|
Know
before you come in Tibet
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.
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)
|
