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 and 50 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.
Airport Tax:
Airport tax from Lhasa to Kathmandu is include in ticket cost.
Flight Timings (Subject
to change):
CA KTM/LXA : ETD: KTM 0950, ETA: LXA 1300 hrs (Local Time)
CA LXA/KTM : ETD: LXA 0950, ETA: KTM 0845 hrs (Local Time)
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
Month
Average |
Temp
(Celsius)
|
Rainfall
(mm)
|
Sunshine
(Hrs)
|
Jan
|
-2.3
|
0.2
|
251.4
|
Feb
|
1.1
|
0.5
|
226.4
|
Mar
|
4.5
|
1.5
|
241.8
|
Apr
|
8.3
|
5.4
|
244.1
|
May
|
12.3
|
25.4
|
284.5
|
June
|
15.4
|
77.1
|
227.2
|
July
|
15.1
|
129.1
|
224.8
|
Aug
|
14.3
|
138.7
|
221.4
|
Sep
|
12.7
|
56.3
|
238.3
|
Oct
|
8.2
|
7.9
|
285.9
|
Nov
|
2.3
|
1.6
|
271.0
|
Dec
|
-1.7
|
0.5
|
261.0
|
Annual
|
7.5
|
446.6
|
3007.8
|
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$
58.00 net per pax and for American US $ 142.00.
However, if visa has to be issued within
days, emergency charges will be US$ 164 & US$ 198.00 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."
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