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General Information
Visa
Visa for Tibet can be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Application has got to be made a minimum of 7 days before the commencement of the trip. Visa can be obtained by paying a surcharge upto 3 days before the trip departure date. Original passports are required for application of visa. The following details of the travelers are required to be submitted to the Chinese Embassy for the processing of the visa : name, nationality, passport number, sex, date of birth and profession along with one passport size photograph. Please note that visa for Tibet obtained elsewhere has still got to be endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Regular visas for China are not valid for travel into Tibet from Nepal.
Airport Tax
The airport departure tax at present is US$ 16 per person.
Alteration of Itineraries
The Chinese authorities whom we work with reserve the right to change itineraries as they see fit and substitute hotels other than those listed. They can also charge clients for any increases in cost resulting from these changes. We cannot be held responsible for delays, changes, accidents and any other problems that may occur, and any additional expenses incurred due to such circumstances shall be borne by individual trip members.
Medical
We require all clients going on our Tibet trips to have a medical check before the trip. Persons should be physically fit. It is vital that persons with medical problems make them known to us well before departure. The trip leader has the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the trip if he feels the trip member is incapable and/or if a trip member's continued participation will jeopardize the safety of the group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances. Because Lhasa lies at over 12000 ft. most people will experience some of the minor symptoms of altitude sickness. So be prepared.
Restrictions
There are strict controls over taking pictures inside the monasteries, most buildings and forts. Please ask for permission before taking photographs. In some places you can pay to take photographs. Do not carry any Dalai Lama pictures, Free Tibet posters or Tee Shirts, Tibetan Flag or any political magazine or books.
Currency
The unit of currency for foreigners is FECs or Foreign Exchange Certificate US $ 1 = 8 FEC. Money can be exchanged at The Bank of China at Zhangmu, Xigatse and Lhasa. All credit cards are accepted at Xigatse & Lhasa.
Altitude Sickness
As you are travelling over high terrain, you are likely to experience some of the minor symptons and discomfort of altitude sickness ( headache, loss of appetite) untill your body adjusts to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on an individual. Take it lightly, but drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids. Proper hydration is necessary to acclimatize.
We also recommend you to carry a strip of diamox tablet. Blue Bird Travel & Tours P. Ltd ise is thely tour operator in Kathmandu which provides Oxygen on the Overland Tour to Lhasa.
The Road to Lhasa / Kailash Tour
Travelling overland between Kathmandu and Lhasa or Kailash is and incredible journey in which you can see the world's highest mountains, travel on the world's highest plain, meet nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and walk amidst the burning butter lamps and chanting monks of Tibet's ancient and legendary Buddhist Monasteries. This is a wonderful and amazing trip. However if you are not up for a bit of adventure, or for accommodations and amenities that may be far from perfect, perhaps this trip is not for you as the trip to Tibet is not easy and is well worth the effort. Tibet was opened to tourism in 1985. Before this it avoided influence from the western world and developed its unique culture and religion independently. The infrastructure of the tourist industry is still very basic in this remote country. Please do not expect the standard you are accustomed to in the West. However, every effort will be made under the circumstance to ensure a smooth & pleasant trip.
Clothing
Casual wears and comfortable walking shoes are the rule for Tibet. Be sure to bring warm clothing as nights and early mornings can be quite chilly to down right cold in winters. Bring all the film, medicine, cosmetics, personal toilet items, etc. that you will need from home as these are difficult if not impossible to obtain in Tibet. A small first aid kit is also a good idea. Also quite useful is a Kathmandu - Lhasa route map, to know where you are going and have been each day.
| November to April |
May to October |
Down Jacket
Thermal Underwear
Warm Trousers
Warm Sweaters
Woolen Shirts
Gloves
Warm hat & Scarves
Light leather Boots in Case of Snows
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Raincoat or / Windbreakers
Jackets
Sweaters
Sun hat
Shirts (Cotton/woolen) Comfortable Shoes
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What to take
- Food - Snacks along the way
- Water bottle (use iodinized or boiled water)
- Personal medical kit and diamox tablet ( for high altitude )
- Sunglasses
- Sun screen lotion
- Toilet Paper
- Flash light batteries
- Day pack
- Camera and film
- Bandanna / Scarf or mask - to protect your lungs from dust
- A good guide book on Tibet
- Kathmandu - Lhasa route map
Monthly average temperature of major Tibetan towns in Celsius
| Month |
Gonggar |
Nyalam |
Tingri |
Xigatse |
Tsedang |
Lhasa |
| Jan. |
-7.5 |
-3 |
-5 |
-1 |
1 |
0 |
| Feb. |
-8 |
-4 |
-3 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
| Mar. |
-5 |
0 |
-1 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
| Apr. |
0 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
| May. |
5 |
5 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
14 |
| Jun. |
10 |
10 |
13 |
14 |
18 |
17 |
| Jul. |
13 |
11 |
12 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
| Aug. |
12 |
10 |
11 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
| Sep. |
10 |
7 |
10 |
12 |
10 |
13 |
| Oct. |
0 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
| Nov. |
-5 |
0 |
-5 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
| Dec. |
-10 |
-4 |
-7 |
-4 |
-2 |
-3 |
Assumption Of Risk
Blue Bird Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd. will always make the utmost effort to ensure that you have a smooth and pleasant trip. However, because all Tibet trips are strictly conducted under the authority of the Tibet Tourism Bureau, Blue Bird Travel or its agents and outfitters can not be held responsible for any changes in itineraries, cancellation of programs due to unavoidable circumstances or delays and changes due to forces or nature such as landslides, blockages, floods, snow, unrest, flight delays and cancellations. The participant must agree to assume all risks associated with the journey, and agree that no liability will be attached to Blue Bird Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd. or its outfitters, employees or agents, or any member of the tour group for loss of any kind.
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