The practicalities of going to Tibet

Dr Funkenstein

Having spent such a large amount of time in Dharamshala on my last trip, I'm seriously considering spending some time in Tibet when I get to the subcontinent next time. I found Tibetan people to be some of the warmest and friendliest I've ever met and I really fell in love with the Himalayas so 'the roof of the world' has an obvious appeal.

The problem is: I know nothing about it! So, who's been and what places would you recommend? I'd be really interested to hear people's views. Also, what's the current visa situation?

Sorry if this is a bit vague but my knowledge is seriously limited here. Any info - about anything! - would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

__________________
Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

lobo

I have also thought about it and last time i checked you can fly from into tibet from two countries, nepal (katmandhu) and china.
Or go overland from china by train then jeep/coach.
It seemed a bit of a pain and could be quite expensive, there are illegal ways of getting in but if you are caught u can get into serious trouble.
You need a chinese visa and the easiest way seemed from katmandhu as part of a tour group.

vistet

check this page : http://www.kotan.org/tibet/access.html

It`s dated, but I think it`s still valid in general terms.

lightning

Dr. F
go man go.
having just returned from Tibet, I couldn't recommend it more strongly.
It's the kind of place that you just have to see and decide for yourself.

lots of poeple pick up on the political difficulties or the cultural history both of which can be miles from the daily reality of encounterring the vast landscape and warm people.
Add to which it now has a modern infrastructure and conveniences in most towns and it becomes not so different from visiting any other asian country.

Only caveat is allow enough time (-a week) to acclimatise to the altittude. after a couple of days headaches I had no trouble up to 5000m. so unless you've already acclimatised in Nepal etc... a week's trip could be uncomfortable. that said I met a party driving from nepal for 7 days who'd paid $500! all-in. (bargain b.t.w)

tibet is not a backpacking country -yet. you have to work within the system of controls on foriegners which is aimed at limitting movement to sensitive areas and extracting revenue. Accepting that there's a surprising degree of normal freedom of movement possible.

In kathmandu I saw a lot of tour-operators offering trips to Lhasa.
one was called lhasa travel, most have websites. this sort of deal is your cheapest no-brainer option. I took the expensive charter your own jeep and guide custom-itinery option which I probably won't be able to afford again. Having done one trip I'm considering cheaper DIY ways of going next time. I just wanted to get there without headaches this time. I'd recommend a tour as a taster unless you're adept at penetrating and working permit-paperwork etc..in chinese. can be done (see addresses in footprint guide to Tibet), but that's essentially what you pay a tour for + the guide/translator who I'd say is essential as you have to contend with Chinese and Tibetan

I've recently got wind of motorbike tours being organised...500cc royal enfields are just the job apparently. I'm actually thinking of getting my licence just to try this route! will look into it more and post findings.

meanwhile see my earlier post in this forum shanghai to Calcutta by land

a new approach to whatch is the Sikkim road. there have been official statements and 'overtures' about getting this opened soon for trade and tourism. It's very close to Lhasa.

hope you find your way there one way or another -it's worth it IMHO

Dr Funkenstein

Thanks, lobo and vistet. Very helpful. Not a bad little website that, vistet; the visa info's really helpful.

That photo of Mt. Kailash got me pretty excited, although I've been following steven_ber's thread about Mt Kailash and it sounds like hard work to get there.

Any other IM-ers been to Tibet and have and info / recommendations?

edit to add: Thanks, lightning - if I do make it it, it'll be for a few weeks at least I would've thought. A charter trip sounds pretty good. I think I'd probably go from Kathmandu - try and get a few other likeminded people together and split the cost of a jeep.

Thanks again, everyone. All this info's been really useful.

kailash35

I've been 3 times to Lhasa, 1st time from Nepal, 2nd time via Beijing and 3rd via Hong Kong.
Send me PM with what kind of practical info you want
visa? hotels, places to go near Lhasa whithout permit etc