TIBET GENERAL INFORMATION

VISA:
All tourists visiting Tibet requires valid China visa & a special Alien Travel Permit, which they can obtain only by joining tours organized by recognized travel agencies. Those who arrive in Kathmandu with a Chinese visa issued by Chinese Consulates outside of Kathmandu will find it useless for entry into Tibet.

There is no minimum group size requirement for traveling into Tibet.  As long as one is traveling in an organized tour visa will be issued for even individuals. Please note Tibet visa regulations often change & hence given information may not be true at the time when you travel.

Diplomatic passport holders must get clearance from Beijing for travel into Tibet, which often takes long time. It is advisable to travel on non-diplomatic passports, if you have one.

We require at least 7 days notice to process your Tibet visa via Lhasa & at least 4 days in Kathmandu for the Chinese Embassy to handle your passport. Consular section of the Chinese Embassy is open for business between 10-12 am on Monday, Wednesday & Friday only. Visa can also be issued in less than 3 days upon payment of visa rush fees. Normal group visa fee is USD 28 & visa rush fee is another USD 17. For USA nationals the group visa fee is USD 42.

Those entering via Mainland China must pay a handling charge of USD 25 to our China agent for handling Tibet permits, booking & issuing flight tickets.

60 days Nepal visa is readily available at the Tribhuvan International Airport or any other land entry points on payment of USD 30 visa fee. However, tourists transiting through Kathmandu & spending less than 3 days are now issued with gratis visas. Also nationals of SAARC countries & Peoples Republic of China are no longer required to pay visa fees.

KTM-LHASA FLIGHT :

CHINA AIR (CA) is the only airline currently operating flights between Kathmandu & Lhasa sector. M/S China Air operates regular flights between Kathmandu & Lhasa sector -  2 flights from April – June & 3 flights from July – October. During the winter months from November thru March the flight is temporarily suspended.

April – June: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
July – October: Daily Flights
November - March: Tuesday & Saturdays

TIBET ACCOMODATION :

Tibet does not have any international standard deluxe hotels except for the Lhasa Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn Hotel). However, in the last 3-5 years many tourist class hotels have sprung up in bigger cities such as Lhasa, Gyangtse & Shigatse that offer quality accommodations. In the smaller towns, accommodation facilities are still quite basic. And during the peak holiday seasons in July & August there is often difficulty in getting rooms. We categorize our tours into 3 types – deluxe, standard & budget based on the available hotels.

HOTEL - CATEGORIES

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Those with chronic health problems should consult a doctor before making travel plans. Most people visiting Tibet rarely suffer more than mild discomfort before getting acclimatized. Suggested remedial measures:

a. Take plenty of rest
b. Refrain from physically exhausting activities
c. Drink plenty of water
d. Do not expose yourself to direct strong winds particularly your head when atop a pass
e. Take diamox against altitude sickness

INSURANCE

All travellers' visiting Tibet are strongly recommended to provide for their own trip insurance at home that adequately covers for medical, emergency rescue expenses, trip cancellations or any other eventual mishaps.

All of our staffs on field trips are adequately insured by the company that covers for medical assistance, accidents or deaths.

CLOTHINGS & ACCESSORIES

Warm clothing is required throughout but more specifically from October to April. In general dressing in layers is recommended. Few change of clothes such as shirt, sweater, jacket & cotton inner linings with tops & bottoms, comfortable walking shoes, pair of pants should suffix. During the month of October to April more heavy woollen or down clothing & boots will be required.

Other recommended accessories - water bottle, water purification tabs, chapstick, suntan lotion, utility knife, flash light, battery operated shavers, dusk mask or bandana, medicine for common colds, headache, fever, stomach disorders & diamox for altitude sickness. A good Tibet guidebook by Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide & a route map is strongly recommended.

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.

BOOKING & PAYMENT

All clients are required to fill out our `Tour Booking Form’ & must carefully read & sign the column `Assumption of Risk, Release & Guarantee'. We also require your copy of passport & a trip deposit of USD 284(airfare KTM-LXA) for confirmation of all bookings. Those booking directly with us from abroad may make this trip deposit with credit card by filling out `Credit Card Authorization Form' which will be sent to you on request. Please add 3% for all payment made with credit card. The balance payment must be paid in full before trip departure either in cash or travelers checks.

Payment may also be telex transferred into our following bank account:
ACCOUNT NAME: TIBET TRAVELS & TOURS
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 01-0063932-54
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK NEPAL LTD.
SWIFT CODE: SCBLNPKA

CANCELLATION POLICY

We levy a handling fee of USD 100 if a trip is cancelled after confirmation of booking. However, this amount can be applied for a future trip booked through Tibet Travels. Notice of cancellation must be made in person by those booking locally & for those booking from overseas cancellation notice must be sent in writing & refunds will be made as follows:

Less than 15 days before trip date - 20% or USD 100 whichever is higher
No shows - No refunds

N.B: As per China Airlines regulation there is 35% cancellation charge if an air ticket is once issued & cancelled for whatsoever reason. Please note this regulation is strictly enforced & adhered to by CA.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION OFFERS IN KATHMANDU:

We have special offers on most hotels in Kathmandu for our clients visiting Tibet .

((a) Yak & Yeti (5 star) - USD 130 per room including breakfast
(b) Hotel Shangrila (5 star) - USD 95 per room including breakfast
(c) Hotel Vajra/Tibet/Manang (3 star) - USD 45 per room including breakfast
(d) Int'l Guest House/Nirwana Garden (2 star) - USD 35 per room including breakfast

We provide complimentary airport pick up transfer for booking hotels through us.

(Rates are subject to change without prior notice).