Great Tibet Tour

I had an excellent experience with Great Tibet Tour. Merry helped me plan my trip, answering all my questions promptly and clearly, and everything went very smoothly. I travelled by train to Lhasa where I spent three wonderful days with a personal guide (Ngawang) who helped me plan my time so that I could visit some Buddhist sites that were off the beaten track and have a taste of authentic Tibetan life. This was a very special time for me and Ngawang was the perfect guide.I then joined a 13 day tour via Mount Kailash to Kathmandu. There were 16 of us and our guide Norbu was quite outstanding. All the information he provided - about the temples and monasteries, about Tibetan culture and religion, and about the history and geography of the region was well presented and really interesting. He had a very good eye for wildlife and we spotted a fox, antelopes, wild donkeys, and hares (but sadly no snow leopards!) But most striking was his great kindness and the way he looked after us all, particularly on day 2 of the Kailash trek which was long and arduous. I was so happy to complete the kora which is something I have wanted to do for at least 40 years! A big thank you to Merry, Great Tibet Tour, and Norbu for making this possible for me! "

Great Tibet Tour proved to be the best choice for the experience my wife and I wanted to have in Tibet.Each area of the service deserves a top score, yet three special mentions are needed: the outstanding agency reliability in delivering everything that was agreed upon; the extensive knowledge and experience of the guide; the flexibility of the guide to rearrange our itinerary based on our own new interests triggered by the visit (eg: adding the visit to the Tsamkhung Nunnery). "

I had an incredible experience on this tour in Tibet. The pace was perfect, allowing us to take in the sights without ever feeling rushed. Merry, our travel consultant, was truly fabulous. She was so helpful, quick to respond, and a joy to work with. We began planning this trip almost a year in advance, and she supported us every step of the way. Her dedication made the entire process smooth and stress free.Our tour guide Jinmei was equally wonderful. He was friendly, patient, and always attentive to our needs. We quickly understood why a minimum of four days is recommended for this tour. Part of the journey involves acclimating to the altitude. I personally adjusted well, but my friend struggled. The team was prepared for this and offered support throughout. The car we traveled in was a bit cold, but blankets were provided. Hopefully the heater will be fixed in the future.There was plenty of time built into the itinerary to explore the city on our own. It would have been even better to receive a printed guide of local restaurants and optional activities at the welcome pick up. The pick up itself was easy, and the hotel we stayed at was comfortable. The air was dry, but the hotel provided oxygen tanks, humidifiers, and even upgraded us to a spacious suite. They truly take care of everything, so all you need to do is show up and be open to learning about the history and culture.I thoroughly enjoyed my week in Tibet. I learned so much and came to appreciate Tibetan traditions. My favorite stop was on the third day when we visited a monastery about an hour outside the city. I also loved visiting the lake and watching cultural dances that highlighted the differences between eastern and western styles. The restaurants chosen for lunch were delicious. The air is very dry, so staying hydrated is important. If needed, they will even take you to a pharmacy. The schedule includes one to two sites per day, which makes the experience relaxed and enjoyable. In your free time, you can explore the city, get a massage, enjoy local bites, or shop for souvenirs.One suggestion I would make is to add a cooking class or a hands on art activity. That would elevate the experience even further. Overall, this company provided an outstanding journey. I highly recommend them to anyone traveling to Tibet from abroad. "

We had an amazing 8 day private tour covering Lhasa, Nomatso lake and East Tibet. The overall arrangements were excellent. Everything went as per plan. Our guide and driver provided excellent support. Thanks to Beatrice and Merry of Great Tibet Tours for a memorable holiday of the magical ancient land of Tibet. "

A random browsing of the internet brought me to the Great Tibetan Tour website, where I learned about the many options available to visit and experience the highlands of Tibet. Not knowing what to expect, I had many questions which the amazing tour coordinator, Jennie, patiently answered during the long time of my preparations. Jennie’s answers were detailed and very helpful in preparations for the trip, packing, and traveling to the tour meeting point in Lhasa. I chose to travel through Chengdu, which is one of the most beautiful cities, known for being the home of Pandas.I was warmly welcomed by the tour representatives at the Lhasa airport in the true spirit and kind hospitality of Tibet. Since I traveled alone from the USA and through three countries (India, Nepal, and China), I had my worries about my safety, but the warm welcome in Lhasa dispelled all my worries, and I felt quite secure and well taken care of by the Tibetan Tour Group employees.Since it was my first time at the 3500 meters altitude I did feel the difference in altitude, but I was well prepared for it thanks to Jennie’s advice in the months before my trip. Jennie and the tour group provided an excellent outline of my 12-day tour and great advice on how to prepare for it.After a restful first night in Lhasa, with a beautiful view from my hotel room, I enjoyed the few days of acclimatization and sightseeing in Lhasa city before continuing the tour into the highlands of Tibet. Our tour guide was most helpful with his advice and guidance on how to prepare each day for the 12 days of slowly climbing to even higher altitudes. Our destination goal was Kailash Kora with the highest passage, the Dolma La Pass, located at 5643 meters, and my dream was to make the spiritual pilgrimage successfully and, hopefully, on foot. It was truly thanks to the amazing tour guide’s guidance that I was able to complete my dream pilgrimage, the Kailash Kora, successfully.I enjoyed the entire tour very much. Our guide, Mr. Tenzin Gyaltsen, was very knowledgeable and beautifully told us the history, in a story-telling format, of the many beautiful places that we visited. We communicated in English, which the guide knew fluently. My most beautiful and very personal experience was the three-day walk around the Holy Kailash Mountain, known as Kailash Kora or Kailash Parikrama. Walking the holy land alongside the amazing and most beautiful native pilgrims was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I enjoyed the natural beauty of the mountains, the rivers, and the kindness of the local pilgrims who, with a smile and gentle gesture, since we did not know each other’s languages, would encourage me not to give up and to continue my journey. On a few occasions, I was brought to tears when I was resting on the side of the road, catching my breath in the high altitude, when walking nearby native pilgrims would stop by me, reach for my hand, and put some nutritious food in my hand for me to eat, so I could continue my journey.I did not know how huge the land of Tibet was. Thanks to the amazing skills of our driver, Gyatso, we safely drove thousands of kilometers during our 12-day journey. If I ever made this trip again, I would love to travel again with the same driver, Gyatso, and be led by the same tour guide, Tenzin. They both did great job assisting us during our tour.During pilgrimage around Mount Kailash, we were all One People with pure hearts filled with Love. This beautiful feeling of unity and universal Love will be with me forever. The only wish I have now is to make this tour one more time and to stay a few days longer in the beautiful aura of Mount Kailash, if only possible. "