PERMIT SITUATION UPDATE

You really should look up what the word means before you accuse someone of not recognizing contradiction.

what is contradiction?

I could not buy train ticket myself in advance in Kathmandu (because it is issued only with China group visa) and I bought it in Lhasa. I can repeat what I said.

With more than 16 thousands posts you cannot even recognize contradiction.

why? you said it: Cant have it both ways!!

I had both ways. Where is contradiction?

Despite the contradictory information given above. I'm now planning my next Tibet trip and I am reliably planning on buying my outgoing tickets from Lhasa myself. The agency I'm using doesn't care at all where I buy my tickets from. They certainly don't bother about how I leave Tibet!

Hi,

I've left a message on the main board already about this topic. My name is Marcus and I'm a British national hoping to go to Tibet in July. I had planned to cycle across the Friendship Highway to raise money for a charity I have personal ties with. I've been reading all the posts on here and from reading these it looks like my plans just aren't going to work. Is it true that even in Lhasa you need a `guide'? There's no way I'll be able to cycle, which will take about 3 weeks, with a guide in tow that's crazy.
For people in the know: how feasible do you think my plans are? should I just forget the whole idea?

Cheers

Marcus

Is it true that even in Lhasa you need a `guide'?

YES to go to certain places. More importantly, you need a permit issued by the Tibet Travel Bureau and to get that permit, you need a guide, driver and itinerary prearranged.

how feasible do you think my plans are? should I just forget the whole idea?

Not very feasible. Forget the idea of cycling from Tibet to Nepal. It is simply too complicated and too costly.

Ruth

Thanks Ruth,

It's not information I wanted to hear but I'm grateful it's unequivocal and to the point. I'll have to think of something else, somewhere not in China as this is the second time this has happened to me. Nevermind.

Cheers for the help.

Take care

Marcus

Several people (including two of my friends) were able to cycle from Golmund to Kathmandu last year (July, September and November for the direct testimonies I got) without a permit, some even didn't bother cycling through the checkpoints at night. I'm not saying it will work for you or for others in 2011 or that it's a 100% sure solution, but my opinion is it is definitely doable (I wouldn't say the same for Eastern or Western Tibet). You have to accept the (small in my opinion) risk of being kicked out of Tibet and having a fine to pay if you get "stopped" by the PSB, but I don't think this risk is particularly high for this portion.

Hi, I know this is old information but I travelled quite a few years ago to Tibet and we were told the same thing then. You simply cannot go any where without a Tour guide. We (my visa buddy and I) travelled by bus for 5 days I think in convoy to Lhasa from Khatmandu. And although we knew we couldn't go anywhere by ourselves, we did, we got up early in the morning and caught the local buses to monestaries, Lake Namtso and Samye, the later by bus, boat and tractor. We met others doing the same thing and when we were told to go back to Lhasa we simply refused and called ourselves our own tour group.. We were told to hide from the tourist police and was able to stay at Samye monestary overnight. (they put a big tent on the roof) Fantastic! Otherwise we came across no real problem. We even tried to hitch to Mt Everest basecamp. Hired our own 4wd back to Zangmu from (Shigatse) I think! But from Shigatse we met two Dutchmen who decided to buy a couple of bikes and they cycled to Nepal no problem. We carried there bags back to Khatmandu for them. So no matter what, I think you cannot go anywhere in Tibet without a tourguide and permit, but you can!!!!

All be it old news! I hope this encourages the adventures of those that are willing!

"So no matter what, I think you cannot go anywhere in Tibet without a tourguide and permit, but you can!!!!
All be it old news! I hope this encourages the adventures of those that are willing!"

So , this is an update thread , and you choose to think that your experience "quite a few years ago.." is relevant ?? This would be pre-March 2008 , which has been a big watershed ( and not in a good way ) : no practical use at all.