Why this matters
Altitude is the defining feature of a Tibet trip. Lhasa sits at around 3,650 metres and Namtso at about 4,718 metres, so the air is thin from the moment you arrive and the body needs time to adjust. How a person reacts varies widely, and that unpredictability is exactly why the itinerary is built the way it is.
The most common symptoms are a headache, tiredness, poor appetite and disturbed sleep. For most travellers these ease within a day or two, particularly when the first day is kept quiet.
How it works in practice
We deliberately plan nothing on your arrival day, so the body can begin adapting while you rest. Only from day three do we head towards higher ground such as Namtso. Oxygen is carried in the vehicle throughout, and the pace can be adjusted on the day if anyone is struggling. This graduated approach is the single most effective thing we do.
- No scheduled activity on arrival day.
- Higher-altitude excursions only from day three.
- Oxygen available in the vehicle at all times.
- Daily pace adjustable depending on how you feel.
What to watch out for
Altitude is not something to push through. Hurrying, skipping rest or treating a bad night as a minor inconvenience tends to make matters worse rather than better. Arriving well rested, drinking water steadily and eating lightly all help, and being honest about how you feel lets your guide respond early.
There are also cases where the trip is simply not advisable. If anyone in your group has a serious heart, blood-pressure or respiratory condition, we do not recommend travelling to these altitudes, and a doctor's advice should come before any booking. We will say so plainly if that applies.
When to just ask us
If you have any health concerns about altitude, tell us before we build the itinerary. We can adjust how quickly you gain height, how much is scheduled each day, and where rest is built in, so that the trip fits your circumstances rather than the other way around.
This question comes from Lhasa & Namtso, Tibet
