Cheap tours KTM to Lhasa

Replies: 16 - Last Post: 15-Feb-2007 06:15 Last Post By: ktalluna

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ktalluna

09-Feb-2007 07:00
Posts: 16

Cheap tours KTM to Lhasa

Hi, we're in KTM and we've been asking about this package tours we need to purchase to enter Tibet. We don't like tours and we're not very happy with it but we know there's no other option. Anyway, it's even worst to find out we cannot get a tour for less than 5 days and for less than USD450. It's very disheartening. We've been travelling for many months and we have a tight budget. Anybody please that could recommend us some travel agency in KTM that could arrange it all for maybe half of the price?

pazu

09-Feb-2007 09:16
Posts: 2,177

I think it may be better to fly from Kathmandu to Chengdu, Sichuan Province instead. If you go to Lhasa from KTM you are on your group visa, it may be quite expensive to change it back to an individual visa once you are in China.

Extensive FAQ about travel situation and permit restrictions in Tibet
Spinn Cafe , Lhasa, Tibet - we are based in Lhasa
Spinning in Tibet (ISBN: 9789881805966), published in Hong Kong.

ktalluna

10-Feb-2007 06:57
Posts: 16

Thanks pazu. Flights to Chengdu are very expensive anyway, nearly as much as the package tour from KTM, and I think we also need to book a tour from Chengdu, right?

ellyse

10-Feb-2007 07:23
Posts: 8,932

No, you definitely don't need to book a tour if you're starting in Chengdu.
If you want to explore this option, contact Sim's Cozy Guesthouse for reliable assistance with paperwork and tickets to Tibet at a reasonable price, sans tours.
Cheers!

pazu

10-Feb-2007 07:45
Posts: 2,177

I still think it's better to fly to Chengdu first because you can apply for an individual visa (instead of a group visa), then you can get an extension quite easily later. Sim's is a good place to apply for a Tibet permit, also check out the Mix guesthouse http://www.donkey-pal.com/, the Mix charges Y250 for the Tibet permit, and another Y7xx for a hard sleeper (lower berth). It will take only 2 days to process the permit.

Extensive FAQ about travel situation and permit restrictions in Tibet
Spinn Cafe , Lhasa, Tibet - we are based in Lhasa
Spinning in Tibet (ISBN: 9789881805966), published in Hong Kong.

Losang

10-Feb-2007 18:40
Posts: 1,526

Quote
Cheap tours KTM to Lhasa

$450 is a cheap tour. The cheapest I have ever found was for $395 per person from Kathmandu.

Need more travel information for Tibet? Check these out…

The Land of Snows

Life on the Tibetan Plateau

bornfree01

11-Feb-2007 00:52
Posts: 107

Hi there!!!

You have all your queries answered. Yes you got no option other than joining a group tour. 450 is a good price for 7nights/8 days for the overland journey and just compare the same tour price with other international companies......theres a vast difference.
The other thing is you will be paying for your lunch and dinner. That is gonna cost extra and its not cheap in tibet. My honest suggestion is don't rough it up, tibet is such a beautiful place and think of travelling it in the days to come but its always the sooner the better.

Born Free!!!

Youre as free as a bird to travel and see the world!!

ktalluna

11-Feb-2007 02:55
Posts: 16

Thanks to you all. I found an agency that offers the tour for $400 and they told me that they cannot make it cheaper because the prices are established by the Chinese -almost all the tour takes place in Tibet so the money goes to either a Tibetan or Chinese agency.

Losang

11-Feb-2007 04:33
Posts: 1,526

#7...I hope you don't mind, but here are a few questions:

1. Which agency did you find it for $400 (do you have a website, email or phone number for the agency)?

2. How long is your trip (5 days? )?

3. Which places are you stopping to see?

Thanks for your help with this. Good travel agency recommendations from Kathmandu to Lhasa are always needed.

Need more travel information for Tibet? Check these out…

The Land of Snows

Life on the Tibetan Plateau

vano

11-Feb-2007 08:21
Posts: 12

hello,
all your posts are very useful.
I am planning to travel from KTM to Lhasa this summer. Once in Lhasa I would like to fly to Chengdu and continue my trip in China.
Where and how should I get the Chinese Visa?
1) In KTM? I read on LP that they only give you group Visas in KTM for Tibet. Is it true that a "group visa" is existing for a group that is consisting out of only 1 person? If YES, can I travel with this Visa in China (Sichuan and Yunnan)?
2) or should I first get a group visa for Tibet in KTM and then a Chinese Visa in Lhasa?

Thanks for your help!
ciao

ellyse

11-Feb-2007 09:06
Posts: 8,932

#9, read this.
Cheers!

vano

12-Feb-2007 08:15
Posts: 12

Thank ellyse
lots of useful information on the link you suggested.

It seems tricky to travel from KTM to Lhasa and then to Chendgu, as I will be on a group Visa and would like to exit China going to Vietnam.
What do I need in order to get an "individual group Visa" in KTM?

What should I do? Do I have to find a travel companion in KTM who is willing to travel my same route (KTM-Lhasa-Chengdu-Kunming-Vietnam)?

thank a lot,
great help!

ellyse

12-Feb-2007 22:00
Posts: 8,932

Losang was the one who posted the original link, please thank him instead. I don't know the answers to your other questions.
Cheers!

ktalluna

14-Feb-2007 05:58
Posts: 16

Hey Losang,
The travel agency that offers this tour of 7nights/8days overland to and back from Tibet for $408 is N.K's Trekking & Expedition Ltd. It's located in Freak Street, a couple of minutes walk from Durbar Sq. in KTM. The only thing is that you pay exactly the same whether you stay in Lhasa or come back with them. As most of the tours it includes bed, breakfast and all entries to monasteries plus the visa fees.
It's described as follows:

1st day- KTM to Zhangmu and Nyalam
2nd day-Nyalam, Tingri and Lhatse
3rd day-Lhatse to Xigatse
4th day-Xigatse to Gyantse
5th day-Gyantse to Lhasa
6th and 7th day- Sightseeing tour of Lhasa
8th day- Lhasa to KTM

Losang

14-Feb-2007 19:12
Posts: 1,526

#13...Thanks!! Do you have a phone number, email or website for them? If not, no worries. I will get in contact with them somehow.

Need more travel information for Tibet? Check these out…

The Land of Snows

Life on the Tibetan Plateau

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