Western Tibet Tour

From the beginning of May to the end of October each year, it is the best time to travel to the Ngari area. From mid-June to mid-September, the temperature in Ngari is mild.

In the rainy season from July to August, plants grow best and the oxygen content reaches its highest. The weather is very pleasant and the air is not too dry, making it the best time to have the Ngari loop tour.

From Lhasa to Ngari, it usually goes the national highway G318 and then transfers to the national highway G219. Here is the route:

Lhasa --- Qushui County (65km) --- Shigatse City (210km) --- Lhatse County (150km) --- Sakya County (300km) --- Zhongba County (168km) --- Payang Town (76.5km) --- Huoer Township (63km) --- Tsada County (422.6km) --- Shiquanhe Town (260km).

Shiquanhe is the capital of Ngari Prefecture. The distance from Lhasa to Shiquanhe is about 1,500 kilometers, which excludes distance to various scenic spots along the way. If you prefer to have a grand Ngari northern route tour or Ngari loop tour, the corresponding kilometers will also increase.

The natural environment of western Tibet is harsh, and it is sparsely populated. However, the natural sceneries are superb in Tibet. There're majestic snow-capped mountains, countless beautiful lakes, and endless desert. Sacred Mount Kailash, Holy Lake Manasarovar, and the mysterious ruins of the Guge Kingdom are the top three scenic spots, making Ngari the most mysterious and beautiful area in Tibet. Besides, Zanda Clay Forest, Ghost Lake Rakshastal, Zhari Namtso, Gurla Mandhata, Shiquan River and Xiangquan River are all well-known.

According to the regulations of the Tibet Tourism Administration, foreign tourists can't travel independently to Tibet but join a tour arranged by a Tibet travel agency. Going to western Tibet, you need more travel documents, such as Alien’s Travel Permit, and Military Permit besides your Tibet Travel Permit.

Here're things to keep in mind.

1.  Due to the harsh environment on the Tibetan plateau, it is recommended to have a physical examination before departure if you are taking seniors to travel to the plateau；
2.  The Ngari area has a higher altitude, so it is recommended to stay in Lhasa for a day or two to adapt to high elevation before heading to Ngari；
3.   The board and lodging conditions are relatively poor, so you should lower your expectations. If you were a bit of a neat freak, you could bring a disposable bed sheet or sleeping bags. If you were not accustomed to food there, you could bring some snacks;
4.  When you encounter religious facilities such as temples, Mani stones, and stupas during the journey, you have to go around from left to right, and you must not cross or trample on the prayer flags and religious artifacts at will;
5.  The temperature in the Ngari area is low throughout the year, so be sure to keep warm;
6.  The Ngari area of Tibet is vast, and in some places, the network signal is too weak to use mobile payment, so you need to bring some cash.