Tibet Cultural Tour

Answer:  Normally you will need two kinds of permits for travelling in Tibet: the entry permit (TTB permit) and the Alien's travel permit (PSB permit).

A. TTB permit – Tibet travel permit
When you fly from Kathmandu or any city to Lhasa you will need to show TTB permit (Tibet Visa) when you check in at the airport. Even while buying a flight ticket to Lhasa you need to show this permit.

B. PSB permit – Alien's Travel permit
if you like to visit restricted area you will need to buy an Alien's travel permit issued by PSB of Tibet.

To get the travel permits, you need to send us below details:
01) Full Name:
02) Sex:
03) Date of birth:
04) Passport number:
05) Nationality

The details you provide us must be exactly the same as on your passport and you need to tell us your profession because journalists and people that are involved  in political matters could be revoked ( they need a different procedure to get a permit).

We suggest you to apply your permit at least 25 days prior to your entry date. Please note that if you do not book any tour with Alpine Eco Trek, we can't help you get the permits. No one can provide permit only service.  Tibet Tourism Corporation will not issue travel permits to individuals and will direct you to a travel agency like Alpine Eco Trek. We can organize a travel permit to almost anywhere in Tibet but only if you book a package tour with us.

A. we can provide Travel permit to all kinds of people except Diplomats, Journalists and Governments officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

B. After issuing a permit, we could help you to buy your air tickets or train tickets.

C. The permit we provide you is a copy, the original will be with guide, in Tibet you are not allowed to bring permit with you and not even allowed to travel to anywhere you want because except Lhasa you need another permit named as Aliens Permit. Otherwise if you are stopped by the police or army you will be sent out of Tibet or have trouble politically and economically. Tibet is still very sensitive destination in Asia. Moreover, the travel agency which helped to get you the permit will also be in trouble. Therefore seriously not any legitimate travel agency could sell you the Tibet Permit if you do not book a tour with them. We don't think so you would like to be in trouble while you are enjoying your hard earned holiday due to a SOLD Tibet permit after you pay a lot of money for the your trip to Tibet.

D. There is a service charge to get the Tibet Travel Permits. And, it takes time, paper work, transportation fee and delivery fee for us to get a permit for you, so Alpine Eco Trek will charge an extra fee for the permits. 

Normally, if you provide us your full necessary document we can issue your Tibet permit within 5 to 6 working days. And, we will need 4 to 5 days to deliver the courier to your place.
If you are coming to Lhasa from Kathmandu, it is better to obtain your Tibet visa from Kathmandu because no matter you have already got the visa in your country or not, you must get a Tibet Visa in Kathmandu, which is regulated in an official memo between China and Nepal.

Tibet remains cold throughout the year, so it is wiser to have some warm cloths and items as below:
Sun glasses, sun lotions, Chapped stick, Hat, Layered clothing and down Jackets, comfortable walking shoes, long shirts, T-shirts, woolen hat, etc.. For more info please visit our packing list for Tibet tour page.  It is suggested to pack some high calorie snacks like cookies, Chocolate and Ginger and Garlic candies in advance!

Please consider the following points to avoid the High Altitude Sickness:
A. Please try not to strain yourself and avoid excessive working before joining Tibet tour.  
B. Take the prescribed medication before reaching Tibet and continue to take the medication upon arrival there.
C. Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol and smoking, taking sleeping pills in the high altitude areas.
D. Drink plenty of water or tea.
E. Eat high-carbohydrate foods (rice, pasta, cereal) while avoiding fatty stuff.
F. Avoid active movements and try to relax in the first one or two days upon arrival at the high altitude areas.
G. DIAMOX 125 mg. tablets taken twice a day is FDA approved for prevention and treatment of AMS. Although, it originally was released as a diuretic (water Pill), it also helps you breath deeper and faster and also this allows you to get more oxygen, Diamox is especially helpful with the sleeping problems and other symptoms of AMS. Avoid sleeping pills because they may cause shallow breathing at night at make it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

H. Use oxygen to relieve symptoms.
I. If nothing else works, we suggest you to return to the areas with the lower elevation.

Religious beggars are an accepted part of society in Tibet. Giving money or feeding to a pilgrim is considered an act of merit, donations of five to ten Chinese money (RMB) is appropriate. Please note that if the beggars are the old man and woman who dress in shredded, bulky clothing, while the younger ones many 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. Just wave them off as the locals do if you don't want give anything.

In order to make it ease, we have categorized three ways to book a tour based on your requirements.
A. Those who don't have enough knowledge of Tibet or not very sure what to do in Tibet, then we have Tailor-made Form that require to fill some basic information and we will customize a tour that meet your interest.
2. Those who know little about Tibet and having a rough travel plan, we have Design Your Own Tour Forms, from where you can choose different destinations and activities, and then we will emend it in the best way to achieve your requirement.
3. Those who have clear Tibet travel plan can choose one of our well designed Tibet Private Package Tours and summit it to get a quote.

Currently it is not allowed to have free day exploration in Tibet and at least you should have your guide with you to explore in Tibet.

The Chinese RenMingBi (RMB), also called Chinese Yuan (CNY) is the currency using in Tibet. You can't use other foreign currencies for shopping, but the Bank of China accepts credit cards and travelers checks in exchange for cash. You can also withdraw cash from ATM in Tibet and it is easy to find in bigger cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, Tsedang, Gyantse and so on.

Tibetan people are very kind and friendly, but there are some things that you should be aware of:

• Do not take photos of anyone without their permission; always ask permission first!
• Do not discuss sensitive topics like political matters!
• Do not wear hats or caps when you enter a chapel!
• Do not touch Buddha statues or ritual offerings inside of a monastery!
• Do not kiss or hug in public places, especially in monasteries!
• Do not step across someone's feet, cups or cooking gears!