What You Need to Know
This page provides important information to help you plan and prepare for your journey. Please contact us with any questions.
Traveling 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. Infrastructure has become much more efficient and convenient here in the last few years. Roads are greatly improved and new hotels have been built (some with heating!) but traveling in Tibet still involves a number of special considerations. The standard of service in Tibet cannot be compared to western standards. Food is 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: one from Nepal and another from mainland China. We can arrange for transit from either place, 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 presents 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 travel clinics that specialize in vaccinations and 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. It is best to 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, a hat and sunscreen – Tibet is not the place to work on your tan.
Accommodations 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 obtain most modern amenities (You’ll be surprised at what is available 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 of 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 would be wise 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 more equipped hospital in Mainland China. If your travel insurance company is not able to send you a rescue helicopter, you’ll 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 don’t 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 such as swimming, cycling, running, or hiking while carrying a load on your back. Stamina is key, 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 or ¥). 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 checks 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 currency. If you travel to remote places, try and get your cash in small denominations. We suggest you bring a mixture of about 80% travelers checks 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. Many ATMs can only be used by domestic account holders, so check before trying your card. The maximum amount you can withdraw per transaction is ¥2000 with the Bank of China and ¥1000 with the Agricultural Bank. Sometimes, cards can be destroyed by ATMs, so try to make your transactions during banking hours. Credit payments are not accepted in all places so you should not count on this option.
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