet.

Underclothing: Pack quick-dry and breathable underclothing to ensure your tour is more comfortable.

Hats, scarf, gloves: These items can protect you against the cold and wind. On sunny days, a hat can protect you from the sun. In the winter season or in higher areas, warm gloves and a thick hat are must.

Bags: A medium-sized backpack is useful for your daily activities. A belt bag or alike should be brought along to keep important belongings safely with you at all times. A suitcase is best for your main luggage, which you can leave at the hotel while carrying the essentials for the day in your backpack. Ensure all your bags are weather-resistant and easy to carry.

Basic Packing Items for Tibet Tour: Skincare Items and Toiletries

Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses are essential items to protect you from sunburn at the high elevations of Tibet. It is recommended to bring sunscreen with a high SPF and sunglasses with UV protection, as the sunlight on the plateau is quite intense. A good moisturizer and a lip balm with SPF are also important to protect your skin and lips from the dry weather of Tibet.

Many toilets in remote areas of Tibet don't provide toilet paper and hand sanitizer, so you can pack some necessary items including small packages of tissues and wet tissues, etc. Besides, it’s better to prepare your own toiletry kit including toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, quick-dry towel, etc, to ensure you’re always covered when the facilities are limited in remote hotels or on the train.

If you plan to take a flight to Tibet, make sure each bottle of your liquid cosmetics is no more than 100 ml, and the total volume of all liquid cosmetics does not exceed 1 liter. This allows you to carry them in your hand luggage. Otherwise, they must be checked in.

Toiletries are essential if you plan to visit remote areas in Tibet, such as Everest Base Camp.

Basic Packing Items for Tibet Tours: Electronic Gears

A portable power bank for your cellphone is necessary since you may find few places to charge your devices during your trip on the plateau. Generally, a power bank with a capacity of no more than 100wh is allowed on flights to Tibet, based on the regulations of different airlines. Each passenger is permitted to carry no more than two power banks.

For photography lovers, don’t forget to bring a camera with sufficient memory cards to capture the beauty of Tibet. A universal travel adapter is also essential, as the outlets in Tibet may differ from those you are accustomed to using.

Recommended Packing Items for Tibet Tours: Medicines

Medicines for Altitude Sickness: considering the high altitude in Tibet, it’s suggested to bring medicines for altitude sickness prescribed by your physician. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is commonly used to prevent or alleviate altitude sickness symptoms, but consult your doctor before taking it.

Multivitamins: It is a good idea to take a good quality multivitamin to supplement your diet since a supply of vegetables and fruits may not be readily available on the plateau.

First aid kit: pack ibuprofen or paracetamol for headaches, anti-nausea medication, and basic medicines for digestive problems in your kit. Also include nasal ointment and throat lozenges for the changing weather in Tibet. Medicines for motion sickness and colds are also recommended. If you have prescription medications, bring enough to last the trip, following your doctor’s advice.

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Recommended Packing Items for Tibet Tours: Cash and Bank Cards

In most cases, you can use mobile payments such as WeChat Pay and Alipay in Tibet. But it is also recommended to carry some cash in Chinese Yuan (CNY), though you don’t need to bring too much. You may use cash to make some small purchases in remote towns or trekking regions.

Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and shops in Lhasa and Shigatse, but their use may be limited in small cities or towns. It is recommended to withdraw enough cash in Lhasa, where there are more ATMs, before you head to remote areas of Tibet. Read more about How to Pay money in Tibet here.

Not-Recommended Items to Pack for Tibet Tours: Buy Locally or Provided by Us!

You don’t need to bring everything for your trip to Tibet, as certain items can indeed be purchased from local shops in Tibet or provided by us when you book your Tibet tour with us.

Oxygen bag and oxygen bottle: We provide sufficient oxygen bottles on our tourist buses. If needed during your trip, you can use them immediately. Also, you can buy oxygen bags and bottles in many places in Lhasa, and at most major attractions.

Tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles: These trekking items can be purchased from shops in Lhasa, or rented from us at a low price. If you prefer, you can also bring your sleep bags to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.

Besides, we provide tourist maps, bottled mineral water, and other essentials for your convenience. Our local tour guides will do their best to meet your needs throughout your trip. Join our Tibet tours to ensure your journey is smooth and worry-free!

Conclusion

Now you know what to pack for your Tibet tour. Try your best to pack the minimum to make your trip more comfortable. Basic items like travel documents and warm clothing are must-haves. Based on your specific needs, you can also bring some recommended items like medicines for altitude sickness. The good news is that we offer oxygen and other convenient essentials for our tourists. If you still have questions about Tibet travel, feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today!