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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Population

The total Tibetan population is 6 million.

Business Hours

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

Native Wildlife

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

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.

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.

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.