FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What to Expect

The Tibetan Plateau has been opened to foreign visitors since 1980, due to such difficult transportation conditions, this vast area has poorly developed tourist infrastructure, as well as others supplies, however, it is this untouched quality that adds charm and mystery to this Himalayan Kingdom in many ways.

Our tours have included the most attractive and spectacular monasteries, scenic sites and we work hard to minimize all hassles and uncertainties. Every tour offers fantastic perspectives of the vast land of the Tibetan Plateau and to witness amazing ecological contrasts.

Our tour itineraries are an insight to your travel adventure, we aim to include as many experiences as possible from photography opportunities to culture sightseeing. Most of the activities let us get close to the minority tribes of Tibet, as well as Miao people and Bai people of China.

What is involved in the Trekking Tours and how are they organized?

Treks are camping based where you are fully support and accommodated in tents. A full support crew provides you with toilet facilities and all your meals. Tibetan Trekking will organized all of the facilities you will need. We provide you with extensive advice about what equipment to take and what to expect. The support team is fun and there is generally a couple of nights experiencing the local songs and dances of Nepal, when the porters and crew are in the mood!

Trekking Grades

Trekking grades are indicated for each trekking tour to assist travelors in selecting appropriate treks for there sense of adventure and fitness levels. They are as follows: Easy, Moderate, Moderate to Strenuous, Strenuous, and Very Strenuous.

Easy: A trek with an easy grade is suitable for all levels of fitness and age groups. It’s ideal for couples traveling with young children. The trails will be easy without any excessive long up hills or step gradients. An easy trek is normally at lower altitudes and in milder weather so less equipment is used. These treks are normally within easy access of roads and main towns in case of emergency. On an easy trek a days walking is rarely more than 5 hours. Easy treks are normally short covering 1 to five days.

Moderate: A moderate trek will include some longer climbing or greater distances to be covered during the day. The trails may include some steep rocky stair cases or scrambling through close forests. These treks require a basic level of fitness and can also be suitable for families with children of aged people.

Moderate to Strenuous: A moderate to strenuous trek requires a medium level of fitness. During these treks you will be required to walk up to 6 hours or more in one day. The trails will not always be clear and may at times be narrow and steep. You will be at times high in altitude so should be prepared for colder conditions and occasional snow. Moderate to strenuous treks are normally in well facilitated areas but at times you should be prepared for minimal facilities and amenities, esp. if it is a camping trek. And you will be more isolated from major roads and towns.

Strenuous: A strenuous trek requires a high level of fitness and some basic mountain trekking experience will benefit you. You should expect the trails to be steep and narrow in some places. It may involve some scrambling over rocks or through tree roots. It will involve extended periods of uphill and down hill trekking. A strenuous graded trek usually means you will be trekking up to higher altitudes; there fore you should be prepared for walking in snow and extreme weather conditions. On some days you may be required to walk extended periods of time due to the remoteness of villages and suitable camping sites. Amenities and facilities will be less and you will be further away from main roads and towns.

Altitude:

Tibet has an average altitude of about 4000m. Therefore, it is important to take precautions before you arrive in Tibet as well as on the rest of the trip. When entering the Tibetan Plateau, participants may feel altitude symptoms including headache, nausea, and lack of appetite. This may last for a few hours to a couple of days depending on the individual.

Please Bearing in mind:

• To drink plenty of water.
• You may lose your appetite, but force yourself to eat as much as you can.
• Symptoms should disappear or weaken within a couple days. If they get worse quickly, or do not go away, tell your guide.
• Diamox (Acetazolamide) has been found to help alleviate symptoms, participants should consult your physician on the use of this medication.

If necessary, there are good altitude sickness hospitals in Lhasa which provide treatment services, but this is rarely needed.

Customized tours:

We aim to assist you as much as possible. If you have a special interest in a region or activity please contact us and we can guide you to the right tour options. We are accepting of customized tours are can make arrangements according to your departure schedule, interests, budget…etc, you are welcome to contact us to discuss the best options for you.

Accommodation:

There is no kidding that Tibetan travel is an adventure, that includes tourist facilities, but it is because of this uninhibited landscape that the experiences are rich and unique. Accommodations in Lhasa, Shigartse and Tsetang have been improved a lot, and are adequate for most people.  Many of the other hotels throughout Tibet are poorly kept, most of those, of which have bathrooms but frequently do not have hot and cold water working at the same time. Electricity can be limited to certain hours of the day or night. Central heating outside of Lhasa is usually not available, so be prepared to eat wearing a coat at certain times in the cold season.

Food:

Catering has been well developed in the past few years in central Tibet, as well as in the eastern tibet of Kham and Amdo. Once there was no ‘cuisine’ in Tibet, but now there is! There are now restaurants throughout Tibet, both central and in the remote area. This is for local cuisine, dish styles vary but ‘Sichuan Cuisine’ is the most popular and is quite delicious, there is also one of the ’4 Great Cuisines of Chinese’, in central towns such as: Lhasa, Shigartse, Tsetang, Kangding, Xining…etc. Tasty local food is available and can be supplied in most of Tibet however Western food is still difficult to be provided except the central towns of Lhasa and Xining.

Road conditions:

Roads can sometimes be blocked by landslides or washed out during the monsoon season. Bring hiking boots for rough terrain, luggage that can get beaten up and wet without breaking open or leaking. In some rare cases if travelers needed to hike several kilometers along the road near Zhangmu, because landslide occurs almost every year in summer time. Porters will carry your luggage during the hike for a modest extra charge.

Guides:

Our guides are all kind and well trained, if you happen to know anyone of them, you can choose your guide. The Tibtean Plateau is an unpredictable land and we use every tour experience to better and improve our services.