Introduction: Tibet is certainly one of the place you just have to visit once in a lifetime. After centuries of virtual isolation Tibet is cautiously opening up to the western world. Tibet is an awesome experience, but it is not for the faint-hearted. Kathmandu provides the gate way into Tibet as well.
Transportation: Lhasa is now connected with train network with main land China. Roads in Tibet are not very good but much has improved recently. Generally 4WD Japanese jeeps are used to carry tourists & trucks for supplies & equipment’s.
Emergency Evacuation: Travelers are requested to take insurance from home which covers medical & emergency evacuation. Seriously ill travelers should not consider trying to leave Tibet by road, as the difficulties & uncertainties of such a journey holds many risks.
By Air: Kathmandu- Gonggar: a twice-weekly flight operates between kathmandu & Lhasa from the beginning of April through October & sometimes till November depending upon the weather conditions. The 55-minute flight offers spectacular views of the Himalayas & the southern Tibet Plateau including Mt. Everest & many more surrounding peaks of Khumbu region.
By Road: An approach that has great appeal for hardy & adventurous travellers is to enter or leave Tibet by road, following the footsteps of explores who for more than a century tried to reach Lhasa overland. Kathmandu to Lhasa by road is 900 kilometers. Along the way you can visit some of the most scenic & religious sights.
Climate: Tibet is very cold in winter, cool in summer & generally dry. The air neither blocks nor holds heat. Sunshine feels warm, shadows are chilly, & temperatures can change rapidly within a day, from 29 degree Celsius in desert areas in summer, and plunging below 4 degree Celsius the same night. The most pleasant months for tourism are from April to October.
Money exchange: Banks in Tibet are closed on Saturday & Sunday. So, you are requested to carry about US $100 per person in cash or travellers cheque for personal expenses. If it is cash dollars, even local people help you to get them exchanged into Chinese Yuan. Credit cards are very difficult to cash outside the banks, especially outside Lhasa. The unit of currency is Yuan, which is approximately US$1=8 Yuan.
Health: Traveling in Tibet involves high altitude & can be strenuous. Client with heart & lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very often the cases of altitude sickness have been reported.Simple headache, fever,loss of appetite or stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Adivised, drink approx. 03 litres of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply & take regular rests.
