Tibet

[kaypohmeow]

Anyone travel to Tibet before? Did you follow tour packages from sg?

Did anyone book the local tour packages and fly there by yourself?

Kindly share your experience, thanks!

 

[hawkwind]

IMO it's safer to join in with a local tour agency. High altitude sickness can affect certain people very badly and established agencies will ensure that coaches are equipped with oxygen tanks and someone who can help explain what to do to minimise it. Tourist hotels are required to have medical staff and equipment on site but not sure if all have. Also I have found that locals are particularly sensitive to tourists taking photos of them in certain instances and a good guide will advise you on this.

 

[therat]

Anyone travel to Tibet before? Did you follow tour packages from sg?

Did anyone book the local tour packages and fly there by yourself?

Kindly share your experience, thanks!

I just come back from Tibet on April.

I book local tour packages and fly there myself and meet up the local tour guide at Lhasa.

It is very enjoyable and more freedom.

As SG tour package, u have to follow their itinerary.

While Local tour package, we (group of 4) amend the local tour itinerary based on number of days we want and where we want to go.
And we tried all kind of food, not those Tourist standard group food.

The challenge we have is to find our way from SG to Lhasa. Hotel stay, by air, by train, etc

Local tour , they only pick up and send off at Lhasa. They cannot pick up from any China city.

 

[artemov]

The challenge we have is to find our way from SG to Lhasa. Hotel stay, by air, by train, etc

How did you get your Tibet permit to fly into Lhasa in this case? Cheers.

 

[kaypohmeow]

IMO it's safer to join in with a local tour agency. High altitude sickness can affect certain people very badly and established agencies will ensure that coaches are equipped with oxygen tanks and someone who can help explain what to do to minimise it. Tourist hotels are required to have medical staff and equipment on site but not sure if all have. Also I have found that locals are particularly sensitive to tourists taking photos of them in certain instances and a good guide will advise you on this.

Good points, thanks!

 

[kaypohmeow]

I just come back from Tibet on April.

I book local tour packages and fly there myself and meet up the local tour guide at Lhasa.

It is very enjoyable and more freedom.

As SG tour package, u have to follow their itinerary.

While Local tour package, we (group of 4) amend the local tour itinerary based on number of days we want and where we want to go.
And we tried all kind of food, not those Tourist standard group food.

The challenge we have is to find our way from SG to Lhasa. Hotel stay, by air, by train, etc

Local tour , they only pick up and send off at Lhasa. They cannot pick up from any China city.

Appreciate your sharing, so the local tour agent does not arrange your accommodation, just pick you up from the airport?

How many days are you there? Do you guys stay at 1 or multiple hotels?

Did you include Mt Everest Base camp in your itinerary? If yes, is it worth to go? I plan to go in October and had been checking with a few tour agencies in sg. But all of them don't include this camp claiming it will be v cold in October.

The reason for looking at local land tours cos the packages from sg have shopping stops (at least 3) which I hate.

Sorry for so many questions!

Edit: Hope you can share details of the local land tour too

 

[travbug]

To therat, can u share the local agency contact? Or their website?

Thanks

 

[therat]

How did you get your Tibet permit to fly into Lhasa in this case? Cheers.

Local tour agent has to arrange for that. No one can.

You cannot get on to any fly or train to Tibet w/o Tibet permit.

If you fly into Tibet, you need to have original Tibet permit. So please plan some time in China city for them to sent it to you.

By train into Tibet, you can print out the permit and bring along. Must be BIG and CLEAR.

I went in thru Train, every single point, they will check and ask for the Tibet permit and our passport.

In china city train station collect our train ticket, check
In Train station when show our train ticket, check
before onboard, check
in the cabin, check
when train start moving, check
Reach Lhasa, leaving train station, check.
And we was bring to other office, check again.

Then finally left the area and saw our Tibet tour guide

 

[therat]

Appreciate your sharing, so the local tour agent does not arrange your accommodation, just pick you up from the airport?

In Tibet, Hotel, transport will be arrange by them
In China, as my friend know how to book china domestic flight. She take care of this.
As for China hotel, any web can book, as long the hotel can take in foreigner.
But for train, Local tour agent help us to book. No way foreigner can able to get the train ticket.
Train to Lhasa is selling like hot cake.
Chengdu --> Lhasa, sold out in minute

How many days are you there? Do you guys stay at 1 or multiple hotels?

11 days. I have lost track how many hotel I have stay. You dont just stay at Lhasa. You will move around

Did you include Mt Everest Base camp in your itinerary? If yes, is it worth to go? I plan to go in October and had been checking with a few tour agencies in sg. But all of them don't include this camp claiming it will be v cold in October.

Yes, include Mt Everest Base camp.
Winter is closed for foreigner.
I didnt stay overnight at EBC. The tent has been removed after Winter.
EBC need another level of approval which need to indicate at the Tibet permit.

The reason for looking at local land tours cos the packages from sg have shopping stops (at least 3) which I hate.

Sorry for so many questions!

Edit: Hope you can share details of the local land tour too

Shopping stops.. that what I dont like too.

Local land tour.. my friend communicate with them in wechat using mandarin

 

[kaypohmeow]

In Tibet, Hotel, transport will be arrange by them
In China, as my friend know how to book china domestic flight. She take care of this.
As for China hotel, any web can book, as long the hotel can take in foreigner.
But for train, Local tour agent help us to book. No way foreigner can able to get the train ticket.
Train to Lhasa is selling like hot cake.
Chengdu --> Lhasa, sold out in minute



11 days. I have lost track how many hotel I have stay. You dont just stay at Lhasa. You will move around



Yes, include Mt Everest Base camp.
Winter is closed for foreigner.
I didnt stay overnight at EBC. The tent has been removed after Winter.
EBC need another level of approval which need to indicate at the Tibet permit.





Shopping stops.. that what I dont like too.

Local land tour.. my friend communicate with them in wechat using mandarin

Thank you for the info!

 

[happyquestion8]

Can share contact of your travel agency?

Thinking of going to Lhasa (only, not outside) in a month's time.
Will take care of my own air / hotel. But need permit and local
guide for city tour.
Can you share the contact of your travel agency? Thanks!

I just come back from Tibet on April.

I book local tour packages and fly there myself and meet up the local tour guide at Lhasa.

It is very enjoyable and more freedom.

As SG tour package, u have to follow their itinerary.

While Local tour package, we (group of 4) amend the local tour itinerary based on number of days we want and where we want to go.
And we tried all kind of food, not those Tourist standard group food.

The challenge we have is to find our way from SG to Lhasa. Hotel stay, by air, by train, etc

Local tour , they only pick up and send off at Lhasa. They cannot pick up from any China city.

 

[susantng]

Hello there, I am looking for 2 persons to share cost for a trip for the first week of September. My friend and I will book a car in the local agency. They will help to apply for a tibet entry permit as well. Any interested person?

 

[easyippt]

Good info always been on my to visit list

 

[CHINCSM]

Can share pm local china tour contact?

 

[gpangpingpong]

I have always wanted to go to Tibet - such a beautiful place

 

[jamietehc]

It’s amazing bro! FYI - Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, is a unique and spiritual city on a snow plateau. ... As the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism, Lhasa boasts numerous well-preserved Buddhist constructions, most of which are mysterious palaces and monasteries.

 

[kaypohmeow]

A v brief updates to wrap up this thread. Just came back from Tibet last month.

In the end, I took up a local tour agency package cos my partner had some medical conditions which cannot be taken lightly.

I suffered quite a bit due to the altitude sickness. Got headache everyday, probably bcos I had migraine history. Also, I exercised quite a lot, so the local guide said my 肺活量比较大, so more sensitive to it. Luckily I brought lots of panadol. Btw, I had taken diamox before the trip and it doesn't help.

My group had an old couple abt 70+, they survived the trip without trouble. So it really depends on individual.

But all the sufferings is worth it as the place is v v scenic esp the Yamdrok Lake. The Potala Palace is so magnificent.

Those who don't like shopping stops, there is a local agency which offered such package, and of course is more expensive.

 

[nuiguiruimi]

A v brief updates to wrap up this thread. Just came back from Tibet last month.

In the end, I took up a local tour agency package cos my partner had some medical conditions which cannot be taken lightly.

I suffered quite a bit due to the altitude sickness. Got headache everyday, probably bcos I had migraine history. Also, I exercised quite a lot, so the local guide said my 肺活量比较大, so more sensitive to it. Luckily I brought lots of panadol. Btw, I had taken diamox before the trip and it doesn't help.

My group had an old couple abt 70+, they survived the trip without trouble. So it really depends on individual.

But all the sufferings is worth it as the place is v v scenic esp the Yamdrok Lake. The Potala Palace is so magnificent.

Those who don't like shopping stops, there is a local agency which offered such package, and of course is more expensive.

Hihi,

Can PM me your local agency details? Thanks

 

[berlo84]

Hihi,

Can PM me your local agency details? Thanks

PM you

 

[luckygal]

A v brief updates to wrap up this thread. Just came back from Tibet last month.

In the end, I took up a local tour agency package cos my partner had some medical conditions which cannot be taken lightly.

I suffered quite a bit due to the altitude sickness. Got headache everyday, probably bcos I had migraine history. Also, I exercised quite a lot, so the local guide said my 肺活量比较大, so more sensitive to it. Luckily I brought lots of panadol. Btw, I had taken diamox before the trip and it doesn't help.

My group had an old couple abt 70+, they survived the trip without trouble. So it really depends on individual.

But all the sufferings is worth it as the place is v v scenic esp the Yamdrok Lake. The Potala Palace is so magnificent.

Those who don't like shopping stops, there is a local agency which offered such package, and of course is more expensive.

Does Panadol help to ease your daily headache? Did you get your migraine cured?