YALA would be happy to arrange a private tour for you in any parts of Tibet and also can circulate the programs and also the dates and find others to join you. Any of the tours or the treks could be customized to suit your requirements and dates.

Generally, fixed departures are the group tours, where you are likely to be joining a group of people from different countries and regions, which would be helping you to be culturally close with the people of different parts & share the ideas with them. It would be more fun when you could make friends to the people of the places where you have never visited or heard about it.

All our fixed departure dates are based on entry and exit from Kathmandu. However, you can also enter from parts of Mainland China, i.e. Beijing, Chengdu etc. Air China operates its flight from Kathmandu and Lhasa on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2005) across the mighty Himalayas. This flight offers spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Makalu and many other Himalayans.
Additional accommodation in Kathmandu be arranged, please ask us for more details.

You are required to arrive in Kathmandu at least 2 days prior to departure date. The programs during this period in Kathmandu could also be arranged for the needy customers.

Tibet, the very name evokes feelings of awe and mystery. A mystic, mysterious land of ancient Buddhist culture, awesome landscapes, artistic monasteries and centuries-old caravan trails, Tibet is a destination out of the ordinary. For thousands of years, Tibet lay under the ancient Sea of Tethys. Eighty million years ago, India crashed into Asia, pushing up the Himalayas, lifting the ocean bottom above water, and creating this magical land. Mystical land, Shangri-La, Forbidden Country: Tibet has many names and inspires an air of mystical dreams. However, Tibet is real and a beautiful place to travel. It possesses a unique culture, firmly rooted in Tibetan religion, but with strong influence from the geography of the Himalayas, and the neighboring civilizations of India and China.

TIBET TRAVEL INFORMATION

A trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted; the traveling can be hard, adventurous and often unpredictable. Due to Tibet's high altitude travelers with a history of heart, lung or anemia problems should consult a doctor before considering a visit.

Visitors should also understand before taking this trip that Tibet was only opened to tourism in recent years. The infrastructure of the Tourist industry is still very basic in the remote country. Please do not expect the standards you are accustomed to in the west. However, every effort will be made under the circumstances to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.

CLOTHING ACCESSORIES : From Oct.-March warm clothes are required to fight the frostily cold and from April-September light clothes to shun the scorching heat. However a jacket and sweater are advised through out the years as the weather may unexpectedly changes at any time. The recommended items are: A domestic first aid kit; water purification tablets (mineral water can be bought as well) toilet and tissue papers, flashlight, comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, utility knife, sun hat, sun glasses, suntan lotion and a limited number of clothes.

CUSTOMS : There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders or radios as long as they are for personal use or if commercial use should be registered with a custom official. Printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese Government is prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be excessive.
Food & drinks: Tibet has only a handful of towns, and Tibetan cuisine is not exactly the most varied in the world. It is handy to carry anything that can be brewed with hot water. Instant coffee, drinking chocolate, tea (bags), soup cubes. Other food items worth considering are instant noodles, nuts and raisins, chocolate, dry foods and biscuits.

BUSINESS HOURS : Government offices are usually closed on Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.

CURRENCY : RENMNBI, the people's money used by millions of Chinese everyday, circulates in notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Yuan.

AIRPORT : : Lhasa Gonggar Airport is approx. 96km away from Lhasa.

AIR TICKET RECONFIRMATION : Your guide will reconfirm the air ticket upon payment of RMB 30, which is reconfirmation fee charged by China South West Airlines.

HEALTH & ALTITUDE PROBLEMS :
Traveling in Tibet involves high altitude and can be strenuous. Clients with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very often the cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Advised, drink approx. 03 liters of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests.

AIRPORT TAX :

TIBETAN COUNTERPART : All the packages in Tibet will be handled by the Tibetan Counterpart and they will take over the arrangements immediately on landing at Gonggar Airport (Lhasa)/Kodari Nepal Tibet border which includes transportation, Accommodation and services of their local guide.

INSURANCE : Kindly note in Tibet the amount of insurance coverage is extremely low as such, clients should have their own insurance. Tibetan agents do not pay any claim however logical the claim may be. It is also possible that certain places on the Itinerary may not be allowed to visit due to sudden government decision.

GUIDES : Although we request our Tibet Agent to provide best guides even the so called best guides need lot of improvements.

TIBET VISA : As per recent Chinese Govt. Decision, Chinese Embassy, Kathmandu require a group consisting minimum of five participants.

For obtaining the Tibet Visa in Kathmandu we need a minimum of 3 clear working days. As such clients will have to reach Kathmandu accordingly. For your information, the Chinese Embassy is open on every Mondays, Wednesday & Friday for one hour only. Tibet Visa Fee: US$ 26 (Visa rush fee USD 17 extra if original passport submitted in less than a week prior to trip departure date & USD 14 extra for US Passport holder)

However, if visa has to be issued within one to three days, emergency charges will be US$ 17.00 net per pax will applicable which is over & above normal visa fee.

Also we would like to inform you that we require the passport details with photocopy of passport before the arrival of the GIT/FIT or by fax (i.e. Full Name, Sex, Nationality, Date of Birth, Passport number, Occupation) in order to process the Tibet Visa Formalities at our end.

It is advisable to bring two-passport size photographs along with each of them, which may need, while obtaining the Tibet Visa.

Note : The above regulations and all visa fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Note : The above regulations and all visa fees are subject to change without prior notice.