Tibetans are very fond of children and they can often act as an ice breaker if you decide to bring them along on your travels.
The majority of children travel fine, if not better than their parents, in high altitude Tibet but be careful as they won’t be able to identify signs of altitude sickness themselves. Tibetan food and bathrooms will be just as foreign to children as they might be to their parents. Only give out bottled water and pay attention to food preparation. If you leave Lhasa remember that the terrain becomes rough and amenities become scarce.
You should carry a supply of children’s medication such as calpol, a liquid paracetamol, rehydration powders and stomach medication. If you need to take your child to the doctor, the gateway cities and most larger towns and cities on the plateau should have hospitals with facilities to treat children and pharmacies should provide local medication acceptable for children.
Keep in mind that children tire much more quickly then adults and are not always as impressed with endless monastery visits. Try bringing something they can relate to, such as Tintin in Tibet or purchasing Tibetan thangka (religious paintings) and mandala coloring books from stores in Kathmandu or others cities. Other things you may want to pack to keep kids occupied on long rides are books from home. English books will be difficult to find once in China and Tibet.
As for very small children, Tibet is probably not the best place to travel. You will need to bring all supplies including diapers, medicines and baby food, and you will likely not have access to a lot of the "comforts" of home.
Before you leave it is also wise to explore traveling expenses for traveling with children. In some cases, children travelers can have less expensive needs then adults. Many hotels have family rooms which are often two connected rooms with three or four beds. Traveling to and from Tibet can also mean staying in areas outside of the region including, Nepal and Bhutan. Be sure to check out those places to find out potential savings as well. Most hotels in Nepal allow children to stay in their parents room for free or a reduced price. However, check the cut off age at the hotel before check in.
Airline, rail and bus tickets and some other services provided by international tour operators or their local agents may be able to provide discounts up to 30% for children ages 5-15. When flying, if your children are two and older ask about children’s airfare and check the airlines policy regarding safety seats for those children less than 40 pounds. Infants under two who do not occupy a seat usually can fly at greatly reduced prices or free. Also be sure to double check carry-on allowances when traveling with infants as they may vary.
Pamela Riis, Angie Das