Tibet

Hello,
Its time to travel again and we are going to do the Trans Siberian Railway to Beijing and then into Tibet for a week or so. Knowing that independent travel is not allowed in Tibet, can anyone recommend a company in the area that is reputable and reasonably priced. If you have gone there, did you arrive on your own and have a rest day prior to meeting with the tour or is that even possible with the travelling restrictions. I look forward to some responses.
Cheers,
glorious

Sorry I can't answer your question re. Tibet. I am very interested in your plans for the Trans Siberian Railway trip. Where will you get on the train and where will you disembark? I found a trip advertised on a luxury train that goes from St. Petersburgh all the way to Vladivostok, with stops along the way. Is that the one you are doing?

We went in through Nepal and did have to be with a tour as we flew in. Our tour group was definitely ad hoc: we 2 grandmas and a fellow from Malta. Once we arrived and were in our hotel we had lots of free time to explore on our own - without the fellow from Malta - around Lhasa, with our guide driving us places at times. Going back down on the Friendship Highway to Nepal was a different matter, and we had to have a driver and a minder. Then getting out of the country was a major hold up because some of the paperwork was missing (so keep every piece of paper anyone gives you, you can't tell what's important) I'd definitely recommend going down the Highway, even if it adds time to your trip. You can even stop at Everest Base camp.

Can't really help you, however, I plan to fly directly to Lhasa and back in Sept.
Have looked into five tour agencies, and right now, Tibetan Connections has
caught my attention. They sent me a list of their itineraries with costs. I hear
they are good, but I don't know for a fact.

Try Sims Guesthouse in Chengdu, China. Sim's can get you into Lhasa Airport in a group, and then from the airport you do your own thing. Sim's can either book a hotel for you, or you can book your own.

When we went to Tibet in 2007 we stayed at Sims Cosy in Chengdu. (loved it) He has a travel office on site. We booked our Tibet trip from home (wouldn't recommend it more expensive). However, our agent did supply us with a Visa which we had to show on checking in at the airport and also in the departure lounge. Our guide asked for it at the airport in Lhasa. We'd heard that Sim gets a Visa, has one of his staff take you to the airport to check you in, shows the Visa and then leaves with the Visa. I don't know what would have happened to us in that case. Just something to check. We also travelled overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu - staying 4 nights along the way. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Barbara

We did the same, except without the guide service, and just did things on our own in Tibet. We were not asked for any papers, as we flew back out of Lhasa. On initial arrival in Chengdu, Chinese officals did ask if we were going on to Tibet. Our answer was, not sure, as it is quite a high elevation....They just nodded and let us pass.

We went from Kathmandu using a friendly Tibetan travel agent to get our visas. Then flew over Everest and into Lhasa . We hung around with some other Westerners in the Customs area but were not part of any group and had no troubles. Bussed into town and into a cheap guesthouse and spent 2 weeks exploring the area. Then used noticeboards in backpacker hotels to put together a group to go overland to Kathmandu by 4WD - the trip of a lifetime!

Hi,
I was looking into a very similar trip as you are embarking on and investigated getting to Lhasa from Chengdu. I was in touch with a very very helpful man named Pazu Kong (sometimes on this forum). He runs a Lhasa based company called Spinn Cafe. He was extremely helpful giving me all the information I needed. He has a number of set tours and the cost he quotes includes the cost of guide, driver & van as well as cost of Tibet Permit. He can also arrange pick up/drop off at station or airport as requested. I have since changed my mind about going to Lhasa as we are now going to travel in the Amdo region of China. But if I were to go to Lhasa I would definitely use Pazu Kong & Spinn Cafe.

http://www.cafespinn.com/
kongjr@gmail.com

Enjoy

Hey, glorious:

It seems that permits/travel will not be allowed for/in Tibet during the month of March, and possible also April and May. You might want to check the permit section of the Tibet branch for the latest.