Capital city: Lhasa
Currency: Chinese Yuan
Best time to travel: April & September
Community Projects available: Yes

Why travel to Tibet

• Lhasa; the ancient Tibetan capital is home to the Potala Palace
• Learn about Tibetan culture
• Visit spectacular forts and monasteries
  
• Views of the north face of Mount Everest
• Travel across the roof of the world along the friendship highway to Kathmandu 

About Tibet

Tibet has for centuries evoked images of a lost Shangri La. To this day, it’s stunning Himalayan views, high plateau, beautiful Buddhist monasteries and extraordinary people combine to make Tibet one of the world’s great travel experiences.

Tibet borders India, Burma, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. Covering a massive 1.22 million square kilometers, the plateau is surrounded by the highest mountain ranges, the Himalaya to the south, the Karakoram to the west and the Kunlun to the north. With an average elevation of 14,000 feet, Tibet is literally the highest nation on earth.

Five of Asia's great rivers including the Indus, Mekong and Brahmaputra have their headwaters in Tibet, nearly half the world's population lives downstream from Tibet. Tibet's high plains, forests and mountains form a unique ecosystem on the planet and are home to an array of rare wildlife, including the snow leopard, blue sheep and Tibetan wild ass. This ecosystem and many of its species are now endangered.

Not only is Tibet home to Chomolongma – the local name for the highest peak in the world - Mt Everest - but also to an incredible culture and history that emanates from the high, arid plateau that characterizes this striking land.

Tibet is currently under the administration of the People's Republic of China,

Popular places to visit in Tibet

Lhasa

The ancient Tibetan capital of Lhasa mesmerises all that visit. Once forbidden to western travellers one can now see development encroaching, so it's best to visit Lhasa as soon as you can.

Lhasa can be accessed a number of ways however our suggestion is to fly from Kathmandu, where we have an operational base that can secure your visas with very little fuss. Whilst this is our suggestion we can also offer alternative access via mainland China.

To truly appreciate its rich cultural history – and to simply acclimatise – you should spend at least three days. During this time you can experience many cultural treasures including the Jokhang, the Norbulingka (the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama), and of course the famous Potala Palace. Side trips to the nearby monasteries of Drepung, Sera or Tsurpu can also be organised as well as a visit to the picturesque Yarlung Valley, located 170km Southeast of Lhasa. The Yarlung Valley is in the Tsedang region which is home to many historical sites including the Thadruk Droma Monastery, which houses a famous pearl Thangka.

The Friendship Highway & Everest Base Camp

One of the most iconic Tibetan experiences is to take the classic, rugged crossing of the Tibetan Plateau linking the fabled city of Lhasa with the bustling and vibrant city of Kathmandu in Nepal. In the company of our Tibetan speaking guides your students can experience the cultural highlights of Lhasa before setting off across the roof of the world with visits to Gyantse (the Kumbum chorten) and Shigatse (the Tashilhunpo, home of the Panchen Lama).

A distinct highlight of this amazing journey is our diversion to the famous Rongphu Valley to see Mount Everest's north face from the famous historic 1922 base camp.

World Youth Adventures works with a Tibetan owned and run agency and has done so since tourism first was allowed into Tibet. We can organise trekking & cultural touring school  in Tibet take you well beyond the tourist trails, to discover the cultural heart and hidden corners where few students - or even experienced travelers -  have been before!