Tibet Travel Forum

hello all,

I am planning a trip to tibet in april from Beijing with 2 friends. About 2 weeks. If anyone who has been there recently or lives there could offer me some advice about the following, I would appreciate it.

- What are some good locations outside Lhasa to visit? Mt Everest sounds great, but it is a bit distance and i would have to return to Lhasa. has anyone been to Draksum tso, nam tso, phenpo valley, etc.? What areas did they especially enjoy? Did you need to bring a tent or do transporatation services provide you with one? Ideally I would visit them all, however I don't know that I have the time or money to do so.

- I hear renting a truck can get expensive. Can I rent a truck in Lhasa at a more reasonible rate, or is it better to make arrangements beforehand? I don't want to make arrangements too thoroughly, in case I want to change plans or find better offers. How is getting around with public transportation?

- I heard rumors that a TTB permit is no longer needed. Has anyone heard the same? Likewise, would I still need permits to these sites not covered by the TTB permit and where can I obtain them?

There is much I need to consider and little time to do it. Would like to do this without a tour group, to relax once I am there and soak in the atmosphere, knowing that if need be, I can alter my plans without too much trouble and without having already invested too much money with prior arrangments. Any feedback anyone can offer me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Frank

All the places you mentioned (including Everest base camp) can be visited in 3 days if that is all the time you need and then come back to Lhasa. It would be better to arrange the tour when in Lhasa so you can discuss the arrangements properly with the tour operator. You might also find other people with the same itinerary and divide the total cost.
Always remember, write everything you agreed on (with the tour operator) on the contract they will give you. Never pay in full before you start the tour.

I was in Tibet and Lhasa during June 2006. This was about a month before the train so it may be different now.

Many of the less expensive hotels/hostels like the Kiry Hotel offer very inexpensive tours to the areas you listed. They get people together to lower the price. However, the tours do not leave until they have a number of people. So it will be hard to do with limited time. I would recommend to put your names on several lists should you decide to do this.

A friend took a tour to MT Everest base camp with Kiry Hotel later that year. At that time, and maybe now, you needed an additional permit to go to MT Everest base camp. She only had the Lhasa area permit. They were stopped at a check point and were told to turn back. They pleaded to let them go because they are from "so far away". One of her friends started to cry, they were allowed to go. The power of a woman crying is international. :) You may not be so lucky.

We drove in across eastern Tibet and saw many things along the way. We were tired when we got to Lhasa. So we mostly stayed in the Lhasa area after the long drive (several weeks because we stopped in places) and flew out. There are plenty of things to do in the Lhasa area.

No need to form a group as long as you pay the whole rate.

I think if you are flying into Lhasa at the beginning you should take 3 days to get used to the height before you set off. There is plenty around Lhasa to keep you fully occupied. I suggest you look into the expected weather in Tibet for that month. I also suggest you find out from some Tibet agencies about permits, shared Land Cruisers etc because of the disputed borders and the military therefore keep certain roads closed. The Friendship Highway was still under construction when I was there in 2006 and it was expected then that they closed sections of the road daily between 0930 - 1700 for the road-makers. I went up to Tsaparang which, in UK, is thought to be the basis for the legend 'Shangri-la'& the scenery is amazing. I then stayed at Everest Base Camp which is well worth the effort but if I returned I would stay up in the tented village rather than the hotel. Do go and enjoy yourself

I will be there in Tibet this March. Maybe I can give u some info after my return. If u need to know something, I am glad to share something with u. feel free to PM me.