We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Nepal |
Tibet |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£0.50 |
£0.40 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.70 |
£0.80 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£0.30 |
£0.80 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£3.50 |
£1.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£7.60 |
£4.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£10.00 |
£7.50 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£12.00 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Entry visas are required by all nationalities visiting Nepal and Tibet. Nepalese visas can currently be obtained either on arrival or before travel from your nearest embassy. The permit for travel into Tibet is a group permit and will be obtained by our ground agents in Kathmandu after your arrival.
Nepal: Visas can be obtained from the Nepalese embassy prior to travel or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and various international border crossings between Nepal and its neighbours. A passport sized photograph is required, please bring this in your hand luggage.
All visas sold on arrival are multiple entry visas and they are available to cover 3 different durations of visit ; a 15 day visa costing US$25, a 30 day costing US$40 and a 90 day visa costing US$100. Please ensure you purchase the duration sufficient to cover your whole visit including days of entry and exit. Please do note that these durations refer to each entry into Nepal e.g. 15 days for each entry.
Tibet: Chinese (Tibet) permits must be obtained on arrival in Kathmandu and will be processed by our ground agents. Note: all passengers should arrive in Kathmandu on or before Day 2 of the tour to allow sufficient time for the Tibet group visa to be processed. Any passenger with a current Chinese visa for planned future travel should note this will be cancelled on entering Tibet. Allow $130, payable in USD for your Chinese (Tibetan) permit ($110 for the permit itself and a $20 handling charge). Note: US Citizens are currently required to pay $216 ($196 for the permit itself and a $20 handling charge). Any passengers with sensitive occupations, (e.g. media, defence) must contact Explore before leaving. You will need to bring one passport photgraph with you to apply for this visa.
TIBET GROUP RESTRICTIONS:
Due to the restrictions in place it is not possible for anyone to leave the group whilst in Tibet, everybody must enter and leave Tibet as a group. It is not unusual for the authorities to amend the entry requirements with little or no warning. Should this happen Explore will do all possible to run the tour but in extreme circumstances we may be forced to cancel a tour.
Please note: If you have more than one passport all visas and permits must be obtained on the same passport.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis, polio and Japanese encephalitis. Although not compulsory, travellers may wish to immunise themselves against meningococcal meningitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Altitude
The altitude of several passes, e.g. Gyatso La (5220m), raises the possibility of altitude sickness. Extreme cases of Acute Mountain Sickness are rare, but if it becomes necessary for someone to abandon the tour in the interests of safety, the tour leaders decision on this is final.
Insurance: Please ensure that your insurance policy covers you to the altitude indicated below in the section entitled ‘Medical examination’ before you come on tour. If you have Explore insurance, you will be covered to this altitude.
Medical Examination: You should visit your GP and specifically mention the maximum altitude the tour reaches, i.e. 5220m.
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Climate
Tibet’s central region should have very little rain (250 to 500mm a year) or even snowfall (the summer snowline is somewhere between 5000 to 6000 metres). Given an average altitude of 4000 metres, temperatures vary tremendously: from near zero temperatures in the early morning and evening to a sunny 30°C at midday. May to mid-September are considered the best months for a visit to the Lhasa area.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of baggage and a small daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. It is handy to carry a small daysac during sightseeing excursions.
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Clothing
In the Kathmandu Valley, you can wear shorts and a shirt during the day but it can get cool (or cold) in the evening. In Tibet, you’ll need a set of warm clothes and a windproof jacket. You may wish to carry a Down Jacket as it will be cold throughout the year in Shegar, Rongbuk and Gyantse. (posible to hire in Kathmandu).
During the day it can be hot and dry in Tibet and humid in Nepal, hence it is recommended to bring light clothing for daytime and warm clthing for evening. Long trousers are preferable, Lycra fittings are not allowed in Nepal/ Tibet.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes. You should be prepared to walk through wet and muddy terrain in the event of road blockages and landslides.
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Equipment
A sheet sleeping bag is useful but not essential for the overnight guesthouse on Day 12 & 13. A torch is useful in case of powercuts/ emergencies. You should also bring a sunhat, suncream and a water bottle.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
General Information
Tibet is a country emerging from a thousand years of feudalism and serfdom. Travellers must be physically and mentally prepared for rough conditions. Roads are sometimes blocked and we are limited by the transport available. Very high altitudes are involved on the Central Plateau (average 4000m) and walking or sightseeing can be strenuous and exhausting. Acclimatisation is progressive and should not be a problem for anyone who is reasonably active and enjoys good health. The tour is not advisable for persons suffering from heart or respiratory problems. Additionally, it may be necessary to walk for up to 10kms if a notorious section of the Lhasa – Kathmandu road has been washed away by the rains.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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