The highest plateau in the world, famous as the “Roof of the world”, Tibet is a land of prosperity and spirituality. The land of Tibet, after China gained the autonomy of the state, was separated from rest of the world and it is only in these recent days that the plateau is being connected to the remaining parts of the globe. However, even now journalists and diplomats are not allowed in the area and visit permits are not granted easily, so this glorious country of the past remains unreachable to many. Irrespective of all the odd conditions, Tibetan locals have been welcoming more tourists each year with a pleasant smile and warm hospitality. Tibet tour package offers all the highlights.
Extension of Tibet tour package —- Best tours in Himalaya Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, Bhutan culture tour and Everest base camp trekking.. Special Nepal Tibet and tour package.
Key facts of Tibet tour package:
- Capital: Lhasa
- Area: 1.228 square kilometres.
- Population: 6.5 million (according to the last census of 2014)
- Time zone: China Standard Time, GMT +8 hours
- Political system: Socialist Republic
- Major religion: Buddhism
- Official language: Standard Tibetan
- Working hours: According to Labor’s Law of China, the working hours are 8 hours per day, 44 hours per week Monday-Friday
- Electricity: 230 volts with 50-hertz frequency, devices might not function properly due to the altitude
- Location: South-west of China, bordering Nepal, India, Myanmar, and Bhutan
- Geography: Majorly plateau with diverse terrain including deep ditches, glaciers and the famous Gobi cold desert.
Visa Information for Tibet tour package:
Tibet tour remains under the autonomy of China, thus to enter Tibet, along with a permit from Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB), one needs to have a valid Chinese visa, except for the visitors from Japan, Singapore, and Brunei. Chinese visa can be easily obtained from the China Visa Application Center situated in one’s respective country within 2-4 working days. The visa provided will be a standard single entry visa which shall last for 30 days. After being issued with the Chinese visa, one will need to coordinate with travel agencies or tour operators online, who will assist them to obtain permits from TTB. The permit will allow tourists to visit Lhasa and Shigatse. To visit other places, other permits are to be requested separately. The visa charges are likely to vary.
How to reach for Tibet tour package
There are only ways to reach Tibet: from Nepal or mainland China. Two daily flights are operating from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Lhasa Gonggar Airport in Tibet by Sichuan Airline and Air China. These are the only two international flights to Tibet, also their frequency decreases during winter. Alternatively, one can reach Lhasa overland from Kerung-Rasuwa border. This 4-day long road journey is not for everyone; it demands a good level of physical fitness and the roads are not always good. From mainland China, there are at least 6-10 flights per day flying for Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kunming.
Popular Destinations to visit:
Although visitors are usually allowed to visit Lhasa and Shigatse only, there is plenty of sightseeing to do in these two cities alone. In the city of Lhasa, there lies majestic Potala Palace in all its glory. Built-in 637 A.D, now one of UNESCO world heritage sites, Potala Palace is a “must visit” while in Tibet. The Sera Monastery, another jewel in the city of Lhasa, is the most important monastery of the country. “Sera” means rose, so as the rose suggests, the backside of the monastery is filled with varieties of wild roses, giving a more eye-pleasing sight. Home to famous Tibetan paintings and more than 40000 consecrated parchments, Shakya Monastery has been attracting many tourists each year to the town of Shigatse. Kailash Mansarovar is another popular destination in Tibet, which is mostly famous amongst Hindu as well as Buddhist pilgrims.
Local currency and foreign exchange:
Chinese Yuan (Renminbi) is the local currency of Tibet, and American Dollar is the only other currency accepted in the country, that too only in a handful of shops and hotels. Traveler’s cheque is only accepted by Bank of China, but Visa, Electron and cards are accepted by Construction Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China in major cities like Lhasa and Shigatse allowing withdrawal of only 2000 RMB. While traveling to other parts, it is better to exchange foreign currency to the Chinese Yuan at Lhasa. Major international currencies are easily converted into Chinese Yuan at the Bank of China and also at the airport. While traveling to rural parts, it is advisable to carry the cash in the smaller denomination.
Internet and Communication in the country:
For years, the “roof of the world” has gone without communication with the rest of the world. But since the very late of the 20th century, the communication system has been improving, and now 67.5% Tibetans have access to the internet. There is only one internet service provider, hence WI-FIs are not very common. However, most hotels and restaurants offer free WI-FI and there are fee internet cafes as well. The locals make use of 3G and 4G networks on their phone. The local cellphone service is not easily available to tourists. Even though there is easy access to the internet, People’s Republic of China bans the use of social networking sites and certain websites, including Google and Gmail.
Weather and climate:
Tibet lies in the area which receives intense sunlight directly, due to its altitude; the air is very thin which can neither absorb the sunlight nor radiate it. Such condition results in extreme type of weather conditions, too hot summer and too cold winter. The summer temperature usually exceeds 29 degrees but, the area receives less than 500 mm to 50 mm of rainfall, which makes the summer very hot. In winter, the temperature might go below -16 degrees. Irrespective of the extreme climate, this land of snow deserves to be explored and its beauty is praised throughout the world.
People, culture, and festival:
One of the most exciting parts of exploring Tibet is its cultural experience. Most of the Tibetans follow Buddhism, the importance and influence of the religion are quite evident in the day-to-day life of the inhabitants. Hence, most of their festivals are related to worshipping and praying to Buddha. During the “Butter Lantern Festival”, celebrated on January 15 of the Tibetan calendar, people go to the temple, glowing incense and worship Buddha. Another famous festival of Tibet is “Saga Dawa” which also involves worshipping Buddha; it is believed that Shakyamuni Buddha took birth, became Buddha and died in April, thus on April 15 of Tibetan calendar, they celebrate Buddha and worship him. In “Shoton Festival” of Lhasa, people exhibit their Buddha paintings and attend operas. There are other festivals to celebrate as well like the New Year, the harvest and the incoming spring.
List of other trips in Himalayas
14 days Everest Base camp Trek
15 Days Cultural Himalayan Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour
16 Days Tour across Nepal Bhutan and Tibet
15 Days Nepal Bhutan Tibet City Tour
14 Days Unforgettable Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour
12 Days Excellent Holiday Nepal Bhutan Tibet Tour
Everest Base Camp Heli Trek
SOLU-KHUMBU EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING
SHORT EVEREST TREKKING
EVEREST PANORAMA TREKKING
Luxury trips Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour
