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Packing for Tibet doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re joining a city tour, trekking to Mount Kailash, or heading to Everest Base Camp, this guide covers everything you need to travel comfortably. We’ll walk you through what to wear, what to pack, and how to stay comfortable across various areas and seasons in Tibet.
Tip: Most essentials are available in Lhasa, but supplies in remote areas are limited. Planning is key, especially for treks and overland journeys.
Pay attention to the season and to the altitude where you will be traveling. If you are trekking at a high altitude, you might encounter snow even during the summer months.
suitcase vs backpack vs duffel bag
You can bring a suitcase, duffel bag, or backpack—all work well for most Tibet tours since you’ll be traveling by car, van, or minibus. That means luggage size and weight are generally not an issue.
Pay attention to luggage rules when booking your flights. While international flights typically have larger limits, domestic flights from China to Tibet can have more limitations.
Tip: No matter what you bring, we recommend also packing a small daypack for sightseeing, snacks, and daily essentials. It is also more convenient to have necessities with you on the travel days.
Weather in Tibet by Season
Tibetan plateau weather varies greatly depending on altitude, season, and time of day. Central Tibet generally has warm summers and cool springs/falls. Even in summer, temperatures can change rapidly within a single day. During the day, it’s usually warm and can even get hot, especially under the strong sun. In the early mornings and evenings, temperatures often drop and it can feel quite chilly. The best way to stay comfortable is to wear layers. That way, you can easily add or remove clothing as the temperature changes throughout the day.
Chances of rain are higher in summer, so it’s a good idea to bring waterproof shoes. Snow is rare in Central Tibet unless you’re traveling above 5,000 meters / 16,500 feet. Strong winds are also common and can make it feel colder than the actual temperature.
winter
spring
summer
fall
Please, note, that when we travel through high mountain passes, including a few passes on the way to Everest and Drolma La pass on Kailash trek, temperatures can drop significantly compared to averages for the lower areas.
More resources to prepare for different seasons
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
When packing for your trip to Tibet, please consider Tibetan culture and traditions. Tibetan society is conservative and we don’t recommend wearing clothes that are too revealing.
Respecting local customs enhances your experience and shows consideration for Tibetan culture.
CITY TOURS
- Comfortable shoes or sneakers for city tours. On most of the tours in Tibet, we spend a lot of time walking outdoors. It is the only way to see the old streets of the cities and spectacular nature views. Additionally, Tibetan monasteries are built on the mountains, and stone stairs lead to them. Consequently, comfortable shoes are essential. Break in the new shoes before you start the trip. If possible, bring two pairs in case one gets wet during rainy days.
If you are traveling outside of Lhasa or doing some hiking/trekking, we recommend bringing hiking boots. Choose hiking boots based on your comfort and experience. Boots with ankle support are great on uneven terrain and can protect you from spraining an ankle. Waterproof or Gore-Tex boots can withstand rain and snow. - Hiking pants are an optimal choice. Summers in Central Tibet are typically hot during the daytime, it might, however, get cold in the evenings and early mornings. Hiking pants would also provide ideal flexibility and breathability since visiting monasteries requires climbing stairs.
- Base layers aren’t usually needed in summer but are helpful in colder seasons or at higher altitudes.
- T-shirts to wear as a base layer. It can get very hot during the summer months. If you are wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt, be aware of the sunlight and use sunscreen.
- Sweater/fleece jacket can serve as a second layer for colder weather and evenings/mornings
- Jacket: we recommend taking a light jacket even if you are traveling in summer. It will protect you from wind, rain, and sun.
- Wide brim hat or baseball hat for sun protection.
- Gloves for colder months.
- Scarf for colder months.
what to know about Accommodations
Hotels in Cities
In major cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, Tsedang, and Gyantse, you’ll find a range of hotels from basic to comfortable 3- and 4-star properties. These hotels typically offer:
You don’t need to bring much if you’re only staying in cities, just your personal items and medications.
While traveling in Tibet, we are staying in hotels in most places, except for Everest Base Camp on group tours, Manasarovar Lake, and Mount Kailash trekking. These are the only areas where we are staying in guesthouses.
REMOTE REGIONS: EVEREST AND KAILASH REGIONS
In addition to your packing list for city tours, you should bring warm clothes. It might be snowing at the Everest Base Camp and in Mt Kailash region even during summer months. In addition, it becomes very cold at night and the wind is usually very strong. Be prepared and wear multiple layers. You will be staying in guesthouses for the night.
Guesthouses in Remote Areas
Everest Base Camp
During the warm months, usually from mid-April until mid-October, there is a camp near Rongbuk monastery. The small buildings designedto ,look like tents have rooms with 2-3 and 5 beds in each. The bedding is simple but clean, and there are many blankets that you can use. You don’t need to bring a sleeping bag for EBC tents. This area was fully remnovated in 2025.
In winter tent camp is closed and we are staying in Rongbuk monastery guesthouse. The guesthouse was upgraded in 2025 and now features renovated simple rooms with attached bathrooms.
Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake
There are no hotels near Manasarovar Lake and Kailash Region (except for Darchen- the starting point of the trek), only simple guesthouses. Accommodations in guesthouses where you are staying are very basic. There are dormitory rooms with twin beds. There is no shower or hot water, and the toilet is outside with a pit hole. However, from these places, we can get some of the best views in Tibet: gorgeous Manasarovar Lake and sacred Mount Kailash.
We highly recommend bringing your sleeping bag for the Kailash tour. If you don’t have a sleeping bag, you can bring any kind of cover to use with blankets in guesthouses. There are always many blankets, but they are rarely washed.
In addition, pack:
POWER BANK RESTRICTIONS
Starting in 2025, all domestic flights in China require power banks to have visible 3C (China Compulsory Certification) marks. Power banks without CCC marks, with unclear marks, or from recalled models are prohibited. International flights from China may also enforce this rule at some airports. Power banks under 100Wh are allowed in carry-on only. To avoid any possible issues with unmarked power banks, it might be easier to purchase one in China or Tibet.
3C certification NOT required for train travel, this rule currently applies to flights only. Power banks up to 100Wh allowed with clear labeling.
Maximum 2 power banks per passenger on high-speed rail.
LAUNDRY OPTIONS
PACKING LIST
- Sleeping bag for some tours outside of cities. Might be useful if you are staying at guesthouses since the blankets there are rarely washed. Alternatively, you can use the inner sheet for a sleeping bag (instead of bringing the sleeping bag) with the blankets that are plentiful. For trekking around Kailash, we highly recommend bringing your sleeping bag. Aside from keeping you warm during cold nights, the sleeping bag will offer better comfort.
- Inner sheet for your sleeping bag (optional). As suggested earlier, can substitute a sleeping bag on short trips.
- Day backpack for sightseeing in the cities. Also can be used while hopping. There are no recycling facilities in Tibet and we highly encourage you to use reusable bags or backpacks instead of plastic bags.
- Rain gear (optional): poncho, backpack cover, waterproof jacket
- Water bottle or thermos (optional). Using your bottle will allow you to minimize the waste. You can fill up the bottle in hotels with boiled water.
- Small first aid kit and medications
- Camera with spare memory card and battery
- Power bank. Some areas outside of main cities might not have a convenient source of electricity.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: sun radiation is very strong in Tibet due to the plateau’s high altitude. It is very important to protect your eyes and skin from the sun.
- Lip balm for sun and wind protection.
- Towel if you are staying in tents or guesthouses
- Swimming suit if you make stops at hot springs
- Personal toiletries, such as toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, wipes, hand sanitizer, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. Even in the cities, public restrooms won’t have toilet paper and soap. The situation is usually better in restaurants, however, it is better to be prepared.
- Binoculars
- Money: The Chinese Yuan is the only currency accepted in Tibet and there are virtually no ATMs when you leave the cities. Be prepared in advance and take the necessary amount for the duration of your trip outside of Lhasa
- Passport and copies of your passport photo and visa pages that you can keep separate from your documents.
- Personal Journal for making notes and writing a diary
- Umbrella (optional)
- Flashlight or headlamp if you are staying in tents or guesthouses. Restrooms tend to be at a distance from guesthouses and a flashlight might be your only chance to locate it after dark.
TREKKING
WHAT TO WEAR FOR TREKKING
- Hiking boots, ideally waterproof. Gore-Tex could work great in a range of temperatures and even in snow.
- Snickers or comfortable boots to wear in cities and around camp
- Base layer: light for summer months and wool or heavy type for colder months. Can double as pajamas.
- Socks: wool hiking socks with cushioning and several pairs of cotton socks
- T-shirts: short and long sleeves
- Hiking pants: 2 or 3 pairs
- Sweater: wool or fleece
- Jacket: can be waterproof
- Down jacket for cold months or high-elevation
- Scarf and/or bandana
- Hat and/or baseball hat for sun protection
PACKING FOR TREKKING
- Bring your tent only if you wish so, we provide our tents for your convenience at no extra charge (based on double occupancy)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Microspikes, especially if planning to trek in high altitude areas or during a shoulder season
- Sleeping bag
- Inner sheet for your sleeping bag (optional)
- Mattress pad, such as Thermarest, only if you are more comfortable using your mattress pad. We provide our mattress pads at no extra charge
- Backpack and a day pack for short day trips and sightseeing in the cities
- Rain gear, particularly for trekking in summer: can include a poncho, backpack covers, gaiters for boots, a waterproof jacket, and pants
- Water bottle/ thermos/ camelback. Camelback is particularly useful during long treks.
- Hat and/or baseball hat for sun protection
- Gloves for colder months or if you are trekking above 4500 m /16000 ft
- Flashlight or headlamp (can be more convenient in camps)
ELECTRONICS: outlets and VOLTAGE
Money matters
CURRENCY INFORMATION
Estimated Daily Expenses in Tibet
Food Costs
Snacks & Drinks:
Staying connected: phone, internet, and Wi-Fi
Staying connected in Tibet is possible if you prepare in advance and set your expectations, especially when traveling to remote areas.
Internet & Wi-Fi
Mobile Service, eSIMs & Roaming
PHOTOGRAPHY
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
MEDICAL KIT
- Band-Aid and Moleskin: bring extras, different sizes
- Allergy medication
- Diarrhea medication, such as Loperamide
- Motion sickness prevention if you are going on long trips. Mountain roads make a lot of turns.
- Painkiller medication, such as Ibuprofen
- Prochlorperazine for nausea/vomiting
- Cold/flu medications
- Throat lozenges
- Hydration vitamins with electrolytes
- Antibiotics: visit your doctor to get a prescription
ALTITUDE SICKNESS PREVENTION
Diamox is a brand name of the tablet where the active ingredient is Acetazolamide. It is currently the most widely used medicine, and scientifically proven to work for altitude sickness. It can prevent altitude sickness or reduce its symptoms.
- Requires prescription in most countries
- Discuss appropriate dosage with your doctor before travel
- Common side effects: dizziness, lightheadedness
- Requires increased water intake (causes dehydration)
- Particularly beneficial for those with asthma, hypertension, or certain heart conditions
- Start medication 1-2 days before ascending to high altitude
You can also consider using local herbal supplements.
Please, note: these are general suggestions. If you have any health-related concerns, you should discuss it with your doctor. And, please, let us know if we can assist you in any way.
INTERESTED IN TOURS IN tIBET?
8 DAYS LHASA TO EVEREST
The most popular group tour in Tibet visiting important cultural and historic places combined with stunning landscapes.
why choose us?
“It was really an amazing experience to travel with Wonders of Tibet. Their team is very professional, helpful and considerate! The itinerary is very well designed, communication is very smooth the whole time, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to visit Tibet!”
Becky, review from TripAdvisor
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