Tibet: treks and tours by Arniko, the company expert in Tibetan travel.

Tibet: treks and tours by Arniko, the company expert in Tibetan travel. Tibet: the 'Land of Snows'.

The roof of the world:
century ago, a visit to Tibet took stamina, nerve and a good deal of luck. Isolated by formidable geographic barriers and guarded by its government, the whole country was truly a ‘forbidden territory’. Few Westerners met the challenge, but the tales they returned with tantalized the imagination of the world. Tibet was the epitome of all that was magical, mysterious and unknown.
Today, visiting Tibet is considerably easier, but the adventure remains. Hidden behind the Himalayas and rising nearly five kilometers above sea level, Tibet is a land unlike any other, a magical realm of vast open spaces, clear light and pure color, dominated by an intensely blue sky. Two kinds of people live in this timeless setting: farmers settled in small villages who grow barley and other crops, and the roving nomads, drokpa, who wander the higher regions with their herds of yaks and sheep.

ince the 8th century Tibet has been devoutly Buddhist, merging influences from Indian Buddhism, Tantra, and the indigenous religion called Bon into a complex synthesis of beliefs. Tibetan Buddhism has inspired centuries of splendid art and architecture, serving as the cornerstone of Tibet's unique and highly developed culture. Visits to Buddhist monasteries and temples are an integral part of any journey to Tibet. Worshippers move slowly through dimly-lit chapels, refilling flickering butter lamps. Faith manifests in many ways: flags printed with prayers for the wind to spread; mani walls of flat stones engraved with mantra; chorten or symbolic monuments scattered across the countryside.

Deeply religious, Tibetans are an open, spontaneous people, admirably good-humoured and quick to joke. Visitors to Lhasa invariably marvel at the non-stop smiles. Travel in Tibet is not always easy, but it rewards with glimpses of a land and life unlike any other.

lease be convinced that Tibet is a very large region. Lhasa and the major towns are clustered towards the south of the country. From Lhasa to Mt Kailas is more than 1100 miles (1800Km) and six or seven days driving.

The northern regions are those of the remote Chang Tang plateau inhabitated by scattered bands of nomads tending their flocks of sheep and yak.

n general, the best season to travel in Tibet is from May through October. During these months, the weather is usually mild with warmish days and chilly nights at higher altitudes.
During July and August the monsoon penetrates the Himalaya bringing rain to most of the country. However, this time of the year is when the flowers are at their best, when even the barren hills have a fuzzy coating of green grass.
By October autumn has arrived with clear sparkling days and cold nights; with conditions becoming more extreme during November to February.
Regardless of when you travel, be aware that all of Tibet is at high altitude. Weather conditions can change rapidly with snow and rain occuring at any month of the year; often with surprising rapidity.
In general, the more remote the region, the more conservative you need to be about timing your visit. Lhasa, for example can be visited at any time of the year but in the highlands of western Tibet around Mt Kailas, the season is much more limited.
At Arniko we have a vast experiece of advising clients travelling to Tibet. It is definitely true that weather patterns in Tibet are changing as in other parts of the world. We can discuss these implications for your proposed tour...that after all, is our job. Unfortunately, we cannot offer certainity!! The vagaries of climate are one of the charms of travelling to the 'Land of Snows.'

If you would like more information
please email your wishes and we shall respond.
We at Arniko are happy to advise about a suitable timetable
and when you should travel.

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