A friend and I are planning a trip to Tibet. We had been planning on going around July 8th to Chengdu to get our permits and arrange a tour, then fly to Lhasa. My friend would leave around August 1st, but I would have 2 more weeks, which I think would give me enough time to get to Nepal. But the rumor of no permits in July has scared us.
We are considering several options:
1) Move the trip to June. The main problem with this is that I can only do 3 weeks in June, so I would have to cut out Nepal.
2) Still go in July and risk not getting a permit and travel China instead. The problem with this is that I spent 6 weeks in China last summer, so I have seen the highlights (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai…) but my friend has not. I loved China and could spend more time there, but this would not be my preformed place to visit so close after my last trip as well as wanting to see different things from my friend. This would mean traveling around Chengdu for 3 weeks. I suspect this is not as good as Tibet, but are there good things around there? I would then need to get a flight from Chengdu to Kathmandu. Does anyone know if that is doable on short notice?
3) Scrap Tibet and go to Russia instead. This would be the safest plan, but my friend, and to a lesser extent I, really want to go to Tibet. I get more travel time then my friend, so for me this would be a postponing of a trip, but for my friend I think it would mean not going to Tibet ever, or no time soon.
I understand no one can make these decisions for us, but maybe more experienced travelers to Tibet would have a better idea of the chances of getting permits in June compared to July. Anyone else considering canceling their July travel plans? I think the worst case scenario is that we move our trip to June and then can’t get to Tibet at that time. Anybody know the likelihood of there not being permits issued in June?
Thanks, Wayne
For now, there is no any official news about the permits situation on July, if you really want to visit Tibet, I suggest you move the trip to June. 3 weeks is enough to visit most attractions in Tibet and Kathmandu, you can spend 2 weeks in Tibet then 1 weeks in Kathmandu.
I provide a rough itinerary as below for your reference.
Lhasa ( Lhasa city sightseeing and acclimatize, 3 days) - Namtso Lake ( 1 day) - Reting ( 1 day) - Tidrum Nunnery ( 1 day) - Drigung Til monastery and Ganden monastery ( 1 day) - Lhasa( 1 day) - Yamdrok lake and Gyantse( 1 day) - Shigatse( 1 day) - Mt.Everest Base Camp( 2 days) - Zhangmu ( 1 day) - Kathmandu
Hope it's helpful.
Murphy from Chengdu Windhorse Tour.
Dear Wayne
Here Tibet was closed for foreigners in March every year since after the Lhasa uprise in March 2008, but it reopens in April despite of different rumors every year, Tibet is politically very sensitive and central government can bear any difficulties to avoid the political sensitivity, so when ever there is some governmental festival in Tibet, it will bring lots of restrictions and prohibitions if necessary, no travel agencies are helpless to get the information in advance and local government never notice their decision for any departments. As far as my experience, Tibet is ok in June, but July is little risky for the time, reason is: 1. There is no any Government anniversary in June and no any history of banning June in the past. 2. In July, it will celebrate 90th anniversary of establishment of China communist party. 3. the 60th anniversary of Tibet liberation in May was postponed in July to celebrate together with 90th anniversary.
so for you i think traveling in June is the best, as it is very good season in June and there is no risk of banning too.
There are few more interesting Tibetan places close to Chengdu, like Kangding, Ganzi, Dege that you can travel without any permits and still beautiful and very Tibetan.so here are 2 suggestions for your schedule;
Hi Wayne
Due to the words limitation i was failed to post the continually, so i have sent a PM to you. Please check it.
There is absolutely no way to know for certain whether or not there will be access to Tibet or not. In point of fact, it is possible that access will close in May and not reopen until August. Although this is unlikely, it still is possible.
You might want to read this thread: Tibet will be closed to understand that there is absolutely no way to predict when and if or for how long Tibet might be closed this year.
If you want a sure thing, then go to China and travel back through Russia. It is the only option you can be sure won't be cancelled.
Ruth
Hi
Above post is right that no one can predict the exact about Tibet except guessing by analyzing the situation, but May is already accessible for foreigners and permits are already issued for groups beginning of May, Tibet Tourism Bureau restrict the permit application time as they only accept the application within 10 days from the trip starting dates.
Hi,
From the source that Tibet will not be closed in May. And nobody knows when it is going to prohibited foreigners someday. So just take it easy. However, you know you can only visit the scenic spots with a tour guide. So i'm real doubt that you spend a long time in Tibet which may cost you a big sum of money. Also, the Tibet permits are not so easy for you to get.
Hi,
My good friend's China lady boss (a travel agent who has a very good relationship with China government) just informed them not to accept any July bookings as she was told that Tibet would be closed in July. But then there's no official announcement and this can't be changed anytime.
Cheers!
Queenie
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