Tibet Travel Forum

hi to everybody out there!

do you think it is easy to go around Tibet independently? so, without use of tour agencies, or better, with limited use of them, perhaps booked on the spot in Lhasa?
we are interested for sth like a 2 week stay around, mainly cultural and nature-wise.
prices at websites of tour companies are going like sky rocket.
answers indicating cost or mentioning budget tourist offices you used or you suggest will be big big help

many thanks folks

nikos

there is no problem of booking on the spot. When you arrive at Lhasa, begin by reading the messages on the board at hostels. There will be people looking for travel partners coz 4-5 people fit in a jeep, and chances are not many people are travel in a group of 4-5. If you are flexible, you should be able to find someone going to the same destination as you. Or you can start your own message.

Try reading some of the older posts in this forum. It'll give you some idea too.

it's great, Mimi,
very relaxing to know we can do it while in Lhasa.
i've read other similar postings, too, it seems it varies how much time one should wait untill start the tour.
have any idea for that?
also, do you think it is doable to make it by let's say 30-50 us$/per person per day, or perhaps 100-150 us$ per car per day?
thaaanks!

you should definitely take it easy on the first two or three days before heading to higher altitude. If you don't feel well, go to the hospital before paying for a tour. It is very important because the best hospital in Tibet is in Lhasa. You have to make sure that you are in good health before your trip, or it can change to a life and death situation. You can read about my experience of not feeling well and then going to the hospital in my Lhasa page.

As for prices, I was there 2+ years ago so I'd rather not comment on it. If you are organizing your own tour, you should check at diff tour agencies and make sure they give you the latest model of jeep. YOu don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Usually 1-2 days enough after your arrival in Lhasa.

Another way is to take Tibetan herbs/capsuls in advance which is called "Hongjingtian".

Since herbs are not convenient and might not easily be found in drug stores/pharmay shops in those cities rather than Tibetan cities, our fellows usually take "Nuodikang" capsuls instead 7 days in advance which might be found at most of big pharmay shops.

Although there is no proved side effect, since it is treated
as a medcine made of all Tibetan "Hongjingtian" herbs, I do not recommend you to take those capsuls unless you have convinced yourself to do so.

All costs in Tibet are low only except the trasportation because usually you have to take a SUV ride to some spots.

It is almost impossible to travel independent in the Tibet Autonomy Region. In TAR area you have to book through any travel agency. As soon as you are in Lhasa, you can go to FIT-travel agency, these travel agencies you can find mostly every hotels in old city ( around Barkhor)

Regarding to the prices, there are few reasons:
1. depends on the group size
2. depends on where you would like to go (itinerary)
3. depends on what kind of jeeps you would like to have.
Usually you can make tour for 8 - 10 days for 500 Doller, for three to four people, which is usually with breakfast, tour guid, jeep, and hotels.

In order to keep healthy in Tibet, the best medicine and provention is to have enough drink! You should drink about 3 Liters every day. First 2 days you should keep not very active, just relax, walk slowly.

I am very often in Tibet. www.namtso.de
If you have any question, you can ask.
regards
Rigpa

you need a travel permits for all the regions in Tibet including Lhasa. And as far as I know you can not go there by yourself. You need to be with a gorup and book a tour beforehand.
Try toursoftibet.com
We are going to use their services in June and as for now they are very helpful and thir prices are very reasonable.
here are the contacts: Sherry Tibet <sales@toursoftibet.com
Also: Ramsharan Khanal <adtravel@wlink.com.np>;