Thorn Tree travel forum

1

All types of tour booked outside Chengdu or Tibet or China, are very expensive and you gave the money to other countries or provinces, not Tibet.

The National Day Golden Week (early October) should be finished by mid-October, so it should be okay to book everything in Chengdu especially if you come six days in advance.

Also, better arrange your 4WD trip in Lhasa, it's cheaper, the permit application takes only a day. It may be difficult to find your travel buddies, but there're so many ads on the notice boards in Yak Hotel, Kirey, Banakshol, Dongcuo Youth Hostel. It depends on your luck though, if time is a really crucial factor, you can consider booking the whole 4WD by yourself, the current price is around Y6200 per car.

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.

2

Sims G.H. can arrange flights if you're really worried about leaving it till you get there.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

3

In mid-October you won't have any problems arranging a flight and permit once you arrive in Chengdu.

Need more travel information for Tibet? Check these out…

The Land of Snows

Life on the Tibetan Plateau

4

I know this has been asked a hundred times, but the situation seems so fluid. Can a person book a flight and TTP from an agency then arrive in Lhasa and find a guide for the remainder of their time in Tibet. Is there really a great cost savings in this process, and who can process the permit without a tour arrangement. It seems the classic "Catch 22" situation.

Can anyone help?!!!

When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.

--Clifton Fadiman

5

Scurvy00, I do think it's a cheaper option, and you don't really need a guide in Lhasa, if you arrange a tour to EBC from Lhasa, a tour guide is obligatory for foreigners, but I believe it's still cheaper.

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.

6

Can anyone recommend an agent in Tibet I only have 5-6 days to spend and fear most of my time would be spent searching for an agent then negotiating prices and permits. Seeing the Potala Palace is a high priority, yet it seems only agents can secure admission.

In addition, are the prices quoted by agents negotiable and subject to bargaining? Or are they one of the few non-negotiables in China/

When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.

--Clifton Fadiman

7

Looking for travelling partners to Tibet

Hello, I will be flighying from Chendu to Lhasa from 7th Septembre (already booked flight tickets) and am planning on staying in Tibet for about 3/4 weeks. Would anyone be interested to join me on a group tour to Everest Base Camp and than cross overland to Nepal ? That will be easier to organise the Tibet permit, and will lower costs for renting out a 4WD, guide,...