Basic Introduction

Tibet is an autonomous region that lies in central Asia. The region covers the world’s highest plateau called Tibetan Plateau at the altitude of 4,000m. Thus, it is popularly known to the world as “Roof of the World”. It is also called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Tibet is equally famous for the huge mountains and stunning beauty of landscapes, grassland and historical and religious art and architecture. As the people living here follow Buddhism there are artistically rich monasteries around the city areas. Tibet is thus one of the interesting tourist destinations.

General facts

• Area: 1,228,400 km²
• Capital: Lhasa
• Population: 3 Million
• Climate: Average Temperature (ranging from 28°C in summer to -15°C in winter)
• Religion: Tibetan Buddhism
• Languages: Tibetan, Mandarin, Chinese, and English
• Currency: Chinese Yuan

Getting into Tibet:

By Road:

1. Sichuan- Tibet Highway: It stretches from Chengdu (capital of Sichuan) to Lhasa
2. Yunnan- Tibet Highway: It stretches from Yunnan to Lhasa
3. Qinghai- Tibet Highway: It stretches from Xining (Capital of Qinghai) to Lhasa
4. Xinjiang-Tibet Highway: It passes through the desert area and geographically remote parts near mountainsides

By Flight:

If you are thinking of flying to Lhasa then you will be able to get there either from China or Nepal. If you are flying from Nepal there is the fight from Kathmandu to Lhasa Gonggar Airport located to the south of Lhasa city.

1. Beijing Lhasa Flight
2. Chengdu Lhasa Flight
3. Shanghai Lhasa Flight
4. Kathmandu Lhasa Flight

If you have any other queries regarding flight booking or require any additional information on flight-related issues please contact us at [email protected]

Major Places to Visit:

1. Potala Palace
2. Mount Everest
3. Jokhang Temple
4. Namtso Temple
5. Barkhor Street
6. Yamdrok Lake
7. Sera monastery
8. Mount Kailash
9. Palcho Monastery
10. Yumbulagang palace
11. Norbulingka Palace

By Train:

There is a railway line from China to Lhasa. The Gormo to Lhasa railway line connects China and Tibet and is around 700 miles. You can also take this as an option if you are getting into Tibet from China.

Important information on Travel Permit:

Aiming Adventure will make all the necessary arrangements required to obtain travel permits and visa. You will have to provide us the scanned copy of passport if you are traveling to Tibet via Nepal and an original copy upon your arrival at Kathmandu for acquiring the Chinese visa. If you are planning to enter through China you will have to send us the copy of passport and Chinese visa. We will get a group visa for you.

If you would require we can also arrange for money exchange in Kathmandu so that you will not have to worry about it during the trip.

• Tibet does not allow traveling individually within its territory. If you are planning to make a trip to Tibet then you must be a part of traveling group with a guide who will be assisting during permit check at different check posts during the trip. With Aiming Adventure you will be traveling Tibet with a group and we assure your local guide for your assistance.
• If you have already obtained Chinese visa and are planning to travel Tibet then you can enter Tibet via China and later reverse the trip to Kathmandu. But if you want to travel Tibet via Nepal then you will have to reapply for the Chinese visa from Kathmandu and your previously obtained Chinese visa will automatically get canceled once you will apply for the Chinese visa.
• If you are planning to enter Tibet via China then you will have to manage Chinese visa from Chine embassy in your home country. We will not be responsible for obtaining the Chinese visa in this case. We will only help in obtaining Chinese visa from Kathmandu if you are traveling via Kathmandu. It will take around 4 working days to obtain Chinese visa from Chinese Embassy at Kathmandu. We will make all the necessary arrangements required for obtaining the visa.
• Aiming Adventure will help to apply for obtaining the visa. You will need to have the valid passport with at least six months of validity period remaining. If your passport has less than six months of validity period then you will not be provided the visa. In addition to the valid passport, you will have to provide us two passport sized photographs for the visa application.
• It is a must that you will have to carry the same passport while both at Nepal and Tibet. You will be provided Chinese visa only in the passport that has the stamp of Nepalese visa. Please do not carry multiple visas at a time while traveling to Tibet.
• You will have to provide us the scanned copy of your passport before your arrival at Kathmandu so that we can process ahead for obtaining required Tibet travel permits beforehand. After your arrival at Kathmandu, you will need to provide us the original copy of passport for obtaining the Chinese Visa. Aiming Adventure will take care of all the visa related issues.
• You will have to confirm your travel plan and itinerary before applying for the visa as a copy of travel plan needs to be submitted during the visa application. Other require travel permits will be issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau at Lhasa based on the names of places provided on the travel plan or itinerary. Aiming Adventure will obtain all necessary travel permits for you.
• As there might be changes in rules and regulations regarding visa and travel permits it would be better for you to contact our consultants and confirm the matter before you plan the travel.

Custom Check

Any religious books, scriptures, flags, and materials relating to the Dalai Lama are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated at the customs check. Please make sure not to carry these things when traveling to Tibet.

Staying Connected

There is the facility of postal service at Lhasa (near the Potala Palace) if you would require it. You can also buy postcards from here.

As there is no coverage of China Mobile at Tibet, cell phones do not work here. You will have to make use of telephones at hotels, shops, and booths if you will have to make the call. Internet service is provided at Hotels in Lhasa and there are also some cyber cafes around the city. Only city areas have the communication facilities and communication will be cut off when you are in the remote areas.

Climate
Generally, April to the beginning of November is considered apt for traveling in Tibet. August and September are considered as the ideal time; however, Lhasa can be visited throughout the year. 
The solar radiation is strong in Tibet. Lhasa is also known as the ‘Sunlight City’ due to the extremely intense sunlight there. Tibet is cold during winter; cool in summer and is normally dry, receiving only about 450 millimeters of rain or snow. 

Accommodation

There are three stars to five-star hotel available around the larger cities with comfort and facilities. But around the remote areas and villages, there will be basic accommodation at the guesthouses.

Money Exchange

Aiming Adventure will provide the money exchange facility at Kathmandu before you leave for Tibet. But in case you will have to exchange money at Tibet then there is the Bank of China which provides exchange facility of almost all foreign currencies.

Health

As you will be traveling through higher altitude there are chances that you might suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). To prevent this you need to have some form of light physical activity and get extra hydrated by drinking enough water and fresh juices. Also, you are advised not to drink tap water as they might be contaminated. Drink only bottled or purified water during the journey.

Travel Insurance

Aiming Adventure does not provide you any insurance facility. You need to be insured before you get on the trip. Any emergency situation caused by health condition or any other factor that would require medical treatment or emergency helicopter evacuation should be borne by the traveler themselves.