For many travelers planning a trip to Tibet, the biggest challenge begins with choosing the right travel agency. Online searches reveal mixed reviews, promotional claims, and warnings about low-cost tours that lead to unexpected expenses. Unlike most destinations, Tibet has unique regulations and geographic conditions. Foreign travelers must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit through a qualified agency, and transportation and guide services must be arranged accordingly. This means your choice of agency directly affects whether you can enter Tibet smoothly, travel safely across high-altitude regions, and enjoy a well-organized itinerary.
Why Must You Arrange a Tibet Trip Through a Travel Agency?
Before talking about how to choose, we first need to figure out a basic question: why can’t you travel to Tibet entirely on your own?
Tibet has a relatively special management method for tourists. According to regulations, all overseas tourists entering Tibet must apply for the Tibet Travel Permit through a qualified travel agency, and be accompanied by vehicles and tour guides arranged by the travel agency throughout the trip. This is not a rule set by travel agencies themselves, but a local tourism management regulation.
What Is a Tibet Travel Permit?
The Tibet Travel Permit, the full name is “Approval Letter for Tibet Tourism”, is an official license document issued by the Tibet Autonomous Region Department of Culture and Tourism. The letter contains the tourist’s personal information, travel agency information, itinerary route and other contents, and is affixed with an official government seal. This permit is required to buy air and train tickets to Tibet and enter all scenic spots in Tibet.
Who Needs to Apply for It?
According to the tourism management regulations of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the following personnel must apply for the Tibet Travel Permit:
- Foreign passport holders
- Overseas Chinese (without a Chinese passport and resident identity card)
- Taiwan compatriots (holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents)
Note: Residents holding Hong Kong and Macao SAR passports or Home Visit Permits do not need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet.
Why Can’t You Apply for It on Your Own?
The Tibet Travel Permit must be applied for by a qualified travel agency; tourists cannot apply for it on their own. A regular travel agency will start the application process after confirming the itinerary, and submit materials such as a copy of the passport, a copy of the visa page, and occupational information, which usually takes 10 to 20 working days.
In other words, no matter how many travel guides you have made or how good a hotel you have booked, you cannot enter Tibet without a travel agency to help you process the Tibet Travel Permit. This also means that choosing a reliable travel agency is the first and most critical threshold for your Tibet trip.
Tibet Travel Permit
Five Hard Indicators to Judge if a Travel Agency Is Reliable
Complete and Compliant Qualifications
This is the most basic threshold and also the easiest to verify. A regular Tibet travel agency must have a Business License and a Tourism Operation Permit. Information about these documents can usually be found on the official website, or the customer service is willing to provide them during consultation. If a travel agency cannot clearly explain its qualifications or makes various excuses to shirk, it will be even harder to guarantee the subsequent services.
You can verify the qualifications in the following ways:
- Ask the travel agency staff to show the Business License and Tibet Tourism Operation Permit during communication
- Check if the travel agency has Foreign Reception Qualification (this qualification is a must for processing the Tibet Travel Permit)
- Confirm if the travel agency is registered in Tibet; truly reliable local agencies are usually rooted in Tibet
Pitfalls to avoid: Many products on online platforms are actually resold to unknown local teams, and the service quality cannot be guaranteed. If a travel agency’s consultant knows nothing about Tibet and only says “we are an agent of a Tibet local reception agency”, you need to be careful.
Authentic Word-of-Mouth for Reference
With the highly developed internet today, people who want to go to Tibet will more or less check online reviews. A reliable travel agency usually has authentic user feedback on various platforms, including praise and suggestions, which is a normal state. If a travel agency has nothing but five-star reviews or no reviews at all, you need to be alert instead.
When reading reviews, focus on the following aspects:
- Whether the itinerary arrangement is reasonable and the pace is comfortable
- Whether the tour guide service is professional and the attitude is patient
- Whether emergencies are handled in a timely manner
- Whether there is forced shopping or the sale of overpriced oxygen supplies
A real case reminder: Xizang Zhige Travel Agency was once notified by the Culture and Tourism Bureau for ranking high in the number of complaints for three consecutive months, with as many as 70 complaint work orders from January to April 2025. The main problems include false advertising, poor service quality, selling overpriced oxygen supplies to tourists by fraud and deception, and allegedly assigning illegally operated vehicles. Although this information is unpleasant, it can help you avoid obvious pitfalls.
Professional and Patient Staff
From the first time you contact a travel agency, you are actually evaluating it. A professional travel consultant will first understand your specific situation: when you plan to go, how many days you want to travel, any specific places you want to visit, and whether there are the elderly or children in your group. Based on this information, they will recommend a suitable itinerary for you.
Characteristics of a reliable travel agency:
- The consultant can talk about the stories of the murals in a certain temple like the back of their hand, know the approximate wind force at Mount Everest in different seasons, and suggest acclimatizing in Nyingchi for a few days according to your physical condition
- They will take the initiative to ask about your physical condition and give pre-trip preparation suggestions, instead of urging you to book blindly
- The contract, vehicle license plate (regular tourist vehicles have Tibet L license plates), and the local information of the tour guide they provide are all clearly verifiable
Unprofessional travel agencies often rush to recommend routes without finding out your situation, talking about special offers and limited places, and urging you to sign up and pay quickly. Such an eagerness to close a deal is in itself worthy of vigilance.
Timely Updated Website and Itinerary Information
Most tourists now find travel agencies online, so regular travel agencies have their own official websites with frequently updated content. If you enter a Tibet tourism website with an outdated design and information that has not been updated for months or even a year or two, you need to consider it carefully. It may not be a scam, but it at least shows that the travel agency is lacking in dedication.
The itinerary introduction can also reflect the professional level:
A reliable travel agency will write down the daily arrangements clearly:
- Which scenic spots to visit and the approximate driving time
- The standard of the hotel to stay in (providing the hotel name or the same grade)
- Which meals are included
- Whether a medical oxygen cylinder is equipped on the vehicle
They will not use vague terms such as “local comfortable hotel” to muddle through. Especially for accommodation, star hotels are available in cities such as Lhasa, Nyingchi and Shigatse, while the accommodation conditions in remote areas such as Mount Everest Base Camp are relatively basic. Regular travel agencies will explain this in advance to let you be mentally prepared.
Standard Deposit and Contract Process
Many tourists have a good communication with the travel agency at first, but feel nervous when it comes to paying a deposit. It is understandable, after all, everyone is afraid of being scammed. But on the other hand, travel agencies are also afraid of being stood up—they advance money to arrange airport pick-up and the first night’s accommodation, but if the tourist cancels the trip temporarily, who will bear the loss?
The regular process is as follows:
- After confirming the itinerary, the tourist pays a small deposit (usually a few hundred CNY)
- After receiving the deposit, the travel agency starts to process the Tibet Travel Permit and book hotels and vehicles
- When you arrive in Lhasa, the travel agency will send someone to sign the official contract with you at your location
- Pay the balance after signing the contract
Details to pay attention to: Check if the contract is the unified version issued by the tourism bureau and if the terms are clear. If a travel agency has no official contract at all, or many parts of the contract are vague, you need to keep an eye on it.
Tibet Tourist Photos
Judging a Travel Agency’s Professionalism from Itinerary Design
Reasonable Itinerary Pace
Tibet has a high altitude, and it takes time to acclimatize to the plateau environment. A professional travel agency will leave enough acclimatization time in the itinerary design and will not arrange a trip to an area with an overly high altitude on the first day.
A reasonable itinerary design should be as follows:
- Arrange easy city tours or low-intensity activities after arrival to let the body slowly adapt to the plateau environment
- The altitude in the itinerary is gradually increased, instead of rushing to an area above 4,000 meters on the first day
- Control the number of scenic spots to visit each day to 2 to 3 to avoid fatigue caused by an over-packed itinerary
- More ample acclimatization time is usually arranged in high-altitude areas (such as overnight spots with an altitude of more than 4,500 meters)
The driving time between scenic spots is also a judgment criterion:
Tibet has a vast territory, and it often takes several hours to drive between scenic spots. A reliable travel agency will balance the driving time and sightseeing time well, and will not let you spend most of the day on the road and only have a hasty look at the scenic spots when you arrive. If the driving time exceeds 6 hours a day while the sightseeing time is only one or two hours, such an itinerary needs to be considered carefully.
Clear Accommodation Arrangement
Accommodation conditions directly affect the travel experience. A good travel agency will clearly list the accommodation standard and hotel name (or the same grade) for each place in the itinerary, and will not perfunctorily use vague statements.
A reliable accommodation arrangement will be presented as follows:
- Lhasa: Oxygen-supplied hotels (to help acclimatize to the plateau)
- Nyingchi: Tibetan-style guesthouses (to experience local culture)
- Mount Everest Base Camp: Tent hotels or simple guest houses (limited conditions, explained in advance)
If a travel agency is vague about the accommodation introduction and only says “guarantee comfort” without providing specific information, it is recommended to ask for more details. After all, a good night’s sleep is directly related to the mental state the next day.
Clear Inclusive Items
A reliable travel agency will clearly write down what is included and what is not in the quotation.
Details that need to be clarified:
- Which scenic spot tickets are included (Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Nam Co, etc.)
- How many meals are included (whether breakfast is fully included, how lunch and dinner are arranged)
- What type of vehicle is used (regular tourist vehicles have Tibet L license plates)
- Whether there is a full-time tour guide accompanying the trip
- Whether the agency fee for the Tibet Travel Permit is included
Special reminder: Some itineraries have many vague “recommended items” or “voluntary experiences” with a particularly cheap quotation. You need to calculate the total cost—you may end up spending much more.
An Itinerary with the Soul of Culture and Experience
The charm of Tibet is far more than just checking in and taking photos. A good itinerary design should have the soul of culture and experience.
Compare the two itinerary descriptions:
Ordinary travel agency: “Drive to Yamdrok Lake for photos, stay for 30 minutes”
Reliable travel agency: “Head to Yamdrok Lake, it is recommended to combine the stay at the viewing platform with a gentle hike by the lake to experience its blue from different angles. Follow local guides to listen to the legends of the sacred mountains and take photos of snow mountain reflections under professional guidance”
The advantage of a reliable local agency is that it can use local resources and connections to open a door that ordinary tour groups will not open for you.
Judging a Travel Agency’s Reliability from Safety Guarantee
Response Plan for Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is not a scare, but a real problem that everyone entering Tibet has to face. A professional travel agency will have a mature response plan for altitude sickness:
Safety measures of a reliable travel agency:
- Leave enough acclimatization time in the itinerary pace
- Equip medical oxygen cylinders on the vehicle
- Tour guides have received first aid training and know how to identify and respond to altitude sickness symptoms
- Cooperate with local hospitals and can quickly coordinate resources in case of emergency
You can directly ask the travel agency: if someone suffers from altitude sickness on the road, how will you handle it? Will you let the tourist endure it alone, or can you provide timely help such as oxygen supply and medical treatment? The answer to this question will show the agency’s professional level.
Adequate Insurance Coverage
Insurance is not an optional extra for plateau travel. A reliable travel agency will recommend you to buy travel insurance that includes altitude sickness rescue and emergency medical treatment.
Why insurance is important:
- Medical resources are limited in high-altitude areas
- The cost of emergency evacuation is very high
- In case of an emergency, insurance coverage will prevent you from being in a panic
Travel agencies usually do not force insurance into the quotation, but will give you clear suggestions. If a travel agency says nothing about insurance or cannot explain what the insurance includes, you need to be alert.
Professional and Responsible Tour Guides
The tour guide is the person you contact the most throughout the trip. A good tour guide is not only a guide and commentator, but also can take care of everyone’s physical condition and provide timely assistance when problems arise.
Characteristics of a good tour guide:
- Hold a valid certificate to work and have experience in leading groups on the plateau
- Be familiar with Tibetan culture and history
- Know how to identify and respond to altitude sickness
- Can flexibly adjust the itinerary in case of sudden weather changes
Some travel agencies will specify the tour guide service standards in the itinerary, which can be used as a reference. If possible, you can also ask if you can see the tour guide’s introduction or reviews from previous tourists.
Mount Everest Tourist Photos
How to Choose Between Group Tours and Private Car Customized Tours
Shared Group Tours: Suitable for First-Time Visitors to Tibet
If you are traveling to Tibet for the first time and are not familiar with the local situation, a shared group tour is a relatively worry-free choice.
Advantages of shared group tours:
- The travel agency will arrange transportation, accommodation, tickets and tour guides for you; you just need to follow the group
- The price is relatively affordable, with costs shared by several people, much cheaper than arranging it on your own
- You can meet fellow travelers and chat and share along the way
- The travel agency will handle documents such as the Tibet Travel Permit for you
Disadvantages of shared group tours:
- The itinerary is relatively fixed and cannot be changed temporarily
- Need to cooperate with the team’s pace
- The quality of group members varies, which may affect the travel experience
There are many mature shared group tour products for many classic routes in Tibet, with a wide range of choices.
Private Car Customized Tours: Suitable for People with Specific Needs
If you have specific places you want to visit or want to stay somewhere for a few more days, a private car customized tour will be more flexible.
Advantages of private car customized tours:
- You can arrange the itinerary at your own pace, stop and go as you like
- The whole trip is private with a strong experience, free from interference from others
- The itinerary is completely customized according to personal preferences
- High comfort with better arrangements for food and accommodation
Disadvantages of private car customized tours:
- The cost is 30% to 50% higher than that of shared group tours
- Need to communicate and plan in detail in advance
- Higher requirements for the travel agency, which needs to design routes tailored to your needs
Private car customized tours are more suitable for couples, families, small groups of friends, or people with specific travel interests (such as photography, religion, and humanities).
How to Choose the One That Suits You?
You can consider from the following angles:
- Budget first: if you want to control the cost, a shared group tour is a more affordable choice
- Convenience first: if you don’t want to worry about anything, a full-package shared group tour is the most worry-free
- Freedom first: if you have specific spots to visit and want to stay somewhere longer, a private car customized tour is more suitable
- In-depth experience first: for photography enthusiasts and cultural researchers, private car customized tours can arrange niche scenic spots
China Dragon Travel, which has been deeply rooted in Tibet for many years, not only has mature shared group tour routes, but also can provide private car customized tours according to tourists’ needs. From the processing of the Tibet Travel Permit to every detail in the itinerary, there is a special person to follow up, and any problems encountered on the road will be handled in a timely manner.
Potala Palace Tourist Photos
Several Things to Confirm Before Entering Tibet
Before departure, it is best to confirm several things with the travel agency to avoid problems after arriving in Tibet.
Progress of the Tibet Travel Permit Application
- After submitting the materials, ask the travel agency when the permit is expected to be ready
- Whether there is any supplementary material needed
- The processing time of the Tibet Travel Permit will be extended during the peak season (June to October), so it is safe to confirm in advance
Implementation of Transportation Tickets
- If the travel agency books air or train tickets on your behalf, ask about the ticket issuance status
- Especially for train tickets, tickets for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway are in short supply during the peak season, so early confirmation brings peace of mind
Clarification of Accommodation Standards
- Ask clearly which hotel to stay in each place and whether there is an alternative plan
- Especially in places such as Mount Everest Base Camp, the accommodation conditions are limited, so understanding in advance will avoid disappointment
Confirmation of Gathering Information
- Where to start on the first day and what time to gather
- How to contact the tour guide
- Specific arrangements for airport/train station pick-up
Preparation for Altitude Sickness
- Do not take a bath, drink alcohol or do strenuous exercise in the first two days after arrival
- Prepare glucose, ibuprofen and other medicines to relieve altitude sickness symptoms
- A relaxed mindset is the best “medicine against altitude sickness”
Answers to Several Common Questions
Q: Must I join a group tour to go to Tibet?
A: It is not necessary to join a large group, but currently, overseas tourists need to process the Tibet Travel Permit through a travel agency to go to Tibet, so at least the itinerary needs to be arranged with the assistance of a travel agency. You can choose a shared group tour or a private car customized tour according to your needs.
Q: How early should I find a travel agency?
A: It is recommended to start looking at least 1 to 2 months in advance. During the peak season (June to October), good travel agencies and tour guides are in high demand, so early booking gives more choices. The processing of the Tibet Travel Permit also takes time (10 to 20 working days), so advance planning is safe.
Q: What items are usually included in a travel agency’s quotation?
A: It usually includes the agency fee for the Tibet Travel Permit, transportation, accommodation, tickets and tour guide service within the itinerary. Meals, long-distance transportation to and from Tibet, and personal consumption are usually not included, depending on the quotation description of each travel agency.
Q: Can I check travel guides and book hotels on my own, then find a travel agency to process the Tibet Travel Permit?
A: Theoretically yes, but it will be more troublesome in actual operation. Because the travel agency is responsible for the entire itinerary, if you book the accommodation and transportation on your own, it will be more complicated to handle if there are connection problems. Most people still choose to let the travel agency arrange everything uniformly for convenience.
Q: How to judge if online reviews are fake?
A: You can check multiple platforms, such as Ma Feng Wo, Ctrip and Little Red Book. Authentic reviews usually have specific details: the travel date, the tour guide’s name, problems encountered on the road and how they were solved. If all are general compliments and the review time is concentrated, it is suspected of being fake.
Q: Will I keep the Tibet Travel Permit processed by the travel agency by myself?
A: The Tibet Travel Permit is kept by the accompanying tour guide uniformly during the trip, and is recovered by the travel agency and returned for filing after the trip. Tourists are not allowed to carry or keep the original copy personally.
Choosing the Right Tibet Travel Agency Determines Your Entire Journey
A successful Tibet trip begins long before arrival. Instead of focusing only on price, evaluate whether the agency holds proper licensing, can legally arrange the Tibet Travel Permit, provides transparent pricing, and designs itineraries that respect altitude adaptation and safety standards.
Whether you choose a group tour or a private customized vehicle, the key factor is professionalism. An experienced agency understands high-altitude travel logistics, emergency response procedures, and realistic pacing between destinations. Companies with long-term experience in Tibet operations, such as China Dragon Travel, can assist with permit processing while offering both structured group routes and flexible private charters.
When you prioritize compliance, safety, and operational expertise, your Tibet journey begins with confidence rather than uncertainty.
