Getting Tibet Festival and Culture Trasportation Climate and Weather Money and Exchage

Getting Tibet:

 

By Air: Kathmandu - Gonggar : a twice-weekly flight operates between Kathmandu and Lhasa from the beginning of April through October and sometimes till November depending upon the weather conditions. The 1 hour 15-minute flight offers spectacular views of the Himalayas and the southern Tibetan plateau including Mt. Everest and many more surrounding peaks of Khumbu region. Or can connect Tibet via Chengdu.

 

By Road: An approach that has great appeal for hardy and adventurous travellers is to enter or leave Tibet by road, following the footsteps of explorers who for more than a century tried to reach Lhasa overland. Kathmandu to Lhasa by road is 900 Kilometres. Along the way you can visit some of the most scenic and religious sights.

 

Visa: As per the current regulation of Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, individual travellers are not allowed into the Autonomous Region of Tibet. The Chinese Embassy will issue visas to travellers on a group tour basis only. But group visas can be arranged from Kathmandu (Trek Nepal Inc.) easily and we can help you put together your own 'group" to allow you travel as independently as possible. Often these regulations are changeable.

In addition to your visa, it is necessary to obtain a travel permit for travel in Tibet. Please carry some passport size photographs plus smaller denomination of US dollars cash for the completions of visa formalities.

Climate, clothing and equipment:
Tibet is very cold in winter, cool in summer and generally dry. The air neither blocks nor holds heat. Sunshine feels warm, shadows are chilly, and temperatures can change rapidly within a day, from 29 degree Celsius in desert areas in summer, and plunging below 4 degree Celsius the same night. The most pleasant months for tourism are from April to October.

 

Clothing should be simple and consist of layers, which can be added or removed as the temperature changes during the day. A warm wind/water breaker and comfortable shoes are especially recommended. A light and warm jacket and trousers are also recommended. For more details please e-mail us.

Trek Nepal Inc. supplies a comprehensive first kit during the trip. If you have any personal medication please supply either from home country or from Nepal. Lhasa offers a variety of drug stores but it is advisable to bring your own medications. For more details please mail us

Transportation:
There are no air routes within Tibet except from Amdo to Kham. The distances are huge and the only recommended mode of transportation is hiring the vehicles from a travel agent.

Emergency evacuation: Travellers are requested to take insurance from home which covers medical and emergency evacuation. Seriously ill travellers should not consider trying to leave Tibet by road, as the difficulties and uncertainties of such a journey holds many risks.

Money:

Banks in Tibet/China are closed on Saturday & Sunday. So, you are requested to carry about US $100 per person in cash or travellers cheque for personal expenses. If it is cash dollars, even local people help you to get them exchanged into Chinese Yuan. Credit cards are very difficult to cash outside the banks, especially outside Lhasa. The unit of currency is Yuan, which is approximately US$ 1 = 8 Yuan.