There is an old saying in China. It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books. Travel can be an enlightening and eye-opening experience for children of all ages. Especially so for an exotic place like Tibet. Its cultural, environment, and language are very different from where you are from. There are new foods, new people, experience and sights, not to mention quality family time. Lhasa-based travel agency, tibettravelexpert.com – Tibet Travel Service, provides you here some insider tips about traveling with children to Tibet on family Tibet tours.
Each year many lowland children travel to Tibet uneventfully. As known so far children are not under more restrictions to altitude than adults. While altitude travel in Tibet is without incident for most children, a little precaution is always helpful.
▶ Travel around lower altitude places in Tibet
Tibet is very big covering an area about one-quarter as large as the United States, with an average elevation of 5,000 meters, but not everywhere in Tibet is so high up, for example Lhasa is 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) & Nyingchi is 3,100 meters (10,171 feet). These two areas are ideal if you are travelling with children.
▶ Choose a simple itinerary with suitable activities
To travel Tibet with children does not mean to climb Mt Everest with your children. There are lots of child-friendly activities and sights which are available in Tibet.
For example, there are lamas (Tibetan monks) debating ceremony in Sera Monastery. Lamas dressed in crimson robes gather around in a not-very-big courtyard to debate heatedly about Buddhism with peculiar moves almost like dancing. Your children wouldn’t understand a word the lamas say. But it’s an extraordinary educational sight for them. People can live so differently yet in peace with one another and the world.
To travel with children to Tibet on a family Tibet tour, Tibet Travel Expert will arrange Lhasa Airport pick up service for you and your children. Our native Tibetan guide and a private vehicle with a professional experienced driver will be the first ones to welcome you.
Upon arrival at your hotel, guide will assist you to check in before leave, and you and your children will have the rest of the day to yourself. To avoid the effects of the thin mountain air in Tibet, you are advised to relax and drink much more water than usual.
The next day you can have an extra rest day by yourself or to start your sightseeing in Lhasa city, home to many cultural and historical sites, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka, etc.
Families with a tight schedule will find that taking just a few days to explore Lhasa provides opportunities to see every day Tibetan life and enjoy an introduction to Tibetan culture.
Suggested Lhasa city tour when travelling with children
Day 1: Lhasa Arrival. Rest to acclimatize.
Day 2: Rest day in Lhasa by yourself
Day 3: Lhasa city tour – morning visit Drepung Monastery or Norbulingka, the summer palace of Dalai Lamas; afternoon visit Sera Monastery and watch lamas debating
Day 4: Lhasa city tour – Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Barkhor Street
Day 5: Lhasa Departure
If you have a longer holiday and bigger budget for your travel with children to Tibet, you can travel both Nyingtri and Lhasa areas. Since Nyingtri ( 3,100 meters / 10,171 feet) is of even lower altitude than Lhasa (3,600 meters / 11,800 feet), you are suggested to start your Tibet tour there.
Day 1: Nyingtri Arrival, usually in the morning. Some sightseeing before transfer to hotel
Day 2: Nyingtri > Lulang Forest > Nyingtri
Day 3: Nyingtri > Draksumtso Lake, stay overnight at the lakeshore hotel with fantastic view
Day 4: Draksumtso Lake > Lhasa
Day 5: Lhasa city tour – morning visit Drepung Monastery or Norbulingka, the summer palace of Dalai Lamas; afternoon visit Sera Monastery and watch lamas debating
Day 6: Lhasa city tour – Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Barkhor Street
Day 7: Lhasa Departure
More suggestions for Family Tibet Tours
Besides above two typical itineraries, we provide a wide variety options for travelling with children in Tibet. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the choice when planning a tour, we recommend parents to first focus on what interests you the most, then start planning your tour around it. Some may interest in a culture-focused tour to spend more time visiting monasteries in Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Yarlung Valley; some may interest in nature with mountains, lakes and glaciers, etc. prefer to spend more time in Nyingchi. Contact the experienced Tibet travel specialists of Tibet Travel Expert for free suggestions.
Tibet travel is becoming increasingly popular among families with children that seek a relaxing vacation filled with unique cultural and educational experiences. Tibet has become more accessible to families with children over the years. No longer a destination only for the most intrepid travelers. Through 15 years of experience operating Tibet tours for travelers all over the world, Tibet Travel Expert is experienced in assisting families with children. Most of us, office staffs, guides and drivers have children of our own, we understand your concerns and needs.
