Trekking in Nepal, Adventure travel in the Himalayas, Tibet tour, Bhutan visit

Tibet - The roof of the world

TibetTibet, a most unusual and beautiful region in Central Asia is located at the main part of Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Tibet is also a South-West frontier of China and the home to the indigenous Tibetan people. With an average elevation of 4,900 meters, it is the highest region on the Earth and this is why it is referred as "Roof of the World". At north Tibet borders with Sichuan, Yuannan, Qinghai and Xinjiang; to the south neighbouring to India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Burma, and bounded by Kashmir on the west. The region covers an area of around 1,200,000 square kilometres.

Tibet Autonomous Region has very complex topography and falls into three geographic parts: the west, the south and the east. When the word Tibet is mentioned something icy chills the readers' nerves. In fact it snows only once or twice in a year and owing to the perpetuity of bright sunshine, it is not at all cold during the daytime even in the coldest of the winter. The earth's highest mountains, a vast arid plateau and great river valleys make up the physical homeland of 6 million Tibetans. Tibet is an eternal topic and dreams of so many people, with its unique high attitude, exotic culture and unique landscapes. It is a place for the rugged adventurer as well as the spiritual wanderer.


Tibet Travel Information and Destination Guide

Tibet Potala PalaceTibet is the most interesting, vast, remote, exotic and inspiring than anyone can imagine. It contains the world's tallest mountains, highest lakes and greatest river systems, as well as spectacular hot springs, forested valleys and even volcanoes. Nomads remain at the same condition as they were one hundred years ago. Wandering throughout the plateau in the winter and summer camps the nomads manage to survive from their yak herds. The monasteries, mountains, fascinating landscape, enormous lakes and holy mountains are defiantly a wonder for 21st century.

After centuries of virtual isolation Tibet is cautiously opened up to the western world since last few years. Officially, China has only opened the doors for travellers. All foreign visitors to Tibet need one or more permits. The basic one is the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) permit, which can be issued to you by Chinese travel agencies that handle Tibet, or by the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu on proof of purchasing a package tour. Some parts of Tibet also require an Aliens' Travel Permit (ATP), which is issued by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in major Tibetan cities like Lhasa, Xigatse and Ali. The list of regions that require ATPs changes constantly.

The facilities available for tourists are only now approaching a reasonable standard. Visa can be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Tibet is accessible from Nepal both by air and by road. Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in China, has an airport. Air flight between Kathmandu is seasonal from end of March till end of October. There are three flights in a week between Kathmandu and Lhasa: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. However there are daily flights between Lhasa and Beijing and Lhasa and Chengdu throughout the air. Lhasa is connected with Kathmandu by road from Kodari via Zhangmu, Nyalam, Lhatse, Shigatse, and Gyantse.

Entering Tibet you feel as though you've entered an entirely different world. Trip to Tibet is not a common experience as the travelling can be hard, adventurous and often unpredictable. Due to the high altitude travellers with a problem of heart, lung or anaemia should consult a physician before to prepare. Most people will experience some of the minor symptoms and discomfort of High altitude sickness, until their body adjusts to the elevation. This can take from a few hours to couple of days, depending on the individual. Very rare cases of acute altitude sickness have been reported. Warm clothes are required for the frosty cold of From Oct - March. From April - September light clothes are better to make comfortable in hot weather. However a jacket and a sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather may unexpectedly change at any time.