Getting to Tibet
The only two ways to get to Tibet are either through Nepal or via mainland China. Additionally, every foreigner must arrange their travel through a travel agent in either Tibet or Nepal.
Entering Tibet from Nepal
International Flights:Air China and Sichuan Airlines generally operate regular flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu. However, the flights have been suspended until further notice, so the only option for now is to travel overland.
Overland: The Kodari border (north of Kathmandu) is the only accessible point of entrance to Tibet from Nepal. The immediate town on the Tibet side is Kerung, which is a 6-7 hour drive away from Kathmandu on winding mountain roads.
Visa from Nepal Except for Chinese and Tibetans, all other nationalities are required to obtain a Tibet group visa and Tibet Travel Permit from Kathmandu before entering Tibet. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and can be obtained through a registered travel agency in Kathmandu. Once you have the travel permit, a group Tibet visa application has to be submitted at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, as you are only allowed to travel to Tibet in groups.
The required documents for the necessary permits include a scanned color copy of your passport (diplomatic passports are not accepted), a Tibet Travel Permit, an application form with necessary details, proof of travel insurance covering Tibet, and the visa fee.
You need to submit your original passport along with a passport-sized photo (a front-facing photo with no glasses and a white background) at least 5 days before the travel date.
Visa fees are USD 125 per person for most foreign passport holders, except those from USA, Canada, Argentina, and Romania, for whom the rates are an additional USD 90.
The total processing time typically takes upto two weeks. A minimum of four people must be in a group, and the visa application has to be applied as a group at the same time. Rest assured, we handle the permits on your behalf.
Important notes: Diplomatic passport holders, journalists, professional media photographers, and government officials are not able to obtain Tibet permits through travel agencies. Please provide your personal passport when applying for a Tibet permit. It’s important to note that visas to Tibet are not guaranteed.
Insurance It is mandatory to have travel and health insurance before traveling to Tibet. In fact, you are required to submit a copy of your travel insurance covering the trip duration when applying for your permit.
Logistics
Accommodation Accommodation is provided in standard hotels with clean rooms, comfortable beds, attached toilets, and air conditioning.Although not comparable to the hotels in Kathmandu, lodges in Tibet are leveling up to meet the needs of tourists. In major cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyatse, you also have the option to stay in upscale hotels. If you’re interested in reserving a specific hotel or upgrading to luxury accommodations, let us know, and we will make the necessary arrangements.
Hotel prices are based on double or twin-sharing occupancy, meaning two individuals will share a room. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge.
Vehicle We provide comfortable reserved vehicles to drive you around and for sightseeing as per the itinerary. Depending on the number of people and the terrain, we allocate four-wheel drives, Land Cruisers, or comfortable coaches. On the Nepal side, you will travel in jeeps.
Food Lunch and dinner are left out from price includes to give you full flexibility on meals, depending on your appetite and preference. The hotels have a decent selection of food and drink options. For vegetarians and vegans, or if you have any other dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking so we can make arrangements.
It is recommended to bring snacks (like chocolates, dry fruits, etc) and energy bars to munch on during the trip.
Water Carrying your own water bottle is highly recommended. It is best to have a bottle of at least 2 liters. You can refill your bottle with filtered or bottled drinking water.
Connectivity & Wifi For cell service, a reliable and hassle-free option is purchasing an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. However, this can be quite expensive. Another option is buying a local SIM card, which is available in Lhasa. Common service providers include China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, all of which have a very good network coverage in most parts of Tibet.
Internet speeds are generally quite fast and available in most hotels in Tibet. If you’re traveling for a short duration, you can rely on a combination of hotel Wi-Fi and roaming services to stay connected.
Toilets While you will find Western-style toilets in hotels and some tourist areas, squat toilets are the norm. Toilets may not have running water at all times, resulting in an unpleasant smell. Make sure to bring your own toilet paper and soap. Females are advised to carry their sanitary napkins.
Crew
Tibetan guide One lead licensed Tibetan guide and assistant guides (depending on the group size) will accompany you on the trip, all the way from your arrival in Tibet to departure. All our tour guides are English-speaking, highly knowledgeable and experienced.
Nepali guide A Nepali guide will chaperone you on the Nepal side, between Kathmandu and the Kerung border.
Drivers As the tour involves a substantial amount of driving, you will be accompanied by a driver most of the time, both on the Nepal and Tibet sides.
Money
Extra Costs to Expect Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, laundry, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the Prices section thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while traveling.
Currency Tibet’s currency is called the Chinese RMB or Chinese Yuan. Apart from the Yuan, only the US Dollar is acceptable. You can exchange USD only at the Bank of China. Outside Lhasa, it is very difficult to exchange currency, so you are advised to convert your dollars in advance and carry cash in different denominations. Furthermore, banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
ATMS and Credit cards There are very few ATMs in Lhasa, but we suggest not relying on them. Some large hotels and a few shops in Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse offer the option to pay by credit card, with an additional fee (3-5%) applied on top. In most areas outside the cities, cash (Yuan) is the sole payment option. We highly recommend bringing enough cash.
Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills.
For the crew, you are welcome to give some gratuities if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 15 per day for the guides and USD 10 per day for the drivers. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service. Generally, you chip in money as a group and tip the crew on the last day of your trek over dinner.
Emergency Fund Our trips are planned to the last detail. However, there might be unforeseen circumstances arising from factors beyond our control (like political unrest, strikes, bad weather, natural calamities, bad road conditions, airport closures, flight cancellations, etc). For this reason, please set aside USD 500 as reserve fund.
Cancellations and Refund Visa and permit fees, once processed, are non-refundable. Cancellation and refund requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Any additional costs resulting from cancellations/delays, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation, and food, will be the traveler’s responsibility.
Health & Safety
Altitude Sickness As most places in Tibet lie above 3,500m/11,482ft, there’s a fair chance of experiencing mild altitude sickness during this tour. Hence, we will take extra precautions throughout the trip by staying hydrated and ascending gradually. The tour is generally safe as we travel overland, and most people do well.
In any case, please inform your guide immediately if you experience dizziness or a headache. Our vehicle is also equipped with portable oxygen cans for safety. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, kindly inform us when booking.
Motion sickness Traveling overland in Tibet involves navigating through mountainous terrain with twists and turns, which may contribute to motion sickness for some people. If you are prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to take necessary precautions. We will take multiple breaks in between to catch fresh air.
Trail Safety Tibet is generally very safe, and you don’t have to worry about walking around alone or going for short strolls in the main towns. Just make sure you inform your guide and stick with the tour group. The people are very friendly and will greet you cheerfully. For your overall safety, it’s recommended to pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please avoid bringing or carrying expensive items or a large sum of cash while traveling for security reasons.
Drinking Water Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases. Drinking tap water is not advised and we recommend drinking boiled/bottled water only, or using one of steriPEN, LifeStraw, or purification tablets during the trip.
Immunization The immunizations recommended before for Tibet are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid fever, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies. There’s no specific checking but it is for your own safety.
Emergency Contacts If you encounter any issues or emergencies during the trip, please reach out to the lead guide or any member of the team. They will assist you in contacting nearby medical facilities. There are several hospitals and clinics throughout cities and towns.
