When planning a trip to Tibet, it is important to stay informed about the latest government regulations and permit requirements. Policies can change suddenly and without prior notice, so travelers should always stay in close contact with their local travel agency. SnowLion Tours regularly updates clients on the status of their travel permits, ensuring that any changes affecting their plans are communicated immediately.
Restricted Areas in 2014
As of 2014, several areas in Tibet remain closed to foreign travelers. These include:
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Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
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Guge Kingdom
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The overland route from Kashgar to Lhasa
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Lhamo Lhatso Lake
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Chamdo Prefecture
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Much of the far southern region of the Tibet Autonomous Region
Timeline of Travel Restrictions
April 28, 2014 – Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar remained closed, with restrictions expected to last until at least the end of June. Travelers planning to visit the region were advised to schedule their journeys in July or later. As an alternative, SnowLion Tours recommended Mt. Amnye Machen, considered the second holiest mountain in Tibet, especially during the Saga Dawa festival in the Year of the Horse.
April 4, 2014 – Following a Tibet Tourism Bureau meeting, it was announced that Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar would remain closed through April, with hopes of reopening in May. However, new restrictions were expected, including limitations on group size and composition.
February 21, 2014 – The Tibet Tourism Bureau temporarily stopped issuing permits as of February 20. Tibet was officially closed to foreign tourists, with plans to reopen by early April (around April 5–6). At the time, it was expected that new regulations would be introduced, though details were still unclear.
2013 Updates –
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April 8, 2013: Travel conditions improved, with Everest Base Camp reopening to foreign visitors. Only Chamdo Prefecture remained closed.
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March 30, 2013: Restrictions on group size were lifted, allowing solo travelers to apply for permits. A deposit system was introduced, requiring $300 per person for standard tours and $500–600 for larger trips such as the Mt. Kailash kora. Everest Base Camp remained closed but was expected to reopen later in the year.
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March 26, 2013: The Tibet Tourism Bureau announced new rules requiring a minimum group size of two travelers of the same nationality. Permits were not being issued to citizens of Japan, the Philippines, or Norway at that time. Chamdo Prefecture remained closed, and additional deposit requirements were enforced.
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