Tibet Travel Information

Situated at an average elevation of (16,500 ft.) above sea level, Tibet still remains one of the most interesting and remote parts of the world. A trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted because the traveling can be hard, adventurous and often unpredictable. One needs to have a bit of an adventurous-attitude in order to fully enjoy the trip. Also visitors should understand that Tibet was opened to tourists only around mid-eighties, as such, the accommodation standards, other amenities and services may be far from adequate. We definitely try our best to see that all our trips are run smoothly, but our experience tells us that the hospitality services etc are not up to the mark as all the tours in Tibet are operated by our Tibetan Counterpart Agent. Since the infrastructure of the tourism industry is still very basic and controlled strictly by the ever-changing Chinese rules and regulations, guests are advised not to expect the desired standards that they may be accustomed to.
Also because of Tibet’s high altitude travelers with a history of heart, lung or anemia problems should consult a doctor before considering a visit. This is of utmost importance.
This is definitely a hard but at the same time an amazing trip so one needs to be physically fit. We advise you not to undertake this trip if you are not prepared for it.

Transportation

The only way of traveling inside Tibet is either by trekking or by road. There are no domestic flights or helicopter services. Tibet’s transport infrastructure is poorly developed; however, the Chinese are putting in every effort to construct roads in most of the Tibetan cities. There are only a handful of buses and minibuses plying the roads between Lhasa and other major cities. (not comp)

Guide

We like to bring to your notice that the Tibetan Tour Guides have only Basic English language skills so please don’t expect them to be able to provide a fluent explanation about their culture, religion and any other related topic. The Guides feel that their job is well done when they are able to successfully deal with the Chinese Authorities, as far as carrying out the bureaucratic paper works such as visas clearances for the visitors and procurement of permissions at various check points are concerned. We however, try our best to assign those Guides who have been trained by the Tourism Authority of Tibet and who are knowledgeable in this regard. For bigger groups we do send a Nepali Tour Guide from Kathmandu who will see that everything runs smoothly during the tour program.

When to Travel

Tibet is cold in winter, cool in summer and generally dry, receiving only 45 cm (18 inches) or rain or snow annually. Temperatures can vary greatly within a day, however, passing 29ºC (85ºF) in desert areas in summer, and plunging below 4ºC (40ºF) at night. The higher you go the colder it gets, of course. Sunlight is extremely intense. Winds in winter are ferocious. Rainfall in southern Tibet occurs intermittently between June and September, bringing moisture to barley fields and greenery to the valleys. The best months for traveling are from April to October.

Climate

Basically the Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. You may travel to Tibet from April to the beginning of November, and the best time is August and September. However, if you have plans to stay only in Lhasa then you can be there anytime of the year.

Sun radiation is extremely strong in Tibet. The sunlight in Lhasa is so intense that the city is called Sunlight City. The thin air can neither block off nor retain heat so that the temperature extremes can be met in daytime and the same night respectively in Tibet. During May and June there is a wind factor to consider, and dust storms are not unusual. Most annual rainfall comes in the rainy season that occurs between June and September. These two months see around half of Tibet’s annual rainfall. October and November often bring some dazzlingly clear weather and daytime temperatures can be quite comfortable at Tibet’s lower altitudes.

The coldest months are from December to February when high altitude trekking becomes impossible due to snowbound high passes. The low altitude valleys like Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsedang see very little snow.

Climate Chart:

 

Clothing and Accesssories

Warm clothing is required throughout but more specifically from October to April. In general dressing in layers is recommended. Few changeable clothing such as shirt, sweater, jacket & cotton inner linings, comfortable walking shoes, and pair of pants should suffice. Between the months of October to April more heavy woolen or down feather clothing & boots will be required.

Other recommended accessories are: water bottle, water purification tablets, chapstick, suntan lotion, utility knife, flash light, battery operated shavers, dust mask or bandana, medicine for common colds, headache, fever, stomach disorders & diamox tablets for altitude sickness. We strongly recommend that you carry a good Tibet guidebook, either by Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide along with a route map.

For camping/trekking trips we recommend:

• Down feather jacket or warm fleece top + Parka
• Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
• Cotton shirts (short and long sleeved)
• Warm cotton trousers
• Sun polarized sunglasses
• Warm woolen hat, gloves and socks
• Comfortable walking shoes/boots
• Sandals (flip-flops)
• Towel & bathing soap
• Sleeping bag
• Rain jacket
• Wind-cheater Jacket
• Sun Hat with wide brim to cover face and neck.
• Personal medical supplies
• Moisturizer
• Water bottle

Recommended Books:

a.) Lonely Planet Tibet
b.) Trekking in Tibet - Gary McCue

Currency:

The currency used in Tibet is (RMB) and US $ 1- = Yuan 8.28. For the safety and advantage it is good to carry traveler cheques.

Exchanging Money

In Tibet the only place to change foreign currency and traveler’s cheque is the Bank of China. The top end hotels in Lhasa have exchange services but they are only available for guests. The sensible thing to do is to change as much money in Lhasa you think you need. Most western European currencies are acceptable at the Bank of China.

Travelers Cheque

Besides the advantage of safety, carrying traveler’s cheques in Tibet is useful because the exchange rate is more favorable than it is for cash. Cheques from most of the world’s leading banks and issuing agencies are now acceptable at the Bank of China – stick to the major companies such as Thomas Cook, Citibank, American Express and Bank of America.

Credit Cards

You’ll get very few opportunities to use it unless you spend a few nights in a top end hotel. Flights out of Lhasa can not be paid using a credit card, though this may change in the future. The Lhasa central branch of the Bank of China is the only place in Tibet which provides credit card advances.

Customs

There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders or radios as long as they are for personal use. In case one is interested to use them for commercial purpose then it should be registered with the custom official. Printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese Government are prohibited. Custom regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be excessive.

Post & Communication

Tibet is poorly developed when it comes to post and telecommunications but it’s fast catching up with the modern world. Get all your postcards sent and make all your telephone calls from Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsetang. Lhasa is the only place in Tibet from where it is possible to send international parcels. The main telecommunications centre, the business centers in the top-end hotels offer reliable fax services at a price ranging between Yuan 3 – 10. It is possible to send and receive e-mails from Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse.

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.

Photography

Tibet is one of the most photogenic countries in the world and you should bring twice as much film as you think you’ll need. It is fairly easy to pick up print film in Lhasa and Shigatse. You need to be careful while taking photographs in Tibet because special conditions prevail. Always ask permission if you would like to photograph someone or something. Photography from planes and photographs of airports and military installations are prohibited; bridges may even be a touchy subject, but it is unlikely. Don’t take photos or especially video footage of civil unrest or public demonstrations. Restrictions on photography are also imposed at most monasteries, museums and archaeological sites.

Health Advise

Due to Tibet’s high altitude traveling to Tibet poses some health risk such as altitude sickness. As one ascends through the atmosphere, barometric pressure decreases (though the air still contains 21% oxygen) and thus every breath contains fewer and fewer molecules of oxygen. Being out of breath with exertion is normal, as long as the sensation of shortness of breath resolves rapidly with rest. The increase in breathing is critical. It is therefore important to avoid anything that will decrease breathing, e.g. alcohol and certain drugs. Despite the increased breathing, attaining normal blood levels of oxygen is not possible at high altitude. At any moment, there is an "ideal" altitude where your body is in balance; most likely this is the last elevation at which you slept. Extending above this is an indefinite gray zone where your body can tolerate the lower oxygen levels, but to which you are not quite acclimatized. If you get above the upper limit of this zone, there is not enough oxygen for your body to function properly. This "zone of tolerance" moves up with you as you acclimatize. Each day, as you ascend, you are acclimatizing to a higher elevation, and thus your zone of tolerance extends that much higher up the mountain. The trick is to limit your daily upward travel to stay within that tolerance zone. READ MORE (hyperlink)

Insurance

All travelers visiting Tibet are strongly recommended to purchase an Insurance policy covering medical, emergency rescue expenses, trip cancellations or any other eventual mishaps.

Customs

There is no prohibition on still & video cameras, tape recorders or any other electronic equipment for personal use as long as they are declared in the customs declaration form at the point of entry. Export of art objects dating back prior to 1959 are prohibited & may be seized.