Tibet

Welcome to Tibet - Roof of the World

Tibet-at an altitude of 4000m. covering an area of 1,200,000 square kilometers is a rich and beautiful land located at the main part of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, the south-west frontier of China bordered by Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai, And Xinjiang; to the south contiguous to India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Burma, and bounded by Kashmir on the west.

Tibet is divided into three major parts - north, south, and east. The eastern part is a forest region, occupying approximately one-fourth of the land. Virgin forests run the entire breadth and length of this part of Tibet. The northern part is open grassland, where nomads and yak, and sheep dwell here. This part occupies approximately half of Tibet. The southern and central part is an agricultural region, occupying about one-fourth of Tibet's land area. All major Tibetan cities and towns such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Tsetang are located in this area.

The region is administratively divided into one municipality and six prefectures. The municipality is Lhasa, while the six prefectures are Shigatse, Ngari, Lhaoka, Chamdo, Nakchu, and Nyingtri(Kongo). The People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region exercises the highest administrative authority in Tibet. In short, monasteries, Lakes, mighty peaks, high passes, monks, mystery, and adventures are to be experienced by travellers in Tibet. 

Thing to Know 

CUSTOM: There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders as long as they're registered with a customs official, printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese government are prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be excessive.

FOOD & DRINK: Tibet has only a handful of towers 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, powdered milk, other food items worth considering are instant noodles, vegemite, nuts and raisins, chocolate, dry foods, and biscuit.

BUSINESS HOURS: Government offices are usually closed on SATURDAY and SUNDAY.

CURRENCY: RENMINBI, the people's money used by millions of Chinese everyday, circulates in notes of 1,2,5,10 and 50, 100 yuan, 1,2 and 5 jiao; There are also coins for 1,2 and 5 fens. With the Chinese currency Renminbi, one yuan is divided into 10 jiao, into 10 fens (US$ 1= 8 yuan).

AIRPORT: Lhasa Gonggar airport is approx 96kms away from Lhasa

AIR TICKET RECONFIRMATION: Your guide will reconfirm the air ticket upon payment of RMB 30, which is a reconfirmation fee charged by China Southwest Airlines.

CANCELLATION POLICY: A cancellation charge of 50% for reconfirmed booking up to SEVEN DAYS before departure to TIBET will be charged after which NO REFUND will be entertained. Further under no circumstance will there be a refund on NO SHOW UPS and DELAY in ARRIVALS.

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 rare cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite and stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Advised, drink approx. 3 liters of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests please do not smoke & do not drink alcohol.

VISA AND DOCUMENTATION: You must be in possession of a valid passport. We obtain your visa for Tibet and will require the following information when making your reservation: full name, date of expiry, place of issue, nationality, date of birth, sex and occupation. Two passport size photographs are also required. Additionally, you must allow three full working days in Kathmandu for the visa to be fiscally stamped in your passport. A 30 day's visa for Nepal can be obtained from all Nepalese Embassies abroad or upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport in US$ 25.00.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TIBET: Tibet as being high region the best time/season is summer from month of early April to late October.

ACCESSORIES: We recommend you to bring the following items to make your journey more comfortable : Personal first aid kit, water purification tablets, toilet kit with toilet paper, flashlight with extra batteries, sunglasses, water bottle, notebook, pens, pencils, camera and film and extra batteries for electronic Cameras, binoculars, Duffel bag, rain gear, strong footwear, pocket knife, sewing kits, compass, altimeter, drinking cup, towel, plastic bags, dust mask, strong suncream, chapstick, and money belt.

INSURANCE: We recommend you to insure yourself against sickness, emergency rescue, accident, Hospitalization, cancellation, etc., as we accept no responsibility or expenses which may arise from mishaps to persons or their belongings during these tours.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS: The Tibetan Plateau lies over 12000 feet, most people will experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness, until their body adjusts to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the individual.

Note: Holiday Mountain Treks is an adventure trek/tour operator providing information/ itineraries, schedules of the tours, treks, expeditions,s and travel tips for travelling to Tibet. All possibilities to visit mount Kailash like Simiko-Mt. Kailash, Lhasa-Mt. Kailash and Kerung -Mt. Kailash, special full moon Saga Dawa festival tour, Adventure mountain biking tour in Tibet, Central Tibet bike tour. Bicycle tour organiser to Tibet, Lhasa tour by mountain bike. Lhasa city tour and extension site trips and Everest Base Camp view from Rombuk Monastery. We will be happy to provide package programs including Nepal with any of these Tibet packages on request.