Explore Grand Valley Tour & Trek is an adventure tour operator and trekking/mountaineering expedition organizer in Tibet, providing information/ itineraries, schedules of the tours, treks, expedition and travel tips for traveling to Tibet. All possibilities to visit mount Kailash like simikot-Mt. Kailash, lhasa-Mt. Kailash and Ghangmu-Mt. Kailash, special full moon Sakadawa festival tour, Adventure mountain biking tour in Tibet, Central Tibet bike tour. Bicycle tour organizer to Tibet, Lhasa tour by mountain bike. Lhasa city tour and extension site trips and Everest Base Camp excursion tour/trek are given here.
An Overview
With an average altitude over 4000m above sea level, Lays under the ancient Sea of Tethys. Eighty million years ago, India crashed into Asia, pushing up the Himalayas, lifting the ocean bottom above water, and creating this magical land. Mystical land, Shangri-La, Forbidden Country: Tibet has many names and inspires an air of mystical dreams. However, Tibet is real and a beautiful place to travel. It possesses a unique culture, firmly rooted in Tibetan religion, but with strong influence from the geography of the Himalayas, and the neighboring civilizations of India and China.
Geographically, Tibet can be divided into three major parts – north, south and east. The eastern part is forest region, occupying approximately one-fourth of the land. Virgin forests run the entire breadth and length of this part of Tibet. The northern part is open grassland, where nomads and yak and sheep dwell here. This part occupies approximately half of Tibet. The southern and central part is agricultural region, occupying about one-fourth of Tibet’s land area. All major Tibetan cities and towns such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse and Tsetang are located in this area and are considered the cultural center of Tibet.
Spiritual traditions, monasteries, Lakes/Rivers, mighty snow clad peaks, land rich in mountains, monks, mystery and adventures just a few of the intoxicating wonders to be experienced by adventurous travelers who get the opportunity to visit this land.
Useful information for traveling to Tibet
CUSTOM:
There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders as long as they’re registered with a custom official, printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese government are prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts demed to be excessive.
FOOD & DRINK:
Tibet has only a handful of towers and Tibetan cuisine is not exactly the most varied in the world. It is handy to carry, anything that can be brewed with hot, water instant coffee, drinking chocolate, tea (bags) soup cubes, powered milk, other food items worth considering are instant noodles, vegemite, nuts and raisins, chocolate, dry foods and biscuit.
BUSINESS HOURS:
Government offices are usually closed on SATURDAY and SUNDAY.
CURRENCY:
RENMBI, the people’s money used by millions of Chinese everyday, circulates in notes of 1,2,5,10 and 50, 100 yuan, 1,2 and 5 jiao; There are also coins for 1,2 and 5 fen. With the Chinese currency Renminbi, one yuan is divided into 10 jiao, into 10 fen (US$ 1= 8 yuan)
AIRPORT:
Lhasa Gonggar airport is approx 96kms away from Lhasa
AIRPORT TAX:
The airport departure tax at present is US$ 12.00 Per Person
AIR TICKET RECONFIRMATION:
Your guide will reconfirm the air ticket upon payment of RMB 30, which is reconfirmation fee charged by China Southwest Airlines.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
A cancellation charge of 50% for reconfirmed booking up to SEVEN DAYS before departure to TIBET will be charged after which NO REFUND will be entertained. Further under no circumstance will there be a refund on NO SHOW UPS and DELAY in ARRIVALS.
HEALTH & ALTITUDE PROBLEMS:
Traveling in Tibet involves high altitude and can be strenuous. Clients with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very rare cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite and stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Advised, drink approx. 3 litres of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests please do not smoke & do not drink alcohol.
Visas and documentation
You must be in possession of a valid passport. We obtain your visa for Tibet, and will require the following information when making your reservation: full name, date of expiry, place of issue, nationality, date of birth, sex and occupation. Two passport size photographs are also required. Additionally you must allow three full working days in Kathmandu for the visa to be fiscally stamped in your passport. A 30 day’s visa for Nepal can be obtained from all Nepalese Embassies abroad or upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport in US$ 25.00.
Accessories
We recommend you to bring the following items to make your journey more comfortable: Personal first aid kid, water purification tablets, toilet kit with toilet paper, flashlight with extra batteries, sunglasses, water bottle, note book, pens, pencils, camera and film and extra batteries for electronic Cameras, binoculars, Duffel bag, rain gear, strong footwear, pocket knife, sewing kits, compass, altimeter, drinking cup, towel, plastic bags, dust mask, strong suncream, chapstic, and money belt.
Insurance
We recommend you to insure yourself against sickness, emergency rescue, accident, Hospitalization, cancellation etc., as we accept no responsibility or expenses which may arise from mishaps to persons or their belongings during these tours.
Altitude Sickness
The Tibetan Plateau lies over 12000 feet, most people will experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness, until their body adjust to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to couple of days, depending on the individual.
Note: We will be happy to provide package programs including Nepal with any of these Tibet packages on request
Travel Tips:
Most importantly, all travelers in Tibet are kindly requested to bear in mind that Tibet being extremely remote and isolated by the most formidable Himalayan ranges remains still one of the most captivating but least developed parts in the world. With its very short history of tourism (just about 8 years), the facilities for tourists although being upgraded are still at basic and limited scale. So, the visitors are requested not to have high expectation in terms of facilities in Tibet. However, we will always put all our efforts to make your journey as pleasant as possible.
Besides, the road between Tibet & Nepal is not up to the standard. It is rough, bumpy and full of bends. Particularly during monsoon (June-August), it can be temporarily obstructed by landslides and erosion. So, a bit sporty wears and shoes are much advised facilitating the travelers to walk over the landslides (specially in the Nepal portion).
Overcoming Altitude Problem:
Traveling in Tibet is an adventure involving high altitude and could he strenuous. So far, most visitors have only minor effects from the altitude. However, we advise specially the guest with known heart or lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before traveling. Mild headache, fever, loss, of appetite or stomach can take place before acclimatization.
Our Advice:
Drink 4 liter of water minimum a day, don’t exhaust yourself so much and breathe deep and take rest more than usual.
Booking & Visa:
Minimum 2 weeks in advance (for booking from outside Kathmandu) and one week (from within Kathmandu) a firm booking with full payment along with full passport details (incl. Full name, Date & place of birth. Passport No., Date of issue & Expiry, Profession, Sex Home Address, Tel. No., etc.) Should reach us. We arrange China/Tibet visa at a cost of $ 30.00 per person. For visa procedure, 5 full working days are required with a condition that clients should be available in Kathmandu, otherwise urgent charge will have to be borne by the clients.
Cancellation:
50% of the tour cost will be charged as cancellation fee if you cancel the tour within 7 days prior to the start of the tour (for booking from outside Kathmandu) and $ 100.00 will be charged (for booking in Kathmandu). No refund, thereafter, also for No-Shows, delay arrivals or whatsoever reasons.
Risk & Liability:
We shall always put all efforts in making your journey smooth and pleasant. However, as all Tibet tours are run strictly under Tibet Tourism Authority, our agent’s whale or we not are responsible for any change or cancellation of flight, delay arrivals, sickness or accidents. Any extra cost incurring thereof shall be borne by the clients. So, it is most advisable that clients to have full insurance against medical and personal accidents risk. A cancellation insurance is also most advised from you home country.
Climate And Clothing:
The high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau F)° C (80°make for climatic extremes – temperatures have been known to drop 17 in a single day. However the climate in Tibet is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. Days are warm & sunny.
Best Season:
April to the beginning of November.
Our Overland tours ex-Kathmandu begins in the middle of March. Regular tour operates from April to November when the China South West Airlines begins operating flight between Kathmandu & Lhasa. In winter, Tibet is closed as flight ceases and the Mountain Passes are covered with snow.
Casual wear and comfortable walking shoes warm clothing as nights and early morning can be quit chilly to downright cold in winter months. Bring camera & films, batteries, medicine, Toiletries, sun glasses, dust mask etc. that you will need from home as these are difficult if not impossible to obtain in Tibet. A small first aid kit is also a good idea.
Altitude Sickness:
As Tibet lies at an overage altitude of 4000 meter; you are likely to experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of altitude sickness (headache, mild nausea, loss of appetite) until your body adjusts to the elevation
Insurance:
The client prior to arrival in Nepal should make personal travel insurance. Full travel insurance coverage, particularly for trip cancellation and interruption is strongly recommended.
Currency:
The unit of currency is Yuan. USD 1=9 Yuan. Foreign currency and travelers cheque is accepted at the bank of China in Ghangmu, Shigatse and Lhasa. Major cards are also accepted in Shigatse and Lhasa.
Airport Tax:
Airport tax in Lhasa airport in Yuan 90(US$12). If you are flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu, airport tax at our airport in Rs. 1,100 per person.
Visa Splitting:
As Tibet tour requires visa in-group; some time people staying longer will have to get the group visa split. It costs generally Chinese Yuan 200-400 depending upon different nationalities.
Hotels en Route:
As the facilities in Tibet are very basic, hotels, although they look gorgeous, don not has proper facilities even in Lhasa. So, in the remote areas, it is obvious that hotels may not have enough double rooms and clients sometimes may have to have triple, four or five bedded rooms in some places. However, we always try to provide twin bedded rooms. Especially, first two night have to be spent in such basic hotels that may not have bathrooms attached and could require you to use common toilets.
Recommended clothing and equipments list for the trip:
*Sleeping bags (down with inside extra cover), *Jacket (down) / polar fleece, *with rain and water proofed, *Thermal underwear, *wind / rainproof trousers, *Woolen and sun hats, *Scarves (muffler), *Woolen or cotton socks, *Gloves, Sandals, *Water bottles, *Day pack (for your time necessities), *Kit or duffel bag (to keep your personal belongings), *First aid box / personal medicine (medicine for headaches, fever, colds, stomach disorders and diamox) for altitude sickness, *walking stick, *Unity knife, *Dusk musk, *it is also good to carry dry fruits, *Juice Powder, *Bread, *Candies, *Canned or packed food nuts, *pickles and biscuits.
Insurance:
we highly recommend all clients to be insured against medical, accidents & necessary emergency evacuation, if needed.
Physical Fitness:
Before booking the trip with us, clients should be in sound good health preparation for this trip. We advise hard exercise like morning or evening walk/ Jogging each day at least for one hour. Healthy and fitness is the most to complete and enjoy the journey.
