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Essential Tibet Introduction
This trip is an excellent introduction to the truly fascinating, high altitude province of Tibet. Taking you from the architectural and spiritual wonders of Lhasa to the awe inspiring view of Mount Everest along the engineering marvel of the Friendship Highway that runs from Lhasa to Kathmandu in Nepal.
Your trip beings in the capital of Tibet province, Lhasa. This is a city of contrast from the new, Chinese, areas to the highlights, the old Tibetan town with it’s amazing architecture such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. You will also visit some of the monasteries in the surrounding countryside such as Ganden Monastery.
Leaving Lhasa to Gyantse we will drive over Kamapala pass and see the magnificent Yamdrok Lake. Gyantse itself has highlights such as the Pachor Chode and Tashi Lunpo monasteries. Onto Shigatse and Shekar before a high altitude night at Rombuk monastery, the start point for the two hour walk up to Everest base camp with it’s unrivaled views of the world’s highest peak.
After it is on to the border town of Zhangmu where you have a choice (decided when booking) to continue all the way to Kathmandu in Nepal or to head back to Lhasa to continue your China travels. Either way we are sure you will have had a trip like no other having completed part of one of the world’s great overland journeys and no doubt left with a desire to come back and see more of this unique part of the world.
2010 Dates & Pricing for GT-04
Below is a table covering our Group Tour dates for 2010. This table is updated frequently and additional dates are often added to meet demand.
Please note that if you get together a group of 6 or more friends we can run a private group tour just for your group starting on any date and is not restricted the departure dates below.
GT-04-K Lhasa to Kathmandu
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| Trip Start |
Trip Finish |
| 18th April 2010 |
29th April 2010 |
| 16th May 2010 |
27th May 2010 |
| 18th July 2010 |
29th July 2010 |
| 15th Aug 2010 |
26th Aug 2010 |
| 12th Sept 2010 |
23rd Sept 2010 |
| GT-04-L Lhasa returning to Lhasa |
| Trip Start |
Trip Finish |
| 18th April 2010 |
30th April 2010 |
| 16th May 2010 |
28th May 2010 |
| 18th July 2010 |
30th July 2010 |
| 15th Aug 2010 |
27th Aug 2010 |
| 12th Sept 2010 |
24th Sept 2010 |
Tour price to Kathmandu
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UK £ 1,195
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| Tour price back to Lhasa |
UK £ 1,260
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| Extra nights Lhasa |
UK £ 44 / 22
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Extra nights Kathmandu
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UK £ 50 / 25
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Single supplement*
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UK £ 225
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*To cover a single room in accommodation if required
or unavoidable.
100 % Financial Protection
We are members of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and so your booking with us has 100% financial protection regardless of whether you are booking from the UK or abroad. Our ABTA number is Y1699 and you can check our membership details on ABTA’s website.
Accommodation
Accommodation usually used on this trip is listed below for each destination although occasionally some may be replaced with options of at least the same or a higher standard.
Dhood Gu Hotel 3*
19 Shasarsu Road, Trom Si Khang, Lhasa.
Tel: +86-891-6322555
Gyantse
Gyantse Hotel 3*
8 South Hero Road, Gyantse County.
Tel: +86-892-8172222
Shigatse
Shigatse Hotel 3*
12 Shanghai Middle Road, Shigatse.
Tel: +86-892-8822525
Shekar
Qomolangma Hotel 3*
109 New Tingri road, Shekar.
Rombuk
Rombuk Monastery Guesthouse
Rombuk Monastery at the bottom of the road to Everest base camp!
Zhangmu
Zhangmu Hotel 2*
2 Zhong-Ni Road, Zhangmu
Tel: +86-892-8742277
Kathmandu (if not returning to Lhasa)
Malla Hotel 4*
GPO Box 787, Lekhnath Marg, Kathmandu
Tel : +977 1 4418385
Included in this trip
Tour Leader:
- Assisstance of a full time Tibetan Tour Leader.
- Nepalese guide (for those crossing into Nepal)
Transport:
- Jeep trek in Tibet (and Nepal) - your own jeep (normally a Toyota Landcruiser) with driver.
Accommodation:
- 5 nights Lhasa - Dhood Gu 3*
- 1 night Gyantse - Gyantse Hotel 3*
- 1 night Shigatse - Shigatse Hotel 3*
- 1 night Shekar - Qomolangma Hotel 3*
- 1 night Rombuk - Rombuk monastery guest house
- 1 night Zhangmu - Zhangmu Hotel 2*
For those heading to Kathmandu
- 1 night Kathmandu - Malla Hotel 4*
For those heading back to Lhasa
- 1 night Shigatse - Shigatse Hotel 3*
- 1 night Lhasa - Dhood Gu 3*
Transfers:
- Transfer on arrival in Tibet and all transfers thereafter associated with the tour as described in the itinerary.
- Nepal - all transfers associated with the tour as described in the itinerary.
Organised Tours:
- Lhasa and Tibet - as described in the itinerary above.
- Nepal - as described in the itinerary above
Meals: As indicated in itinerary above (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Other Items: The Tibet Travel Permit
Our exclusive Trip Guidebook: Personalised to your trip. This 100+ page document covers all the destinations you visit as well as sections on language, food, history and practical information about China and your trip.
NOT Included in this trip
- International Airfare to China and from Nepal
- Transport to and from Lhasa (we can book this for you)
- The Chinese visa (we can help you obtain this on request if you are a UK resident)
- Laundry bill and bar bills
- Photographic charges in some monastery
- Additional costs due to unforeseen expenses that may arise due to the factors beyond our control like personal illness, weather, landslides, etc...
- Travel insurance to cover medical treatment in China
- Discretionary gratuities to drivers and guides
Getting to and from Tibet
Getting to Tibet can be half the adventure of any Tibetan trip. Methods range from the fast but uninspiring flight into Lhasa to an week long adventurous jeep trek from somewhere such as Zhongdian in Yunnan province.
However, these days the most popular way to enter Tibet is by taking the train. Opened in July 2006 this controversial engineering marvel is the highest train in the world reaching an altitude of 5,072 meters at the Tanggula pass. The trip instantly became a classic China rail trip and, for many, the preferred way to reach Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu. However, for foreigners, this train trip is logistically difficult as a permit is required before a ticket can be issued and tickets can only be issued shortly before departure. The good news is that we are able to arrange this with a high chance of getting any tickets you require providing we have plenty of warning.
Important information
Altitude reached on this trip.
It is important to note that altitude of over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) is reached on this trip. Whilst the vast majority of people experience little more than shortness of breath there is a very small risk of more severe complications such as acute mountain sickness (AMS). Note that level of fitness and age are no indication as to whether you are more susceptible or not to AMS. Your jeep will carry emergency oxygen cylinders as a precaution outside of Lhasa.
The Chinese Visa
Everyone requires a Chinese visa but the good news is that they are now relatively easy to obtain. Normally visas are issued for a 30 day stay in China. You need one fully blank page and a minimum 6 months validity of your passport at the time of entry to China. Allow plenty of time to obtain the visas in order to avoid last minute panics and embassy express fees! You can find more information on Chinese visas by clicking here.
The Travel Tibet Permit
A Tibet Travel Permit is required for all travel to Tibet and different permits are needed for different parts of the province. We look after the Tibet Travel Permit for you. Once you have received your Chinese visa we will need a copy of your passport details page and the Chinese visa scanned and sent to us by e-mail. You will need to have the permit with you before boarding any flight or train into Tibet. As these tickets are usually booked through us you will receive the permit with the tickets.
The Nepalese visa
Those continuing from Everest to Nepal require a Nepalese tourist visa. Although these are currently available at the border we strongly advise that these are obtained in advance in case of a change in regulations and requirements once your trip has started. More information on fees for this is also available on our website.
*Note that visa policies can change without warning and it is always your responsibility to make sure you have the right visas.
International Flights
None our trips include international flights. This gives you the freedom to source your own flight and take advantage of any frequent flyer or air miles programs you may have.
Luggage
You are required to carry your own luggage on our trips so we advise packing as little as possible and using a “backpack” style bag rather than a suitcase.
Fitness
Our trips are fine for anybody with a reasonable standard of fitness. Where we believe there are special requirements this is mentioned in the trip information.
When to Book
We recommend booking at least 2 months in advance of your trip although it is common for people to book 6 or more months in advance. Any booking made inside of 2 months before trip start date runs the risk of availability issues. Please note that when the maximum number for a group is reached (usually 12 people) booking for that trip is closed.
Booking Terms & Conditions
Our full Booking Terms and Conditions can be found here or we can send to you on request.
 
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