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'PRIVATELY GUIDED' TOUR
Flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa are from March through November on
Tuesdays and Saturdays only |
| Featuring Lhasa, Gyantse, Xigatse (Shigatse), Xegar and Zhangmu |
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TIBET - Practical Information
Tibet lies on the Qinghai - Tibet Plateau of the southwest border of China. The average height of the whole region is more than 13000ft above sea level, for which Tibet is known as "Roof of the World". The highest peak of Tibet, also the highest in Himalayas and in the whole world, is Everest Peak, which is as high as 29025ft above sea level. Although a part of China, Tibet has a unique culture of all there own. It is mainly inhabited by Tibetans, a minority nationality of old and mysterious people. The Tibetan plateau, high and desolate is extraordinary in its pristine beauty and ruggedness. Dominated by an intensely blue sky, people here live in a timeless setting. Sample Tibet's spiritual traditions in its temples and monasteries, and the home of Tibetan religion in Lhasa. This is a land of vast contrast with snow-capped mountains offering beauty unsurpassed and open pastureland in another against imposing mountains and cornier forests.
PASSPORT & VISAS
Travelers to Tibet must have a visa approved prior to arrival failure to do so
means that you will not be permitted to board the Air China flights to Lhasa. If you are entering Tibet from China, you will also need a valid Chinese visa. |
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Entering Tibet from Nepal requires a visa valid for Tibet only (no Chinese Visa required) from the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu (30-60 day visas are the norm and it takes 2 week days to obtain it). Please send us your passport details such as name, passport number, date and place of issue, validity, date of birth, and your profession. We will assist you in the pre-approved visa process. Upon arrival in Kathmandu our reps will assist you in getting the Tibet permit stamped on your passport. Visa fee of $225.00 per person must be paid in cash to our reps in Kathmandu (visa fee subject to change).
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
The Chinese government does not require any inoculations, except proof of a yellow fever shot if you have traveled in a yellow fever effected area within the past six months. As a minimum, most tourists take protection against Hepatitis A and get booster shots. CDC and your local health department maintain a list of recommended shots for travel to your destination. Your personal physician may recommend some shots for your special needs. For more information you may contact your local health department or the CDC at
(800) 232 4636 or visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/regions/south-asia.aspx.
Precautions
Minor stomach ailments and altitude sickness are the most common affliction of visitors to Tibet. To minimize the chances of your getting sick, we strongly recommend that you drink only bottled water during your travel through Tibet. Bottled drinking water is available for purchase throughout. In restaurants, insist that they bring a sealed bottle to your table. Avoid having ice in drinks unless you know it has been made with bottled water. It may be advisable to brush your teeth with bottled water. It is also a good idea to always wash your hands before and after eating. Try and avoid unpeeled fruits or raw salads or make sure fresh fruit or vegetables have been washed in bottled water. Most hotels have physicians on call. They are inexpensive (relative to what you pay at home), competent, and familiar with the common ailments that afflict travelers. Your tour might be traveling through remote areas where medical facilities may not be in easy reach. Our local staff are available to assist you in anyway possible.
High Altitude Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is common at high altitudes, and depends on the elevation, the rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. It's advisable that you should rest on the first day of your arrival in Lhasa, Tibet to acclimatize.
To prevent acute mountain sickness: drink extra fluids, eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy, avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don't smoke, avoid sedatives, don't push yourself when climbing up to passes, rather take plenty of breaks, avoid catching cold before you entering Tibet.
Physical Challenges
This Tour is an adventure trip, driving on rough mountainous roads on some of the highest mountains in the world with little or no emergency medical facilities. You will be traveling assuming all the related risks. We recommend on this tour particularly, to purchase an emergency medical evacuation insurance that would help you in case of an accident but we are sure you realize that they probably are not able to provide you instant/ immediate medical assistance if stuck on a remote road somewhere high in the Himalayas. Our local agents, tour escort/guides etc are available to assist throughout the trip.
Circumstances beyond our Control
Due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, if re-routing becomes necessary, certain additional costs may occur in providing extra flights, transportation or hotel nights. Our local reps will first try to get the airlines concerned to pay to re-route you to the next destination. However, if the same is not paid by the airlines concerned it will have to be paid by the tour members before the re-routing arrangements are finalized.
CLIMATE
Basically, the Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. The best time of year to be in Tibet is from April to the beginning of November, after which temperatures start to plummet. The central Tibet, including Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsedang, generally has very mild weather from April to November, though July and August can be rainy - these two months usually see around half of Tibet's annual rainfall. October and November often bring some dazzling clear weather and daytime temperatures can be quite comfortable at Tibet's lower altitude. The coldest months are from December to February. Kathmandu/Lhasa/Kathmandu flights operate only from April to October making tours to Tibet possible only during this period.
CLOTHING No formal clothes are required on your tour and casual to smart casual would be a good general guideline to follow. Bring your protection against sun, (i.e., sun screen, sun glasses, wide brimmed hat, umbrella etc.). The temperature during daytime is around 50° to 70°F in Lhasa, but the night temperature may reach freezing 32°F and when visit the lake or mountain, down-jacket is needed. Try to dress in black or other heavy color clothes since the road out of Lhasa may be very dusty and dirty. Dress up in layers and carry a woolen sweater, a good warm jacket (fiber-pile), headwear, scarves, mittens or gloves etc. Although we do not expect rain during the suggested months of travel but in the mountains quick showers can develop anytime. Please do carry a light rain coat or an umbrella and a wind jacket. Remember comfortable walking shoes and a few pairs of dark "temple sox" that can be discarded after the tour.
Recommended items to pack include
Good walking shoes, protection against sun, (i.e., sun screen, sun glasses, wide brimmed hats, umbrellas, lip balm etc.), adequate woolen clothing viz. woolen sweater, jacket, headwear, rain gear, extra pair of sox (temple sox), mosquito repellent (Deet or such), medication in consultation with your physician (diarrhea/altitude sickness medication, re-hydration mixtures, Calamine lotion, sting relief spray or aloe vera), soap leaves, wet wipes (single use type packets), hand sanitizer, binoculars, flashlight, alarm clock or a travelers watch, ear plugs, calculator, camera with extra memory sticks/film and batteries.
FOOD & DINING
All our tours to Tibet are full board with most meals included as except Lhasa there is no choice of good & safe city restaurants... its best to eat at the hotels. A good combination of traditional local fare and continental favorites is available in most hotels. Buffet breakfast is included daily with juice, fruit, breads, eggs and local items. Lunches and dinners are mostly buffets or a choice of four-course western or traditional style meals. On your overland through Tibet, you are provided packed lunch boxes (cold lunch). It's recommended to drink only bottled water which is readily available throughout.
BAGGAGE
Baggage handling of only one piece of checked luggage per person is included on all tours. Air China flights to Lhasa, Tibet allow each passenger only one checked bag not to exceed 50 pounds. Please check with us regarding restrictions on baggage to your destinations.
ELECTRIC CURRENT IN TIBET
In Tibet, electricity runs 230-240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. If you do bring electrical appliances, take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs.
TIME ZONE IN TIBET
Tibet follows the China time zone. It has only one time zone; the entire country is 8 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and 2.15 hours ahead of Nepal Time. For current time in Tibet visit: www.worldtimeserver.com
CURRENCY Your hotels, sightseeing tours, most meals and on some escorted tours gratuities are prepaid. However, customary end-of-the-trip gratuity to your tour escort is not included. Tourists are advised to carry their money in form of traveler checks and cash (US Dollars) which might be needed for incidental expenses. In Tibet, the only place to change foreign currency and travelers checks is the Bank of China or the bigger hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse and Zhanghmu. It is advisable that you change as much money at your Lhasa Hotel as you think you may need. You should also try not to change too much money as it is often difficult to reconvert local money back to US dollars. ATMs are not available in Tibet and credit cards are rarely accepted except at hotels and bigger establishments in Lhasa. We advise not to count on credit cards and please carry US Dollars cash or traveler's checks.
CANCELLATION:
Our cancellation policy is as follows; If canceled in writing;
90 days or more before departure.Minimum penalty $350.00
89 - 60 days before departure.Minimum penalty 50%
59 - 45 days before departure.Minimum penalty 75%
44 days prior till date of departure.100% of the tour price
NO shows . no refunds and no refunds after the tour begin.
All penalties above are per person.
Terms & Conditions |
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