Getting To Tibet & Our tibet Itinerary

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Getting quotes to travel in Tibet

Before deciding on Adventure Club Treks and Expeditions to organize our Tibet holiday we canvassed lots of other companies to get an idea of what they charged. Some were Tibetan companies, some were Chinese and one was even Indian. Birendra from Adventure Club in Nepal has been so helpful and accommodating we feel we are quite safe in his hands. Additionally, his price was very good. Some of his competitors were charging several hundred dollars more for what appears to be the same service.

When you start comparing travel companies for Tibet tours ensure they are all quoting on the same things. Several of the quotes we received didn't include our Group Visas or entrance fees into various areas and museums etc. One company's charge for our Group Visa was twice the amount another company intended charging. One company might be offering you transport in a bus whereas another may use a 4WD vehicle (which is far preferable) so make sure you are comparing apples with apples.

Adventure Club Treks and Expeditions

We are each going to be paying Adventure Club $768 USD which is for 9 days touring and 8 nights accommodation in Tibet. For our money we will receive:

~Transfer by 4 WD Land Cruiser when we travel from Kathmandu to the Tibet border and then onwards right through Tibet.
~Accommodation in a triple room in budget accommodation on a B&B basis.
~Sightseeing with a Tibetan, English speaking guide.
~All monastery entrance fees.
~Tibet travel permit and visa.
~All government tax in Nepal (I'm not sure what that involves at this stage).

It doesn't include:

~Lunch and dinner (we are told to allow $10 - 15 per day per person)
~Personal insurance of any kind.
~Expenses of a personal nature.

Note: we are not doing any trekking which I'm sure would cost a good bit more. Not only are we not up to trekking but we want to see the beauty of Tibet and enjoy its culture and history instead.

Our itinerary in Tibet

Day 1 - Kathmandu in Nepal to Nyalam in Tibet. 156 km and the drive takes 6 - 8 hours. We stop at the border town of Kodari for immigration formalities. Overnight at a guest house.

Day 2 - Nyalam to Tingri. 225 km and journey will take about 6 hours .At this point we will be travelling along the top of the world and we shall be 5050 metres above sea level. We should get our first glimpse of Mt. Everest at some stage. Overnight at the Snow Leopard Guest House.

Day 3 - Tingri to Rombuk. After breakfast we we drive 100 km to the Everest Base Camp. Whilst there we can go on a horse cart ride which will cost 110 yuan per person. Stay at Rombuk Guest House.

Day 4 - Rombuk to Shigatse. 344 km and it will take about 9 hours. This will be another scenic drive and we should drive through the highest point, Gyatchu Pass which is 5220 m above sea level. Overnight in Qomolongma Friendship Hotel.

Day 5 - Shigatse to Gyantse. 90 km so it will take us only about 2 hours. En route we get to visit the Tashilumpu monastery. We'll be driving through Tibet's biggest agricultural area. We'll also go to the Kumbum Stupa and Palkor Monastery. We will stay at the Wutsu hotel (or similar)

Day 6 - Gyantse to Lhasa.261 km. This will be a full day of picturesque driving along the turquoise Lake Yamdrok, crossing over Kampala Pass and the Bramaputra River. We'll be staying at the Flora Hotel for the next three nights.

Days 7 and 8 - Two full days sightseeing in Lhasa.

Day 9 - Fly back to Australia.

Next page - Vaccinations

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