Tibet Budget

Replies: 14 - Last Post: 01-Jun-2007 01:01 Last Post By: Losang

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kneelweighed

31-May-2007 04:51
Posts: 50

Tibet Budget

I'm having a bit of a crisis. I've been planning a 5-6 month trip for a long time now and I've just realised that I'm falling a bit short on the finantial end. My trip is: Tibet - Nepal - India. I need help with the Tibet part because I know it will be the most expensive part and I'm thinking of dropping it (After thinking of nothing else for the past 4 months). Can you guys help me with my forcasted budget?

$100 China permit (I'm an American)
$400 one month in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Qinhai
$100 permit extention in Xining (We only get a 30 day visa)
$60 TAR permit (hopefully)
$60 Train ticket Xining - Lhasa
$300 a few weeks in and around Lhasa
$300 Jeep to KMD (I'm not too worried about the sites on the way, as long as I see Everest and make a stop or two I'll be happy)

=1,320 for a month and a half, right?

Do my prices seem right? Any suggestions or ideas to make it cheaper?

firescorpy

31-May-2007 06:40
Posts: 134

hello, when you say "China Permit" you mean visa? I thought it was $50 for a single-entry visa. Also, I am a Japanese national, and on my visa app I can put anywhere from 30 to 90 days, but I am not sure how it works for Americans. Looks like the budget is pretty right.. since you will be going to Sichuan and Qinghai, which ave large areas full of Tibetans, you might spend more time there and drop TAR if you think the budget is short. My cousin stayed with Tibetan nomads for weeks and it seems he had a good time. Finally, if you do go to TAR, will you be budgeting more money for Nepal?

all the best,
Satoshi

Keep going and you'll eventually make it..

kneelweighed

31-May-2007 06:53
Posts: 50

My bad, I did mean VISA on the first one and the extention.

Chinese visas cost more for Americans than anyone else, and last time I looked, we could only get 30 days.

I've thought about skipping the TAR but what is a cheaper option to get to Nepal from Xining?

firescorpy

31-May-2007 07:17
Posts: 134

I dont know, but maybe flying? I thought visas cost $50 for Americans according to the Houston consulate.. you can check their site. But if your ultimate destination is Kathmandu, you might as well go thru TAR as I don't think flying can save you that much.

Keep going and you'll eventually make it..

kneelweighed

31-May-2007 07:26
Posts: 50

Thats what I was thinking...or skipping Tibet (and China) all together.

firescorpy

31-May-2007 07:31
Posts: 134

you mean dropping the whole trip? How about just dropping kathmandu? I am going to Sichuan and Qinghai Monday with only a $600 budget, haha.

Keep going and you'll eventually make it..

kneelweighed

31-May-2007 07:49
Posts: 50

But I plan on spending 3-4 months in India and Nepal (not counting the time in Tibet)

You'll be fine. Its really cheap in those areas (I've only budgeted ~$400 for a month)

firescorpy

31-May-2007 08:10
Posts: 134

I see. if you still have no money, you can just spend a month in China/Tibet, enough to sniff around I suppose.

Keep going and you'll eventually make it..

Han_Girl

31-May-2007 08:51
Posts: 463

You can eat well and a lot and still spend under 15 yuan/meal so food is not a problem.

Actually places to stay in Tibet are cheaper than in Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan. Everywhere in Tibet there are simple Tibetan places to stay where the Tibetan pilgrims go to that cost Y10. I don't go there myself but if you're really short.

In Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan, to save on accommodation, make sure you go to places often visited otherwise no dorm and one night in a hotel easily 80 yuan.

I think you've forgotten about transport other than the train and the jeep trips.

Han Girl

IreneL

31-May-2007 10:59
Posts: 10

I obtained my Chinese visa from the Chinese consulate in Washington, D.C. in March. I have 2 entries of 30 days each, with entry before Sept. 9, 2007. The cost was $75.00. Their web site: China-Embassy.org gives the details.

firescorpy

31-May-2007 16:19
Posts: 134

#9 is right, the visa shouldn't cost $100 for a 30 day one. are the prices for all the consulate the same?

Keep going and you'll eventually make it..

born2go

31-May-2007 16:32
Posts: 149

I had to use a visa service here in the US as I don't live near a consultate to appear in person, but I paid $50.00 plus $29.00 service fee (much cheaper than an air ticket to appear in person to a consulate) and FED EX fees. I got a 60 day visa for China no problem.

kneelweighed

31-May-2007 17:05
Posts: 50

I just found out that I can probably get a 60 day visa in Hong Kong for $50 (I'm in Taiwan). That helps a lot.

Does anyone know if I can get a TAR permit there, too? Anyone have experience with the Chinese Consolate in Wanchai (HK)?

Thanks for all the help!

Khema

31-May-2007 19:27
Posts: 219

to #12, no, you cannot get a TAR permit in Hong Kong, unless you buy a tour with a travel agency.

Visit Pakistan Travel Forum

Losang

01-Jun-2007 01:01
Posts: 1,526

I wouldn't drop the Tibet portion of your trip. Tibet is worth seeing. Though Lhasa will have a lot of tourists, it is still a great place to visit. The Tibetan areas of Qinghai and western Sichuan also will be very good to visit.

Need more travel information for Tibet? Check these out…

The Land of Snows

Life on the Tibetan Plateau

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