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Frequently Asked Questions about Tibet Tibet

When is the best time to travel?

The best time to visit Tibet is from May to November. Lhasa and Shigatse have lovely mild weather in this period, though it can rain in July and August. This sometimes causes some areas to be impassable and visibility in the mountains can be restricted. The coldest months are December, January and February.

What are the best festivals and when do they take place?

In Tibet a number of local religious celebrations take place. These correspond with important dates on the Tibetan calendar, but this is based on lunar observations, so the dates of the festivals change every year.
The most important festival is Losar, Tibetan New Year, which usually takes place in February. It is accompanied by deafening fireworks. The noise is meant to chase away devils and evil spirits.
The birthday of the Dalai Lama is celebrated on July 6th. During this festivity, Tibetans cover each other with tsampa.
Some monasteries have their own festivals, such as Tashilhunpo (second week of the fifth month) and Drepung (thirtieth day of the sixth month). The most significant and notable tradition during these festivals is hanging up large Thangkas, painted religious panels.
At the Yoghurt or Shoton Festival masked dances are performed. This celebration starts at the beginning of August in Deprung and moves on to

Can I pre-book transfers and extra nights?

Yes, you have the option to pre-book an arrival airport transfer and secondly the option to pre-book pre and post tour nights.These extra services should be added to your booking.


What about my passport?

You need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel.

Do I need a visa?

Entry conditions can always differ of course. For UK citizens for example: Tibet is officially a province of China and for China a visa is required, therefore it is for Tibet. These things can change so please click here and check out the current situation. You can also check on that website if a visa is required for any other nationality . Make sure you inquire at least 6 weeks before departure so you do not run out of time.
If you need a visa, please click here to find details of the embassy you need to contact unless you use a visa service. Shoestring does not organise your visa. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel. You can also obtain the visa through a specialised visa agency like www.travcour.com. It is a good idea to visit this website in any case, as it provides much more detail on exception.

Important: For Tibet, a permit is also required. Shoestring will arrange this for you (no cost). After receiving back your passport with a Chinese visa, we need an immediate copy of both your passport and your Chinese visa*. These copies are required four weeks in advance of travel to Tibet. They are best emailed to us at the relevant address:

For bookings via the EU/DK websites: info@shoestring.eu 

For bookings via the UK website: info@shoestring.co.uk                

* STN tour: For this tour, a group visa for China is instead required. This can only be arranged in Kathmandu by our local agent. The cost is added to your invoice. Please take a colour passport photo with you. The costs are as follows:

EU: 125 Euros per person

UK: £ 115 per person

DK: DKK 960 per person

                                                                                                                                


Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?

Please click here for questions regarding vaccinations or malaria tablets for this country and then contact your GP or a specialised health centre to make an appointment to get your injections and pills. Please make sure that you allow at least six weeks for a full program. For people who have already had a few injections, two weeks should be enough. You are responsible for having the right protection when going on tour.


What is the recommended currency for Tibet?

The currency used in China is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY). The Yuan is divided into 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Make sure you exchange your leftover Yuan before returning home because this currency can be exchanged only within China's borders. Travellers cheques (preferably in US Dollars) and foreign cash can be exchanged in cities at the Bank of China. Banks are closed throughout weekends. The larger hotels and the special 'Friendship Stores' designed for foreigners will accept most western currencies for purchases. Major credit cards are accepted in the main cities at various establishments, but outside the major cities acceptance is limited. ATMs are also scarce outside urban centres. Travellers cheques and credit cards are very difficult cash outside of banks, especially outside Lhasa.

What kind of clothing and other stuff is practical to take?

Because it can cool down considerably in the evening it is wise to bring warm, windproof clothing as well as cool, cotton summer attire. A warm fleece, a sweater, a pair of trousers, a winter coat and a windproof jacket is also recommended. In addition, a scarf, woolen socks, a warm hat and gloves will come in handy. Many of these articles can be bought cheaply in Lhasa. Please take light clothes for the daytime. It is better to bring too little than too much.

The following articles are also useful: a sheet sleeping bag, towel, pocket knife, torch, alarm clock, sunglasses, hat or headscarf (to protect you from the sun), a spare pair of contact lenses and contact lens solution; insect repellent (you can buy anti-mosquito coils locally); a water bottle, plastic bags to keep your clothes clean and dry, disposable wipes, comfortable light walking shoes or sandals, sturdy walking shoes with a thick sole and good grip, toiletries, first-aid kit, suntan lotion, enou

What kind of luggage should I take?

Because you are making a round-trip where you will have to pack and unpack your luggage regularly, it is practical to use a roller bag or a rucksack with an internal frame. It is better not to use a suitcase or a rucksack with an external frame as they can damage the luggage of your fellow travellers and are more difficult to stack. Try not to take more than 12 kg of luggage; you can always wash clothes (take one of those practical liquid detergents in a tube!). It is often possible to have your laundry done at the hotels for a small sum of money. It is also useful to take a small rucksack for your hand luggage.

Electricity

Please click here to check what voltage and plugs are in use in Tibet. You could also consider taking a universal electric plug.

Travel guides and maps

If you want to take a travel guide or map, we suggest you click on Lonely Planet.

What is the accommodation like?

We will sleep in hotels or dormitories with shared facilities. The accommodation in the most remote places can be fairly basic.

How is accommodation arranged if I book alone?

If you book alone you will share your room with a fellow traveller (same sex) unless you have booked a single room.


Do I need a sleeping mat or sleeping bag?

During the Tibet journey you won’t really need a sleeping bag because there are blankets everywhere you sleep. You may wish to bring your own sheet though.

Do I need to take a mosquito net?

You could consider bringing a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active just after sundown or just before sunrise. Covering up the skin with clothing does help, as will an insect repellent like DEET. You can ask for mosquito coils from your hotel desk or the restaurant where you eat. Electric coils are better suited to closed spaces.

Do they cater for vegetarians in Tibet?

As a result of the often severe conditions in which people have to survive and the limited possibilities for growing ingredients, the traditional menu is not very varied.
Tibetan people eat Yak meat, but vegetarian variation of the traditional dishes can be requested.
Tsampa, a kind of porridge made of roasted flour usually mixed with salt butter tea, is generally the most prominent ingredient of any Tibetan meal. Yak meat is sometimes accompanied by Yak cheese and Yak butter. Other tasty Tibetan specialties include Thukpa, a greasy noodle soup and Momos, dumplings stuffed with spicy vegetables.

What kind of transportation is used?

We will take a flight to enter Nepal and then travel in private mini buses or four-wheel drive vehicles where necessary.

Can you travel with children?

Yes, children can travel with their families on a Shoestring tour. We recommend the easiest tours which are listed as ‘Category A’ where the distances covered are short and there is a slow traveling speed. But please check with our friendly sales team if you are unsure.
We would define a child as being under the age of 18. They would only be allowed to travel provided they do so with an adult family member or close relative.

Children under the age of 8 we recommend not to travel as they simply would not be old enough to enjoy the experience nor cope with the nature of travel that we provide.

The tour prices are the same for both adults and children however there will be a reduction on the child airfare which will vary depending on the flight selected (Please use the ‘search flights’ facility on the website to check the up-to-date prices).


Is Tibet dangerous?

Tibet is a reasonably safe country; there are hardly any violent criminal acts against foreigners. Pickpocketing does occur though, especially in the bigger cities. Local buses and station squares are notorious. Beware of this in all busy places and take appropriate measures to protect your valuables. The rule of thumb is to carry your passport, airline ticket, travellers cheques and most of your money in a money belt under your clothing. Keep enough change for the day in an easily accessible place so that you won’t have to reach for your money belt in public. Never leave money or valuables behind in your hotel room.
If you are interested in what the Foreign Office has to say, please click here.

What local customs do I need to keep in mind?

Out of respect for the customs and traditions in this area it is advisable that both men and women do not walk around showing too much flesh. Certainly take care to dress modestly to visit churches, temples, mosques and small villages.
When visiting Buddhist temples or monasteries we request that you observe the following rules out of courtesy and respect for the people. Do not wear shorts (this also applies to men) or a miniskirt when visiting a temple. Always walk clockwise in a stupa, temple or manistone wall (start from the left).

Are there opportunities to swim?

Due to the fact that Tibet can be very chilly, there aren’t many opportunities to swim!

What other activities and sports could I do?

Tibet is paradise for trekking and hiking.

Mobile phone, email and snail mail

The international access code for China (including Tibet) is +86. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Communication conditions have greatly improved in Tibet in recent years. A number of hotels provide IDD call and fax services. Phone calls can be made from public telephones and mobile phone services are also available in Lhasa and other major towns. There are dozens of internet cafes in Lhasa. There is a postal service from Lhasa and most other cities.


What is the time difference?

Please check the world clock in order to find out the exact time difference between Tibet and your home country.
Please note that the time difference can depend on whether daylight saving time is applied or not.