The Road to Lhasa Tour

Travelling overland between Kathmandu and Lhasa is an incredible journey in which you can see the world’s highest mountains, travel on the world’s highest plain, meet nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and walk amidst the burning butter lamps and chanting monks of Tibet’s ancient and legendary Buddhist monasteries. This is a wonderful and amazing trip. However if you are not up for a bit of adventure, or for accommodations and amenities that may be far from perfect, perhaps this trip is not for you while the trip to Tibet is not easy it is well worth the effort.

Tibet was opened to tourism in 1985. Before this it avoided influence from the western world and developed its unique culture and religion independently. The infrastructure of the tourist industry is still very basic in this remote country. Please do not expect the standard you are accustomed to in the West. However, every effort will be made under the circumstance to ensure a smooth & pleasant trip.

Tour Departure

The tour starts from Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal. At 5 am, you report and embark on your journey to the Friendship Bridge (116 kms/6hrs drive). Enroute, breakfast stop is made at Dhulikhel. An early start is made on the first day as China time is 2 hrs 15 minutes ahead of Nepal time in winter & 3 hrs 15 minutes in summer.

After completing immigration formalities on the Nepal side, drive uphill to zhangmu (8kms/45min)-immigration post. The Tibetan Guide will meet you here and will take care of your entire tour arrangement.

Food & Drinks

Breakfast is included in the cost of the tour package. All the hotels/guest house you will be staying in have restaurant, and serve dinner. The lunch stops are made at small towns with very basic meals realizing that the lunch stops can be a bit unappetizing bars granola bars, soup mix etc).

Mineral water is available throughout the trip. You may consider carrying water bottle and pontification tablets (iodine solutron or tablets).

Clothing

Casual wears and comfortable walking shoes are the rule for Tibet. Be sure to bring warm clothing as nights 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 aid kit is also a good idea. Also quite useful is Kathmandu – Lhasa route map, to know where you are going and have been each day.

What to take

Food-Snacks along the way
Water bottle (use 10 biniodinized or boiled water)
Personal medical kit  & Diamox tablet
Sun screen
Toilet paper
Flash light batteries
Day pack
Camera & film
Bandanna/Scarf or mask – to protect your lungs from dusts
A good guide book on Tibet
Kathmandu – Lhasa route map.

Altitude Sickness

As you are travelling over high terrain, you are likely to experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude stickness (headache, loss of appetite) until your body adjusts to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on an individual. Take it lightly, but drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids. Proper hydration is critical to acclimatization. We also recommend you to carry a strip of diamax tablet.

Currency

The unit of currency for foreigners is Yuan USD 1 = 8 Yuan. Money can be exchanged at the Bank of China at Zhangmu, Xigatse and Lhasa. The hotels also change money for you.

Airport Tax

The airport tax at present is USD 12 per person.

Visa

We process the visa for you. Usually a group visa is issued. Should you wish to extend your stay in Tibet or continue your journey to Mainland China, our office in Lhasa will assist you. However there is an additional fee to extend your stay.