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A trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted; the traveling can be hard, adventurous and often unpredictable. Due to Tibet’s high altitude travelers with a history of heart, lung or anemia problems should consult a doctor before considering a visit.
Visitors should also understand before taking this trip that Tibet was only opened to tourism in recent years. The infrastructure of the Tourist industry is still very basic in the remote country. Please do not expect the standards you are accustomed to in the west. However, every effort will be made under the circumstances to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Trekking is a wonderful experience but sickness is sometimes a problem. Here are some guidelines on staying healthy; if you do get sick consult with your leader. Travelers to Tibet are reported to exhibit mild symptoms of altitude sickness due to the rugged mountain terrain, high latitude and the non-availability of good medical facilities. Complaints of headache, fever, loss of appetite, uneasiness, stomach disorder etc can come up before acclimatization. Please note, Oxygen cylinders and masks are not available. It is always advisable to consult with doctor before making a plan to visit to Tibet for the people who have chronic health problem. More than mild discomfort could be felt in Tibet before getting acclimatized. So, it is suggested that to stay cool, don't be engaged in physically exhausting activities, drink plenty of water, stay warm and have a positive mentality. Diamox, Paracetamol, Painkiller, water purification tablets etc could be helpful medicine to take in case of sickness.
MONEY
In China, you will have to use RMB (Chinese Money). US Dollar can be exchanged with the equivalent Yuan, rate according on the given date (exchange rate). Money can be changed at the Bank of China at Zhangmu, Xigatse and Lhasa. Banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday but in the border side, you may encounter with a moneychanger everyday. In case banks are closed, we suggest you to ask your tour guide for a loan. Traveler's Cheque or credit cards are not accepted in most parts of Tibet. So, you may have to carry about 100 dollars in cash for lunch/dinner and for small souvenirs.
RESTRICTION:
Avoid taking photographs of Chinese soldiers and at the border areas. There is strict control over taking pictures inside buildings including monasteries and forts but upon paying a fee, a Monk may turn on the lights, making the flash less obvious. However this does not include courtyards and building extensions. Ask first, outside no problem. You mustn't carry any pictures of the Dalai Lama, free Tibet posters or t-shirts, Tibetan flags or political magazines or books.
CANCELLATION:
There will be a cancellation charge of 50% of confirmed booking up to 7 days prior to the departure, with no refund payable thereafter. No refund for any shows or delayed arrivals, regardless of the reason. It is very important to take into note that, once the air tickets issued are non-refundable, non-reroutable, and non-transferable. In case of the cancellation of the tour, there shall be no refund against the air tickets.
INSURANCE
Kindly note in Tibet, the amount of insurance coverage is extremely low as such clients should have their own insurance. We strongly recommend that you insure yourself against illness, emergency rescue, accidents, hospitalization, cancellation etc as we accept no responsibility for damages or expense which may arise from mishaps to persons or their belongings during these journeys. Tibetan agents do not pay any claim however logical the claim may be. It is also possible that certain places on the Itinerary may not allowed visiting due to sudden government decision.
BOOKING CONDITION & VISA ARRANGEMENTS
Confirmed reservation should reach us 2 weeks prior to tour departure, together with a deposit. Visiting Tibet to all tourists required valid Chinese visa. Visa can be obtained from the Chinese Embassy from your home country or in Kathmandu. A Chinese Visa will not entitle you to travel to Tibet, the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB), a government agency, also requires a Tibet Entry Permit. Mountain Leaders will process your Visa and Tibet Permit and require the following information when you make your booking.
Name in full
Sex
Date of Birth
Profession
Nationality
Passport No.
Date of Issue
Photocopy of Passport
It is advisable to bring four-passport size photographs along with each of them, which may need while obtaining the Tibet visa.
A normal visa fee (Fee rate according to the given date) per person is applicable if the visa is processed in 5 full working days. If the visa is processed in 3 days, an additional fee will be charged, with an additional fee per person being charged as an urgent charge if the visa is processed in a day. Visa will be processed only on the working days of the Chinese embassy, visa section.
Note: The above regulations and all visa fees are subject to change without prior notice. For Tibet visa, a group of minimum five persons is a must for the private tour. However, if the tour is on group joining basis, we book individual travelers too.
HOW TO GET TO TIBET
China South West Airlines flies ex-Kathmandu every Saturday & Tuesday from April to November. During high season an additional flight operates every Thursday from the month of July to October. Overland journeys can be made from Zhangmu & Simikot in far Western Nepal for trekking to Mount Kailash.
CLOTHING
The weather is cold, harsh and dry. It is required warm clothing through round the year. In general October to April the dressing in Layers will be the best. During these months, the woolens wear or down clothing and boots are essential. Be sure to bring warm clothing, as early morning and nights can be chilly to downright cold in winter. Bring all the film, medicines, cosmetics and toiletries that you will need from home, as these items are difficult to purchase in Tibet . The following things are preferable to take with you.
Food - Snacks along the way
Comfortable walking shoes.
Utility knife.
Water bottle (use iodinated or boiled water)
Personal medical kit and diamox tablet (for high altitude)
Sunglasses.
Sun screen lotion.
Toilet paper.
Flash light batteries
A raincoat or collapsible umbrella
Day pack.
Camera and film
Bandanna / Scarf or mask - to protect your lungs from dust.
A good Guidebook on Tibet
Kathmandu - Lhasa route map.
TRANSPORTATION:
From Kathmandu, you will be transferred to Kodari (Nepal-Tibet border 116 km) by 4wd Land Cruisers accompanied by our escort and from Tibet border onwards, Tibetan crew will drive you all the way to Lhasa. The drivers are very experienced and safe. In the event of landslides or road blockade by any reason and you will be asked to contribute a nominal sum of money so as to hire another means of transportation or service of porters to carry your luggage between the two landslides or for onward journey. During the change of vehicle in the border, you are requested to help yourself about your luggage.
ACCOMMODATION:
In Kathmandu, we normally stay either three, or Four or Five Star Hotels. In Tibet we will be using best hotels / guest houses as available. But in fact, hotels/guest houses in Tibet have basic facilities and even a hotel in Lhasa may not meet your expectation. We always try to provide our clients a twin room but it may not always be possible. Sometime, because of weather factor or road condition, we may not be able to bring you to the hotel of our contract or rooms may be already sold out due to delay arrival and we may have to request you to adjust in whatever accommodation available at that moment. In Lhasa, Gyantse and Xigatse, you can expect twin room with attached toilet/shower but in other places; you will have to adjust with common restroom facilities. Electricity and hot water supply may be disrupted although the hotels of major cities promise them.
RISK & LIABILITY
Mountain leaders will put every effort into making your journey as smooth and pleasant as possible. However, all programs in Tibet are conducted under the strict rules and regulations of the Tibet Tourism Board. Therefore, Mountain Leaders Treks & Expedition (P) Ltd. or its Tibetan counterparts won't be responsible for any change, or alteration in itineraries due to unavoidable circumstances such as landslide, road blocks, floods, snow, and political unrest, cancellation of flights, delayed arrival, sickness or accidents. Incurring of any extra cost shall be borne by the guests themselves on the spot. It is advisable to the guests to have full insurance against medical, personal accident and cancellation of the trip. Well, we recommend making all kind of Insurance prior to starts the trip to Tibet.
Whatever be your thoughts on the political situation in China and Tibet , there is a stable and strong Government who value security. So traveling in Tibet is safe.
SAFETY:
We will have with us a portable altitude chamber but with steady acclimatization we will have ho problems. If you think necessary we can arrange VHF transceivers for the communication in mountains and a satellite telephone for international and emergency calls and supplementary oxygen for emergency use too.
TIPPING:
Guides and drivers would be happy to receive tip and in fact it motivates them to work harder and provide better service.
TEAM/STAFFS/LOGISTIC SUPPORTS:Â Â Â
Very experienced support team will back up the whole trip. The climbing Sherpa, guides, and staff have wealth of knowledge. Of course the team will be insured and well equipped. Mountain Leaders (P) Ltd. will provide the equipments of major logistic support such as camping and kitchen utensils. Professional kitchen crews will everyday prepares hot and fresh food three times a day while trekking.
However Tibetan guides are reported to have limited English and you may not expect a fluent explanation about culture and religion or any other academic topics. He will serve more as a geographical guide and will e responsible for dealing with bureaucracies on the way. However, we will try our best to assign you the best guide available though.
FOODS & DRINKS
Breakfast is included at the hotel in every style of trip that we run. However, the breakfasts are often very ordinary. For lunch and dinner we eat in the travelers and Chinese restaurants in Lhasa and in all other places eat in Chinese restaurants. Restaurants in Lhasa, Gyantse and Xigtse serve varieties of cuisines ranging from Chinese to Continental but in other places, you will find basic Tibetan foods.
The meals are generally good but can seem monotonous often quite oily. So, you may have to carry with you energy bars, dry foods like chocolates, cookies biscuits, nuts, pickles, instant noodles, freeze dried milk etc to eat on the way. Soft drinks are available everywhere.
TRIP PLANNING/ITINERARY/ACCLIMATIZATION:Â Â Â
We always plan our every trip with a great care. Itineraries we follow ensure to have sufficient time for acclimatization and comfort. Of course there are stops for a coffee break and to take photographs.
CLIMATE:
Basically, the best time to be in Tibet in from April to the beginning of November after which temperatures start to plummet. The central Tibet , including Lhasa , Gyantse, and Tsedang generally has 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. It is not impossible to visit Tibet in winter. The low altitude valleys of Tibet (around Lhasa, Shigatse, and Tsedang) see very little snow. Spring does not really get under way until April, though March can have warm sunny days and is not necessarily a bad month to be in Tibet.
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