At Tibet Yulong Travel, every itinerary is only as good as the person leading it. Our guides are not hired from agencies or rotated between regions — they are Tibetan locals who were born and raised on the plateau, and who have spent years learning its roads, its monasteries, its weather patterns, and its stories. Between them, they speak Tibetan, Mandarin, and English, and they bring something no guidebook can offer: a genuine connection to the land and culture they share with every traveler they meet. Here are some of the people you might journey with.
Our Local Tibetan Guides
1. Tashi Phuntsok Tibetan | From Ali (Ngari) | 15 years guiding experience
Tashi comes from Ngari in far western Tibet — one of the most remote and spiritually significant regions on the plateau, home to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. He specialises in western Tibet pilgrimage routes and has accompanied dozens of groups on the sacred Kailash Kora. His quiet, grounded manner and deep reverence for the land make him the guide travelers most frequently request for this route.
Tashi
2. Dawa Yangchen Tibetan | From Shigatse | 14 years guiding experience
Dawa was born in Shigatse, home of Tashilhunpo Monastery, and grew up listening to monks chant in the early mornings. She is one of our most experienced female guides and has a particular talent for connecting with solo female travelers and families. Her deep familiarity with the Shigatse region and the road to Everest Base Camp makes her a natural choice for western Tibet routes.
Dawa Yangchen
3. Lobsang Gyatso Tibetan | From Nagqu | 16 years guiding experience
Lobsang comes from the vast grasslands of Nagqu in northern Tibet, and he knows the plateau in a way that most guides simply don’t. He has guided overland tours along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway more times than he can count, and he reads the weather and road conditions with an instinct that only comes from growing up at altitude. Travelers often say that Lobsang’s calm presence is the most reassuring thing about a journey into remote Tibet.
Lobsang Gyatso
4. Sonam Wangmo Han Chinese | From Nyingchi | 11 years guiding experience
Sonam specialises in Nyingchi peach blossom season tours and eastern Tibet routes, and her warm, storytelling approach to guiding has earned her consistently glowing reviews from travelers. She speaks excellent English and has a particular interest in Tibetan folk traditions and local festivals.
Sonam Wangmo
5. Karma Dorje Tibetan | From Lhasa | 20 years guiding experience
With two decades of experience, Karma is one of our most senior guides and one of the most respected figures on our team. He has guided travelers from over 40 countries across nearly every corner of Tibet, from Namtso Lake to the Nepal border. He has an extraordinary memory for detail — returning guests often remark that he remembers their names, their interests, and even conversations from years earlier.
Karma Dorje
6. Pema Tshering Tibetan | From Gyantse | 13 years guiding experience
Pema was raised in Gyantse, a historic town that once served as one of Tibet’s most important trading hubs. His knowledge of Tibetan history — particularly the period of British expeditions and the early 20th century — gives his commentary a depth that history enthusiasts especially appreciate. He is a skilled photographer as well, and often helps guests find the best angles at key landmarks along the way.
Pema Tshering
7. Rinchen Dolma Tibetan | From Lhasa | 12 years guiding experience
Rinchen studied Tibetan culture and history before becoming a guide, and it shows. Her explanations of Buddhist iconography, monastery architecture, and the significance of religious festivals are among the clearest and most accessible our guests have ever heard. She is especially popular with travelers who want to go beyond the surface and genuinely understand what they are seeing.
Rinchen Dolma
8. Tenzin Norbu Tibetan | From Lhasa | 18 years guiding experience
Tenzin grew up in the heart of Lhasa, within walking distance of the Jokhang Temple. He has spent nearly two decades guiding international travelers across Tibet, from the backstreets of Barkhor to the wind-swept ridgelines above Everest Base Camp. He is known for his patience, his encyclopedic knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism, and his ability to make first-time visitors feel at ease the moment they step off the plane.
Tenzin Norbu
9. Yangchen Lhamo Tibetan | From Shannan (Lhokha) | 10 years guiding experience
Yangchen is from Shannan, the cradle of Tibetan civilization and home to some of the oldest monasteries and palaces on the plateau. She has a particular passion for early Tibetan history and the Yarlung Valley, and brings an infectious enthusiasm to every site she visits. Younger travelers and university groups consistently rate her as one of the most engaging guides they have ever had.
Yangchen Lhamo
10. Ngawang Chophel Tibetan | From Lhasa | 17 years guiding experience
Ngawang has spent 17 years guiding travelers through some of the most challenging and rewarding terrain on earth. He is one of our go-to guides for Everest Base Camp expeditions and high-altitude overland routes, and his ability to monitor guests’ altitude acclimatization — adjusting the pace, providing oxygen, and knowing exactly when to push on or pull back — has kept countless travelers safe and comfortable over the years.
Ngawang Chophel
