Frequently Asked Questions

How to get to the Tibetan Cultural Area

There are three parts of TCA, which is Kham, Amdo and Tibet. To travel in Kham, Chengdu is the gateway town of entering the eastern Tibet of Kham, as well as the most convenient city for catching the flight or train to Lhasa.

Nowadays, there are several flights link to Chengdu from Europe, other cities in Asia and North America, which are Amsterdam to Chengdu - 3 flights a week so far, and there will be more flights between these two cities in the future. The others are Hongkong to Chengdu - one daily flight; Singapore to Chengdu - 2 flights a week; Bangkok to Chengdu - one daily flight. San Francisco to Chengdu - 2 flights a week.

Is a custom itinerary available?

Call us at: 0086 (28) 8675-1793; or send us email: ttrekking@hotmail.com; travel@tibetantrekking.com.

When to Go?

In general, from March to December is the best season for a tour to the Tibetan Cultural Area. But it really depends on your route. In fact a tour scheduled in winter will be quite comfortable, because in winter, there are less tourists, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery freely. The wintertime is also the best time to witness the secret Tibetan’s festival in Kham, Amdo, and Tibet.

For sightseeing - at any time of the year, particularly in Western Tibet, it is good to be prepared for sudden drops of temperature at night. Basically, the Tibet climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. The best time of year to be in Tibet is from the end of March to the middle of December. However, in May and June there is a wind factor to consider, but it really depends on your route.

For Treks: Normally it depends on your itinerary, and mostly April, May, June, September, October and November is the better trekking season with clear skies and comfortable temperatures. December through to February is colder though much quieter and the mountain views are stunning. Daytime temperatures are very pleasant for trekking though at night with clear skies temperatures can fall below -15 - 20C. In the spring season from March to early May it is much warmer and greener on the hillsides.

Time

Chinese standard time (Beijing) is used in the whole Tibetan Cultural Area which is 8 hour ahead (+) of GMT

What types of trips are offered?

We offer both pre-scheduled and custom adventure trips. Our trips range from a few days touring to month-long back country expeditions, for both the novice traveler as well as the experienced. We explore the Himalayas and other areas in the Tibetan Cultural Area by foot, bicycle, 4-wheel drive and horseback.

Are the itineraries fixed?

These are the "mountain adventures"! Weather, accidents, sickness, landslides are beyond our control. In this situation itineraries might be changed with out any prior notice by the guide.

Is a custom itinerary available?

Of course! Is your ideal a private departure date for your family, friends, colleagues, school, or other special-interest group? Our team is very happy to put together special dates and arrangements that fit your needs. Please call or email us to discuss the best time of year, accommodations, special emphasis, or other considerations. Call us at 0086-28- 4410627 or email at travel@tibetantrekking.com or ttrekking@hotmail.com for more details.

Is there any age limit?

We do not apply age limits but it is important to discuss with us the appropriateness of a trek or tour. Regardless of age you do need to be in good health to enjoy your exploration in Himalayas ranges.

What is the size of a group?

Our groups are small, from individuals to no more than 23 people. We want to make sure that each participant gets maximum attention and care from our guide. Our trips average between 6-16 people. Our minimum group size varies by trip, but is usually 3 people. The unobtrusive nature of small groups also allows for more personal interaction with local people resulting in a meaningful exchange of ideas and cultures.

Personal safety

The whole Tibetan Cultural Area is a safe area for tourists; the worst problems are likely to be coping with the effects of altitude. We also make every possible effort to keep Tibetan Trekking travelers safe and happy!

If travelling alone, Should I join a group?

That is entirely up to you! Because we run custom trips, we can accommodate anything you want to do. If you join a group you will not be alone in that choice. We also have people travelling with friends, spouses, and family. If you want to travel alone, let us know and we will arrange for a personal trip. Either way travelling with us is a safe, convenient way to explore the Himalayas.

Visa and Permits

There are two requirements for a foreign tourist's tour in Tibet. One is the Chinese Visa, which you can apply for in Chinese Embassy in your country, or we can assist you and send the visa directly from China. Another is the Tibet Travel Permit, which issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau. For explore some places in TAR, some special permissions required by related Governments divisions, and that depends on your route.

How do we meet with the guide upon arrival?

In China, we have a national guide, which means the guide who travels with you and smooths the way and a local guide, which means the guide who is in charge of guiding your tour at any one place. If you don't have a national guide and travel alone then, after clearing the customs formalities and claiming baggage, you would proceed to the airport exit. The local guide will be waiting for you at the exit and holding a sign with your name.

Is travel insurance necessary?

Yes! Without any doubt, you need travel insurance. Most travel insurance companies offer emergency medical transport and medical expenses insurance. These pay for loss due to any unforeseen situation such as death, injury, or illness. We urge you to buy this insurance. While we do everything possible to ensure the safety of our members, if any of the above do happen it can be very costly to you. Buying travel insurance is an easy way to ease the mind and to know that you will be able to deal with problems that might arise.

What clothing should I bring?

In Tibetan Cultural Area it is usually cool in the mornings and evenings. During the day while walking it can get quite hot. It is necessary to add or strip clothes to avoid becoming ill. The personal items listed below are recommended to keep with you:

• 'Layered' clothing for flexibility
• A combination of loose fitting pants (or skirts for women)
• T-shirts
• Long and short sleeved shirts
• Polypropylene long underwear (which can be worn with shorts)
• A "fleece" jacket and a good waterproof windbreaker, preferably made with "breathable" Gore-Tex fabric.
• For footwear we recommend a medium to lightweight hiking boot which has a good tread and provides some support around your ankles
• Utility knife; sun hat, sunglasses, suntan lotion, Scarf, Chopsticks, water bottle, Day pack and small medical kit, etc.

How will the altitude affect me?

Firstly, not all our trips go to very high altitudes.

The Tibetan Plateau lies over 3800m, so whichever way you enter the Tibetan Cultural Area, most people will experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness, until their body adjusts to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to couple of days, depending on the individual. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and lack of appetite. Travelers are advised to take things easily while you acclimatize.

Travelers with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking a trip. Very rare cases of altitude sickness have been reported. It is recommended that you drink approx. 3 liters of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests.

We take every precaution with our adventurers by acclimatizing slowly. Rest days are built in to the itinerary so there is no pressure on us to move you on.

Things to keep in mind when you have contact with the Tibetans:

Tibetan people are very kind and hospitable, you can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rules you should go by!

• Do not photo them without getting permission - please show respect!
• Don't talk about sensitive topics like the political and religious matters!
• Don't eat the dog, donkey and horse in Tibet!
• Religious beggars are an accepted part of society in Tibet. Giving money or food to a pilgrim is considered an act of merit, donations of five fen to two jiao (Chinese money) are appropriate. Notice if the beggars are the old men and women who dress in shredded, bulky clothing, while the younger ones may have a monkey on a chain, a spectacle of great interest to the Tibetans. These beggars are professionals, having less meritorious intentions than religious pilgrims are. Just wave them off as the locals do if you don't want give anything.
• Tibetans will also appreciate tourists respecting a few of their customs. These include walking clockwise around Buddhist temples, monasteries and religious sites. At these places Tibetans consider smoking and failing to remove hats disrespectful. Those wishing to leave a donation at a religious site (as most Tibetans will) should leave it on the altar or give it directly to a monk or nun. This will ensure it stays in the temple. Tourists often encounter beggars at religious sites, usually pilgrims from rural Tibet. Giving them a small donation will help them reach their destination and will bestow merit on the giver. If you do give, try to give the same amount as a Tibetan would and avoid handing out large denominations, as this tends to turn foreigners into special targets.

"Roberto and I both agree that Tibet was a good experience. Forget about the jeep - after it was changed, things went smoothly. We have to say, however, that we don't think the trip would have been completed with the old jeep.
We wish to take this opportunity to say that we were extremely pleased with our guide, Mr Nyi-Ma. He really is excellent, and our trip became so much more meaningful because of his rich and in-depth knowledge about Tibetan Buddhism, culture and history. We highly recommend him to other travellers and to any agency wishing to engage his services. Thank you!" - Peggy & Roberto