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 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. 65km away from Lhasa.
Air Ticket reconfirmation: Your guide will help you to reconfirm the air ticket upon arrival in Lhasa
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.
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.
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.
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$ 26.00 net per pax and for American US $ 40.
However, if visa has to be issued within one to three days, emergency charges will be 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."