Tibet Travel Advice for Senior Travelers

Elderly tourists have accounted for a considerable proportion in Tibet's tourism industry over years. Traveling to Tibet has even become a fashion among the elderly.

Can the Elderly Travel to Tibet?

It’s never too old to tour Tibet so long as you are in good health. Our travel agency receives many elderly tourists every year, and helps realize their dreams of Everest Base Camp. In fact, age is never a limiting factor, and we welcome visitors of all ages. However, senior travelers still need to take into account some factors to ensure a smooth Tibet trip.

How the Elderly Travel to Tibet?

For all foreign tourists, touring Tibet needs to be through a registered Tibet travel operator instead of traveling independently. You will be accompanied by a professional tour guide and an experienced driver throughout your Tibet trip, safe and hassle-free. You can book a small group tour or a tailor-made tour according to the preference. The small group tour is recommended to a solo senior traveler for saving money, and group members can help each other in some cases. Note that you are required to hold a valid passport, Chinese visa, and Tibet Travel Permit, to enter Tibet. If you book a tour of our travel agency, we will apply for Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf.

Pay Attention to Altitude Sickness

The first concern is the altitude sickness. Most parts of Tibet are in high-altitude areas with low oxygen levels. Senior travelers are more likely to experience altitude sickness, because of the decline in physical fitness caused by aging. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, and vomiting. Don’t worry. It’s normal that tourists will get a slight hint of altitude sickness. Typically, the higher the altitude, the more severe the altitude sickness, so when planning to go to higher altitudes, consider your own physical condition first. An overall physical examination is a must for elderly tourists to determine whether you have heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, etc. For these elderly tourists with basic diseases, they need to seek a doctor's advice to decide whether they are suitable to tour Tibet. Before your Tibet trip, it’s recommended to take anti-altitude sickness medicines like Rhodiola rosea one to two weeks in advance. Once enter Tibet, try to do everything a bit more slowly - walk slowly, talk slowly, and eat slowly. A slower pace of activities allows you to acclimatize and prevent altitude sickness. By the way, it’s in the low-altitude areas that you acclimatize better, and then try higher altitudes after a period of adaption. More importantly, keeping warm is crucial, so remember to take enough warm clothing to stay away from a cold. When traveling, if you appear unwell, inform your guide as soon as possible. Your experienced guide will give you first aid if necessary or send you to the nearest hospital.

When Is Suitable for Senior Travelers to Visit Tibet?

It’s advisable for elderly tourists to visit Tibet from May to October. At these time of relatively warm and comfortable climate, the oxygen content is fairly sufficient, which can reduce the chance of discomfort such as altitude sickness. If you want to have a vast panorama of Mount Everest, you’d better not visit Tibet during June and July, because it’ rainy and cloudy more often.

Recommended Tibet Group Tours for Senior Tourists

The 4-Day Lhasa City Tour

Your whole trip is in Lhasa city. It means that you will not be exhausted from a long travel, because the distance between the attractions is very close. Your guide will lead you to visit the Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Drepung monastery, Dragon Pond Park, and Barkhor Street. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to savor traditional Tibetan foods like Tibetan butter tea, Tibetan yogurt.

The 5-Day Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake Tour

Compared to the mentioned above tour package, this tour adds an extra day of sightseeing in Lake Yamdrok. It is a place where you can enjoy a leisurely walk and relax your mind. There, the view is open and beautiful, through which you might find the inner peace.

The 8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour

In addition to the classic attractions in Lhasa and Lake Yamdrok, Everest Base Camp is also included in your itinerary. The altitude of Everest Base Camp is around 5,200 meters above the sea level. After your trip to Lhasa, which is about 3,600 meters above sea level, if you can adapt to it, then visiting Everest Base Camp won't be a problem for you.

Conclusion

Tibet trip is absolutely not as difficult as you think. Through our travel agency, we can help solve with your difficulties and give special care for senior tourists. Don’t hesitate any more. The epic adventure of a lifetime is ahead of you.