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 |
China |
Tibet |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£0.40 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.30 |
£0.80 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.30 |
£0.80 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.20 |
£1.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£7.50 |
£4.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£14.00 |
£7.50 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
|
| 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
China: Single entry visas are required by all visitors and can be obtained through Explore’s recommended Visa Service, Visa Swift, or for overseas clients by their Explore agent.
Please ensure that you make no reference to Tibet when applying for your Chinese visa. Permits to visit Tibet will be arranged seperately by our ground agent in China and will not be entered in to your passport.
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.
Registering with the Chinese authorities: You are required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China: Chinese authorities are now actively enforcing this requirement. If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process, and you will be registered for the duration of your tour. Please note that if you intend to arrive more than 24 hours before your tour starts or to stay in China after your tour has finished and you are not staying in a hotel, you will need to register with the local Public Security Bureau.
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Tibet: A group permit will be obtained by our ground agents in Xian and your passport details and copies of your passport and China visa will be required by Explore before you travel.
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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
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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Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, infectious hepatitis, typhoid and polio. Consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on whether to protect yourself against malaria and the different prophylaxis available (eg. Paludrine, Chloroquine, Mefloquine etc.). Although not compulsory, travellers may wish to immunise themselves against Japanese encephalitis.
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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
Climate
China has primarily a temperate climate, with a wide spectrum of extremes due to its huge area. Summer months are hot and rainy, though in the south the climate is tropical and can experience rain at any time of the year, often falling in sharp tropical rainstorms that are heavy but short lived. Winter is generally colder and drier. 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
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage on and off trains and along sometimes lengthy station platforms so it is essential that you don’t overload yourself. It is also essential that your baggage is lockable (a small padlock is sufficient); the airport authorities insist on this. Please be aware, before boarding a flight in China that the Chinese authorities will only allow bottles onto aircraft if they have been checked in as main luggage. Any bottles in the hand luggage may be confiscated.
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Clothing
Lightweight raingear may be needed all year round with some warmer clothes for the cooler evenings in Tibet. Casual clothes are the most practical. The UV rays are very strong at altitude so we recommend wearing long sleeves and a hat. Scarves and gloves are also recommended in September.
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Footwear
Light walking boots/comfortable walking shoes with good grip, trainers and sandals.
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Equipment
Binoculars, torch, water bottle, insect repellent, high factor suncream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lip salve with sun protection. You may find rehydration salts useful.
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General Information
General Information
We travel to very high altitudes on the train journey to the Tibetan Plateau (max. 5072m) and whilst oxygen is available on the train you may experience the affects of altitude including headaches and nausea. The Lhasa valley lies at approximately 3500m and walking/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 however, not suitable for persons suffering from heart or respiratory problems. 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 is final.
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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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