Ngari

阿里 · City

Ngari (Ali) is remote western Tibet — home to Mount Kailash pilgrimage circuits, Lake Manasarovar, and Guge Kingdom ruins. Most travellers allow about two weeks from Lhasa.

See stays

FocusMount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

Days neededAbout 15 days from Lhasa

Best time to visitMay to September

PermitTibet Travel Permit plus restricted-area papers

Overview

Quick facts about Ngari

Quick answer

Ngari (Ali) is remote western Tibet — home to Mount Kailash pilgrimage circuits, Lake Manasarovar, and Guge Kingdom ruins. Most travellers allow about two weeks from Lhasa.

Focus	Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
Days needed	About 15 days from Lhasa
Best time to visit	May to September
Permit	Tibet Travel Permit plus restricted-area papers

Stays in Ngari

Hotels we use on our tours, with oxygen rooms marked.

Ngari

Vienna International Hotel (Ali Shenshan)

Ngari

Vienna International Hotel (Ritu Bangonghu Branch)

Ngari

Pranphuntsok Kangsang Oxygen Hotel

Ngari

YuntianInterContinental Hotel

Best time to visit

Average daily high and low in °C, and monthly rain in mm. Roads to this area can close in winter.

Daily highDaily lowRain

BestGoodCold or limited access

Permit

What foreign visitors need before arrival.

Quick answer

Yes. All foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit, and some areas need extra permits. We file them for you with every booking.

Nearby regions

Lhasa

Potala, Jokhang and the old town

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Shigatse and Gyantse

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yamdrok Lake

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Everest region

North base camp and Rongbuk Monastery

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Namtso

High-altitude lake near Lhasa

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Nyingchi

Blossoms and canyons at low altitude

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Shannan

Yarlung Valley, Samye and Yumbulagang

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Questions

Every foreign passport holder does. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued only through registered Tibet agencies, and it is checked at airports, train stations and hotels. We file it with every booking at no extra charge.

No. Foreign travellers need a booked tour with a licensed guide, plus a private vehicle for any route beyond Lhasa. A fixed-departure group seat is the cheapest way to travel.

April to October is the main season. May–June and September–October have the clearest mountain views; July and August are greener but wetter.

The train from Xining or Beijing is a slow, scenic climb that helps with acclimatisation. Flights from Chengdu, Xi’an or Kathmandu save a day or two.

Visiting Ngari?

Tell us your dates. A Lhasa specialist replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and a price.