Tips on Tibet Train

It is really a once-in-a-life journey to have a Tibet tour by train. The super highlight of this kind of Tibet tour is the Sky Train, the world’s highest train ride across the 5200 meter high mountain pass amidst the grand vistas of surreal mountain range and uniquely shaped Tibetan Landscape. It would be an unforgettable expedition across full bosomed clear streams cascading down beautiful mountain ranges, sharing kisses with glistering dew drops, an amorous ride with nature.

As the tour counselor for years, based on my experience, here are some advices for all the international travelers:

Like traveling in other parts of China, if you don't speak any Chinese or have little knowledge of this country, please bring a phrase book with you. Though the train attendants had some crash courses of English, it is surely not enough to cover different situations on board.

After going up more than 4500 meters above sea level, some weird things may happen at the altitude like ink-pens leak, vacuum-sealed food packages explode, some laptops and digital music players fail. So please get ready for what is going to happen on the way!

The trains may stop at some high-altitude stations with a fantastic view. Please keep warm if getting off the train. Catching a cold on the plateau will make you feel worse, even lead to a disastrous consequence. Please don't run and get excited at the height, otherwise, you may feel very uncomfortable afterwards due to lack of oxygen.

Please take light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy, and avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration.

You can use sunscreen, sunglasses, lip creams to protect your eyes and skin, for Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with more intensity.

Please check with your doctor before coming to take the trip. Those who have heart problems, high or low blood pressure are not recommended to take the train ride and visit Tibet. For regular people, doctors may or may not suggest that you bring some high altitude medication based on your physical condition.

info comes from

Travel to Tibet

Accommodation conditions in Tibet

Accommodation conditions in Tibet have been greatly improved due to rapidly developing tourism in Tibet. In most cities and counties in Tibet, there are hotels and guest houses for lodging, but the equipment and service may be inferior to those of the other places of China. Even some famous international chain hotels in Lhasa, like Sheraton and Jardin secret, the service standard and
facilities of most 3, 4 even 5 star hotels are not what you would expect from the same rating hotels in Beijing or Shanghai.

Most of the standard rooms of the starred hotels in Lhasa have private washrooms with water heaters. In the guest houses there are own public bathrooms with fixed time service. Usually internet service is available in the business center or the separate internet bar in the hotels, and private internet service may be offered in the luxury rooms of a hotel. However, in some remote areas, the internet is not accessible due to the limited condition. Coffee is uncommon in the rooms, but many hotels have a separate cafe.

In Lhasa and Shigatse, starred hotels are more than other cities of Tibet. In Lhasa, accommodation ranges from guest houses to five star hotels. Except for the golden weeks of May Day Holiday, National Holiday and Shoton Festival, the hotels are not difficult to book. In Shigatse, Gyantse, Tsedang and Nyingtri, the highest standard is three stars. In Tingri, Zhangmu and Nagchu, the highest are two stars while in other smaller or remote areas, accommodation is mainly in guest houses, usually having a public bathroom with squat toilet. Therefore, when travelling to remote areas where only guest houses are available, you should bring a sleeping bag to keep warm and clean. You can bring a tent if you would like to camp for the night, such as at Namtso Lake.

In the off-season, most hotels go out of business due to fewer travelers. But in the high season, the prices are about 30% higher than those during the low season, sometimes up to twice as much.

Besides, if you want to get more close to local life and learn about local customs, Tibetans welcome you to their houses. Nowadays, Tibetans have opened their own hostels themselves, which are very popular with travelers. In Lhasa, there are many hostels of this kind in the old district, especially around Barkhor Street.

information comes from Travel to Tibet

Photography Loop for Central Tibet

Tibet, land of mysteries. There’re great valleys crouching beneath snow laden mountains, lakes mirroring blankets of snow, majestic Buddhist edifices, which make Tibet a “paradise” for photographers. After full exploration in Lhasa city,

11 Days Tibet Photography Tour

Standing at the roof of the world, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau creates a unique Tibetan nationality due to its unique natural conditions. Their unique religious beliefs help to create splendid Tibetan culture center around Tibetan Buddhism. Either stunning natural landscape or profound & unique religious culture is a fatal attraction for any photographers. This is a classic photography tour with high accessibility, covering Lhasa, Shigatse and other towns center around human landscapes; Yamdrok lake, Namtso lake and other well-known holy lakes in Tibet; and the highest peak in the word – Mt. Everest. The highlights and attractions in this tour are highly representative.

• Duration: 11 Days
• Max Altitude: 5，200 meters
• Customizable private tour with private guide & vehicle

Highlights in Central Tibet

1. Soak up the fabulous location and spectacular circular complex of Samye, Tibet’s first monastery.
2. Hike the Yarlang Valley, including the iconic Yumbulagang-the first building in Tibet-and the ruins of Rechung-puk.
3. Overnight at one of central Tibet’s peaceful monasteries-either beside the sand dunes of Dorje Drak, beneath the juniper-clad hills of Reting or at the vibrant monastic centre of Mindroling.
4. Soak your worries away in the picture-perfect hot springs of Tidrum Nunnery.
5. Squeeze, drag and giggle yourself silly through the sacred cave complexes of Drak Yangdzong, an adventurous overnight pilgrim destination.
6. Get a taste of the northern Changtang at the turquoise waters, snowy peaks and nomads’ tents of stunning high-altitude.
   Info. from Tibettravel.org

Tibetan Barley Wine

The Tibetan brew is known as chang, a fermented barley beer. It has a rich,  fruity taste and ranges from disgusting to pretty good.

Connoisseurs serve it out of a jerry can. Those trekking in the Everest region should try the local variety, which is served in a big pot. Hot water is poured into the fermenting barley and the liquid is drunk through a wooden straw  –  it is very good. Sharing chang is a good way to get to know local people, if drunk in small quantities. The taste of Chang differs from one to another due to the brewing method and duration.

Monthly Travel Advice for People Travel to Mt. Everest

From January to March, Mt. Everest enjoys a very clear view at this time but is kind of cold. There may be some snows, so make sure you bring warm clothes and pay attention to the slippery roads.

From April to mid-June. This would be the best time to visit Mt. Everest for warm weather. Many mountaineers choose this period of time to climb Mt. Everest.

From mid-June to August. There will be a lot of rainfalls during these months. Mt. Everest may be covered by mist, so there are some possibilities that you cannot have a clear view of Mt. Everest.

From September to November. Winter comes. Weather at Mt. Everest is relatively harsh. Chances are that you may not see the summit of Mt. Everest clearly because of the cloudy climate.

Tibet Travel Tips for Vegetarian Tourists to Tibet

If you are a vegetarian and plan to travel to Tibet, you don't need to worry about what to eat during your trip in Tibet. There are many vegetarian restaurants in Tibet offering you a wide range of options. You can just specify when ordering.

1. Holy Land Vegetarian Restaurant located on Linkuo Bei Lu in Lhasa (at northern end of Ramoche Road). This restaurant is considered as the best vegetarian restaurant in Tibet. In this restaurant, vegetarians don't need to worry about the 'soy fish' or 'soy chicken feet', this is 100% vegetarian food, dressed up to resemble meat dishes. It is a large place with 2 floors of dining areas nicely and comfortably decorated. The wooden tables and Buddhist images on the wall give the place a simple Zen-like atmosphere. The English and picture menus help things along. Extensive English menu with photos features elaborate dishes. Open daily 9:30am-9:30pm.

2. Wonderful Vegetarian Restaurant at Jiangsu Lu, near the west gate of Tibet University, in Lhasa. This vegetarian restaurant in Lhasa offers an English menu that features a wide variety of hot dishes consisting of vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and/or mockmeat. It also provides a variety of snacks, soups, cold dishes, drinks. Simple food without use of much herbs and spices. No eggs or dairy used. No alchohol or smoking. Open daily 10am-10pm.

The Kham region of Tibet

The Kham region of Tibet is located in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Tibet, Qinghai, and Yunnan. Kham is known for its verdant grasslands, craggy mountains, and pure rivers. The most famous Tibetan horse festivals such as Litang Horse Festival or Yushu Horse Festival  take place every summer in Kham, where Tibetans compete and show off their riding skills. Tibetans from Kham have a reputation for being as loyal as they are tough. Many carry traditional swords and walk with a swagger, but are quick to invite you into their yak-hair tents for a cup of butter tea.

Tips on traveling to Tibet in autumn

Tibet is one of the most popular international tourist destinations and attracts over 1000 tourists daily. The golden tourism time of Tibet will last to autumn, when there are grand natural scenery, refreshing pure air, golden barley valley, prosperous farmhouses and fields. Here are some tips on traveling to Tibet in autumn which may help you to plan a wonderful tour to Tibet.   

Some people say they fall in love with Tibet without any reason. Actually, there are too many seasons to list them out. There are star-studded plateau lakes, which are as blue as sky, as quiet as mirror; there are grand snow mountains, and glaciers which will not melt around the year. The clear sky in Tibet is as blue as sapphire, the floating clouds around the snow mountains are as white as Hada. There are desolate and grand natural scenery, refreshing pure air, silent and serene desert, pasture with herds of cattle and sheep on it, the golden barley valley, prosperous primitive forest, rich and simple customs, resplendent and magnificent ancient monastery and so on. All of these make Tibet become the holy place in every Tibet tourist's heart.

From May, Tibet comes into its golden tourism time, and it will last to autumn. However, it becomes colder and colder and tourists are easy to catch a cold and suffer from altitude sickness. Therefore, you need a good preparation and plan. 

 

1. Stop exercising at least 10 days before travelling to Tibet. Many people think that a lot of exercise before touring Tibet will help them to avoid high altitude sickness. This is not exactly true because exercise will consume a great amount of oxygen and impose an additional burden on the heart, which increase possibility to cause altitude sickness. 

 

2. Take some capsule or Compound Oral Liquid of Rhodiola since 10 days before go to Tibet to reduce the impact of altitude sickness.         

 

3. Prevent colds. If you already get a cold, go to Tibet after you completely recover so as to avoid pulmonary edema and encephaledema caused by colds.

4. Take some warm clothes with you. It begins to snow in many places of Tibet from October and it will be very cold, especially at night. 

 

5. Take some medicine for colds, headaches, stomach troubles or other minor ailments. Vitamins are also recommended. 

 

6. To prevent sun-burn and for general comfort, sunglasses, hat, and sun block should be worn for outdoor activities.  

 

 You can ask more details and advice from Tibet Travel Org at anytime. 

- See more at: http://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-advice/tips-for-autumn-tibet-tour.html#sthash.Au7xFmFl.dpuf

Trek from Nepal to Tibe

Different from regular programs, which are always staring Nepal to Tibet trip from Kathmandu by air or by plan, I recommend a very interesting 23 days program. you trek to Tibet from Nepal's Simikot and enter Tibet through Purang, a town very near to Mt. Kailash. I had picked up one group at Tibet border Purang, their plan is quite unique and like this.

trek to Tibet

 

 

Day 01

Arrive Kathmandu, transfers to Hotel.

Day 02

Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide. 4/5 Hrs. China Visa Apply and Simikot Restricted Area Permit Apply. Overnight at Kathmandu

Day 03

Simikot Restricted Area Permit Issue and fly to Nepalgunj afternoon. Overnight at Nepalgunj

Day 04

Fly to Simikot and short trek. Overnight at Tented Camping

Day 05

Trek to Kermi ( 2690m) Overnight at Tented Camping (O/N TC)

Day 06

Trek to Yalbang Gompa. (O/N TC)

Day 07

Trek to Tumkot Khola(O/N TC)

Day 08

Trek to Thado Dhunga(O/N TC)

Day 09

Trek Nara La Pass to Hilsa (O/N TC) or Guest house

Day 10

Short trek and drive to Taklakot (O/N TC) or Guest house

Day 11

Drive to Mansarovar Lake (Fullmoon Celebrate) (O/N TC)

Day 12

Drive to Darchen and Visit Tharboche (O/N TC)

Day 13

Start pilgrimage trip (entitled Kora from Buddhist and Parikarma from Hindu followers) around Holy mountain- Kailash . Camp at Damding Donkhang (4890m)

Day 14

Continue trek – camp at Jarok Donkhang (5210m)

Day 15

Continue trek around Holy Kailash – Zutul Phuk (4790m) Camp

Day 16

End trek at Darchen Camp and drive Thirtapuri hot springs (O/N TC)

Day 17

Drive Gudge Kingdom (O/N TC)

Day 18

Excursion Zandra Gudge Kingdom (9th century Kingdom of Guge but in ruin forms) (O/N TC)

Day 19

Drive Tsaprang – Horfe (4520m) (8hrs) (O/N TC)

Day 20

Drive Horfe – Paryang (4450m) (5-6hrs) hotel / camp Scenic drive through the Tibetan countryside past Palutso Lake and small villages plus the Nyalam Pass (3800m) from where one can enjoy lifetime view of Mt. Everest Mt. Xisapagma and Mt. Cho yu ( weather permitting ) and then descend the plateau through the winding mountainous road and overnight at Nyalam

Day 21

Drive Nyalam – Zhangmu – Kathmandu (5-6 hrs.) Overnight in Kathmandu hotel at BB plan.

Day 22

Day free at Kathmandu. Overnight hotel

Day 23

Departure from Nepal.

Choose the best time to visit Tibet Nomads

Choose the best time to visit Tibet Nomads

My clients always question me, what is the best time to visit Tibet to see the grassland and nomad people. actually, nowadays, Nomad people, who use to travel from place to place for their cattles food ,living and resident together in a village or town, some of the people finish the nomad life and have their own fixed house. However, life is life, the nomadic Tibetans still keep their ancestral primitive lifestyles, to shepherd.


Tibet Nomads

If you want to see the nomads and their lifestyle, their tents, their dogs. you must visit Tibet at the nomadic season. the nomads season usually starts in April and that people go up on the hill for grazing for their hundreds of cattle. Nomads still do butter system on things they want and they exchange things like butter with barley with farmers. And these nomads can tell you weather condition by looking on sky and wind blowing. their nomadic season ends at the beginning of September.

If you visit Lhasa and do a Lhasa tour, you may plan a 2 or 3 days tour north of Lhasa to Namtso Lake, you can see the nomads tents and their cattle on the way. if you want to go deeper and experience more, you can arrange a Tsurphu to Yangpachen trek tour, walk across the grassland and even live by the nomadic tents, visit the nomadic family.

Recommend some Tibet treks in August

Recommend some Tibet treks in August

Actually August is a very beautiful season in Tibet, air is fresh and plants grow flourishing, In August you can see villages, mountains and open Spaces. but August is the right season to trek in Mt. Everest areas, it is the rainy season and the clouds are always surrounding the summit of the mountains, road is muddy to walk and ride.


Mt. Everest

However, August is the best time to visit grassland and villages, if you trek, do trek in village and grassland areas.

I would like to recommend two trekking programs:

1. Gandan Monastery to Samye Monastery Trekking

it takes 4 days, you will across the mountain pass, the original Tibetan Farming Area, river, ect. This route is not far away from Lhasa, so the price can be affordable. You can find this route in famous guide book: the Lonely Planet.

This trek has much to offer: Lakes, landscapes, herder's caps and sared sites. it is known one of the greatest centers of religious culture, connects two biggest monasteries in Tibet, Gandan Monastery, the seat of Gulupa and the Samye Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet history.

2. Thurspu Monastery to Yangpachen Monastery Trekking

Feature: Green Grass Land, Tibet village, Ice Mountains, Nomad tents, hot springs, etc.

the trek takes around 3-4 days with a distance about 60km. not hard just at a level of medium, staring Tserphu Monastery 70km north of Lhasa, finish at Yangpachen Monastery 100km north of Lhasa. the highest pinot is Lasar-la, which is 5400m above sea level. there is no hostel on the trekking path, you have to camp or live in local Tibetan house during trekking. best time to trek is from mid-April to mid-October.

For more about trek in Tibet, you can view our Tibet Travel Website.

Anyway, through these two treks I recommend is not difficult, a thoroughly acclimation in Lhasa is necessary for high-elevation trek, which never dips below 4400m.

Lhasa to Mt. Kailash Itinerary Planning

Lhasa to Mt. Kailash Itinerary Planning 

Here I take one tour planning for example, you can follow this to arrange your trip to Mt.Kailash. 2 to 3 travelers is the best group size to keep the tour best price, because a 4WD can at most load 5 passengers, 1 tour guide, 1 driver and 3 travelers. If the group size raise up to 5, you need arrange a bigger car or one more 4WD. for such a long trip, 4WD is the best tool.

Mt. Kailash

 

Day 01 Arrive in Lhasa by train or air from Kathmandu or China Mainland 

Day 02 Programme in Lhasa 

Day 03 Programme in Lhasa 

Day 04 Lhasa - Gyants, Yamdrok 

Day 05 Palhoe, khumdum monastery. Gyants - Sakya 

Day 06 Sakya - Saga 

Day 07 Saga - Darchen

Notice: the tour program includes Guge Kingdom Ruins.

Day 08 Tolling - Trithapury 

Day 09 Tolling - Tsaparang - Tolling 

Day 10 Tolling - Darchen 

Day 11 Kailash Trek, the first day 

Day 12 Kailash Trek, the second day 

Day 13 Kailash Trek, then from Darchen - Manasarover, only 40km distance.  

Day 14 Lake Manasarover relax and campping

Day 15 Shepeling, khocha 

Day 16 Manasarovar saga 

Day 17 Sga shogats 

Day 18 Monastery, shigatse - lhasa 

Day 19 End trip, Lhasa departure.

How to plan a Lhasa to Kashgar tour

I have had a group of 4 clients from Italy planning a trip from Lhasa to Kashgar in June,2011. Lhasa to Kashgar overland tour is considered the most difficult road trip in China, as a big part of the land driving is above 5000m. and the natural condition is extremely rough,even be called no man's land. 

The road named Xingjiang Tibet Highway, national road 219 (G219), runs along the southwestern border of the China, starting from Yecheng in the Xinjiang and ending in Lhasa, It is 1,296 miles (2,086 kilometers) in length. Tourists need to arrange a two weeks journey from Lhasa or from Yecheng, including visiting the sightseeing spots on the way.  let me  advice something about how to arrange the trip.

First of all, I highlights some important tourist attractions on the way you may take it into consider if you would like to pay a visit for them.

1) Shigatse and Gyantse

If starting the trip in Lhasa, the first two tourist cities is Gyantse and Shigatse, if travel to Gyantse, you need make a detour to Yamdrotso Lake, Karola Gleirs, and Gyantse city, which makes 1 day tour longer and 100km driving longer than driving directly from Lhasa to Shigatse. but the 1 more day tour is worthwhile.

2) Mt. Everest
First section of your road is from Lhasa to Lhatse, Lhatse is a small town of a few thousand people in Tibet, in the valley of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (aka Brahmaputra) in Lhatse County, 151 km southwest of Shigatse and just west of the mountain pass leading to it. Lhatse is 4,050 m. The main road from Lhasa devided into two roads, one is to Everest Base Camp and the other is to Kashgar. At this point, you need to make a decition if you pay a visit to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, it takes you 6 hours and 188km driving. you need to arrange 2 more days for tour to Everest Base Camp.  

2) Mt. Kailash Kora

Mount Kailash Kora is a trekking around Mt. Kailash. Kailash trek  is one of the most demanding and challenging of treks for pilgrims in the world. Pilgrims throng to the mountain: not just Tibetans, but Hindus and Buddhists from India to Japan, joined by Western and Chinese travelers who travel to Tibet to visit this holy mountain, most foreigners take two to three days for the trekking. 

3) Guge Kingdom

Ruins of Guge Kingdom are the Old Palace of Tibet. it was stablished in about the 10th century, and founded by Guge Kingdom. There were about 16 kings with armies of tens of thousands of soldiers during the over 700 years during its flourishing time. if you want to pay a visit to this Ruins, you need arrange one or two days into your long trip. 

I guided Kailash Tour very often, almost more than 10 times a year since I have been a tour guide working for Tibet Travel Org. 

As it is a quite a long trip, the cost is awaresome, you have to take it into consider and prepare enough money to cover all the cost along the trip. 

Cost One: Getting into Tibet

You need to consider the cost for getting into Tibet:

By air from Beijing to Tibet or Shanghai to Tibet, it takes about 400-500 USD per person for a 4 hours flying. 

By train to Lhasa from any starting city in China Mainland, takes you 45 to 56 hours, 2 days and 2 nights. price is from 100USD to 250USD, depends on the tickets grade you choose. 

For organizing the overland trip from Lhasa to kashgar. 

I believe everybody has fully realized that this is a long journey and the land cruiser will need drive for more than 3000km for one way, the living conditions after 2 to 3 days you leave Lhasa is quite poor. That means the services Tibet travel agency is able to give you are poor too; no need to reserve hotels in remote area, no need to specify the restaurants, etc. I suggest, you requires "permit + tour guide + 4WD rental" package, the more service you required the more service charge you need pay to tour operator. the hostels, food, admission fee of tourist attractions you can arrange it on your own on site. do not need worry about hotel booking, there is no need to reserve hotels along this poor way. some hostels has no contact at all.  

Then you make sure what the trip is, and how to plan this trip.  I believe you can start to prepare the itinerary, contact our agency Tibet Travel Org to offer you a wonderful and affordable trip in Tibet.