TRAVEL INFORMATION ON YOUR TOUR TO TIBET

Most importantly, all travelers traveling in Tibet are kindly requested to bear in mind that Tibet being extremely remote isolated by the most formidable Himalayas ranges, remains still one of the most captivating but least developed parts in the world. With its very short history of tourism (just about 12 years), the facilities for tourists although being upgraded are still at basic and limited scale. So, the visitors are requested not have high expectation in terms of facilities in Tibet. You can rather take this tour as an adventure from every point of view. However, we will always put all our efforts to make your journey as pleasant as possible.

Overcoming altitude problems: Traveling in Tibet is an adventure involving high altitude and could be strenuous. So far, most visitors have only minor effects from the altitude. However, we advice especially the guests with known heart or lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before traveling. Mild headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorder can take place before acclimatization. Our advice: Drink 4 ltr of water minimum a day. Do not exhaust yourself of much and breathe deep and take rest mote than usual. Bottled water is available in each hotel where you have overnight and in the restaurant en route where you have your lunch.

Landslides: As Tibet tours get opened mainly during the monsoon time; there are high chances of landslides mostly in the Nepalese part (also in the early part in Tibet). In case of landslides, to over cross them and the gap in between, extra vehicle with porters may have to be arranged. In that case, you are kindly requested to contribute nominal charges for porters and vehicle, ranging from Rs. 200 to 300 per person. We wish there will be no hassles as such.

Money: Banks in Tibet/China are closed on Saturday and Sunday. So you are kindly requested to carry about US$ 100.00 per person in cash to cover your extra expenses for your main meals and others en route until Lhasa. If it is cash dollars, even local people help you to get them exchanged in Chinese Yuan. Travelers Cheques and credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks especially out side Lhasa. Exchange rate from US$ to Yuan is about 8 Yuan from 1 US$.

Next, if any of the clients pay for the Tibet tour in TC, one afternoon you are kindly requested to accompany the guide to the bank in Lhasa for about 15 minutes and please make an extra counter signature on the TCs you have paid. Your direct present and counter signature ensures immediate encashment of the TCs to our agent in Lhasa. Otherwise, it may take months. Your kind co-operation in this regard will be highly appreciated.

Guide: we always try to provide a good English Speaking Tibetan guide. However, as Tibetan guides do not get enough exposure to English Language in Tibet, please do not expect fluent and spontaneous explanation from him/her. Your frequent questioning will encourage him/her to explain well, question by question.

Monastery fee: It is included through out your tour for the monuments and monasteries as mentioned in the itinerary.

Visa Arrangement: The Chinese visa with special Tibet permit for traveling to Tibet will be procedure by us. Your passport should reach us at least 2 weeks prior to departure date to procedure Chinese visa and Tibet Permit. Normal procedure for Chinese visa and Tibet Permit takes 5 working days. Normal visa fee is US$ 26.00 Per Person. An urgent fee of US$ 17 additional is applicable for the visa to be procedure within a day. 

The Embassy of China (in Kathmandu) is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 09 AM - 11 AM for Chinese visa/Tibet Permit.

Hotel en route: As the facilities in Tibet are very basic, hotels, although they look gorgeous, do not have proper facilities even in Lhasa. So, in the remote areas, it is obvious that hotels may not have enough double rooms and clients sometimes may have to have triple, four or five bedded rooms in the some places. However, we always try to provide twin bedded rooms. Especially, first two nights have to be spent in such hotels that may not have bathrooms attached and could require you to use common toilets. So, you are kindly requested not have a high expectation from the tour in the term of the facilities in the Hotels.

Recommended Restaurants in Lhasa: Eating out in Lhasa is enjoyable. The following restaurants are recommended that serve cheap and best food ranging from Tibetan to Chinese, continental to semi-Chinese.

01. Snow land Restaurant/Barkhor
02. Crazy Yak Restaurant/Barkhor
03. Kailash Restaurant/on the roof top of HTL Banaksol

Estimated expense for food in Tibet:
En route in Lhasa
Lunch Aprox. 15 Yuan 30 Yuan
Dinner Aprox. 25 Yuan 40 Yuan

Breakfast: from the first day onward, breakfast will be offered after an hour's drive from Kathmandu at a Mountain Resort at Dhulikhel. So, please do not bother for breakfast in your Hotel, which may cause delay to report to the bus stand. Breakfast is included through out your tour.

Tipping: Guides and drivers are not paid well in Tibet. So, you are kindly requested to tip the guide and driver so as to enable us to have them happy for our future groups as well.

Last minute checking: very importantly, on the last day, if you are traveling in a group, please make sure your guide has the original visa copy with him (if you are traveling in group) and other necessary travel documents (travel permit for the group and alien's travel permit for the individual travelers) before you leave your hotel for the airport for the final departure. This is all to enable you to check out from the immigration without any hassle. 

Clothes: As the temperature in Tibet is low, it is always advised to carry, warm clothes with you. As the weather is harsh and dry, chapstick, suntan cream, sun hat, sunglasses with sporty shoes are always recommended. Recommended clothing are as follows:

Airport Tax: Airport tax in Lhasa airport is Yuan 90 (US$ 12).