Tibet tours

Replies: 15 - Last Post: Apr 12, 2013 2:50 AM Last Post By: Losang

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Mar 18, 2013 2:51 AM
Posts: 93

Tibet tours

I am looking at taking a trip to Tibet in late September this year and would like some recommendations about tours from Tibetan based agencies. We would be leaving from Beijing, and I am thinking that a flight to Xining then the train to Lahsa would not be a bad plan to adjust to the altitude. EBC is a bit of as pipe dream but I am getting older and not sure how realistic this would be.

vistet

Mar 18, 2013 5:43 AM
Posts: 856

Nice plan , esp. with the acclimatization stop in Xining. I wouldn't eliminate EBC from the age factor alone : the 50+ group has a lower incidence of altitude sickness. Just make sure you get minimum two nights at 4000+ before sleeping at EBC.

high road to...

Nathan1983

Mar 18, 2013 7:02 AM
Posts: 11

vistet is right, This train ticket is very easy to buy from xining to lhasa, each year, a lot of people go to Tibet, Including 50-year-old, so you don't worry about anything

nanertak

Mar 18, 2013 7:34 AM
Posts: 16

I would not be too worried - there isn't a strong correlation between age and your ability to adjust to altitude provided, of course, you're in good health. I am in my sixties and was at EBC last May without any problems. I think your bigger problem will be that the rules for entry to the TAR are a moving target at best and planning far ahead is diffiult. So have a backup plan. Regarding a tour company we went with Tibethighlandtours ( tibethighlandtours@gmail.com) whom I would wholeheartedly recommend. Very professional and pleasant people all around. Incidentally we did exactly what you're thinking of, i.e. the Xining to Lhasa train and then a flight back from Lhasa to Beijing. It was a spectacular trip. Hope you'll make it. N.

vistet

Mar 18, 2013 9:35 AM
Posts: 856

..there isn't a strong correlation between
age and your ability to adjust to altitude

Again , the correlation here is one of higher incidence of AMS for the younger group. See for example the CDC advisory .A bigger factor would be having luck in the genetic lottery .

anneo

Mar 19, 2013 1:32 PM
Posts: 93

Thanks for the information. I won't rule it out but I am not sure about the genetic lottery bit. In 2009 my son and I went to Tagong which is about 3,700m I think after spending the previous night in Kangding. We both took Diamox but felt very lethargic and I woke up with a headache and felt nauseous. We only spent one night and on arriving at our next stop, Danba I came down with food poisoning so that may have contributed, I'm not sure.

everbrite

Mar 19, 2013 9:10 PM
Posts: 5,853

You need at least two nights above 2000 meters to acclimate to altitude.

Is EBC even open to visitors? It wasn't last year.

Some companies commonly suggested on this forum include (listed alphabetically and not all Lhasa based or Tibetan):
PotolaTravel
Snow Lion
Spinn Cafe
Tibet Highland Tours
Tibetan Connections
Travel Wild Tibet
WindHorseTibet

Be very careful with the names. There are lots of similarities which are different companies. For example, there is a Budget Tibet Tour which has a decent reputation, but Tibet Budget does not.

Ruth

ClairLee

Mar 20, 2013 2:01 AM
Posts: 8

Taking train from Xining to Lhasa is a perfect plan as you will have more options on the train to Lhasa at Xining, but it is best to spend at least two days in Lhasa for further acclimation according to a tour guide from Tibet travel org. It is possible for seniors to EBC, but you need to approach the EBC slowly and have enough rest everyday during in Tibet.

vistet

Mar 20, 2013 3:06 AM
Posts: 856

Without arguing with anything of the above ( well , I'd say three ~~days~~ nights at Lhasa's altitude , but you'll have one in the train ) I'd warn against a lot of the advice given by travel agents . Read it for entertainment value only ( look out for the dangerous skipping at altitude , or taking showers .. )

anneo

Mar 20, 2013 6:13 AM
Posts: 93

Thank you for the advice, especially Vistet which seems quite balanced. I am a lapsed nurse so take health matters seriously. If it turns out that I simply don't have enough time to acclimatise properly, I will look at other options. I loved the parts of Sichuan I visited in 2009 and reckon that as much as I would really like to visit Lhasa and EBC, I know that there are lots of parts of Qinghai and Gansu that I would love as well.

tintinwong

Mar 22, 2013 12:01 AM
Posts: 3

if u have second thought abt EBC, can just go to Tingri,altitude of about 4,300 metres,and u can gotta a gd view of Everest from there as well.

mobelee

Mar 22, 2013 3:07 AM
Posts: 11

tibet budget tour is a good agency. I used it last year. his manager is helpful. and price is really very budget.

wendycp

Mar 22, 2013 2:46 PM
Posts: 12

I highly recommend Road to Tibet travel service. This is a Tibetan owned - Lhasa based agency. The owner Woeser Phel is extremely professional and friendly. He created an amazing tailor made itinerary at a very competitvie price. I was lucky to travel with him in August 2012. Due to the permit restrictions last year we had to do a "Plan B" trip to Amdo and Kham (which was simply stunning & I recommend to everyone to have a backup plan). Contact Woeser at - woeser@roadtotibet.com

Bishi

Apr 1, 2013 1:21 PM
Posts: 23

I've been emailing Budget Tibet Tour and have been very impressed with their correspondence thus far, far better than any other including some who are charging up to double the price for their services.....

brare

Apr 2, 2013 2:09 AM
Posts: 1

I went to Tibet lasa year and recommended "Contact Tibet Tour Service".Its owned by Lobsang Norbu who is a very professional and helpful.He has been guide more than 10 years, contacttibettourservice@gmail.com www.contacttibet.com