Tibet General Information

• You must know before you come to Tibet
• Visa and entry procedures
• Documents
• Guide and accommodation
• Transportation in Tibet
• Best time to visit Tibet
• About trekking in Tibet
• Food on trek
• Health/Insurance
• Request your Doctor to prescribe effective medicines
• In addition to the Meditation & First Aid Kit
• Additionally
• Getting in to Tibet
• Clothing and equipment
• Risk and Liability

Visa and Entry Procedure:
These are subject to change and depend on whether you join the trip in Kathmandu or China. If you are joining the trip in Kathmandu you will need a multiple entry visa for Nepal which can be obtained either from your nearest Nepalese consulate or on arrival in Nepal.

For Tibet, we organize a group visa, and in order to do this we will need a copy of your passport at least 20 days prior to the commencement of your trip, followed by your actual passport five days before the visa issuing days. If you are entering via mainland China you have to obtain Chinese visa from you home country. Visa regulation in Tibet keep changing please ask us for latest Tibet visa information.

Documents:
You are advised to own a small waist pouch or document bag to manage the following documents properly;

• Passport with Photostat copies Photographs, Identity card Diary for addresses, contacts, small notes etc.
• Ball pens with spare refills Maps/Charts/Books etc.
• Travel Cheques, credit cards & Currency.
• Airline/Railway tickets/vouchers.
• Any other document for personal purposes.

Guide and Accommodation:
Throughout your time in Tibet you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable Tibetan guide who will not only act as an interpreter but will also provide a valuable insight into the Tibetan way of life.

In Lhasa, accommodation will be at Dhood Gu or similar standard hotel. It is renowned for its hospitality and warm Tibetan atmosphere and is perfectly situated in the centre of town just a few minutes walk from the Jokhang Temple and Barkor. Elsewhere along the route, accommodation will be in the best available hotels. Meals will either be in the hotel or at a restaurant of your choice (where available). Whilst on the road, lunch will be at one of the many Chinese tea shops along the way which generally serve a variety of noodle and vegetable dishes and meat where available.

Transportation in Tibet:
The roads in Tibet can at times become quite rough and impassable for many vehicles, It can at times become quite rough and impassable for many vehicles, so for this reason we use best Land cruiser 4WDs (Toyota 4500). These vehicles are extremely reliable and will make the journey as comfortable as possible. As for the trekking and climbing there will be a truck for carrying luggage and trek equipments. We’ll drive for several hours, stopping along the way for photographs or places of special interest, before stopping for lunch at around midday. After lunch we continue our journey, generally arriving at our destination by 3 or 4 pm.

Best Time to Visit Tibet:
Despite the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau, the daytime temperatures are actually quite mild. Between April and November the average temperature ranges form 15-25 degrees Celsius and the skies are generally clear and blue. From July to August though there can be the odd shower during the day. The nights, however, can be very cold and temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius. During the day a light shirt or jumper and lightweight pants will be suitable, but a warm fleece or down jacket is recommended for the evenings.

The best time of year for overland tours in Tibet is from April to November and for treks and Mt. Kailash tour from April to the beginning of October.

About Trekking in Tibet:
Our all treks and Mt. Kailash tours are fully catered by our qualified and experienced crew from Nepal and a professional English speaking Tibetan guide. Loads are usually carried by Yaks. A typical day begins with a hot cup of tea brought to the tent at about 6 am, followed by a bowl of hot water for washing. After packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the morning's walk. All you need to carry is a small daypack containing a water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain-jacket and a warm jumper, just in case. The porters or yaks will carry everything else for you. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we arrive at camp in time for a nice cup of tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the nearby villages, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. Dinner is usually served between 6 and 7pm and after dinner, the evening is often spent playing cards or talking with the crew – and sometimes there will even be some singing and dancing before heading off to the tent for a well-earned sleep.

Food on Trek:
Apart from when you are staying in hotels, your cook will provide 3 tasty, plentiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day, breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereal followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread.

Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads. After a long day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3-course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetable, meat, rice and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible and our cooks and kitchen crew maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness and food preparation hygiene. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for.

Health/Insurance:
Vaccination requirements change frequently, so we suggest you consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to your trip. We also recommend that each person carries a basic first aid kit. The main health consideration in Tibet is altitude related illness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. A supply of bottled oxygen is carried in the vehicle at all times should it be required. We also carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) on all our Tibet treks and mt. kailash tours in case of altitude sickness.

Hotels in Lhasa are equipped with oxygen. Doctors will also be available on call. A supply of bottled oxygen is carried in the vehicle at all times. If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you consult your doctor about your suitability for traveling to Tibet before booking. When flying to Lhasa we recommend you rest for the afternoon to help acclimatization. Age is no barrier to enjoy an unforgettable trip to Tibet. If you have any pre-existing medical condition, please consult your doctor before booking and bring adequate medication for any such condition.

Some of symptoms indicate that the body mechanism is readjusting to new environments. The best idea is deliberately slow down all the activities and follows the following rules:

• Rest.
• Relax-do not exert, be excited.
• Reduce talking.
• Walk slowly – adopt one third of your speed and space.
• Keep your load light.
• Walk for 15 minutes and rest for 5 minutes.
• Whenever you feel uncomfortable, just stop; rest and relax.
• Ignore the sudden outbursts of fellow pilgrims and avoid arguments.
• Observe silence with smile.
• Never go too high and too fast.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, drugs and intoxicants.
• Consume plenty of liquids; never proceed with an empty stomach.
• Chant a prayer or visualize everything around to suit your pleasant thoughts or put on the earphones and listen to your favorite music, bhajans, chanting etc.
• Be careful not to catch a cold. It is better to be over clothed than under protected. En-route avoids taking bath or drinking water from Lake Streams or rivers, as your system is not conditioned for this.
• Keep your boots/Ked inside tent. Protect yourself against dust and direct sunshine during the long stretches of driving. Face, feet and hands must be well protected.
• The uneven ground, steep slope and slushy banks are full of potholes. Do not combine walking and sight seeing together.
• Always listen to your guide or the one with experience. Never leave the group.

In the case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; you shall be driven by a land cruiser to nearest Nepal – Tibet border as helicopter is not allowed to fly in Tibet. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu.

Request your Doctor to prescribe effective medicines to cover the followings;

In addition to the Meditation, your First Aid Kit must contain the following:

In addition to above one should carry glucose-based items [mints, toffees, and mini chocolate bars for periodical consumption at high altitudes for energy. Multi vitamins and vitamin-C tablets are required for daily consumption as a routine. Make a separate pouch for the First Aid Kit with a list of Medicine and their appropriate usage. Saving is not advisable since any cut or bruise may not heal quickly and may irritate with nagging discomfort.

Additionally:
Once you finalized your plan to visit the Holiest Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar, be sure you are holding a valid passport. The copy of your passport should be sent to us at least 1 month prior to start your Yatra. It is advisable to carry extra money (In addition to the tour cost) for personal needs or emergency. Travel cheques, Indian currencies (except 500 and 1000 currency notes), credit card is accepted in Nepal. You can exchange your currency into Chinese currencies at the Chinese border . The unspent Chinese currency can be reconverted on return.

Getting in to Tibet:
Our tours and treks are based on entry and exit from Kathmandu. However, you can also enter from parts of Mainland China, i.e. Beijing, Chengdu etc. Air China flies between Kathmandu and Lhasa (Tue, Thu & Sat in 2009) across the mighty Himalayas. This flight offers spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Makalu and many other Himalayan giants. All our trips, which begin by flying into Lhasa, can be joined from Kathmandu, Beijing, Hong Kong, Chengdu or Bangkok (via Chengdu). In the cities above you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will then have he chance to see the sights before being transferred to the airport the next day for your flight to Lhasa. Additional accommodation in Kathmandu, Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok or Chengdu can be arranged, please ask us for more detail.

• Clothing and Equipment:
• Down jacket or warm fleece top
• Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
• Cotton shirts (short and long sleeved)
• Warm and cotton trousers
• Sun polarized sunglasses
• Beanie or warm woolen hat and gloves
• Scarf (to keep out dust as well as cold)
• Sandals (flip-flops)
• Towel
• Sleeping bag (for camping/trekking)
• Rain jacket
• Strong sun cream and lip protector
• Moisturizer
• Water bottle
• Camera (and plenty of film and spare batteries)

Risk and Liability:
The Specialist of Cultural Treks & Expedition is that even if one Yatri wants to do the Parikarma he/she will be taken care off. Oxygen bags, Gamm bags, Basic medical Kits are provided.

1. No Alcohol, Drugs and other intoxicants. Anyone found using these will be left behind at the very camp at their own risk. Further stay and return back are all at their own risk and the liability is theirs.
2. Any natural adversity like landslides, storm, floods, heavy snow, road blockage political unrest, cancellation of flights, delay in arrival or departure, sickness or accident, any unforeseen events that change the scheduled program forces the travels to change the itinerary, the decision of the experienced coordinator and the travels are the final one.
3. Any additional cost incurred due to the above mentioned reasons must be borne by the travelers.
4. The pilgrimage is planned to make all the parikrama of the Holy Mount Kailash. But it any one cannot make it them the additional cost of the camp of staying behind has to be born them and there.
5. Travelers can take insurance coverage.