Tibet Travel Forum

Hi everyone,

I'm arriving in Chengdu in the middle of July next and plan on going to going to Lhasa as soon as I can. I'm looking to spend a little while in Tibet, but then take the Friendship Highway to Kathmandu. Does any one have any recommendations for the best way to get into Tibet?
I am in touch with Sims Cozy guesthouse as I will be staying there, while in Chengdu. They have told me that at the moment you need a guide, a permit and be part of a tour at all times in Tibet. Is this true? Has anyone had any dealings with them? Really I'm looking for something inexpensive-but safe and reliable. Im wondering what should I be paying, and do I really need to pay for a guide?
Can I book when I get there or should I organise a trip before I leave?
I wold be really grateful to hear about experiences from travellers who are currently in or just returning from Tibet, so I can figure out what's best to do.
Thanks very much!

My comment is mostly for a bookmark to read the other replies as things have changed since I've been to Tibet.

During my trip in 2006 (before the railroad) I only needed a permit to get on the air plane to Lhasa from Chungdu. Once in Lhasa, I no longer needed the permit as long as I stayed in the greater Lhasa area. I did have additional special permits and driver as I attempted to drive thought Tibet to Lhasa but had to turn back because a rock slide took out a road/bridge.

Things have changed a lot and are more strict in the last few years which is why I'm bookmarking your post to get the latest info.

Yes, Sim's is honest and reliable. They know what they're doing.

I stayed with Sim's 2 years ago and arranged train tickets to Lhasa with them. During that time the Tibet permit was included in the train ticket price. It;s the same with the flights. It also included one free night at the International Hostel in Tibet but we had to move to another guesthouse because the heater wasn't working and there were no more available rooms (was there in the dead of winter).

I'm not sure how it works now but from experience, most people booked tours while in Lhasa. Usually you go check out the bulletin boards of the popular guesthouses and there will be posts looking for people that want to share the cost of the tours, how many days etc. Many tours include exit to Kathmandu.

thanks a milli0on for that!

Many of the hostels and small hotels do book tours to places like Everest Base Camp (EBC) and even Katmandu when I was in Lhasa in 2006 as reeya has pointed out. Usually they wait until they have a small number of people to keep the price down.

FYI
A VT friend booked a tour to EBC with Lhasa's Keri hotel (spelling error?) in 2007. They were turned back at the checkpoint outside of Lhasa because they did not have the proper permits to travel outside greater Lhasa and to EBC. Shortly after turning back, they decided to go back to the checkpoint and maybe try to bribe the guards. My friend told me that some of the girls started to cry when they return to the checkpoint and the guards let then go.

However: It is my understanding that things became a lot more stick in 2008, partly because of the Olympics, and partly because of the uprising in Lhasa. It would be interesting to get a report from someone who went in 2009.