Tibet has long been known as 'The Roof of the world'. It lies in the south western part of China bordering India, Bhutan, Sikkim Nepal. The region is full of spectacular skylines of majestic mountain peaks, breathtaking canyons, scattered highland lake, rolling pasture & farm land & pristine forests. The population of the region consists mostly of Tibetans, Menbas & Lhobas cultivating for centuries very unique ethnic traditions & glorious cultures unseen any where else. This is a land of enduring enchantment & tantalizing mystery. For centuries, Tibet has fascinated mankind. This land beyond the mighty Himalayas on the highest plateau of the world was hardly accessible to the outside world. Nepal Environmental Trekking offers its various fascinating packages for the visitors to experience & make the dream come true.
Within its very short history of tourism the facilities provided to visitors are still basic and limited. So we request our clients not to have high expectations in terms of facilities in Tibet. However, we will always put in all our efforts to make the tours as pleasant as possible. The roads, especially the highway from Kathmandu can be rough & is subject to blockade due to land slides & floods & the high altitude does pose a serious threat to quite a few people. The average altitude of the Tibetan plateau is 4000m above the sea level & that is a lot higher than most people have been in their lives.
Tibet at a glance
Location: Asia
Area: 471,700sq. miles Border 2.5 million sq. km, appro. The size of Western Europe
Terrain: 70% Grassland, from high plateau to tropical forest.
Climate: Average temperature 28 degrees Celsius (Summer) - 15degrees Celsius (in which), extremely dry except during raining season (July- August)
Population: 2.62 million
Ethnic groups: Ethnic Tibetans, Menba, Lhoba, Mongols, Hui and a growing number of Han Chinese.
Religions: (2006 approx.) 2,279,723
Culture: Wedding, Funeral
Languages: Tibetan, Chinese
Festivals: Tibetan New Year, Shoton festival, Bathing Festival
Currency: Chinese Yuan Renmindi (CNY)
Time: Local Time = UTC + 8h6
Travel Information
Booking & Visa Procedures
A traveler to Tibet requires to obtain a special group visa/travel permit. Original passport has to be submitted while applying for visa and permit at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal or abroad.
A minimum of two weeks advance booking along with the following passport details is required: Surname/ First Name/ Nationality/ Sex/ Occupation/ Date of Birth/ Passport Number/ Passport Validity.
To obtain the Tibet visa, we require one full working week and the participant along with their passport and one copy of passport sized photograph. There will be an additional surcharge of US$ 30 per person as urgent visa fee if the participant is available less than the above mentioned period. The normal Tibet visa fee depends upon the nationality of the participants. The visa obtaining days at the Chinese Embassy here in Kathmandu are on every Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. Participants traveling on a diplomatic or official passport are refused entry into Tibet. Thus kindly ensure you are traveling on a normal passport.
Transportation
Your ground transportation is organized by our Representative in Lhasa. With the exception of sight seeing in Lhasa, all sight seeing and transfers by Toyota Land Cruiser. However, for the overland journey to Lhasa we use Land Cruiser for the deluxe travelers and Bus (Coach) for the budget travelers.
Trekking Permits
Trekking in Tibet is a unique experience as the major trekking areas in Tibet are still a virgin territory without proper guides one can easily get lost in the vast area. All Treks organized to Tibet are full service Camping treks and use Sherpa Staff from Nepal s their support crew. We will organize all the necessary trekking and Camping Permits.
Insurance
All travelers visiting TIBET are strongly recommended to provide for their own travel/trip insurance from their own home country that adequately covers for medical, emergency rescue expenses, trip cancellations or nay other eventual mishaps. One should not feel that Tibet trip is a pleasure tour since there is no basic tourist infrastructure and facilities in Tibet. One should feel that trip to Tibet is an adventurer and culture tour.
Clothing accessories
Warm clothes are required to avoid the frosty cold weather during the month of October, November, December, January, February and March. Whereas months of April, May, June, July, August and September can allow you to wear light clothes to shun the scorching heat. However, a jacket and sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather may unexpectedly change at any time. Other recommended items are a domestic first aid kit, water purification tablets, toilet and issue paper, flashlight, sleeping bag comfortable walking shoes, dusts masks, utility knife, sun hat, sun glasses, suntan lotion and limited number of clothes.
Tibet Weather
Climates in Tibet vary from place to place and temperatures vary greatly within a single day. In western Tibet the average temperature is below zero degree while in Lhasa and the central part of Tibet, the weather remains nice and cool. Travelers would not feel cold in winter nor hot in summer, especially from March to October which is the best time for traveling. Most annual rainfall comes in the rainy season that starts from May to September, when the precipitation covers 90 percent of the whole year. Usually it rains at night in Lhasa, Shigatse and Chamdo area. The precipitations gradually decrease from 5000 millimeters in the lower part of southeast to just 50 in the northwest.
High Altitude Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is common at high altitudes, and depends on the elevation, the rate of ascend and individual susceptibility. Most visitors to Tibet will suffer from at least some symptoms that will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days.
Symptoms tend to be worse at night and include headache, dizziness, and lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and irritability. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom, and many travelers have trouble sleeping for the first few days after arriving in Lhasa.
To Prevent High Altitude Sickness We Suggest
- Drink extra fluids. The mountain air is dry and cold and moisture is lost as you breathe. Evaporation of sweat may occur unnoticed and result in dehydration.
- 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.
Cultural Consideration
Following cultural etiquette needs to be paid attention while traveling in ............
- Do not take photograph the cultural sites without permission.
- Always circumambulate Gompas and other religious sites clockwise, thus keeping shrines and chortens to your right.
- Do not touch or remove anything on an altar.
- Do not take photographs during a prayer meeting. At other times always ask permission to take photograph, especially one using flash. The larger monasteries charge photography fees.
- Do not wear shorts or short skirts in a monastery.
- Take your hat off when you go into a chapel.
- Do not smoke in a monastery.
- Do not eat dog, donkey and horse meat in Tibet.
- Be aware that Tibetans often gesture with their lips to show a direction, so if a member of the opposite sex points at you they are just showing you the direction where to go.
Money & Credit Card
In Tibet the only place to change foreign currency and travelers cheques is the Bank of China. All the star ranking hotels in Lhasa have exchange services but they are only available for guests. The sensible thing to do is to change as much money in Lhasa as you think you need. The only other places to change money are in Shigatse, Zhangmu and Purang. If you are traveling upcountry, try and get your cash in small denominations: RMB100 and RMB50 bills. If you don't like the idea of turning up at the border with no Chinese currency you can buy cash RMB from banks in Hong Kong and the Bank of China in large cities.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are not recommended as a way of payment in Tibet. Flights and Lhasa cannot be paid using a credit card. The Lhasa central branch of the Bank of China is the only place in Tibet which provides credit card advances. A 4% commission is usually deducted and the minimum advance is normally RMB1200.
Traveler’s Cheques
Travellers cheques are now acceptable at the Bank of China. It is recommended that you cash them in Lhasa.
Airport Tax
The airport departure tax on Lhasa / Kathmandu flight is included in the flight fare. The airport tax on Kathmandu / Lhasa flight is approximately US$ __________ which is payable at the Kathmandu International Airport.
Flight Operation
Air China operates its flights everyday for Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu from end of March to the end of October.
Departure from Kathmandu _____________________ AM
Arrival in Kathmandu __________________________ AM
Flight duration ____________________________ AM
Tibet Package Tour
Program
3 Night 4 Days Lhasa Tour
Both way Fly from / To Kathmandu
Departure every Saturday from Kathmandu, Nepal.
Day 01: Kathmandu – Lhasa (3,600m.)
Fly over the chain of the Himalayan Ranges to Lhasa. Take complete rest for acclimatization. Overnight in hotel.
Day 02/3: Lhasa
For these two days you will be engrossed with sightseeing tour of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Bharkor market, Deepung Monastery and the Sera Monastery. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4: LHASA – KATHMANDU
Bid farewell to the mysterious land and fly back to Kathmandu or to your onward destination.▲Top
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4 Night 5 Days Lhasa Tour
Both way Fly from / To Kathmandu
Departure every Tuesday from Kathmandu, Nepal.
Day 01: Kathmandu – Lhasa
Click picturesque sight of the icy peak of the Himalayas via AIR to LHASA. Tibet complete rest for acclimatization.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 02/ 03/ 04 Lhasa
Quench the thirst of your eyes with three days of wondrous sight of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka and a Nunnery. Overnight in hotel.
Day 05 Lhasa – Kathmandu
Leave the holy city full to the brim to tell tales of wonder to your folks and fly back to Kathmandu or to your onward destination.
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7 Nights / 8 Days Lhasa Tour with Inner Tibet
Both way Fly
Departure Every Saturday from Kathmandu, Nepal.
Day 01 – Kathmandu (1300m) – Lhasa (3650m):
Fly (1 hr.) to LHASA over crossing the highest Himalayan ranges of the world. Transfer and check- in to your hotel. Full rest for acclimatization – hotel.
Day 02-03 (Sun-Mon) – In Lhasa:
Two full day sight- seeing tour to LHASA including JOKHANG TEMPLE, BARKHOR, POTALA PALACE, DREPUNG & SERA MONASTERES. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 (Tue) – Lhasa – Xigatze (3,900m): 280 km
Scenic drive to XIGATSE, to the weat of LHASA through the northern road. The drive is scenic as the road drives along the valley made by BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER (YARLUNG TSANGPO). Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Xigatze – Gyantse (3,950m): 90 km
Morning sight – seeing to the PANCHEN LAMA’S TASHILHUMPU MONASTERY. Drive to GYANTSE and visit to the KUMBUM STUPA & PHALKOR MONASTERT. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Gyantse-Tsedang (3,400m): 29 km
Full day picturesque drive crossing over KAROLA (5,000m), KAMBALA (4,794m), and colorful YAMDROK LAKE. Continue drive along the Tibetan lifeline river BRAMHAPUTRA (YARLUNG TSANGPO) on to TSEDANG – Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Tsedang – Samye – Tsedang: 140 km
Early morning drive to put-in-point by the side of the BRAMH PUTRA RIVER and cross the river by a local made motor boat (1 hr.). Continue a short (30 min) drive by a back to TSEDANG. Late afternoon, visit YUMBULAKHANG & also THANDRUK MONASTERY (Time permitting) – Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Tsedang – Kathmandu:
Early morning drive (2 hrs) to airport for departure flight to KATHMANDU.▲Top
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7 Nights / 8 Days Lhasa Tour with Inner Tibet
One way Fly and One way drive (Vice Versa)
Departure Every Saturday from Kathmandu, Nepal.
Day 01: Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gonggar airport, you shall be met and transfer provided to Lhasa City. O/nt at Hotel.
Day 02: Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Tibetan Medical Centre & Barkhor Bazaar. O/nt at Hotel.
Day 03: Sightseeing tour of Drepung & Sera Monastery. O/nt at Hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Gyantse via Lake Yamdrok - Tso enroute. O/nt at Hotel Gyantse.
Day 05: Visit the Khumbhum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery and drive to Shigatse visiting Shalu Monastery enroute. O/nt at Hotel Shigatse.
Day 06: Sightseeing tour of The Tashilunpo Monastery and the free market. O/nt at Hotel Shigatse.
Day 07: Drive to Lhasa via the new Highway visiting Norbulinka Palace & The Tibet museum enroute. The remaining free day at leisure. O/nt at Hotel.
Day 08:Transfer to Gonggar airport for your flight to Kathmandu.
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