Some of the best kept secret mountain passes are only known by native Tibetans
As you start thinking about joining Conscious Journeys to Tibet, there are several things that you need to prepare.
Budget your time: How long do you need to take off from work and family? Most of our trips are 2-3 weeks long. You may also want to allocate at least one or two days prior to departure and after you return to prepare and alleviate jet lag.
Budget your money: Since the program fee covers most of your expenses, you may not need to bring a lot of extra cash for the planned itinerary. However, you will need to purchase your own airfare, obtain a Chinese visa, acquire some form of travel insurance and plan for personal expenses. A three-week program may cost at least US$3500 – US$5,500 depending on your needs. For most people, this is once in a lifetime trip so plan well.
Send Trip Application: As soon as you decide to join one of the Conscious Journeys programs, you will want to send in the trip application with your security deposit of US$500 to reserve your space. If necessary, we may conduct a short interview to ensure you are enrolled in a travel program that best matches your needs. Once you are accepted into the program, the security deposit will count toward your land costs. Our trips fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up early. Click here for the application.
Purchase your International Airfare: Due to a popular summer travel season, airfare can get very expensive if you wait too long. We recommend buying your ticket at least three months ahead of the trip departure date. Our preferred travel agency contact is in Chicago and can assist you with travel arrangements. See “Travel Links.“
Apply for Visa: The visa to enter China can be obtained from a Chinese consulate that has jurisdiction of your residential area. All individuals entering China must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry. There are two ways to apply for your visa: (1) you, a family member, or a friend can go directly to the consulate or (2) you may use a visa service agency. You should not have any trouble obtaining a visa if you plan in advance. TVP recommends applying for your Chinese visa about 6-10 weeks prior to the departure date. Standard 90-day visas are issued at no extra cost. Our preferred travel agency can provide you with assistance (See ”Travel Links.“)
Fundraising: If you decided to take part in our fundraising effort (we hope you do), we will be happy to help with fund-raising ideas, materials and support, and will go over where funds will be specifically used. You should start your fundraising early by (1) making a list of potential donors, (2) gathering their contact information (address, email or both), and (3) personalizing the sample fundraising letter that we provide. Money you raised will be used to support the efforts of Tibetan Village Project. TVP has 501(c)3 Status and donations tax-deductible in the United States.
Flight to Lhasa and Tibet Permit: If you are traveling to Central Tibet, now known as Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), you should not book your flight until you have your Tibetan Tourist Permit (TTB). We will make sure that you have your permit and flight to Lhasa. If you are traveling outside of the TAR, we will coordinate your overland travel, as you will not need to purchase airfare within the country.
Costs and Program Balance: Your program balance (land cost minus trip deposit) is due 60 days prior to departure unless you have made other arrangements with us. In most cases, your land program fee covers: food in villages, cooks, drivers, interpreters, permits & fees, travel insurance, ground transportation, and hotel accommodations outside villages. Costs vary for each program, so please be sure to check the details of the specific program you are registered for. The land cost does not include: international flights to Chengdu, the flight from Chengdu to Lhasa, Chinese visa costs and other personal expenditures.
Itinerary and Packing List: A few weeks prior to departure, you will receive a day-to-day itinerary, detailed descriptions of volunteer work if available, and a recommended packing list.
Additional Information: Our website and the Lonely Planet Guidebook for Tibet provide most of the information you will need to prepare for your Journey. However, if you would like to receive our Trip Logistics Guideline, which provides step-by-step preparation advice, please be sure to ask your trip leader for a soft copy in advance.
