Tibet-Celebrity Travel Solutions

Affectionately referred to as the "Roof of the World," Tibet is a popular tour destination on the Himalayas. Set in the midst of majestic Himalayan heights and strewn with peaceful Buddhist gompas, Tibet is the perfect holiday destination.

Enjoy shopping in Tibet though make sure not to buy too much jewelry or artifacts as one is not allowed to take too many ethnic objects out of Tibet.

It is advisable to wear simple clothes in layers so that one can add a layer or remove it depending upon the ever varying temperature in Tibet.

Try and carry a complete first aid kit replete with ultra-violet protection, sunglasses, sun blocks and more. Those with ailments of the heart, lungs and blood must get a mandatory check up before setting out on a travel to Tibet.

You must carry a valid passport and visa on your Tibet tours and keep photocopies of all your identification documents and papers while traveling to tourist attractions in Tibet.

The Chinese government does not issue individual permits to lone travelers you are likely to secure a travel visa to Tibet only if you are traveling in a group.

Facts for the traveller :

To visit Tibet, the legendary, forbidden land on the roof of the world, has been the dream of many Westerners.

Getting there :

By air : Kathmandu - gonggar : a twice-weekly flight operates between Kathmandu and Lhasa from the beginning of April through October and sometimes till November depending upon the weather conditions. The 55 minute flight offers spectacular views of the Himalayas and the southern Tibetan plateau.

By road : an approach that has great appeal for hardy and adventurous travellers is to enter or leave Tibet by road, following the footsteps of explorers who for more than a century tried (and usually failed) to reach Lhasa overland.

Visa : the Chinese governments prohibits individual traveller to visit Tibet. The Chinese embassy will only issue visas to travellers on group tours i.e if there is a single tourist or a tourist group of less then 05 pax then they will have to join a group in order to get a visa.

In addition to the visa, it is necessary to obtain an aliens' travel permit for travel in Tibet. Please carry 04 passport size photographs + smaller us dollars denominations for faster completions of visa formalities.

Customs regulations : art objects and antiques in Tibet fall under special restrictions forbidding their export. Anything made before 1959 is considered an antique. Rugs may be bought and exported, so may the small religious objects that are sold in open markets, providing only one or two are taken as souvenirs. Customs officials have been known to confiscate jewellery or other objects if they consider that a tourist has purchased 'too much'.

Climate, clothing and equipment : Tibet is cold in winter, cool in summer and generally dry, receiving only 450 millimeters or rain or snow. Sunlight is extremely intense. The thin air neither blocks nor holds heat, so sunshine feels warm, shadows are chilly, and temperatures can vary greatly within a day, exceeding 29 degree Celsius (84 f) in desert areas in summer, and plunging below 4 degree Celsius (40 f) the same night. The most pleasant months for tourism are from April to October.

Clothing should be simple and consist of layers which can be added or removed as the temperature varies during the day. A warm windbreaker and stout comfortable shoes are especially recommended. Formal attire such as a necktie or dress is never needed - trousers and sweaters are the style.

Lhasa now has many pharmacies selling Tibetan, Chinese and some westerns medicines but, it is advisable to bring your own comprehensive first-aid kit, sunglasses with good ultra-violet protection, sun block and lip cream and a flashlight is important because many interesting sights are poorly lit.

Transportation : there are no air routes within Tibet. The distances are huge and the only recommended mode of transportation is hiring the vehicles from the travel agent.

Altitude & health tips :
Travelling in Tibet is an adventure involving high altitude and could be strenuous. While most visitors have only minor effects from the altitude, we advise specially the guests with known heart or lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before travelling. Mild headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorder can take place in a process of acclimatization. Our advice for better acclimatization, drink 4 liter. Of water minimum a day, do not exhaust yourself so much, breathe deep and take rest more than usual.

Emergency evacuation : seriously ill travellers should not consider trying to leave Tibet by road, as the difficulties and uncertainties of such a journey pose unacceptable risks. Your only choice is to fly.

Money : banks in Tibet/china are closed on Saturday & Sunday. So, you are kindly requested to carry about US $ 100 per person in cash over and above the tour cost to cover your extra expenses for main meals and others enroute until Lhasa. If it is cash dollars, even local people help you to get them exchanged in Chinese yuan. Travellers cheques & credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks especially Outside Lhasa. The unit of currency is yuan . Us$ 1 = 8 yuan.

Communications : international mail is reliable and quite fast if sent by airmail. Idd phone and fax services are available in upmarket hotels.

Visa: The Government of India has withdrawn the temporary landing permit facility till further notice. Hence it is compulsory that all foreign tourists must be in possession of a valid Indian Visa. Tourists also visiting Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other neighboring countries must possess multiple entry Visa.

Documentation & Visa :
You must be in possession of a valid passport. We will obtain your visa for Tibet , and the following information when making your reservation:

- Full Name(as it appears in the passport)
- Passport Number
- Date Of Issue
- Place Of Issue
- Date Of Expiry
- Nationality
- Date Of Birth
- Occupation
- Two Passport Size Photographs

Geography and Natural History :

In geological terms, the creation of the himalayas and the rising of the Tibetan plateau are extremely recent events. The mountains originated less than four million years ago, making them among the youngest in the world.

There are three distinct geographical regions in greater Tibet.

By far the largest natural region is the Northern Plateau, or Chang Tang, which covers about half of Tibet's total surface area and is delineated in the west by the great Karakoram range, in the north by the wall of the Astin Tagh, and in the northeast by the Nan Shan range.

The chang tang has one of the worst climates on earth and therefore most of the part of this region is never visited by humans.

The second main geographical region of Tibet, the outer plateau is a relatively narrow strip, with the Himalayas forming the southern boundary. It is the most populous part of Tibet and contains almost all the major human settlements.

The outer plateau differs from the northern plateau in several important ways. The temperature and climate

are milder, and consequently there is a richer distribution of flora and fauna. The area around shigatse and the Lhasa valley are clear examples of this. Contrary to popular images of Tibet, Lhasa has a pleasant climate, with nearly all its rainfall occurring in the summer. For most of the year the weather is sunny and dry, mild during the day from April to October, and not unbearably cold in winter.

The other main geographical region is the southeastern plateau, comprising only one-tenth of the total area of Tibet and forests are very much a characteristic of this region.

Religion in Tibet - Buddhism in Tibet:

Buddha means 'the enlightened one'. Sankyamuni (saviour of the sakya clan) is a title of respect for the man named Siddharta Gautama, who was born a prince in the north India around 500 B.C.. He grew up in luxury, shielded from contact with human misery, and married young,. One night curiosity led him outside, where he saw shocking examples of disease, old age and death. Determined to find a way to save mankind from suffering sakyamuni left his wife and child, renounced his princehood, and spent long long years wandering as an ascetic. At last, fasting and meditating under a tree, he received enlightenment.

Buddha's insight into ultimate reality was embodied in the four noble truths and the eightfold path. He wished to be a guide, not an authority, and early buddhism was a way of life rather than a religion. Its teaching encouraged people to take full responsibility for their thoughts and actions and to progress along a path to spiritual growth.

Buddha's followers formed open communities of monks and nuns, who lived disciplined lives and sought wisdom, their prime virtue. For 500 years, while buddhism spread throughout India, all teaching was oral. In the third century B.C. this early form of Buddhism in India, called theravada, took root in ceylon and spread onto other parts of south and southeast Asia.

In the north, a new form of Buddhism appeared, called mahayana or the greater vehicle, which appealed

to many more people. Though sharing basic doctrines with hinayana (thervada), its emphasis changed. Compassion was its chief virtue, and its ideal was the bodhisattva, a perfected individual who gave up release from the cycle of rebirth in order to return to earth and help all sentient beings. Buddha was now treated like a god. Countless mythical Buddhas were invented to embody all of his aspects, and their images were worshipped in temples. By the first century ad, scriptures, called sutras, laid down doctrines and monastic rules and recorded Buddha's sermons as they were remembered. Mahayana Buddhism spread to central Asia, china, Korea and japan.

A third type of Buddhism saw man's harmony with the universe as the key to salvation. Adepts of tantrism in India tried to manipulate external forces by magic, while followers of chan in china induced inner harmony through meditation.

Buddhism died out in India around 1200, as Hinduism revived and harsh moslem invasions destroyed Buddhist centres. But Buddhist doctrines and scriptures lived on in Tibet, where Buddhism was promoted by the kings. The faith almost vanished with the end of the monarchy in the ninth century. When it arose again, Tibet's decentralized conditions allowed Buddhism to split into some 20 sects.
The following five became the most important:

Nyingmapa	:	The ancient ones, began around 750 ad with padmasambhava. It absorbed the bon faith and produced the Tibetan book of the dead.


Kahdampa	:	Began with atisha after 1050 ad. Its tradition laid stress on the scriptures and discipline, and it formed a link with India's sages.

Kagyupa	:	Began around 1060 ad with the teachers of marpa and milarepa. Most typically Tibetan, it stressed yoga as the way to seek enlightenment.

Sakyupa	:	It arose in 1073 ad at sakya monastery, which later governed Tibet. It was worldly and practical in outlook, less concerned with metaphysics.

Gelugpa	:	The virtuous ones or yellow hats, began with tsong khapa in 1407 ad. It absorbed kahdampa and carried on atisha's tradition. It dominated Tibet after the 17th century, leaving other sects to play a minor role.

11,850 ft above sea level was and still is the religious, cultural and economic centre of Tibet. Places of interests include the potala, the 13 storey - 1000 rooms palace of the dalai lama; the monasteries of drepung & sera; norbulingka, the jokhang, the holiest shrine in Tibet. The circular barkhor street with innumerable shops & wayside pedlars intermingle with devotees walking clockwise around the jokhand shrine.

Xigaze :
Most famous for its tashilhunpo monastery - the seat of the panchen lama, is 12, 600 ft. Above sea level.

Places of interest include the relics sakyamuni, the hall of maitreya and mind-boggling collection of thankas, etc. Built in 1447 by the first dalai lama. There is also bustling "free" market at the foot of the ruins of the xigaze fortress and one can buy local handicrafts embedded with coral and torquoise, chinese porcelain and yak butter etc.

Gyantse :

This small agricultural town is at 13, 050 ft above sea level and is famous for its wool carpets and palkhor choide chorten. At the lamasery it is the unique structure built in 1414 of five storeys representing the five steps to enlightenment, topped by the thirteen rings which symbolise the stages of achieving. There are 108 halls inside, 'buddhahood' each with frescoes and buddhist shrines.

Zhangmu :
This town is 7, 000 ft above sea level and is known by its Tibetan name khasa and is a major trading

town enroute Tibet from nepal. The hills around zhangmu are heavily wooded with inumerable waterfalls in the summer and frozen 'icicles' during the winter.

Xeger :
13,800 ft. Above sea level, this is a new chinese commune built 7 kms of the highway at the foot of the ruins of xegar dzong. With population of 3000, it is the centre of a large and remote country and also the base for the expeditions to mt. Everest and other peaks.

Set out a 5-hour drive past winding mountain roads to Tsedang . Perfect for trekking trips Tsedang in Tibet is a sinfully attractive tourist destination.

Tsedang weaves a magic spell on you as you trek through rocky terrain dotted with enchanting Tibetan homes, local bazaars and Buddhist monasteries.

Explore the Samye monastery and tombs of ancient Tibetan kings on your Tsedang tours on a Tibet experience tour the Yambu Lakhang monastery on a revealing Tsedang tour and holiday.

The Samye Monastery was established in 775 A.D. and is one of the first Buddhist monasteries that was constructed in Tibet. The main building at the Samye monastery is a three-storied tower with decorative interiors that reflects a pleasant amalgamation of Tibetan and Indian decor styles. Ride a horse to local nunneries and ancient caves located close by.

See the intriguing tombs of kings of Tibet who ruled supreme from the 7th to the 9th century. These tombs are located in Chonggye at a distance of 27 kilometers from the main Tsedang city. The largest tomb belongs to Songsten Gampo. Marvel at the stone lions that squat in front of King Tride Songsten's tomb and enjoy the cultural wealth of Himalayan Tibet on your tours to Tsedang with TSI Holidays packages.

Ride a wooden ferry on the Yalunzangbu River and get a feel of the crisp Himalayan air as you see the most stunning scenic vistas.

If possible, try to time your visit to Lhasa with one of the city's festivals.

Pilgrims often flock to Lhasa at these times and the city takes on a colorful party atmosphere. The following Tibetan festivals are calculated according to the lunar calendar. Check before for the precise dates.

It is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when the peach tree was in blossom, it was considered as the starting of a new year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., The first day of the first month became fixed as the new year. On the new year's the families unite " auspicious dinner" is offered and the auspicious words " tashi delek" are greeted. It is the most colorful festival of Lhasa.

Monlam (great prayer festival of Lhasa)
Known also as the great prayer festival, this is held midway through the first lunar month. An image of maitreya from the jokhang is borne around the barkhor, attracting enthusiastic crowds of locals and pilgrims.

Saga dawa festival (May or June)

It is the holiest in Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on this day, buddha's birth and buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person within Lhasa join in circumambulations round the city and spend their late afternoon on picnic at "dzongyab lukahng" park at the foot of potala.

Horse race and archery are generally popular in Tibet, and gyantse enjoys prestige of being the earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early times included horse race, archery, and shooting on gallop followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicking. Presently ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, barter trade are in addition to the above.

Changtang chachen horse race festival - (10 august)

As the most important festival in north Tibet during the golden season on the

grassland, thousand of herdsmen throng to nakchu riding fine horses, and carrying the local products. They form as city of tens south of nakchu town. There will be thrilling horse race, archery and demonstrations of horsemanship. Songs and dance troupes from all part of Tibet will add to the fun.

It is the opera festival and the greatest festivals in Tibet. In ancient times pious folks went into mountain hermitages of which yoghurt was served for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs and dances. Since 7th century, opera performances were held for days in norbu lingka. Presently, opera contests and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.

On the 15th day of the 6th Tibetan month, 25 precious articles belonging to ganden monastery, which are normally locked in their treasure house, are displayed in the main shrine hall. A grand offering ceremony accompanies the display. These articles consist of the images of the sixteen arhats, akshobhya, the secret assembly, the four great kings, the upasaka and hashang image.

The farmers in Lhasa, gyantse and shangnan to celebrating their bumeer harvest in this time. During that time, people enjoy with horse racing games, costume fashion show, songs and dance archery and picnic etc.

Bathing week

It is believed when the sacred planet Venus appears in the sky, the water in the river becomes purest and

cure diseases. During its appearance for one week in the sky, all the people in Tibet go into the river for bathing.

Tibet is full of rivers and lakes which provides abundance of hydroelectric

power and aquatic products. Bushy banks of the rivers and lakes are the homes of swans and geese. If you do not watch your step, you might stride on their eggs. On the banks of the salt water lakes, there are great heaps of alkaline which also contains entire and borax.

The yaluzangbu river

As long as 2,057 km, the yaluzangbu river turns and twists like a silver dragon from the west to the east into the valleys of south Tibet. It runs through muotuo county. After a 90-degree turn, it empties into the Indian ocean. People could have a good time with their yak hide boats on

Of the river with going down to the lower level is quite exciting and challenging.

The gold sand, lancang and nu rivers flow down from north to the south into yunnan. Accompanied by the grand sceneries of mt. Hengduan, the 3-river area is a famous scenic spot.

The lake is situated 30km southeast of mt. Holy. It has an area of 400 square km. The Buddhist believe that the lake is the bestow from the heaven . The holy eater can cure all kinds of diseases, wash people clean and get rid of people's worries. After walking around the lake and taking baths at the four bathing gates, the pilgrims can be free from sins and can be bestowed happiness. The great monk xuan zhuang praised it " the holy lake in the west heaven". Not far from the lake stands mt. Holy. It does not only attracts pilgrims but also many tourists from home and abroad.

The yangzongyong lake is within langkamu county, with an area of 638 square km and a coastal lime of 250 km. The deepest point is 60 metres. There is plenty of natural fodder for the fish in the lake. The lake has a fish reserve of about 300 million kg, that is why it is called " the fish store of Tibet. The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture. All these make an intoxicating quite picture.

With an area of 1940 square km, the namu lake is the 2nd largest salt water lake. In the lake there are 3

islands, which is an ideal habitat for all kinds of aquatic life. One of the islands is made of calcareous sandstone. It is characterized by the stone pillars, natural stone bridges and the stalactite caves. The beaches of the lake are a beautiful natural pasture.

Tibet is probably the only destination among the Himalayas that's not as known for its adventure circuits as the rest are. But do not underestimate this destinations as just another trans-Himalayan area of the Himalayas. There's much more to Tibet than Buddhism, monasteries and cold desert-like weather.

Climate & Trekking Season In Tibet
Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity. To protect your eyes and skin, you'd better to bring the sunscreen, which with a sun protection factor of 15 and sunglasses are also useful. And lip creams and balms are also sold with SPF ratings, zinc, oxide creams provide 100% block out. Generally from April to October is the best season for opting a Tibet tour. But it really depends on your route and a normal winter Tibet tour schedule is quite comfortable, because in winter, the tourist rush is not much and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery freely.

Major Trekking Regions In Tibet

Everest Region:
Usually Everest is more known as a part of Nepal and trekkers have explored numeorus trek routes towards this world's highest peak from Nepalese Himalayas. Still, if you like trekking in the unexplored zones then opt the routes to the Everest range from the Tibetan Himalayas side. One Everest trek tour option from Tibet is from Kathmandu drive across beautiful Nepalese countryside to the Chinese boarder town of Zangmu before negotiating the road up through the deep gorges of Sunkoshi River to Tingri. Trek past the ancient village of Tingri to the base camp from where one can see the magnificent and huge dimensions of Mt. Everest.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra:
For well over a thousand years, pilgrims have journeyed Kailash Mansarovar to pay homage to the mountain’s mystery, circumambulating it is a ancient ritual of devotion that continues to this day. People have been visiting Kailash - Mansarovar for centuries. Almost all the major passes of Uttaranchal Himalayas lead to Kailash - Mansarovar. The important ones in the Kumaon region are Lipulekh, Lampiya Dhura, Nuwe Dhura, Lowe Dhura, Unta Dhura, Jayanti and Kungri Bingri. Under the administration of the Indian ministry of external affairs and with the cooperation of the Chinese government, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has been conducting trips to Kailash - Mansarovar through the Lipulekh pass.

Namchag Barwa Trek:
Namchag Barwa is an excellent short trek for nature lovers and amateur botanists. It includes the delightful Nyima La and the lushly forested Rong Valley. The route begins in Pei, a small village that is also the staging post of treks to the great bend of the Tsangpo via Pelma Kochung and to Metog. Here a ferry crosses to Timpe on the north bank of the river, site of a revered Guru Rinpoche cave and monastery.

A splendid trail leads north to the Nyima La through some of the finest virgin forests and flower gardens in southeastern Tibet. The idyllic walk passes a nomad camp and groves of flowering rhododendrons along the way. Many plant species abound on the open moorlands near the pass. From the pass there are tremendous views of the Assam Himalayas, including nearby Gyala Pelri and Namche Barwa. On the far side of the Nyima La is the Rong Valley, a heavily forested scenic valley that is luxuriantly carpeted with primulas and violet irises from May to July. The best time for this trek is from May to October.

Trekking Permits In Tibet
There are two requirements for foreign tourists tour in Tibet. One is the Chinese Visa, which you can apply for in Chinese Embassy in your place. Another is the Alien' Travel Permit, which issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau. There are no independent trek tours allowed in Tibet. You should join an organized group or have the local travel operator arrange a trek tour for you.

High Altitude Sickness
High Altitude Sickness could happen to any guest in high altitude. The effect of HAS usually remains 2 days till the body acclimatizes. Headache, nausea, vomiting and short breath are the common symptoms. To avoid HAS take garlic soup, more water frequently. Diamox tabs are also recommended.

About hotels that are being used :

Lhasa deluxe wing/Lhasa : the best hotel in town, near the norbulingka in the western suburbs, is managed by holiday inn Asia pacific. The 1,100 bed hotel has 468 guest rooms and suites (single, twin and triple), all with private bath. Facilities include a coffee shop, chinese restaurant, banquet rooms, lobby bar and shops, massage, and disco.

Snowland hotel/Lhasa : this privately operated Tibetan hotel enjoys an excellent location just around the corner from the jokhang. Very good restaurant. A popular place.

Gyantse hotel/Gyantse : this large establishment is left of the main crossroads when coming from Lhasa. With more than 100 rooms and new additions seemingly added every year, it is the primary hotel for tourists in gyantse.

Zhangmu hotel/Zhangmu : at the lower end of town near the customs post. Has 40 double rooms for foreigners.

Mt. Everest hotel (Shegar) : this relatively new hotel now takes in the most of the tourist traffic coming and going between sigatse and the nepal border.