Tibet Travel Information:
General: Tibet remains one of the most interesting, remote and undeveloped part of the world, situated at an average elevation of 5000 m (16,000ft) above sea level. Its facilities for tourists are only now approaching a reasonable standard. A trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted, the traveling 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 even thinking about a visit. Visitors should also understand before taking this trip that Tibet was only opened to tourism 2 decades ago. The infrastructure of the tourist industry is still very basic in this remote country. Please do not expect the standards you are accustomed to in the West. However, every efforts will be made under the circumstance to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.

Access: Lhasa is capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in China. The airport for Lhasa is at Gongar. Lhasa is connected with Kathmandu by air and by road from Kodari via Zhangmu, Nyalam, Lhatse, Shigatse, and Gyantse. Air flight between Kathmandu is seasonal from end of March till end of October. There are three flights in a week between Kathmandu and Lhasa: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. However there are daily flights between Lhasa and Beijing and Lhasa and Chengdu through out the air.

Requisites of Tibet travel: China Visa or Group China Visa (from Nepal), Tibet Travel Permit, special zone permit for Kailash, Everest Base Camp etc., and Guide from Tibet Tourism Authority.

Travel to Tibet from Nepal: For Tibet travel you must have valid passport, Group China Visa, and Tibet Travel Permit. We arrange Tibet Travel Permit and apply for your China Visa with your passport if you are traveling Tibet from Nepal. We need the following information when you are making your reservation: full name (as per passport), Gender, Date of birth, Nationality, Passport number, and scan copy of passport. The Visa days in Kathmandu are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Same day Visa charge is US$ 60.00 per person and US$ 100.00 per person for U.S. Nationals. The visa charge includes the service charge. In the past there has been sudden changes in the visa regulation for Group China Visa. Such sudden changes in the visa regulation had brought inconveniences to our clients. In such case we try our best to mitigate the inconvenience. However in such case any extra cost should be paid by the clients.

Travel to Tibet from main land China: You must have valid passport, China Visa, and Tibet Autonomous Region Tibet Travel Permit if you are traveling from Chengdu, Beijing, Xian, Xining, Kunming, or any city in main land China. Lhasa is well connected by train and air with Beijing, Chengdu, Xining, Lan Zhou, Xi'an, Guangzhou, etc. We arrange Tibet Travel Permit and air tickets for you and we deliver Tibet Travel Permit and air tickets or rail tickets at your hotel address in any city in main land China with additional service charge.

Flight from & to Lhasa:
Kathmandu/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 334.00 per person (excludes airport tax)
Lhasa/Kathmandu: Economy class US$ 334.00 per person (includes airport tax)
Kathmandu/Lhasa/Kathmandu: Economy class US$ 631.00 per person
Beijing/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 366.00 per person (includes airport tax)
Chengdu/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 233.00 per person (includes airport tax)
Xian/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 254.00 per person (includes airport tax) *
Kunming/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 299.00 per person (includes airport tax)
Xining/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 249.00 per person (includes airport tax) *
Zhong Dian/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 216.00 per person (includes airport tax)
Guanzhou/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 376.00 per person (includes airport tax) *
Chamdo/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 137.00 per person (includes airport tax) *
Shenzhen/Lhasa: Economy class US$ 401.00 per person (includes airport tax) *
Chongqing/Lhasa Economy class US$ 251.00 per person (includes airport tax) *

Please note that * marked flights are to be advised. US$ 15.00 per ticket is required if procured in Lhasa as a service charge. Air ticket Lhasa/Kathmandu will cost US$ 387.00 per person if procured in Lhasa.

Travel to Lhasa by train:
Beijing/Lhasa from US$ 115.00 per person; Time: 48 hours (approximate); Daily
Chengdu/Lhasa from US$ 99.00 per person; Time 48 hours (approximate);
Xining/Lhasa from US$ 73.00 per person; Time: 24 Hours (approximate)
Lan Zhou/Lhasa from US$ 77.00 per person; Time 30 Hours (approximate)
Xian/Lhasa from US$ 89.00 per person
Gulmod/Lhasa from US$ 52.00 per person
Shanghai/Lhasa from US$ 117.00 per person; Time: 48 hours (approximate);
Guangzhou/Lhasa from US$ 128.00 per person;
Chongqing/Lhasa from US$ 105.00 per person

Please note that: The above costs are of Hard sleepers. The schedules and other class of tickets are to be advised. US$ 45.00 per ticket is required as a service charge. It is also a subject to change as per availabilty. Please email us for the advise.

Highways in Tibet: Highways in Tibet are not be considered good. However these days the highways are better than used to be. Any way the intercity travel in Tibet is best done in 4 WD Jeeps only and 4 people are comfortably seated in such jeeps. However number of days in some itineraries are less due to better highways. Please note that your Guide will also travel with you in the same transport vehicle.

Health and altitude sickness: Traveling 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. Most people will experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness, until their body adjust to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to couple of days, depending on the individual. Very rare cases of acute altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite and stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Advised, drink approximate 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.

Clothing and accessories: From Oct - March warm clothes are required to fight the frosty cold. From April - September light clothes to make comfortable in hot weather. However a jacket and a sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather may unexpectedly change at any time. We recommend you to bring the following items to make your journey more comfortable : Personal first aid kid, water purification tablets, toilet kit with toilet paper, flashlight with extra batteries, a pair of sunglass, water bottle, note book, pens, pencils, camera and film and extra batteries for electronic Cameras, binoculars, Duffel bag, rain gear, sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, drinking cup, towel, plastic bags, dust mask, suntan lotion, chipstic, etc.

Tibet is 8 hours ahead of GMT since it is linked to Beijing time. The time difference with Nepal is therefore 2 hours 15 minutes.

Government offices are usually closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note: Clients travel at their own risk while in Tibet.