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GEOGRAPHY:
Bordered by Nepal on the
South, Bhutan to east and India to east west, today the
Autonomous Region of Tibet measures 2,600 km (1,625 miles)
from east to west and 1,300 km (812 miles) north to south
for a total area of 1,221,700 square km (471,900 square
miles). The average elevation is 5,000 m (16,500 ft).
CLIMATE:
Tibet is cold in winter,
cool in summer and generally dry, receiving only 45 cm.
(18 inches) of rain or snow annually. Temperatures can
differ greatly within a day, however, passing 29 C (85 F)
in desert areas in summer, and plunging below 4 C (40 F)
at night. The higher you go the colder it gets, of course,
sunlight is extremely intense. Winds in winter are
ferocious. Rainfall in Southern Tibet occurs
intermittently between June and September, bringing
moisture to barley fields and greenery to the valleys.
WHEN TO VISIT:
From March to October is
the best period to travel to Tibet, when days are not too
cold and the passes are clear of snow. Whereas for the
festivals the best months are February, March and
June-September. During the monsoon season June-September
south of the Himalaya, Landslides can delay journeys
through the mountains to Nepal.
CUSTOMS:
Customs procedures for
China are generally smooth and quick. On arrival you must
complete a baggage declaration form on which you should
declare personal valuables such as watches, cameras,
radios, calculators, jewellery, foreign currency and
travellers cheques, etc. Make sure you retain this form
because you will have to present it together with your
valuables at customs again on your departure. Export of
antiques over 120 years old will need special permission
and customs may confiscate other antique items if they
think they're from a dubious Source.
GETTING THERE:
The choice of entries and
exits for Tibet has recently increased to include more
international access to Lhasa. There are direct flight
into Lhasa from Kathmandu Chengdu, Beijing (via Chengdu)
and Xian (via Golmud). Apart from the Kathmandu-Lhasa
flight, Nepal overland route to Lhasa has become a very
popular. Recently another entry point to Tibet from West
Nepal (Simikot) has been opened.
TIME:
08 hours ahead of GMT. Note
Tibet is linked to Beijing time so when you cross the
border to Nepal the time change is considerable. Nepal is
5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT.
CURRENCY:
RENMINBI, the People's
money used by millions of Chinese everyday, circulates in
notes of 1,2,5, 10 and 50 yuan; 1,2 and 5 Jiao; 1,2 and 5
fen. There are also coins for 5 fen. With the Chinese
Currency, Renminbi, one Yuan is divided into 10 Jiao; Jiao
into 10 Fen.
TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES & CREDIT
CARDS:
All major currencies,
traveller's cheques and credit cards are accepted by the
Bank of China and large tourist hotels in Lhasa. When you
change at the bank you will receive a money exchange
receipt which details the transaction. Keep the exchange
receipt you can use it to reconvert your left over Chinese
currency when you leave. Exchange rate in US Dollar 01 =
RMB 8.7
BANK:
The Bank of China is clcr,
e to Public Securitv Bureau, just behind the Potala.
Opening hours art~from 1000 hrs to 1330 hrs and from 1600
hrs. to 1830 hrs. Its clad ill day on Sunday.
BUSINESS HOURS:
Most shops are open between
0900 hrs and 1230 hrs; and then again from 1430 hrs. until
1730 hrs. Many shops :dose~on Sundavs. Government offices
are usually closed on Saturday afternoon land a day Sunday.
CLOTH I NG & ACCESSORIES:
April to October lite
clothings are required. The recommended items are:
Sleeping bag,shirts,comfortable walking shoes, Long John
Trousers and shirts, sweater, jackets, dust mask, socks,
sun hat, sun glasses, sun tan lotion, utility knife, water
bottle/theroms (litre) flashlight. Water purification tabs,
medicine for headaches, fewer, colds stomach disorders
etc. Toilet papers and tissue papers.
AIRPORT:
Lhasa Gonggar Airport is 96
kms away from Lhasa.
AIRPORT TAXES:
The airport departure tax
at present is approx. US$12 per person
TRANSPORTATION:
Transportation will be
either in a Land cruiser or Mini-Van depending on the size
of the group.
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, drink powder and powdered milk.
other food items worth considering are instant noodles,
vegemite, nuts and'raisins, chocolate, dry foods and
biscuits.
ALTITUDE AND HEALTH:
No special inoculations are
required but because 0f Tibet's high altitude travellers
with a pre-existing problem of heart, lungs or anaemia
should consult a doctor before even thinking about a
visit. Most other travellers, once they are acclimatized,
rarely suffer more than mild discomfort from the altitude.
Over exertion seems to contribute to
mountain sickness and dehydration may be a predis-posing
factor. Sensible precautions should include:
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Stick to a schedule of mild activity
and rest for the first two days.
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Drink plenty of fluids. One to five
liters a day are recommended to maintain a clear,
copious urine.
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Don't smoke, if you are a chronic
smoker, keep it to a minimum.
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Avoid sedatives such as sleeping
medicine or tranquillisers. They tend to depress
respiration and limit oxygen intake.
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DIAMOX (acetazolamide), a mild
diuretic which stimulates oxygen intake, is used by
doctors for climbers making sudden ascents. This is
prescription drug. One 250 mg. tablet taken on the
plane from Chengdu or Kathmandu and another at bedtime
the first night in Lhasa'may help to forestall
discomfort for people known to be susceptible to
mountain sickness. Consult a doctor.
It is not unusual to wake up at night at
high altitudes gasping for breath. Don't panic ! This
complaint, known as "Periodic Breathing", is
normally quite harmless, caused by a change in the control
of breathing within the brain while you sleep. Normal
breathing can be quickly re-established by relaxation,
rhythmic deep-breathing, and the understanding that there
is nothing to worry about.
VISA:
All visitors entering Tibet
should require SPECIAL TRAVEL PERMIT. This can be obtained
joining only by-organized tours through recognized travel
agencies. Chinese visa, obtained by the visitors in their
home town will not be valid entering into Tibet.
For your kind information Chinese
Embassy, Kathmandu working days are Monday, Wednesday and
Friday from 1000 hrs to 1115 hrs in Kathmandu. Diplomatic
passport holders must get clearance from Beijing for
travel into Tibet which often takes longtime. It is
advisable to travel on non diplomatic passport, if you
have one.
Booking conditions and visa
arrangement
Confirmed reservation
should reach us 2 weeks prior to tour departure date along
with US$150 non-refundable deposit per person.
We require following
details for booking:
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Full Name
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Sex
-
Profession
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Nationality
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Date of Birth
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Passport Number
Visa arrangements
Cost of visa fee
varies for every national. A normal visa fee is applicable
if the visa is processed on 5 full working day basis. An
urgent fee of US$ 20 additional is applicable for the visa
to be processed in 3 days and US$40 additional, if
the visa is to be processed within a day. Walk and Yak
Holidays will process visa for you.
Write
to us for further more detail
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