Essential Travel Information
This page provides important information to help you plan and prepare for your journey. Please contact us with any questions or queries to help plan your trip.
Travelling in Tibet
At the best of times travel in Tibet can be awe-inspiring and will push your perception of the world as you thought
you knew it. Much of rural Tibet is still very rough and wild and for many this is the greatest attraction of Tibet.
However, we are here to insure that you have the most comfortable trip possible for the places you want to go and the
things you want to do. Generally infrastructure has gotten much more efficient and convenient here in the last few
years. Roads are greatly improved, new hotels have been built (some with heating!) but Tibet still involves a number
of special considerations. The standard of service in Tibet cannot be compared to western standards, food is often
very different and you will have to adjust your expectations. Below are some of the factors that you should bear in
mind before and during your time in Tibet.
Getting to Tibet
There are two standard entry points into Tibet: from Nepal, and from mainland China. We can arrange for transit from
either place, either by flight or overland, but we cannot book international flights. You must make your own
international flight arrangements, however we can look after all logistics once you arrive in either Nepal or China. From China we can arrange for transfers through Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai,
Kunming, and a number of other cities. We can also arrange sightseeing in some major Chinese cities.
Health Considerations
Because of its high altitude, largely remote destinations, and semi-arid weather Tibet comprises a unique set of health
concerns. You don’t need to worry about Malaria or odd strains of para-typhoid here, but you should certainly consider
the sun and altitude. We recommend that you visit your doctor or health-care provider well in advance of your departure
date to get up to date health information. Many cities have specialized travel clinics which specialize in vaccintations
and providing travel related health information. Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need,
depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, regions you will be visiting, and planned activities.
To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines
to take effect. Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for
needed vaccines, other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
Our trips our designed so you do not over-exert yourself in the first few days, and our guides are experienced and aware of the dangers of altitude sickness. There is preventative and symptomatic medication to help with the minor symptoms of altitude sickness (headaches, nausea) and we recommend that you bring some. We also strongly suggest that you bring sunglasses, hat and sunscreen -- Tibet is not the place to work on your tan.
Accomodation and Food
Lhasa is the historical and cultural center of Tibet and also the center for our agency and most practicalities
dealing with Tibet. There are comfortable hotels and restaurants and you will be able to access and obtain most
modern amenities. (You'll be surprised at what is avialable in Lhasa). However; As we move farther from Lhasa the
commodities, facilities and services will be less available and you will be living more on Tibetan terms. On camping
trips we supply you with the best camping equipment, food, and service facilities that are available here; but please
bear in mind that standards in rural Tibet are much lower than you would expect in your own country. Our cooks have
several years experience preparing food for foreign clients but are best at preparing Chinese cuisine (adapted for
the international palate). Despite the rumors, vegetables of every type and variety are readily available in Lhasa
and other major towns so the days of meat and tsampa (roasted barley) are long gone.
Travel Insurance
Travel agencies that are registered with the Tibet Tourism Bureau should have basic business liability insurance. However, it will be wise for you to obtain your own travel insurance from your home country that may cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical evacuation, and medical expenses, etc. In case of a medical emergency in remote places of Tibet, you will most likely be taken to the nearest medical facilities or airport by a car (or Yak Lift!), where you can catch the next flight to a better equipped hospital in Mainland China. If your travel insurance company is not able to send you a rescue helicopter, you want to make sure that you can at least receive reimbursement for all your expenses.
Physical Preparation
Being physically prepared for your trip is essential. We recommend you begin a regular exercise program well in advance of your trip, especially if you live at a low elevation. Include some day hikes in your regimen, working up to the maximum suggested number of hours for your intended trek. Wear the gear that you plan to take on your trip, so you know you will be comfortable in it. In particular, break in any new equipment (boots and pack, for example) before you go. Even if you do not plan to go on extended treks, regular exercise will help protect you from altitude sickness.
If you are planning to take more challenging treks, you should have a high level of physical fitness. You should be engaged in regular aerobic exercise - for example, swimming, cycling, running, or hiking while carrying a load on your back. Stamina is a key aspect - both physical and mental. Remember that altitude is a significant factor, and a slow but steady pace is the best way to endure in the mountains.
Accessing Money and Making Payments in Tibet
The currency used in Tibet is the Chinese Renminbi (RMB). If you are working with a travel agency that is based in Tibet or in China, they will most likely ask you to either wire the money or make a credit payment using a third-party vendor like PayPal. Once you enter China, money can be exchanged at airports, hotels and banks. In Tibet, the only place to change foreign currency and traveler’s cheques is the Bank of China. The top end hotels in Lhasa have exchange services but they are only available for guests and exchange rates can be lower. The sensible thing to do is to change as much money in Lhasa or in Chengdu as you think you need. There are only a few other places (such as Shigatse) to change money. If you travel to remote places, try and get your cash in small denominations. Suggestion: Bring a mixture of about 80% travelers cheques and cash and budget about 20% for credit card transactions.
Several ATMs in Lhasa and Shigatse accept foreign cards. The Bank of China accepts Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express and Plus. The Agricultural Bank accepts Visa, Plus and Electron. Check before trying your card as many ATMs can only be used by domestic account holders. The maximum amount you can withdraw per transaction is Y2000 with the Bank of China and Y1000 with the Agricultural Bank. Cards are sometimes destroyed by ATMs, so try to make your transaction during bank hours. Credit payments are not accepted in all places so you should not count on this option.
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