Visa & Entry Procedure
These are subject to change and depend on whether you join
the trip in Kathmandu or China. If you are joining the trip
in Kathmandu you will need a multiple entry visa for Nepal
which can be obtained either from your nearest Nepalese
consulate or on arrival in Nepal.
For Tibet, we organize a
group visa, and in order to do this we will need a copy of
your passport at least 20 days prior to the commencement of
your trip, followed by your actual passport five days before
the visa issuing days. If you are entering via mainland
China you have to obtain Chinese visa from you home country.
Visa regulation in Tibet keep changing please ask us for
latest Tibet visa information. Please find below the current
regulation.
While Entering Lhasa via
mainland China:
If you are planning to arrive in Lhasa via mainland China,
you would need to apply for your Chinese visa from the
Chinese Embassy in your country.
Once you have the
Chinese visa, you will need to scan the visa and email it to
us along with the copy of your passport. Both the documents
should be clear and readable otherwise it will be rejected
by the Tibet Travel Bureau in Tibet (TTB).
Please note that you would
not be eligible for the Tibet travelling permit without the
Chinese visa.
On the basis of the copies
of the Chinese visa and passport, we will apply for your
Tibet entry permit from the TTB.
With the combination of
the Tibet permit and Chinese visa you would be allowed to
enter Tibet from the mainland China.
Once your Tibet permit is
issued, you can collect it from anywhere in mainland China
where you are supposed to arrive or have it delivered at
your hotel you would be staying while in mainland China at
an extra charge of USD 30 for courier.
While Entring Tibet via
Kathmandu or go overland via Zhangmu or Simikot border
On the other hand, if you are planning to fly to Lhasa via
Kathmandu or go overland via Zhangmu or Simikot border, you
would need to arrive in Kathmandu atleast 2 to 6 days (if
you want to apply for the minimum visa - normal charge)
before your entry into Tibet.
Chinese Embassy in
Kathmandu issues visas only on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
from 0900 hrs to 1100 hrs.
Travelers are thus
required to arrive in Kathmandu a day prior to the visa
issuing days to enable us to get Chinese/Tibet visa for
them.
In order to get the Tibet
visa, we would need to show your original passport at the
Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. As such, our operating officer
who would be at the airport to receive and transfer you to
your respective hotel would collect the passport from you
and get the visa.
Please note do not apply
for the Chinese visa in your country if you are intending to
travel to Tibet via Kathmandu (Nepal). If you had applied
for the Chinese visa in your country prior to arrival in
Kathmandu, it would be automatically cancelled when we get
the Tibet visa for you here in Kathmandu.
The Chinese/Tibet visa you
get in Kathmandu is a "group visa" and is not entered in
travelers' passports but on a separate sheet of paper - be
it one person or a group consisting of two or more persons.
Guide & Accommodation
Throughout your time in Tibet you will be accompanied by a
knowledgeable Tibetan guide who will not only act as an
interpreter but will also provide a valuable insight into
the Tibetan way of life.
In Lhasa, accommodation
will be at Dhood Gu or similar standard hotel. It is
renowned for its hospitality and warm Tibetan atmosphere and
is perfectly situated in the centre of town just a few
minutes walk from the Jokhang Temple and Barkor. Elsewhere
along the route, accommodation will be in the best available
hotels. Meals will either be in the hotel or at a restaurant
of your choice (where available). Whilst on the road, lunch
will be at one of the many Chinese tea shops along the way
which generally serve a variety of noodle and vegetable
dishes and meat where available.
Transportation in Tibet
The roads in Tibet can at times become quite rough and
impassable for many vehicles, It can at times become quite
rough and impassable for many vehicles, so for this reason
we use best Land cruiser 4WDs (Toyota 4500). These vehicles
are extremely reliable and will make the journey as
comfortable as possible. As for the trekking and climbing
there will be a truck for carrying luggage and trek
equipments. We’ll drive for several hours, stopping along
the way for photographs or places of special interest,
before stopping for lunch at around midday. After lunch we
continue our journey, generally arriving at our destination
by 3 or 4pm.
Best Time to Visit Tibet
Despite the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau, the
daytime temperatures are actually quite mild. Between April
and November the average temperature ranges form 15-25
degrees Celsius and the skies are generally clear and blue.
From July to August though there can be the odd shower
during the day. The nights, however, can be very cold and
temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius. During the
day a light shirt or jumper and lightweight pants will be
suitable, but a warm fleece or down jacket is recommended
for the evenings.
The best time of year for
overland tours in Tibet is from April to November and for
treks and Mt. Kailash tour from April to the beginning of
October.
About Trekking in Tibet
Our all treks and Mt. Kailash tours are fully catered by our
qualified and experienced crew from Nepal and a professional
English speaking Tibetan guide. Loads are usually carried by
Yaks.
A typical day begins with
a hot cup of tea brought to the tent at about 6 am, followed
by a bowl of hot water for washing. After packing our bags
and having a good breakfast, we set off on the morning's
walk. All you need to carry is a small daypack containing a
water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain-jacket and a warm
jumper, just in case. The porters or yaks will carry
everything else for you. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop
for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is
generally shorter and we arrive at camp in time for a nice
cup of tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent
exploring the nearby villages, doing a bit of washing or
simply relaxing with a good book. Dinner is usually served
between 6 and 7pm and after dinner, the evening is often
spent playing cards or talking with the crew – and sometimes
there will even be some singing and dancing before heading
off to the tent for a well-earned sleep.
Food on
Trek
Apart from when you are staying in hotels, your cook will
provide 3 tasty, plentiful and nutritious meals daily with a
variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day,
breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli and
cereal followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with
chapattis or bread.
Lunch is generally a
selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and
traditional breads. After a long day on the trail, dinner is
a hearty 3-course meal - soup, followed by a variety of
vegetable, meat, rice and pasta dishes and completed with a
simple dessert.
Tea, coffee and hot
chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much
fresh produce as possible and our cooks and kitchen crew
maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness and food
preparation hygiene. Special dietary requirements can always
be catered for.
Health/Insurance
Vaccination requirements change frequently, so we suggest
you consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to your
trip. We also recommend that each person carries a basic
first aid kit. The main health consideration in Tibet is
altitude related illness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as
headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but
these should lessen within a few days. A supply of bottled
oxygen is carried in the vehicle at all times should it be
required. We also carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) on
all our Tibet treks and mt. kailash tours in case of
altitude sickness.
Hotels in Lhasa are
equipped with oxygen. Doctors will also be available on
call. A supply of bottled oxygen is carried in the vehicle
at all times. If you have ever suffered from altitude
sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly
recommend you consult your doctor about your suitability for
traveling to Tibet before booking. When flying to Lhasa we
recommend you rest for the afternoon to help
acclimatization. Age is no barrier to enjoy an unforgettable
trip to Tibet.
If you have any
pre-existing medical condition, please consult your doctor
before booking and bring adequate medication for any such
condition.
In the case of a serious
sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen;
you shall be driven by a land cruiser to nearest Nepal –
Tibet border as helicopter is not allowed to fly in Tibet.
Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred
in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your
insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on
your own after getting back in Kathmandu.
Getting into Tibet
Our tours and treks are based on entry and exit from
Kathmandu. However, you can also enter from parts of
Mainland China, i.e. Beijing, Chengdu etc.
Air China flies between
Kathmandu and Lhasa (Tue, Thu & Sat in 2005) across the
mighty Himalayas. This flight offers spectacular views of
Mt. Everest, Makalu and many other Himalayan giants. All our
trips, which begin by flying into Lhasa, can be joined from
Kathmandu, Beijing, Hong Kong, Chengdu or Bangkok (via
Chengdu). In the cities above you will be met at the airport
and transferred to your hotel. You will then have he chance
to see the sights before being transferred to the airport
the next day for your flight to Lhasa. Additional
accommodation in Kathmandu, Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok or
Chengdu can be arranged, please ask us for more detail.
Clothing & Equipment
* Down jacket or warm fleece top
* Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
* Cotton shirts (short and long sleeved)
* Warm and cotton trousers
* Sun polarized sunglasses
* Beanie or warm woollen hat and gloves
* Scarf (to keep out dust as well as cold)
* Sandals (flip-flops)
* Towel
* Sleeping bag (for camping/trekking)
* Rain jacket
* Strong sun cream and lip protector
* Moisturizer
* Water bottle
* Camera (and plenty of film and spare batteries) |