Top Tibet hotels
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One thing that always intrigued Mari and I about Tibet was no matter where you were you were likely to see someone eventually walk over a nearby hill. In this case a very well dressed Tibetan popped into view in the back of beyond in the back of beyond (Tibet). No fancy bike needed though. We might travel around Tibet like this next time.
Be careful what time you plan to visit Tibet. We arrived in Lhasa in the middle of August and after a few weeks of travelling around Tibet we decided to hire a 4x4 for a five day journey to the Nepalese border we nearly collapsed. It had suddenly become peak season and the price had more than doubled since we arrived a few weeks earlier. I think the prices had risen one week before we wanted to leave Lhasa. Ouch.
Unless you are a world-class biker or have all the time in the world, the only practical way to get around Tibet is by Toyota Landcruiser. Why Toyota? I don't know. But that seems to be the vehicle of choice for just about every tour guide and company.Even looking at a map and understanding, intellectually, the distances involved was not sufficient preparation for the number of hours spent sitting down getting from place to place. They may not be the world's most comfortable vehicles (at least not for hours on end and days without end), but I can personally attest that they are among the world's best at negotiating the sometimes tortuous terrain of Tibet.All in all, we came to love our little Landcruiser and you will too--if for no other reason than that you have little choice!
When travelling over the " Friendship Highway "it is more than likely that you will feel some effects from the altitude !! The highest pass is " La Lung-la " at 5,200 metres !! If you have just come down from a trek in Nepal then these symptoms will be reduced as your body will be acclimatised to the altitude !! I had just returned from Trekking in Langtang but still suffered the occasional headache !! But Don't let this put you off as this really is an Incredible Journey !!!!
If you must go from Lhasa to Nepal's border or from Kathmandu to Lhasa across "Friendship HWY" (road), you must hire a Land Cruiser because the road is in bad condition.Alternative, you can go from Lhasa to Shigatse by bus and later you go by Land Cruiser.
Travelling overland in Tibet, it's truck, bus or Landcruiser. It appeared to me that the Landcruisers were the worse options for this, with the buses and trucks just ploughing through what were appauling road conditions, when the Landcruisers kept getting stuck. Flights from Kathmandu Tribhuvan to Lhasa Gonggar are twice weekly - also check entry conditions for Tibet - from Nepal at least, it's group visas only. If you try to make an individual entry, you'll be turned back and have your Chinese Visa cancelled (by the Embassy in Nepal or at the border). There's also a complicated system of permits. I've tried to clarify things on the 'Frequently Ask Questions' part of my website. *Picture: Gyantse Fortress. Beefy at http://www.tibet.freeserve.co.uk
Under construction (this tip, not the railway!)
NO.I did not use a bicycle to move around but some others did.Making a physical effort in Tibet is incredibly difficult due to altitude.All mt respect to the bikers who cycle.
China Southwest is the only airline flying from Lhasa to Kathmandu, therefor the tickets are quite expensive. Paid more than 300US$ for one way. The beautiful thing is...Mt. Everest from above!
An Interesting place that you will go by on the Friendship Highway is the top of karo La pass !! this is reputed to be Britain's highest ever battleground -- or so I was informed by our Guide !!??
Yak Hotel Lhasa
8 Reviews and 61 Opinions This is a supposedly 3 star hotel but why remains a mystery. We stayed there for 2 days on our...
Gyantse Hotel Gyangze
2 Reviews and 29 Opinions The hotel's official rating is ***, which did mean it was pretty basic - and so it was (it would not...
Kyichu Hotel (Jiqu Fandian) Lhasa
1 Review and 65 Opinions I stayed at this hotel in February 2007. The beds were hard, but that's normal in China. They had...
Reviews and photos of Tibet attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Tibet sightseeing.
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Q: I am planning a trip of a life time and have two years to do so… so first I want to get some ideas from seasoned travelers and...
A: If you want to hike or bike, Tibet (which is stunning, by the way) is probably not going to work out. The Chinese government will only issue permits for people to enter...
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