The forbidden Kingdom
on the roof of the World has captured man's imagination for centuries. Great
explorers and adventures of the century have ventured into this Holy Land
rendered inaccessible by the hostle natural conditions and a policy of
isolation enforced by its own Government, TIBET's immense stark grand
plateau, its warm, cheerful people and its unique, colorful Buddhist
tradition, imbued with mysticism, appeared to many embodiment of the
mythical SHANGRI-LA. Travel to early Tibet required a good deal of courage
and luck for those hardly intrepid explorers and adventurers at the turn of
the Century. LHASA the Forbidden City, truly epitomized the ultimate travel
destination. The few who succeeded in reaching TIBET it came away with
tantalizing tales.
TIBET's remoteness, its timeless quality and
haunting magical body continues to captivate the imagination of travelers,
its remarkable culture the last citadel of " all the present day
humanity is longing for either because it has been lost or not yet been
realized or because of it is in danger of dissappearing from human sight.
The stability of a tradition which has its roots not only in historical or
culture past, but within the innermost being a man"
It was not
until the early 1980's that a few selected tour Groups were permitted to
visit TIBET. Today as never before, Tibet is open to the ordinary travelers.
More and more exciting places are now accessible and affordable. Changes
have, included, taken place, but TIBET, unlike any other countries, remains
a truly fascinating and adventurous destination.
GENERAL
INFORMATION : The traveling to TIBET is wonderful and amazing
trip. The infrastructure and services within the Tourism Industry are still
not geared up to meet the expectations of most Tourist. However, one of the
reasons most people choose to travel is to experience cultures, lifestyles
which are very Different from their own. Whilst these differences are
sometimes perceived by visitors as local inadequacies, they are integral
part of adventure travel. While you are in TIBET you will have to contend
with such things as relatively inefficiency, a more relaxed attitude to
time, cancellations and closures without explaination, outdated facilities,
suspect plumbing and apparently mindless bureaucarcy. SENGE TRAVELS strives
to maintain a high quality of services, but sometimes the best available
locally simply can not be compared with what you are used to at home. If you
are not up for a bit of adventure this may sometimes result in discomfort,
inconvenience or just plain frustration. Our Tours are not meant for those
who wish to be shielded from the realities of life, but rather for those who
really want to experience the country as it is "want n' all " You
must, therefore, be prepared to accept these destinations as you find them.
Most importantly don't Forget to pack your sense of humor, an inavaluable
item for every traveler specially while in TIBET.
VISA
: All tourist visiting TIBET, requires valid China Visa and
special Alien Permit, while the Chinese VISA can be obtained from any
Chinese Embassy, but the Aliens Travel Permit can be arranged by a Travel
Agent. No free individual travel is permitted in TIBET and therefore, all
tours must be arranged through a Travel Agent. The Travel Agent arranges
your Aliens Travel Permit and the Chinese VISA for you depending on where
you plan to travel other additional permits are also required which are all
taken care of by your Travel Agent. Those who arrive in Kathmandu with a
Chinese Visa issued by the Chinese Embassies outside Kathmandu will find it
usless for entry into TIBET. Diplomatic Passport holders must get clearance
from Beijing for travel into Tibet, which often takes long time. It is
advisable to travel on non-diplomatic Passport if you have one. With some
exceptions, generally travelers are only allowed to travel in Groups. A
minimum of 5 persons is considered as a Group. Please note the following
important information.
1.
Chinese Visa Fee : USD 26/- per person for Groups USD 33/- for
individual travelers.
2. Urgent Visa Processing Fee : USD 33/- per
person.
3. Chinese Visa Fees are subject to change without prior
notice.
We require at least 7-8 days notice to process
your Tibet Visa via Tibet Tourism Bureau Lhasa. We then submit your original
Passport to the Chinese Emmbassy in Kathmandu once your Visa is approved by
TTB and hence it will take at least 4-5 days in Kathmandu. Visa can also be
issued in less than 3 days upon payment of USD 30/- as rush fee.
30
days NEPAL Visa is readily available at the Tribhuvan International Airport
or other land entry points on payment of USD 30/- Visa fee. Those traveling
to Tibet, Bhutan & Sikkim must obtain Nepal Re-entry Visa Single/double
as applicable and cost USD 25-40/-
ACCESS
TO TIBET & ALTITUDE : LHASA in Tibet is directly linked by
road and by Air from Kathmandu and has also direct Air link to Chengdu with
connecting flights to Hon Kong. The flight takes 1 hour and is the most
spectacular trans Himalayaa flight offering sone of the most fascinating
view of the World's highest peaks on a clear day.
The overland
journey to Lhasa is 952 kilometres and takes 5 days climbing to 5,400 metres
at the highest point.
Those with chronic health problems should
consult a doctor before making travel plans. Most people visiting TIBET
rarely suffer more than mild discomfort before getting acclimatized. The
best remedial measure is to stay cool, not to engage in physically
Exhausting activities, drink plenty of water, stay warm and have a positive
mental attitude. And if you do get sick take " diamox"
BEST
TIME FOR TRAVEL : * Peak Season : October * High Season
: April to september. * For Mt. Kailash : May, June & September.
* Off Season : December & February.
TRANSPORTATION
: Your ground transportation is organized by our Representative
in Lhasa. With the exception of sight seeing in Lhasa, all sight seeing and
transfers by Toyota Land Cruiser. However, for the overland journey to Lhasa
we use Land Cruiser for the deluxe travelers and Bus ( Coach ) for the
budget travelers.
INSURANCE :
All travelers visiting TIBET are strongly recommended to provide for their
own travel/trip insurance from their own home country that adequately covers
for medical, emergency rescue expenses, trip cancellations or nay other
eventual mishaps. One should not feel that Tibet trip is a pleasure tour
since there is no basic tourist infrastructure and facilities in Tibet. One
should feel that trip to Tibet is an adventurer and culture tour.
TREKKING
PERMITS : Trekking in TIBET is a unique experience as the major
trekking areas in Tibet are still a virgin territory without proper guides
one can easily get lost in the vast area. All Treks organized to TIBET are
full service Camping treks and use Sherpa Staff from Nepal s their support
crew. We will organize all the necessary trekking and Camping Permits.
BOOKING
& PAYMENT:Completed tour booking Form must be accompanied by
USD 100/- as trip deposit for confirmation of all bookings. The balance must
be paid 15 days before commencement of tour. You may also book directly
through Email or Fax and fill up Booking Form in our Website. One should
intimate us the transfer of payment by sending a copy of Bank Remittance.
Payment should make telegraphic transfer to our Bank in our Account as
details given below.
CITIBANK, N.A., Jeevan Bharati Building,
124 Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001, INDIA. Account No. 0421752222 &
Swift Code No. CITIINBXAIBD in favour of SENGE TRAVELS & TOURS (P) LTD.
Please
note that all Bank charges to be paid by the customers.
CANCELLATION
POLICY : Cancellation notice must be reached by us through Email
or Fax at least 15 before commencement of tour. No verbal cancellation will
not be attended and cancellation charges as follows:
15 days
before commencement : No charges will be livied. Less than 15 days : 25%
of total will be charged. Less than 10 days : 50% of total will be
charged. Less than 7 days : No refund.
REFUND
POLICY : No refunds are available once the trip is launched and
delayed or aborted because of factors beyond our control due to political
disturbance, natural calamity and others. The additional cost necessitated
by such delays, accidents or cancellations will be the traveler's liability.
Senge Travels or its handling Agent and other Associates shall not be held
responsible or liable for any damages. However, Senge Travels will put every
effort under such circumstances to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.
SENGE
TRAVELS & TOURS- a leading Tibetan Tour Operator in India
will open for you the doors of the most fascinating Land, People, Culture
and unfold for you its inner secret and mysterious Tour packages with fixed
weekly departures.
