Highlights Of Tibet

Clothing
Down jackets aren't essential but something very warm is a must. Ski jackets would suffice as long as you have plenty of layers underneath. Jackets can be hired from Kathmandu through Exodus for £30. A fleece and waterproof may do it, if the fleece is thick and jacket is windproof also. You'll need to think not just of the daytime but also evenings, when the temperature can really drop. It was quite pleasant in Lhasa walking around, and get definitely felt hot at times, but I wouldn't leave home thinking it's going to be mild weather. You need to be prepared! Walking shoes and trainers are fine, no other type of shoe is necessary.

Weather
It's potentiall going to be chilly, whenever you go, and definitely cold in places. I was there in July and we did have a couple of days of rain along the way but mostly it was blue skies. It's obviously quite cold over the higher passes, down to single figures and at the overnight stops. Lhasa itself was quite pleasant and I was out in a t-shirt in the evening, although there was definitely a bit of a chill in the air and I probably should have been wearing a jacket! In some of the other areas it was warm jackets even during the day. Lots of layers, warm jacket, hat and gloves and you'll be fine.
I took a sleeping bag for Rongbuk and was glad of it. It can get very cold there and it made things a lot more comfortable. They have local blankets but I didn't like the look (or smell!) of them too much. A couple of people did have sheet sleeping bags and got through the night, however.

Water
You don't collect water and treat it, you just buy it in shops as you go along. You, of course, CAN take a bottle and fill from hotel taps, but it's not essential.

Money
Euros/ dollars/ sterling are all fine to change locally. The rates might vary slightly for each but I don't think there was any big difference, or not that I noticed. If you're changing at Kathmandu airport, only change a little as the rates are better in town. You can easily change money and also use ATMs in Lhasa.

General
I don't remember many bugs or getting any bites. It's not what you would call "tropical" so bugs should be at a minimum. I didn't have any creams or bug spray and had no problems. Saying that, if you react badly, it makes sense to take some kind of anti-hystamine cream with you.

I took my Universal adaptor, available from Boots for about a tenner. It means that no matter what the plug, you'll be able to use it. It's mostly round two pin, as far as I remember.

I loved the trip, and the area in general. I think what I enjoyed most was just hanging around in Lhasa, especially around the market. Just watching all the different people, different costumes, traditional dress, faces and hearing the different languages, was amazing. Lhasa is really at a crossroads of the region, and I could spend days just people watching - fascinating.
It's an amazing place, but be prepared for the fact that Chinese culture is quite evident in many places and you may be surprised by how modern places such as Lhasa are  - saying that, I'm dying to go back and see more!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Things have improved in recent years but you should be aware that a lot of the roads are still very bumpy and dusty, the altitude can have an effect and some of the facilities are not what you may get elsewhere! You need to travel with an open mind and remember that Tibet has been traditionally quite poor and facilities, especially in some hotels, may not always be up to a western standard, although we will always do our best to ensure clients are as comfortable as possible.

There are some fairly long days of driving on this trip, and due to the rough roads and altitude this can be tiring. The road resurfacing can result in some delays and the border formalities can take time and it is not unusual to have to queue for around an hour or more at passport control. The road after the border to Kathmandu is not in a very good condition and we will be in a bus for this part of the journey. Whilst in Tibet you will spend most of the time above 3500m and altitude must be taken into consideration, but plenty of time is given for acclimatisation. This is quite a tough trip, due to the high altitudes and bad roads, but the stunning scenery, cultural interest and the Tibetan people make any discomforts worthwhile.

Joanna Zubr - Tibet Operations

The Dalai Lama has stated that he believes westerners should visit Tibet so that Tibet and the Tibetans do not become isolated, and our belief is that the Tibetans themselves, in general, regard the presence of westerners in Tibet as a positive factor. Our agent in Tibet is Tibetan and as far as possible, we only use Tibetan guides and drivers or Chinese guides sympathetic to Tibetan culture. Wherever possible we use facilities that are Tibetan owned and run. Sometimes this is not possible and travelling in Tibet you must understand this.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Situated near the entrance of Yak Hotel and close to Barkhor Street, Dunya restaurant offers everything from pizza, pasta to Indian /Nepalese dishes (you can even try yak steak!!) giving a welcome break from the monotonous Chinese food and packed lunches that you have had or are likely to have once you get out of Lhasa. All staff working here speak good English and is a popular eat out/meeting place amongst the expats and western guides and leaders while in Lhasa. Check out the well stocked bar upstairs and have a chat with Fred (if he is around) with his wonderful stories of life in Tibet he loves to share with travelers.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

While in Lhasa head out to Barkhor Street in Old Lhasa early in the morning to watch the devout Tibetans perform their daily rituals in front of Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet. Although you are likely to visit this site in your regular sightseeing trip during the day, it has a whole different feeling seeing the same site early in the morning with just the locals doing their prayers and kora (ritual circumambulation) of the temple. I would request the hotel for an early wake up call and do this straight before breakfast as is a great place to people watch before the tourists” invade” the place later in the day.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Laundry can be done in both Kathmandu and Lhasa, but you will find it difficult outside these two cities. There may be opportunities along the way, but you should take all the clothes you need for the journey with you.

Joanna Zubr - Tibet Operations

Although a sleeping bag not absolutely necessary, we highly recommend taking one, or a sheet or fleece liner for the night at Rongbuk. The guest house here is very basic and the nights can be very cold, especially in September and October. Previous travellers have found it preferable to locally-provided bedding, both in terms of warmth and cleanliness.

Katherine Tory - Product Manager

As nearly all of Tibet lies above 3,500m it has a harsh climate. At the times of year when we visit Tibet (March to October) the weather is generally dry and clear, with brilliant blue skies and daytime temperatures of 10ºC to 25ºC in Lhasa. The days should be pleasantly warm (provided there is sunshine) for most of the trip, although on the trips in October will be much cooler. On the road journeys the tops of the high passes can be cold and windy and it is advisable to keep a warm jacket with you on the bus. As soon as the sun goes down the temperature falls rapidly. The nights will be cooler and will be very cold in Rongbuk in September and October with temperatures well below freezing. Some of the hotels we use can be cold at nights in September and October. There can be wind and dust storms in the afternoons especially at Rongbuk. From June to September it is monsoon season in Nepal and it will be hot and humid in Nepal and you may well get rain.

Joanna Zubr - Tibet Operations

Most of our clients choose to get their visas at Kathmadu airport. This may mean some time queuing, but the transfer bus won't leave for the hotel until all arriving passengers are through Immigration and have collected their bags. So if you have your visa in advance, you will avoid the visa queue but you wont get to the hotel any earlier. If you'd like to get your visa in advance, please contact Travcour or the Nepalese embassy direct.

It costs $25 for a 15 days visa and $40 for a 30 days visa. You will need a passport photograph if getting a visa on arrival. Please note if you are staying in Nepal longer than 15 days, you will need to ask for a 30 day visa.

Emma Garrick - Product Manager

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Nepal where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Yes, our valued Nepal Base Manager, Valerie Parkinson, has compiled a list, you can download the page here

Staff member Emma Garrick has travelled to Tibet and you can read her article here to get a personal viewpoint of the area.

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Tibet where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!