What's Excluded from Travel Expenses in Our Tibet Small Group Tour Packages

We design our Tibet tours to cover most essential costs for your unforgettable Tibet travel, including all accommodations in Tibet, selected meals, entrance fees to top attractions like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, airport/hotel transfers, and professional guide & driver services. However, some items are not included—these are mostly personalized choices that vary by traveler, so we don't arrange them uniformly. Knowing these excluded expenses helps you plan your budget better and avoid unexpected costs. Let's break down what's not covered in our Tibet small group tour packages.​

Round-Trip Major Transportation to Tibet​

Round-trip major transportation from your home country or city to Tibet is not included in our packages, as our guests come from different regions worldwide, with diverse preferences for flight times, airlines, or even stopover cities. To give you flexibility, we offer free ticket-booking assistance and route planning for flights or Tibet trains—just share your preferences, and our team will help you find the best options for your Tibet trip.​

Personalized Individual Expenses​

This category covers costs based on your personal needs. For stay-connected needs: Fees for Chinese SIM cards or international roaming plans are on your own. For souvenirs: Expenses for Tibetan handicrafts like wood carvings, prayer wheels, or Tibetan jewelry are not included. For high-altitude preparation: We provide basic oxygen cylinders, but extra oxygen or rentals of down jackets/hiking gear require additional payment. For medical needs: Costs for hospital visits or medicines are self-covered. Tips are voluntary—if you're satisfied with your guide and driver, a suggested 7 USD total per day is greatly appreciated.​

Chinese Visa Fees​

Chinese visa fees are not included in our packages. If you're from a visa-free country, you can skip this part! For other nationalities, visa costs range from tens to around 100 USD, depending on your country of residence. We can share tips on visa application, but the fee itself is paid directly to the Chinese embassy/consulate.​

Additional Dining Costs​

Our packages include featured meals like a welcome dinner in Lhasa, a farm-style lunches, and daily breakfasts at most hotels. But any extra food or drinks outside these planned meals are your responsibility—this includes snacks, extra beverages, or meals at restaurants not on the itinerary. If you have special dietary needs or want to try more Tibetan food, budget a little extra for these treats.​

Optional Tour Activities​

Fun add-on activities are not covered, as they depend on your interests. Examples include: Tibetan costume photography at Potala Palace or Barkhor Street, photo ops with yaks or lambs at Yamdrok Lake, hiring porters or yaks to carry luggage during Kailash Mansarovar treks, and horse riding on the grasslands of Damxung. These are easy to book with our guide's help, but the fees are paid on-site.​

Extra Luggage Fees​

If your luggage exceeds the free allowance set by airlines or China Railway, you'll need to pay extra luggage fees yourself. We recommend checking the luggage policy of your chosen airline/train company in advance to avoid surprise charges at the airport or train station.​

Single Supplement Fees​

Our Tibet small group tours default to shared double rooms (two travelers per room). If can’t find a roommate in your group, or if you prefer to upgrade to a single room for more privacy, you'll need to pay a daily single supplement fee. The exact amount varies by hotel type and season—just ask our team for details when booking.​

Conclusion

Rest easy—we provide English-language contracts that list all included costs clearly. No hidden fees, no last-minute surprises.