Tibet Travel Guide

Traveling to Tibet can be tough and hectic but adventurous. The infrastructure of the Tourist industry in Tibet is not of a similarly high standard due to being a remote country. Please be flexible in expectations of the standards of the western world. However, every effort shall be taken under the circumstances to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip. We advise all travelers before considering a visit to Tibet to have a thorough consultation with your doctor about the history of your cardiac, lungs and anemic functional disorders. 

Passports & Visa
All foreigners entering Tibet must have at least six months valid passport. If you are planning to enter Tibet from mainland China, you must have China tourist visa. Entering Tibet from Nepal, either by surface or by air requires a separate visa valid for Tibet from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. 

How to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit?
Tibet Travel Permit is not available for independent travelers, travelers have to travel in a group (minimum 5 people of the same country) and Trekking Mart Pvt.Ltd. can apply this (TTP) for you. 

The Road to Lhasa: 
Travel between Kathmandu and Lhasa or Kailash is an incredible journey where you can experience views of the entire world's highest mountains, drive on the world's highest plains, meet nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and chanting Tibetan monks. 

Climate: 
Tibet's climate is extreme continental with a vast difference of temperatures between day and night around the year. The average temperature ranges from 3 to 12 degrees centigrade. While traveling in Tibet one can feel some discomfort like breathlessness and headaches before becoming acclimatized. Many hotels keep bottled oxygen for emergencies. 

Altitude Sickness: 
As you pass through high terrain, you are likely to experience minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness until your body gets continental with a vast difference of temperatures between day and night around the year. It is adjusted to the altitude. It is advisable to drink large quantities of non-alcoholic drinks to avoid dehydration. 

Health & Altitude problems: 
Most commonly the cases of altitude sickness have been reported with a simple headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorders all occurring before acclimatization. It is advisable to follow take the following steps; drink approx. 3 liters of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests. 

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

Clothing: 
Casual wear and comfortable walking shoes are essential for all Tibet tours none the less warm clothes are a necessity as the nights and mornings are quite chilly.
November to April: Down jacket, thermal underwear, warm trousers, warm sweaters, woolen shirts, gloves, warm hats and scarves and waterproof hiking shoes suitable for snow also.
May to October: Raincoats or windbreakers, jackets, sweaters, sunhats, cotton or woolen shirts, comfortable shoes suitable for rain. 

Land Size: 
2.5 million Square kilometers is the area which includes U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo provinces. While "Tibet Autonomous Region", consisting of U-Tsang and a small portion of Kham is measured at 1.2 million square kilometers. Average of 4,000 meters or 13,000 feet above sea level.

Population:
The total Tibetan population is 6 million. 

Major Rivers:  
Yarlung Tsangpo (the Brahmaputra in India), Machu (Yellow River in China), Drichu (Yangtse in China), Senge Khabab (Indus in India), Phungchu (Arun in Nepal), Gyalmo Ngulchu (the Salween in Burma) and Zachu (the Mekong in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) 

Business Hours:
Government offices are normally closed on weekends from Saturday afternoon to Sunday. 

Currency:
Tibetan official currency is RMB but is in short supply, due to its political instability, therefore, Chinese currency YUAN is more widely accepted in the whole of Tibet.  Yuan is found in the currency denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Yuan.

Native Wildlife: 
Tibetan Antelope, Wild Yak, Wild Ass and Tibetan Argali, Blue Sheep, Black-Necked Crane, Tibetan Gazelle, Giant Panda, Red panda, Golden Monkey. 

Food and 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.

Safety note
While traveling with Trekking Mart, your safety and security is our prime concern and it’s our responsibility too. So, regarding the safety concern, your guides have full authority to cancel or divert any part of the itinerary. We try our very best effort in the perfect completion of your trip but who knows, what nature does? Thus, in case of any unexpected happening, please be flexible to change the plan.

Note: If you want more information about Tibet, please contact us.