VISA:
All tourists visiting Tibet requires valid China visa & a special Alien Travel Permit which they can obtain only by joining tours organized by recognized travel agencies. Those who arrive in Kathmandu with a Chinese visa issued by Chinese Consulates outside of Kathmandu will find it useless for entry into Tibet.
There is no minimum group size requirement for traveling into Tibet. As long as one is traveling in an organized tour visa will be issued for even individuals. Please note Tibet visa regulations often change & hence given information may not be true at the time when you travel.
Diplomatic passport holders must get clearance from Beijing for travel into Tibet which often takes long time. It is advisable to travel on non-diplomatic passports, if you have one.
We require at least 7 days notice to process your Tibet visa via Lhasa & at least 4 days in Kathmandu for the Chinese Embassy to handle your passport. Consular section of the Chinese Embassy is open for business between 10-12 am on Monday, Wednesday & Friday only. Visa can also be issued in less than 3 days upon payment of visa rush fees. Normal group visa fee is USD 26 & visa rush fee is another USD 17. For USA nationals the group visa fee is USD 40.
60 days Nepal visa is readily available at the Tribhuvan International Airport or any other land entry points on payment of USD 30 visa fee. Those travelling to Tibet, Bhutan or Sikkim & transiting through Nepal must obtain multiple entry visa & cost USD 50. Tourists transiting through Kathmandu & spending less than 3 days are now issued with gratis visas. Also nationals of SAARC countries & Peoples Republic of China are no longer required to pay visa fees.

How to get to the Tibetan Cultural Area
There are three parts of TCA, which is Kham, Amdo and Ngari. To travel in Kham, Amdo Lhasa & Chengdu is the gateway town of entering the eastern Tibet of Kham, as well as the most convenient city for catching the flight for Kathmandu & Beijing. For a tour of Amdo, Lhasa & Xining is one of the best towns to start with this trip, as there are direct flights from eight cities of China, which is Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Xining, Kunming, Zhongdian, Guangzhou

Is a custom itinerary available?
Please mail us at info@tibetfamilytours.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.
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.

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. Email at info@tibetfamilytours.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 home 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 permission 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. In addition, all ground transportation involved in your trip is provided to you at no extra cost.

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.

How difficult are the treks?
In Tibet you can find the vacation that meets your activity level and aspirations. Each of our treks & tours has been graded to help you choose the holiday that is right for you.
Trekking Grades
Grade 1
For trekkers with no previous experience, we offer a diverse range of easy treks. By easy, we mean that the trek involves no difficult climbing or ascents to high altitudes, takes usually no more than a week and is suitable for anyone. However, you should not think that loss of height means loss of interest; while our more challenging treks get you closer to a small number of mountain ranges, lower altitude treks often provide colorful horizons of a whole series of ranges. High or low, mountain villages reachable only by several days walk from the road brim with character.
Grade 2
Treks in Grade 2are suitable for any walker looking for something a little more energetic. They are longer (6 -20 days,) involve more walking up and down and climb to higher altitudes, where you will be rewarded with close-up views of big mountains.
Grade 3
Those should only undertake grade 3 treks with some previous mountain walking experience. They ascend to altitudes of up to 4500m. And involve some steep climbing, although it is never necessary to use ropes. Treks at this level can he arranged for periods of 8 -22 days.
Grade 4
Grade 4 treks are only for adventurers who involve steep ascents to high altitudes with the possibility of some rope climbing. You'll need stamina to complete one of these treks, as it can take 20-28 days to journey to the heart of the wildernesses that they cross. All are camping expeditions.

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.