Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I will be in Tibet from 11/13 until 11/22. I tried the package prices but they were close to $200 per day. All the comments I have received on TT posts state it is far cheaper to go to Kathmandu or Lhasa and pick up with people off the hostels message board. Prices reduce to about 3600 RMB for a five day trip.

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

2

You have 9 days in which to see Nepal, travel to Tibet, see Lhasa, see anything else in Lhasa, and travel back to Nepal?

Scurvy00 seems to be spending 9 days just in Tibet.

While I haven't been in this particular part of the Asia, I suspect that it will take longer than you anticipate to get a visa from Kathmandu to enter Tibet, then travel there, see something return and see some of Nepal. Hopefully you understand that you cannot get a visa for Tibet/China before arriving in Nepal. You need to obtain that visa in Nepal. All other Chinese visas are cancelled upon arrival in Nepal. Travel from Nepal to Tibet requires a group travel permit, although the group can be one person.

I would ask on the Indian subcontinent branch about the time it takes to overland from Kathmandu to Delhi and take that into consideration in your plans.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

3

hello! Thanks for responding. I tried to go on an organized tour to Tibet, but some difficulties only due to scheduling (full) or the fact that there are not enough people going on these tour, therefore not guarantee. Also, many online date listing are up till the end of Oct.

At the moment I live in Beijing, though a Westerner, and leaving on the Nov 1st and wanted to visit Tibet before travelling on. When I arrive in Kath on Nov 9, I guess I have another chance to visit and can leave either the 18 or 22 to India. I know this will limit my time only to visiting Kathmandu, but it is ok, I can return next year to do a proper trek.

BTW: A Tibet travel permit is only 50 RMBs (7 USD) and a Chinese visa (50 USD for US passport). I have seen outrageous 'Tibet permit' prices and I hope this includes a China Visa as well.

"Why Quote someone else?"

4

Why should the TTP include the Chinese visa when you cant get the TTP without that visa??

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

5

The TTP and also ATP cost 50 yuan, if they would allow you to buy them independently. The only place I know where they do that is in Ali, but there you first pay a fine of 300 yuan for going there (illegally). The agencies charge for their work and they are not always very cheap.
If you live in beijing why dont you just jump on a train to Lhasa with no permit or get Leos Hostel to arrange a trainticket and permit. Then either fly or go overland to Nepal.

6

hi 7degrees
we are a couple trying to get the tibet train from xi'an on the 9th of november. we plan to spend 9 - 12 days in tibet including the overland trip to the nepalese border. we have a group tour offer for RMB 6750 with the following itinerary. to do this, we need to be at least 5 people and so far it's only the two of us.

Day 01 Arrival in Lhasa in the afternoon, pick up and transfer to Lhasa, altitude, 3680m, o/n at Kailash Hotel or similar one

Day 02 Sightseeing in Lhasa, Jokhang Temple & Old Tibet Commercial Center-Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery (Philosophy debating Between Tibetan Monks)

Day 03 Sightseeing in Lhasa, Potala Palace, and Drepung Monastery

Day 04 In Lhasa, free day.

Day 05 Drive Lhasa – Lake Yamdrok-Shigatse, visit Tashilhumpo Monastery, o/n in Shigatse Manasarover Hotel or similar one

Day 06 Sightseeing & drive Shigatse - Shegar New Tingri: 4050m 244km, Tingri Everest Hotel (Best available)

Day 07 Drive Shegar - Rongbuk 5000m about 100 km, take horse carriages to EBC, then back and drive onward to Old Tingri, o/n in Tingri Leopard Hotel

Day 08 Drive Tingri - Zhangmu 2300m 181km, Zhangmu Hotel, Best available

Day 09 Drive Zhangmu - Kodari - Kathmandu 1400m 123km, our Nepal staff will pick you up at the border and help you clear the custom, please prepare 2 small pictures of you, you need this to apply for the temporal Nepal visa in the immigration office in the border area. At around 7:30 pm, you will be transferred to KTM, accommodation on your own

Service included:

* Accommodation as per above program

* Transportation by suitable and comfortable vehicle according to group size

* Tibetan English speaking tour guide

* All necessary travel permits

* All sights' entry fees

* EBC entertainment protection fee

* Car Entry fee

* Border transfer from Zhangmu to KTM (123KM)

* Train Beijing Lhasa

Service not included:

* Lunch & dinner (You can easily explore on your own)

* Tips for your guide and driver

* Personal Natural expense like Laundry, IDD calls, etc

* Bank Telex wire transfer processing fee

7

Hello Rachel! Sent you a PM with private email. Let me know what you think!

"Why Quote someone else?"

8

Thanks to 7degrees, I too have PM'd you.

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