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Important Pre Departure Information

 

The journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa by road should be viewed as an adventure, not a sightseeing tour by bus. The road itself was poorly constructed and is prone to closure by landslides, particularly from June  through September. It can be very dusty and some kind of face mask is a good idea. As you drive to altitudes of over 17000ft. at some points, altitude sickness becomes a real possibility and most will feel some symptoms. You must make sure to drink plenty of fluids to help you acclimatize. The choice of hotels enroute ( except Lhasa), is extremely limited. Hotels are basic with showers, flush toilet, a small shop, a restaurant and laundry facilities only.

Food is not readily available enroute until the stopover hotels are reached. We recommend you carry packed lunch from the hotels. We suggest you bring  a canteen or water bottle with purification tablets or a water filter pump and refill your bottles at every opportunity. Meals enroute ( Until Lhasa),  tend to be greasy and you may want to bring snaks or other  foodstuff with you, we therefore, suggest you to carry tinned food, biscuits, chocolates, cheese, drinking chocolate/ coffee, soup  cubes, instant noodles, vegemite, nuts and raisind, chewing gums, etc.

Time: As China has only one time Zone ( Beijing), early starts in Tibet often occur during dawn. This is done to allow arrival into a particular city in time to take in all the sights.
Altitude Sickness: As Lhasa lies at over 12000ft, most people will experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness ( Headaches, mild Nausea, loss of Appetite) until their body adjusts to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the individuals. Take it easy and rest when you first arrive. Eat lightly. But drink plenty of non- alcoholic liquids. Proper hydration is critical to acclimatization.
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Important Note: Please be advised that the operation of all tourism Tibet and China is done by the entitles of the Chinese Government which has the right to alter itineraries as they see fit and substitute hotels other than those listed. As most aspects of the tour operation in Tibet and China are beyond our control, we can not be held responsible for dalays, changes in itineraries, accidents, and any other problems that may occur. And any additional expenses incurred due to such circumstances shall be borne by individual trip members.
Restrictions: There are strict control over taking pictures inside the monasteries but upon paying a fee, a monk may turn on the lights making the flash less necessary. Do not carry any Dalai Lama pictures, free Tibet posters or tee shirts, Tibetan flags, or any political magazine or books.
Photography: Most of the buildings, whether forts or monasteries, do not allow photography once inside. This does not include courtyards and building exteriors. In some places you may have to pay to take a photo, usually in the range of US $ 5-20, through it could be stretched to a roll or until the more gets nervous.
Currency: The unit or currency of foreigners is Yuan. US$ 1=8 Yuan, money can be exchanged at the bank of china at Zhangmu, Shigatse and Lhasa. In case the banks are closed, we suggest you ask for a loan from your tour guide.
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Accessories: Handy items include a water bottle, a Swiss army knife, a flashlight, a rain coat or a collapsible umbrella, a toilet kit, a can opener, a adequate film rolls and a first aid kit, etc.
Flight Schedule: Flights to the “ Roof of the world”, Tibet, from Kathmandu and vice versa operate only twice a week from April to June, i.e, Tuesday and Saturday. However, from July to November, there will be an additional flight every week on Thursday.
Clothing: Casual wear and comfortable walking shoes are the rule for Tibet. Be sure to bring warm clothing as night and early mornings can be quite chilly to downright cold in Winter months. Bring all the film, medicine, cosmetics, personal toilet items, etc. that you will need from home as these are difficult if not impossible to obtain in Tibet. A small first air kit is also a good idea.
Weather: Tibet is not as cold as most people imagine. Generally, it is cold at night but warm and sunny during the day. Spring comes at the end of April. Summer temperatures are pleasantly warm at mid-day and drop dramatically in the shades at night. The rainy season begins in mid- summer and continues for two months. Autumn is clear, with the cold gradually increasing until December. Winter weather is always cold with fierce winds and winter in western Tibet are much colder and drier.
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