How enjoyable is group travel in Tibet?

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ben100100100509
ben100100100509

Hey

I am looking to travel in Tibet mid-August for about a week, Lhasa-Kathmandu - my style is more suited to a private/small group tour as I always travel independently and I tend to get annoyed by the restraints of a group tour, the spending ages doing things and lack of autonomy etc - can anyone similarly independent-minded who has been on a group Tibet tour let me know how they found it? I just cannot imagine enjoying so much a 'package' tour with huge numbers of people on, but I am happy to be proved wrong. I suspect that it is probably worth the extra to go with a small group, which is what I am trying to do, but I fear that if I find no small group then an inde[pendent tour may be too expensive - I am unsure whether, in such a scenario, I should opt for a group tour. Thanks, Ben

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losang
losang

Though it is impossible to predict what the situation will be like this year, but in the past the group travel restriction has only been enforced during the first few weeks after the Tibet Autonomous Region has been closed (any many travel seasons it hasn't been enforced at all). Early rumors suggest that the current restrictions (ie. group travel) also will only last for a short time, though again, it is impossible to say for sure.

If you are planning to go to Tibet in August, I expect travel regulations to have relaxed long before then meaning that you could travel either as a solo traveler (though still part of an organized tour) or with a group of friends.

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ben100100100509
ben100100100509

Thanks Losang, you and your blog are a fountain of knowledge. Have you every traveled in a reasonably large group in Tibet, if so how have you found it?

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losang
losang

I have spent ten years living and working in Tibet and have never traveled with a group or with people I didn't know. I own my own vehicle and almost always self-drive across Tibet.

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ben100100100509
ben100100100509

Aha. Hmm, jealous. Okay, I have decided against a big group tour and will opt for small group if possible, if not then I will go for a independent tour. Thanks!

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sanchopanza1
sanchopanza1

You're on the right track.
Go small if you can, i.e., 3 or 4 in a Toyota Cruiser.
I was unable to find others to join me in my unique itinerary last Sept. so I went solo. I paid more but it was GREAT! I had the guide and driver all to myself and they were most cordial and cooperative re my requests.

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ben100100100509
ben100100100509

Thanks - I have decided to go in a small group. Ben

Edited by: ben100100100509

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