Silver Hair Adventure: 60-80 Years Old Seniors in Tibet (Above 4,000 Meteres)

On the snow-covered plateau, averaging over 4,000 meters in altitude, the strength of age surpasses the blooming peach blossoms.

My travel story begins in August 2023, when my inbox popped up with a cautious inquiry about traveling to Tibet from Lucy, a 68-year-old American Chinese. "Can you handle the Tibet Travel Permit?" she asked. "Of course!" Those words instantly came to mind. With Asia Odyssey Travel's headquarters based in Tibet for many years, we are qualified to process the necessary Tibet Travel Permit. I told Lucy not to worry, that we could handle all the paperwork.

Gradually, Lucy opened up during our back-and-forth communication. She's a cautious yet lovely person. It turns out she was planning a roughly 10-day trip to Tibet in April 2024. Coincidentally, April is when the peach blossoms in Tibet are in full bloom, with people and flowers complementing each other, creating a beautiful spring scene! I recommended a 12-day tour to Lucy, which included the peach blossoms in Nyingchi and Everest Base Camp. However, I didn't expect that a silver-haired tour group was on its way.

From Solo Travel to Large Silver-Haired Tours: Soaring Travel Enthusiasm

"My friends want to go too." Lucy maintained her cautious, brief style. After comparing the prices of private tours and group tours, she shared the itinerary with her friends who were also interested in Tibet. Clearly, Lucy has many like-minded friends. Her sharing hit the mark like a strike in bowling. Eventually, a solo trip turned into a silver-haired group tour of 15 people.

These grandparents were all over 60 years old, with one grandmother even being 80.

Cute Travel Question Solitaire

Before the trip, they were as enthusiastic as children reading "100,000 Whys," and their conversations grew more lively as they went on. Most of their discussions revolved around the details of their Tibet trip, such as whether they could see peach blossoms, what materials were needed for the Tibet Entry Permit application, whether elderly people could travel to Tibet, and how to purchase train tickets to Tibet, among other questions.

I patiently answered each of these lovely and energetic grandparents' questions, assuring them that we would be their guides for their Tibet tour, a reliable think tank and support team for any physical challenges they might encounter, allowing them to comfortably and safely experience the charm of the "Roof of the World."

Time flew by, and in no time it was April. Suddenly, these seniors were happily posing for photos under the peach blossom trees in Nyingchi, Tibet. I saw their Instagram posts - they were wearing colorful scarves, either sitting under the peach trees or gathered in groups, beaming with joy. At the Segrila Pass, they gazed silently at the distant snow-capped Mount Namche Barwa for a long time. One grandfather said, "Let my eyes record this for as long as they can."

The lush Lulang Forest, the sacred Biri Mountain, and the jewel-like emerald Basumtso Lake all echoed with their laughter. Seeing the photos of them immersed in Tibetan calligraphy and incense making in Lhasa, my heart also found a sense of tranquility. Just as I was thinking the trip was going smoothly, on the seventh day, near Everest Base Camp in Shigatse, something unexpected happened.

80-year-old Senior's EBC Trip Interrupted by Altitude Sickness

The staff's phone rang urgently. Grandma Wu was experiencing altitude sickness in Shigatse. After understanding the situation, I immediately called Grandma Wu to inquire about her current condition and arranged for the tour guide to take her to the hospital for a check-up.

I did not recommend that Grandma Wu continue to Everest Base Camp because the altitude there is even higher, 5,200 meters, compared to Shigatse's 4,000 meters, which would be more dangerous for her. Scenery versus safety, safety always comes first. Grandma Wu's voice sounded a little low, but she eventually agreed with my suggestion.

The rest of the group would continue to Everest Base Camp the next day. I contacted Grandma Wu every day to inquire about her health until she finally left Tibet, and also asked the hotel staff to keep an eye on her. Grandma Wu would also send me messages to tell me that her condition was improving and that she was resting at the hotel.

Our friendship Goes Beyond Age

On their last day in Tibet, they were as enthusiastic as on the first day, messaging me in the group chat, saying their Tibet trip was fantastic. They said as they get older, if they didn't go to Tibet now, they might never have the chance again.

Grandma Wu also messaged me, saying that even though she didn't see Everest this time, she was satisfied and had no regrets. She had surpassed most people who don't visit Tibet because of their age. I'm also proud of Grandma Wu. She was the oldest person in the group and still chose to see Tibet. She's really amazing. Grandma Wu told me that since I couldn't join them in Tibet due to work reasons, they all really wanted to meet me.

I'm very happy that their Tibet trip left them with such wonderful memories.