How to Travel by Yak in Tibet

Tibet is a wild, beautiful land with a long history and wonderful vistas. Travel in Tibet is challenging as there is one airport, and the topography is steep with mountain peaks. You can chose to walk, or travel by land cruiser. The most authentic mode of travel is by yak.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Read "Among the Tibetans" by Isabella Lucy Bird , who traveled in Tibet by yak. This account should give you a taste of what's to come on your own journey.

2. Go to the China Yak site and read all the information about traveling in China. You'll find information about travel permits, as well as information about how the yak has become an important part of Tibetan culture.

3. Explore the Tibet Travel site which offers a nine-day package tour of Tibet that includes yaks and yak porters. The trip begins and ends at the Lhasa airport. While the trips includes accommodation in tents and hotels, permits to travel in Tibet, an English-speaking guide, and airfares to and from the Chengdu and Lhasa airports, it does not include tips for the driver and porters, a sleeping bag, a tent and a mattress.

4. Buy the supplies you'll need for the trip. As the Wind Horse Tours site states, "the weather is cold, harsh and dry". The Wind Horse Tours site recommends you pack thermal undergarments, woolen sweaters, waterproof coats and pants and even a pocket knife or two. Making a trip to your local sports equipment or a store like L L Bean would be helpful, for there you can buy the lightest yet warmest equipment and clothing you available, and even receive some recommendations.

5. Plan well in advance for a trip such as this. It takes time to update your passport, if you haven't already, acquire the necessary travel permits, airplane tickets, and your Visa. Check with the travel agency or the State Department to determine exactly what you need. Since you'll be traveling in a place that has "no communication facilities", you want to make certain you're as prepared as possible before you find yourself stuck at the airport, unable to go on, because you forgot a permit or some other important documentation.

6. Read all of the information you can on the customs and expected behavior of the Tibetans. You can find this information at the Wind Horse Tours site and other sites as well. While you are in Tibet, you want to be a good guest, and not insult the inhabitants of this dangerous and beautiful land.