A complete Tibet travel information site which gives general knowledge about Tibetan people, religion, monasteries, Potala palace and tourism activities like travel, tours, trekking, climbing expedition, mountain biking in Tibet. Holiday Mountain Treks is a professional tour/trek organizer/operator in central Tibet/Lhasa, Mount Kailash/Manasarovar, adventure overland tour to Everest base camp, Namtso Lake, Shyame/Kharta valley, and expedition arrangements for Cho Oyu, Sisa Pangma, Mount Everest etc. Detail on itineraries, cost, clothing equipments/gears, a trip booking procedures, visa, permits, sightseeing places, Simikot-mt. kailash, Lhasa-mt. kailash Overland Tibet Lhasa tours are given here.

Tibet-with an average altitude over 4000m above sea level, Lays under the ancient Sea of Tethys. Eighty million years ago, India crashed into Asia, pushing up the Himalayas, lifting the ocean bottom above water, and creating this magical land. Mystical land, Shangri-La, Forbidden Country: Tibet has many names and inspires an air of mystical dreams. However, Tibet is real and a beautiful place to travel. It possesses a unique culture, firmly rooted in Tibetan religion, but with strong influence from the geography of the Himalayas, and the neighboring civilizations of India and China.

Geographically, Tibet can be divided into three major parts - north, south and east. The eastern part is forest region, occupying approximately one-fourth of the land. Virgin forests run the entire breadth and length of this part of Tibet. The northern part is open grassland, where nomads and yak and sheep dwell here. This part occupies approximately half of Tibet. The southern and central part is agricultural region, occupying about one-fourth of Tibet's land area. All major Tibetan cities and towns such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse and Tsetang are located in this area and are considered the cultural center of Tibet.

Spiritual traditions, monasteries, Lakes/Rivers, mighty snow clad peaks, land rich in mountains, monks, mystery and adventures just a few of the intoxicating wonders to be experienced by adventurous travelers who get the opportunity to visit this land.
Travel Tips

Our Advice:
Drink 4 liter of water minimum a day, don't exhaust yourself so much and breathe deep and take rest more than usual.

Booking & Visa:
Minimum 2 weeks in advance (for booking from outside Kathmandu) and one week (from within Kathmandu) a firm booking with full payment along with full passport details (incl. Full name, Date & place of birth. Passport No., Date of issue & Expiry, Profession, Sex Home Address, Tel. No., etc.) Should reach us. We arrange China/ Tibet visa at a cost of $ 30.00 per person. For visa procedure, 5 full working days are required with a condition that clients should be available in Kathmandu, otherwise urgent charge will have to be borne by the clients.

Cancellation:
50% of the tour cost will be charged as cancellation fee if you cancel the tour within 7 days prior to the start of the tour (for booking from outside Kathmandu) and $ 100.00 will be charged (for booking in Kathmandu). No refund, thereafter, also for No-Shows, delay arrivals or whatsoever reasons.

Risk & Liability:
We shall always put all efforts in making your journey smooth and pleasant. However, as all Tibet tours are run strictly under Tibet Tourism Authority, our agent's whale or we not are responsible for any change or cancellation of flight, delay arrivals, sickness or accidents. Any extra cost incurring thereof shall be borne by the clients. So, it is most advisable that clients to have full insurance against medical and personal accidents risk. A cancellation insurance is also most advised from you home country.

Climate And Clothing:
The high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau make for climatic extremes – temperatures have been known to drop 17° C (80°F) in a single day. However the climate in Tibet is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. Days are warm & sunny.

Best Season: April to the beginning of November.

Our Overland tours ex-Kathmandu begins in the middle of March. Regular tour operates from April to November when the China South West Airlines begins operating flight between Kathmandu & Lhasa. In winter, Tibet is closed as flight ceases and the Mountain Passes are covered with snow.

Casual wear and comfortable walking shoes warm clothing as nights and early morning can be quit chilly to downright cold in winter months. Bring camera & films, batteries, medicine, Toiletries, sun glasses, dust mask etc. that you will need from home as these are difficult if not impossible to obtain in Tibet. A small first aid kit is also a good idea.

Altitude Sickness:
As Tibet lies at an overage altitude of 4000 meter; you are likely to experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness (headache, mild nausea, loss of appetite) until your body adjusts to the elevation

Insurance:
the client prior to arrival in Nepal should make personal travel insurance. Full travel insurance coverage, particularly for trip cancellation and interruption is strongly recommended.

Currency:
The unit of currency is Yuan. USD 1=9 Yuan. Foreign currency and travelers cheque is accepted at the bank of China in Ghangmu, Shigatse and Lhasa. Major cards are also accepted in Shigatse and Lhasa.

Airport Tax:
Airport tax in Lhasa airport in Yuan 90(US$12). If you are flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu, airport tax at our airport in Rs. 1,100 per person.

Visa Splitting:
As Tibet tour requires visa in-group; some time people staying longer will have to get the group visa split. It costs generally Chinese Yuan 200-400 depending upon different nationalities.

Hotels en Route:
As the facilities in Tibet are very basic, hotels, although they look gorgeous, don not has proper facilities even in Lhasa. So, in the remote areas, it is obvious that hotels may not have enough double rooms and clients sometimes may have to have triple, four or five bedded rooms in some places. However, we always try to provide twin bedded rooms. Especially, first two night have to be spent in such basic hotels that may not have bathrooms attached and could require you to use common toilets.


CUSTOM:
There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders as long as they're registered with a custom official, printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese government are prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts demed to be excessive.

FOOD & DRINK:
Tibet has only a handful of towers and Tibetan cuisine is not exactly the most varied in the world. It is handy to carry, anything that can be brewed with hot, water instant coffee, drinking chocolate, tea (bags) soup cubes, powered milk, other food items worth considering are instant noodles, vegemite, nuts and raisins, chocolate, dry foods and biscuit.

BUSINESS HOURS:
Government offices are usually closed on SATURDAY .


AIRPORT:
Lhasa Gonggar airport is approx 96kms away from Lhasa


AIR TICKET RECONFIRMATION:
Your guide will reconfirm the air ticket upon payment of RMB 30, which is reconfirmation fee charged by China Southwest Airlines.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
A cancellation charge of 50% for reconfirmed booking up to SEVEN DAYS before departure to TIBET will be charged after which NO REFUND will be entertained. Further under no circumstance will there be a refund on NO SHOW UPS and DELAY in ARRIVALS.


IMPORTANT PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION FOR TIBET

Included in the Land cost
Transport by motorcoach coach/landrover/automobile as required, and accommodation with daily breakfast using Holiday Inn/Tibet Hotel while at Lhasa. Tibet for the rest of we use the best available hotels and guest houses, but these offer more basic accommodation and fewer amenities. Sightseeing Tours, Services of English speaking Local Tibetan /Chinese Guides, entrance fees to monasteries and other points of interest, Tibet permits, Kathmandu-Lhasa airfare as per itinerary and visa charges are also included.

Not included in the land cost
Insurance, airport departure taxes, Nepalese Visa, Passport fees, immunizations, hard and soft drinks, Photographic charges in various monasteries, gratuities and items of any personal nature that have not been specifically included above.

Surcharge
A surcharge of US$ 50.00 on Tibet visas is applicable for British, Canadian, Belgian, Cameroon, Brazilian, Irish, French and Dutch nationals.

Accessories
We recommend you to bring the following items to make your journey more comfortable : Personal first aid kid, water purification tablets, toilet kit with toilet paper, flashlight with extra batteries, sunglasses, water bottle, note book, pens, pencils, camera and film and extra batteries for electronic Cameras, binoculars, Duffel bag, rain gear, strong footwear, pocket knife, sewing kits, compass, altimeter, drinking cup, towel, plastic bags, dust mask, strong suncream, chapstic, and money belt.


Note: We will be happy to provide package programs including Nepal with any of these Tibet packages on request.