We have been quoted, from the UK, 6,400 RMB per person (two of us) including Landcruiser, guide, driver, permits and accommodation, for a 5-day Friendship Highway journey from Lhasa to Zhangmu, via Yamdrok lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya, Lhatse, New Tinggri (Shegar), Old Tingri, Rongphu Monastery, E.B.C, in last week September. Various posts in this branch mention costs of 6,000-7,000 for such trips, but it's not 100% clear to me whether this figure is per person (in which case the price we've been quoted looks like quite a good deal), or for the whole trip for two people (in which case this quote is nearly double what we probably should be paying). Anyone able to advise?
Many thanks.
penpen
1
anonymous
The TT quotes to which you refer for this 4wd trip are for the vehicle, no matter how many occupants share the cost. By way of recent contrast, last year a 15 day trip to Mt Kailash cost in the vicinity of Y12,500 to Y15,000, depending on the route taken and places visited, so your stated quote of 6,400 each [so 12,800 for two] is, quite clearly and not to make too fine a point of it, a serious rip-off, price gouge, theft, steal - choose your desired description. Only thing the 4wd trips do not cover in your list is the rather cheap accommodation; most places on your itinerary will run to about Y100 except Gyantse, a rather pricey town - Y180 or so will get you an OK room there. So maybe Y600 for two for accommodation all up, for five nights - no too bad, right?
I suggest you contact one of the reputable Lhasa-based agencies [spend an hour or so searching the last 30 days of posts for them] and get a pleasant surprise, an affordable trip...what a novelty in this industry!
Other advice: get the deal [or at least an understanding that you want to do the deal] done asap, apparently the joint gets overrun in the first week of October [man, I hate holidays and 'festivals' when travelling, dorks come out of the woodwork and snap away like there is no tomorrow] during which time prices will inevitably rise and decent deals and even the availability of tours will become that much harder to come across. Or go later, when the relatively colder days/nights drive the crowds to greener pastures like Kathmandu or Goa or god knows where.
To quote Adrian Belew: What in the world has happened to the world? Answer: Mass Tourism.
I wish you an enjoyable trip; regards, philip. Sorry to sound like a curmudgeon, like so many others, I just want to get away from the garbage associated with just plain getting around, and the so-called 'tourist industry' seems like just another obstacle.
2
laker31
Agree with #1. Last year, I went to the FIT agency in the Banak Shol hotel. They were offering a 5 day trip similar to the one you describe, except returning to Lhasa instead of going on to the Nepal border. It was 5000 - 6000Y for the vehicle, and you could split that among however many people you could fit into the vehicle. Along with accomodation mention by #1, they usually do not include food, and entrance fees to the various places, including EBC.
Even with your trip going to the border, and the fact that it has been almost a year, I can not imagine that the prices have gone up that much. It is hard to make arrangements from overseas. Most people wait until they get to Lhasa, and can then talk to the agencies in person, and see what they offer. Also, while in Lhasa, it is very easy to find other travelers who are willing to join you and share expenses.
3
westwood
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="mailto:fit0891@hotmail.com">FIT</a> at Banok Shol, though they'll probably give you an approximate price and tell you to contact them when you arrive in Lhasa.
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