Tibet - Useful travel information to Tibet

Tibet remains one of the most interesting, remote and undeveloped part of the world, situated at an average elevation of 5000m (16500ft) above sea level. Its limited facilities for tourists are only now approaching a reasonable standard.

A trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted; the travelling 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. 

Clothing Accessories: From Oct.-March warm clothes are required to fight the frostily cold and from April-September light clothes to shun the scorching heat. However a jacket and sweater are advised through out the years as the weather may unexpectedly changes at any time. The recommended items are: A domestic first aid kit; water purification tablets (mineral water can be bought as well) toilet and tissue papers, flashlight, sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, utility knife, sun hat, sun glasses, suntan lotion and a limited number of clothes. 

Customs: There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders or radios as long as they are for personal use or if commercial use should be registered with a custom official. Printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese Government is prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be excessive. 

Food & drinks: Tibet has only a handful of towns, and Tibetan cuisine is not exactly the most varied in the world. It is handy to carry anything that can be brewed with hot water. Instant coffee, drinking chocolate, tea (bags), soup cubes. Other food items worth considering are instant noodles, nuts and raisins, chocolate, dry foods and biscuits. 

Business Hours: Government offices are usually closed on Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.

Currency: RENMNBI, the people's money used by millions of Chinese everyday, circulates in notes of 1,2,5,10, 50 and 100 yuan; 1,2 and 5 jiao; 1,2 and 5 fen. There are also coins for 1,2 and 5 fen. With the Chinese Currency, Renminbi, one yuan is divided into 10 jiao; into 10 fen. 

Airport: Lhasa Gonggar Airport is approx. 96km away from Lhasa.

Air Ticket reconfirmation: Your guide will reconfirm the air ticket upon payment of RMB 30, which is reconfirmation fee charged by Air China. 

Health & Altitude problems: 
Travelling in Tibet involves high altitude and can be strenuous. Clients with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very often the cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Advised, drink approx. 03 litres of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests.

Airfare:
From KTM - LXA: USD 331.00 (with tax)
From LXA - KTM: USD 327.00 (with tax)

Airport Tax:
Airport tax from Lhasa to Kathmandu is include in ticket cost.

FOR KTM/LHASA: NPR 1665.00 Per Pax

Flight Timings (Subject to change):
KTM/LXA : ETD: KTM 10:50, ETA: LXA 13:00 hrs (Local Time)
LXA/KTM : ETD: LXA 11:50, ETA: KTM 09:45 hrs (Local Time)

Flight Frequency:
From April- October: Daily
From November - March: Tuesday & Saturday

The above airfares, timings and airport tax are subject to change without prior notice, if revised.

KATHMANDU/LHASA/KATHMANDU flight OPERATES AS FOLLOWS:
JULY TO OCTOBER EVERY TUESDAYS & SATURDAYS AND THURSDAY
APRIL TO JUNE AND NOVEMBER EVERY TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS
DECEMBER TO MARCH ONLY SATURDAYS (It is not a regular flight)

Tibetan Counterpart:
All the packages in Tibet will be handled by the Tibetan Counterpart and they will take over the arrangements immediately on landing at Gonggar Airport (Lhasa)/ After reaching Nepal/Tibet Border (Kodari), which includes transportation, Accommodation and services of their local
guide.

ROAD CONDITIONS
Mostly un-paved roads within Tibet - due weather conditions road can be blocked sometimes by sudden floods, landslides or snow fall which we couldn’t able to know.

WEATHER IN LHASA 

IMPORTANT NOTE:
We would like to inform you that the journey to Tibet could be fairly rough and tough one. Due high altitude, the travelers with pre-existing problems of the heart, lungs or anemia should definitely consult their doctor before this trip. The travelers should have clothing consisting of layers which can be added or removed as the temperature varies during the day. One should carry a warm windbreak, slacks and sweater with stout comfortable shoes, sun screen lotion, sun glasses, a salve for the lips, a hat, tissue papers, flashlights, can opener, personal medicines including Aspirin/Diamox, some eatables/Cookies etc. On this trip, over exertion is to be avoided and drinking plenty of fluids is recommendable. During winter, heavy warm clothing is a must.

INSURANCE
Kindly note in Tibet the amount of insurance coverage is extremely low as such, clients should have their own insurance. 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 be allowed to visit due to sudden government decision.

GUIDES
Although we request our Tibet Agent to provide best guides even the so called best guides need lot of improvements.

TIBET VISA:
As per recent Chinese Govt. Decision, Chinese Embassy, Kathmandu require a group consisting minimum of five participants.

For obtaining the Tibet Visa in Kathmandu we need a minimum of 3 clear working days. As such clients will have to reach Kathmandu accordingly. For your information, the Chinese Embassy is open on every Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays for one hour only. Normal Visa Fee is US$ 28.00 net per pax and for American US $ 87.00.

However, if visa has to be issued within one to three days, emergency charges will be US$ 17.00 net per pax will applicable which is over & above normal visa fee.

Also we would like to inform you that we require the passport details with photocopy of passport before the arrival of the GIT/FIT or by fax (i.e. Full Name, Sex, Nationality, Date of Birth, Passport number, Occupation) in order to process the Tibet Visa Formalities at our end.

It is advisable to bring two-passport size photographs along with each of them, which may need, while obtaining the Tibet Visa.

** The above regulations and all visa fees are subject to change without prior notice.

"PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY UNUTILISED SERVICES IS NON REFUNDABLE IN TIBET ON TOUR COST AS WELL AS ON AIRFARE."