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Tibet Permits for Mount Kailash, Manasarovar Lake and Guge in Ngari

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To visit Mount Kailash, Manasarovar Lake, and other places in Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, travelers have to obtain several necessary permits. Otherwise, your entry to Tibet will be rejected by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Having a valid passport and a Chinese visa is a precondition. For most cases, they are necessary documents to apply for the permits. Besides, independent travel to Ngari Prefecture is Not allowed.

For these permits are only given to certain qualified travel agents in China to operate a granted Tibet Tour for foreign visitors. Without a Tibet tour itinerary, the Permit will not be approved and released to your agent. The only way to apply for Tibet permits is through the travel agent in China, and let the travel agency apply for the permit on behalf of you.

Currently, travelers have to obtain 3 permits for a Tibet Ngari Trip – Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens' Travel Permit, and Military Permit.

Do not worry about those required permits. Once you book a tour with us, all the application processes will be done by us, and you can just focus on the sightseeing. Since it needs at least one month to obtain for these permits, please do not hesitate to contact us as early as possible! If you are still interested in these permits and how we apply for them, please keep reading the following information.

1. Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Entry Permit)

Tibet Travel Permit is also known as Tibet Entry Permit. It is the most important permit for Tibet Travel. Without it, you can not even get on the train/flight to Tibet. Wherever place you want to visit in Tibet, you have to first obtain the Tibet Travel Permit. Besides, you will need it to enter Tibet and book hotels. This permit is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. Travelers can’t apply for the permit on their own. You have to let a China Travel Agency apply for the permit on behalf of you. It usually needs about 15~20 working days to obtain it.

Besides Chinese passport/ID card holders and Mainland Travel Permit of Hongkong and Macau citizens), any other passport holders require a Tibet Travel Permit.

Mount Kailash Permits
The first page of TTB Permit (Tibet Entry Permit)

How to Obtain the Tibet Travel Permit

Tibet Travel Permit

Here is a detailed procedure guide on obtaining a Tibet Travel Permit step by step.

Step 1: Contact us to discuss your needs and work out a most suitable itinerary for you in Tibet.

Step 2: Confirm and reserve your preferred Tibet Tour.

Step 3: Send us the required valid documents (copies of your passport and Chinese Visa for general cases) at least 15 working days before your tour starts. If you need the permit quite urgently, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Step 4: Provide your designated address (your hotel, travel agent, friend's home, etc) in China's other regions to receive your permit after it is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB for short).

Step 5: The permit will be delivered to your preferred address or handed to you at the airport/train station before your trip.

▶ Learn more detail about Tibet Travel Permit

2. Aliens' Travel Permit

Besides Lhasa, there are 6 other prefectures in Tibet - Shigatse, Nyingchi, Shannan, Ngari, Nagchu, Qamdo. If you only visit attractions in Lhasa, you only have to hold the Tibet Travel Permit. While if you want to extend your trip outside Lhasa to above 6 prefectures, including Ngari Prefecture, you have to obtain the Aliens' Travel Permit. Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake are located in Pulan County of Ngari Prefecture. So travelers have to obtain an Aliens' Travel Permit to visit Mount Everest.

To apply for the Aliens' Travel Permit, your travel agency has to have your original passport and Chinese visa. The Aliens' Travel Permit for Ngari travel is issued by Public Security Bureau. It needs only about 30~45 minutes to get the permit.

▶ Learn more detail about Aliens' Travel Permit

Mount Kailash Permits
Aliens' Travel Permit

3. Tibet Military Permit

Travelers are required to obtain Tibet Military Permit when visiting some military sensitive area such as Mt. Kailash. This permit is issued by the Military office in Lhasa. Don't worry! Your travel agency will apply for and obtain if before you arrive in Tibet. Due to a long procedure to get approved, you should provide your scanned copy of valid passport and other required documents about 30 days before leaving for Tibet, if you are planning to travel any of those areas.

▶ Learn more detail about Tibet Military Permit

Mount Kailash Permits
Tibet Military Permit

How to Plan A Tibet Tour

Tibet is a place with majestic landscapes and splendid culture. There might be hundreds of ways to travel Tibet, especially its most appealing destinations - Lhasa, Everest, Namtso, Kailash, etc. We suggest you start your tour from the capital Lhasa. You can take 3~4 days to acclimatize high altitudes and explore the highlights of Lhasa city. Then you can spend 1~2 days to visit Lhasa's surroundings, such as Namtso, Yamdrok Lake, Ganden Monastery, etc. Beside Lhasa and its surrounding regions, you shall not miss the 3rd pole of the earth, Mt Everest, which is no longer a privilege site for just mountaineers and spending 3~4 more days to explore it. Later, you can head back to Lhasa, or continue your journey to the west to reach Ngari and kora around the holy Mount Kailash and Manasarovar. It totally depends on your schedules and preferences.

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Recommended Mount Kailash & Lake ManasarovarTour Packages

Following are our well-designed popular tour package to Mount Kailash and Manasarovr Lake, including a fixed-departure group tour and two customizable private trips. You can also contact us to design a trip of your own based on your personal needs.

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