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Tibet Tourism Info

Permit for Entrance in Tibet
For the Tibet Tour we'll obtain a permit for all our clients through our local representative. The process usually takes 3 – 7 working days. To process the permit, we would require: name as per the passport, nationality, passport number, sex, date of birth and occupation. 

VISA Obtained in Katmandu (Nepal)
VISA for Tibet can be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu. Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu opens from 0900 to 1000 hrs. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only except holidays. Original passports are required for application of VISA, however, in extreme case we can facilitate you with the scanned coloured copy of your passport too. One passport size photograph would be required beside other details required for the Tibet Travel Permit. Regular VISA for China are not valid for travel into Tibet from Nepal and it has to be endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu.

Normal VISA fee is US$ 26 per person (as on 1^st Sept’07) where in VISA is given on 4^th working day however same day VISA can be obtained by paying an URGENT VISA fee of US$ 17. Usually, agent charges US$ 2 as their service charge towards VISA processing.

Surcharge: A surcharge of US $ 110.00 on Tibet VISA Fee is applicable for US Nationals (as on 1^st Sept’07).

VISA Obtained in Delhi (India)
Chinese Embassy in New Delhi accepts VISA applications from Monday till Friday from 0900 – 1200 hrs. except during national and Chinese holidays. Only Indian Nationals can get the VISA from India. For foreign nationals, either they should get VISA from their home country or from Nepal. 
Normal VISA fee is US$ 26 per person (as on 1^st Sept’07) where in VISA is given on 4^th working day however same day VISA can be obtained by paying an URGENT VISA fee of US$ 17. Usually, agent charges US$ 2 as their service charge towards VISA processing. 

Surcharge: A surcharge of US $ 110.00 on Tibet VISA Fee is applicable for US Nationals (as on 1^st Sept’07).

Other Permits
Sensitive border areas such as Mt Kailash and eastern Tibet also require a military permit and a foreign-affairs permit. For Tholing and Tsaparang in western Tibet you will also need a permit from the local Cultural Antiquities Department. All these will be arranged by us if you book your journey through us. For remote places such as the Yarlung Tsangpo gorges or the Bonri Kora in eastern Tibet, or for any border area, special permits are required. 

Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit
A TTB permit is required to visit Tibet. If you fly from Chengdu or Kathmandu you will need to show this permit when you check in at the hotel and one member of your group will probably carry the group TTB permit on the plane and hand it over to the guide at Lhasa. TTB permits are also needed by groups traveling by Land Cruiser but this will be arranged by us – your local ravel agency organizing the trip.

Alien Travel Permit
Once you have a valid VISA and have managed to get a TTB permit, and then you'll probably need to arrange a travel permit for your travel around Tibet.

Tibet is slightly more complicated when it comes to travel permits than elsewhere in China. An Alien Travel Permit (usually just called a "travel permit" is granted by the PSB for travel (independent or group) to an area that is officially closed. Travel permits were not needed for towns of Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsedang, or for places in the Lhasa region (not just Lhasa town), or for nonstop travel on the Friendship Highway.

The Lhasa region includes such places as Ganden, Tsurpu, Nam-tso, Drigung Til and Reting, giving you quite a lot of scope. Gyantse, Sakya, Samye, the Yarlung Valley, the Everest region and western Tibet all require permits. Lhasa PSB does not issue travel permits to individuals rather only to the tour operators. Agencies Travel permit can only be arranged provided you book atleast a Land Cruiser, driver and a guide through us.

Travel permits for Samye and Tsedang are almost impossible without booking a tour. Permits for the Yarlung Valley are only available from Tsedang PSB and are only issued when you book transport and a guide with your preffered tour operator.

Health

High Altitude Sickness
Tourists visiting Tibet must take care of high altitude sickness. The air gets thinner when the altitude rises.

Oxygen content in air becomes relatively less and less when the rise of the altitude is quicker, for instance: when entering Tibet by plane, you cannot get acclimatized to the new environmental condition very quickly and you may feel little uncomfortable. Symptoms of high altitude sickness usually are headache, dizzyness, asthma, fatigue, insomnia etc. Some people who suffer from hypertension and heart trouble should pay more attention to HAS. There are medicines like DIAMOX which are preventive medicines. One should start taking it 3 days prior to arrival in Tibet. One tablet everyday after breakfast is recommendable. .

Preventions for High Altitude Sickness (HAS)
Shortage of oxygen at high altitudes is the main reason for suffers from HAS. Most of the places in Tibet have canned oxygen for sale. It is advisable to buy one or two small cans (cost approx. 20 Yn each) from local medical shop in Tibet to cope up with any emergency however almost all hotels have big oxygen cylinders in the rooms. Oxygen should be taken only if your condition is very severe. Following should be kept in mind to avoid HAS:
1. Upon arrival in Tibet, do not eat too much because it may affect your digestive system adversly. Take as much rest as you can.

2. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption rather consume more and more  vegetables and fruit etc.
3. Don’t walk too fast, walk gradually.

4. Drink atleast 3 litres of water every day – bottled water is recommened.
5. Take care to put on more clothes and add a thick quilt to prevent catching cold. Because catching cold is one of the reasons for causing acute pulmonary emphysema of the highland.

Necessary equipments when visiting Tibet
1. Clothing
In Tibet, the difference of the temperature is great between day and night. Certain clothes such as sweater, down-filled coat etc. are necessary through out the year. It is advisable to put clothes in layers.

2. Sleeping bag
It is advisable to bring your own sleeping bag if you wish to go to remote areas in Tibet or want to experience camping in Tibet.

3. Photography :
As Tibet gets very bright sunlight due to thin air so taking photographs can be quite glare. We recommend you to take the advise from the photographic shop while purchasing the film rolls for Tibet. Taking photographs inside monastery will be charged as per Monastery rule. Please ask your guide before taking photographs inside the monastery. Taking photographs at Army Camps/Check-points is strictly prohibited.
A 35 mm system with interchangeable lens will allow you to get the best shots in most situations. A wide angle [28-35mm] and a telephoto [80-200mm] are very useful. Skyling filters protect your lens [skylight IB] and a polarizing filter is useful for snow scenes. A brush for cleaning your lens is important and your camera and lens need to be in protective cases. Kodak chrome 64 is excellent for slides and for prints, 100 ASA film is suitable. Faster films may be needed. 12 rolls of film per trek is not too many for the enthusiast.

4. Sunglasses
The ultraviolet radiation from the sun in Tibet is very strong. A pair of UV protected sunglasses can avoid your eyes from being spoilt by sunlight.

5. Sunscreen Lotion
In the Tibetan Plateau the radiation of the sun is very strong. People in love of beauty should keep in mind to take suns screen lotion preferably 45 spf or even higher.

6. Food and Beverage
It is advisable to bring enough high-calorie food such as: cookies, chocolate and candies and enough drinking water.

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