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TRIP NOTES

Himalayan Highlights21 Days | Starts/Ends: Kathmandu

Himalayan Highlights - 21 Days updated on 26-11-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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The best of Nepal and Tibet in 21

days. Explore lofty Lhasa and the

Kathmandu Valley, drive through

the spectacular Himalayas, visit

Everest Base Camp, safari in

Chitwan and more!

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley

- Patan Durbar Square, Bodhnath stupa,Bungamati and Khokana ancient Newartowns

• Views of the Himalayan Mountains andEverest along the Lalung La Pass

• Lhasa - Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple,Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery

• Spectacular mountain vistas along theFriendship Highway, with views of YamdrokTso Lake

• Shigatse - Tashilunpo Monastery, a hugegolden roofed monastic compound

• Everest Base Camp - starting point ofintrepid treks to the summit of Mt Everest

• Gyantse - Kumbum Stupa and Phalormonastery

• Bhaktapur - Durbar Square, visiting localfamilies to watch Ju Ju Dhau (yoghurt)being made and try making pottery

• Rongbuk Monastery - the world's highestmonastery which offers spectacular views ofEverest's north face

• Xegar Dzong (fortress)• The Last Resort - a resort on the border of

Nepal and Tibet where bungee jumpingand rafting are available to book locally

• Chitwan National Park - spot wildlife on anelephant safari

• Spectacular views of the Annapurnamountain range

• Pokhara - World Peace Pagoda, Tibetanrefugee camp and local school, daily prayersat Matapani Monastery and boating on LakePhewa

• Patan - Patan Durbar Square

What's Included• 20 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners including

Nepali cultural evening dinner• 19 nights 3 star hotels and simple

guesthouses and 1 night permanent tentedcamp

• Airport arrival and departure transfer on day1 and day 21

• Assistance obtaining your Tibet Permit(excludes the cost of the permit)

• Touring of Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur,Bungmati, Khokana, Pokhara, Lhasa,Gyantse, Shigatse, Xegar and Everest BaseCamp

• English speaking local guides• All relevant transfers and transportation in

private, air conditioned vehicles

• Economy class flight from Pokhara toKathmandu

• Chitwan National Park activities includingelephant safari and park fees

What's Not Included• Entrance Fees: USD$45-55• International flights including the one way

flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa on day3. There is one direct Air China flight on aTuesday, please book this or contact us forassistance.

• Visas and Tibet Permit. On The Go will makeall the necessary arrangements for yourTibet permit in advance of your travel. Uponarrival to Kathmandu, the Tibet permit cost(approx. USD$220 for US passport holders& USD$120 for all other nationalities) willneed to be paid by you directly to ourrepresentative.

• Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : KathmanduWelcome to Nepal and the start of your holiday!Pick up and complete a landing card on theplane or in the airport before you go throughcustoms. Upon arrival you will be met by anOn The Go representative and transferred toyour hotel where you will receive a welcomedrink and a briefing about your trip. Overnight- Kathmandu

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Day 2 : Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu is a fascinating blend of old andnew, the largest and most cosmopolitan city inNepal and yet in places, seemingly unchangedsince the middle-ages with temples, shrinesand living gods. This morning we visit thecolossal Bodhnath (Boudha), which is oneof the world’s largest stupas and the mostimportant Buddhist monument outside Tibet.It’s a beautiful worship site where the spinningof prayer wheels, prostrating pilgrims andcollective chants are just some of the practicesthat can be witnessed. The Stupa is located inthe area of ancient trade route to Tibet whereTibetan merchants rested and offered prayersfor many centuries. When refugees enteredNepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decidedto live around Bodhnath. Hence, a completetownship has developed around Bodhnath andwe'll also visit a monastery where the youngmonks live and study Tibetan Buddhism.

Our next port of call is Patan, the old Newarcity in the Kathmandu Valley. Here we'll explorethe historic Patan Durbar Square, which is hometo more than 50 stunning temples and shrinesand although it is smaller than Durbar Squarein the centre of Kathmandu it is architecturallymore refined and less commercialised. Otherhighlights of Patan include the Golden Gate, thestatue of Yogendra Malla, Krishna Mandir, SatiTemple, Hiranya Varna Mahabiar (the goldentemple) and Mahabouddha Temple.

This afternoon we visit Bungmati and Khokana,two settlements in the Kathmandu Valley whichremain relatively untouched by 21st century life.Bungamati village which dates back to the 7thcentury has hundreds of master wood carverand sculpture producers. The 13th centuryNewar settlement of Khokana is famous forproducing mustard oil. There is no centralsquare, as in nearby village Bungamati but the

main street is a hive of activity. The main templeis a two tiered construction dedicated to ShekaliMai – a mother goddess.

After time to freshen up at your hotel, enjoy atasty dinner whilst watching a traditional danceperformance depicting the various religions ofNepal. Overnight - Kathmandu (B, D)

Day 3 : LhasaKathmandu – Lhasa. This morning fly to Tibet;this is one of the most scenic flights in theworld, crossing over the great mountains ofKanchenjunga and Everest. More than 4500metres above sea level, Tibet is known as the‘Roof of the World’ and the towering mountainranges that surround the plateau, ensure it’scomplete isolation. Upon arrival you will be metat the airport before we drive to the fabled city ofLhasa - ‘Ground of the Gods,’ where we receivea short briefing and then the rest of the dayis free to relax and acclimatise. Only take partin light activity today to give your body timeto acclimatise properly and to avoid altitudesickness.

PLEASE NOTE: The flight from Kathmandu toLhasa is not included in the tour cost. Thereis one direct Air China flight on a Tuesdayplease book this one or contact us for assistance.Overnight - Lhasa (B)

Day 4 : Jokhang temple

Over the next two days we explore enchantingLhasa, home to Dalai Lama’s until the 1950’s. Ourfirst stop today is Sera monastery, which is still aworking retreat 600 years after its foundation asa main teaching monastery. It is one of the greatGelukpa ‘Universities’, once housing more than5500 monks although these days only hundredsof monks rattle around in the massive buildings.Here we see young novices learning scripturesin the Debating Garden and being rewarded for

a correct answer with a resounding hand-clapfrom their master.

The highlight of the day is a visit to the holiestshrine in Tibet, the 7th century Jokhang Temple;located in the Barkhor district, it houses a solidgold shrine of the enlightened Buddha. Thetemple is not the most attractive sight but itis certainly the most fascinating. A continuousflow of pilgrims, travel around the complex in ananti clockwise direction, prostrating themselveswith varying degrees of exertion and frequency,and spinning hand-held prayer wheels. Thetemple is a veritable hive of activity and awonderful place to witness the practises ofBuddhism. From the flat roof of the templethere are fabulous views of the city. Overnight- Lhasa (B)

Day 5 : Potala Palace

Exploration of Lhasa continues today with a visitto the city’s most iconic landmark - the PotalaPalace. Potala is the poignantly empty winterhome of the Dalai Lama, towering 117 metresabove the city, it’s a masterpiece in design; 13stories high, containing thousands of rooms. Itwas the heart of Tibet, its (exiled) governmentand people. The palace is a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site containing an incredible 10,000shrines and 200,000 statues. Perched on the sideof Marco Ri - the main buildings are the WhitePalace, the living quarters of the Dalai Lama;the Red Palace, which is purely for Buddhistprayer and the Tomb of the 13th Dalai Lama,with its giant stupa containing one ton of goldand jewels!

After exploring Potala Palace we take a shortjourney to the 15th century Drepung Monastery.Formerly one of the largest monasteries of Tibet,housing 10,000 monks, it was torn asunderduring the Cultural Revolution and its walls and

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statues continue to be rebuilt today. Overnight- Lhasa (B)

Day 6 : LhasaToday is a free day for you to relax orindependently explore the city. Overnight -Lhasa (B)

Day 7 : Kambala pass &Gyantse

Lhasa – Gyantse. Departing Lhasa, head offalong the Friendship Highway to the attractivecity of Gyantse. The journey is incredibly scenic,crossing two mountain passes, the Kambalapass (4794m) and Karola (5010m) pass via thebeautiful lake Yamdrok Tso. Gyantse is 3rdlargest town in Tibet but most influenced byChinese attractions. Overnight - Gyantse (B)

Day 8 : Gyantse Kumbum andShigatse

Gyantse - Shigatse. Gyantse‘s main highlight isthe Kumbum, constructed in 1440, it is an eightstorey building and the best preserved exampleof unique Tibetan architecture. Kumbum means“a hundred thousand images” and this fabulousbuilding is lavishly decorated, with paintingssmothering the walls and topped with a golddome. After sightseeing at the Kumbum stupaand Phalor Monastery in Gyantse we continueour journey to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largestcity. Upon arrival we visit the free Tibetanmarket and the Tashilunpo Monastery; a huge

monastic compound of golden roofed buildingsand cobbled lanes, founded by the first DalaiLama in 1447. Overnight - Shigatse (B)

Day 9 : XegarShigatse – Xegar. Be prepared for a bumpy ridetoday, driving through the spellbinding EverestRegion to Xegar which was once the capital ofthe Tingri region. Here we visit the impressiveXegar Dzong (fortress). Overnight - Xegar (B)

Day 10 : Everest Base Camp

Xegar – Rongbuk monastery - Everest BaseCamp – Old Tingri. This morning drive theChay-Pangla pass to the Rongbuk; at 4930metres above sea level, it is the world’shighest monastery and the spectacular views ofEverest’s north face are well worth the arduousjourney.

The Himalayas boast eight out of the ten highestmountains in the world and extend across 2400kilometres. The mighty Mount Everest has theworld’s tallest peak and today we visit its famousbase camp; the starting point of many intrepidexpeditions to reach its lofty summit. We spenda few hours exploring the area before taking ashort drive south to the town of Old Tingri (viathe stunning Lamna pass), where we spend thenight. Overnight - Tingri (B)

Day 11 : Zangmu

Tingri – Zangmu – The Last Resort. Todaybegin the journey back to Nepal, driving up

to the steep Lalung La Pass, where we’ll betreated to some amazing views of the Himalayasand Everest, before our sharp decent alongnarrow windy roads, through lush forestedmountainsides and deep gorges. Continueto the Tibet-Nepal border town of Zangmu.Crossing the border back into Nepal we stopat a border resort for the night where bungeejumping and rafting are available to booklocally if you’re feeling adventurous! Overnight- Nepal Border (permanent tented camp) (B)

Day 12 : Bhaktapur

Borderland - Bhaktapur. Today we drive toBhaktapur, a typical Newar town where wespend the night. Despite its close proximity toKathmandu, Bhaktapur seems worlds apart. Thisenchanting old town is peacefully traffic freeand has retained its centuries old traditions,crafts and trades. Bhaktapur Durbar Squareis home to beautifully carved Malla dynastypalaces and pagodas and the cobblestonestreets, temples, shrines and squares are full ofcharacter. Overnight - Bhaktapur (B)

Days 13-14 : Onward toKathmanduBhaktapur – Kathmandu. The Newarcommunities of Bhaktapur are famous fortheir pottery making, they not only sell theirproducts within the country but also abroad.This morning we head to Pottery Square towatch pottery being made and have a go atmaking a clay pot ourselves on a traditionalwooden spinning wheel. Bhaktapur is alsorenowned for its sweetened yogurt known as“Ju Ju Dhau”, which is a local delicacy, and we'llvisit a family to see Ju Ju Dhau being made. Inthe afternoon we return to Nepal’s capital whereyou can enjoy the remains of the day at leisure.

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In the afternoon we return to Nepal’s capitalwhere you can enjoy the remains of the day atleisure. Overnight - Kathmandu (2) (B:2)

Days 15-16 : Chitwan NationalPark

Kathmandu – Chitwan. On day 15 we travel byroad to Chitwan National Park (5-6 hour drive),arriving in time for lunch. Hailed as one of Asia’sfinest game parks, Chitwan is home to elephantsand rhinos, sloth bears and striped hyenas. Theremains of day 15 and the whole of day 16allows free time for you to enjoy the variousoptional activities available in Chitwan NationalPark. Take a nature walk, go on an elephant-backsafari or journey in a dugout canoe and admirethe scenery - if you are lucky you may even spotrhinos. Overnight - Chitwan N.P. (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Day 17 : PokharaChitwan National Park – Pokhara. Today wetravel on to scenic Pokhara (5-6 hour drive).Pokhara is the gateway to the magnificentAnnapurna Range, which boasts five mountainsover 7200m and has one of the Himalayas mostdistinctive mountains - Machhapuchare with itsunique ‘fishtail’ peak. The local people believeMachhapuchare is sacred to the god Shiva andtherefore is off limits to climbing. Arriving in theafternoon, there's time to relax and perhaps takea stroll around the lakeside market. Overnight -Pokhara (B)

Day 18 : Boating on LakePhewa

Early this morning we drive (approx. 45 minutes)to World Peace Pagoda with a packed breakfast.The World Peace Pagoda is a massive Buddhiststupa, situated on the top of a hill on thesouthern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides beingan impressive sight in itself, the shrine is agreat vantage point which offers the spectacularviews of the Annapurna range, Phewa Lake andPokhara city.

We then take a scenic two hour walk backto Pokhara, via Raniban forest, crossing thesuspension bridge and enjoying wonderfulviews of the lake and mountains en route. Wereach Lake Phewa and enjoy a boat ride acrossthe lake. Overnight - Pokhara (B)

Day 19 : R&R in PokharaToday is free day for you to explore Pokharaand participate in optional activities such asparagliding, ultra-light flight, zip line, bungyjump, mountain biking, cycling, boating andhorse riding, or if you prefer, simply relax downby the lake. Overnight - Pokhara (B)

Day 20 : Kathmandu

Pokhara - Kathmandu. This morning we takethe short flight back to Kathmandu and inthe afternoon we explore more of the city.After visiting the beautiful Swayambhunathstupa (aka the Monkey Temple), which offers

wonderful views of the city, we walk toKathmandu Durbar Square which is home toover 50 stunning temples and shrines. We’ll alsoenjoy a rickshaw ride from Hanuman Dhoka toThamel, through the bustling back streets ofthe city which is a great way to observe theeveryday life of the locals and finish the daywith an evening walk around Thamel Market.Overnight - Kathmandu (B)

Day 21 : KathmanduSaturday. Our tour comes to an end today witha transfer to the airport. An optional Everestscenic flight is offered on the morning of day14 or day 21 (subject to availability) so ifyou’d like to book this please ensure that youonward flight on day 9 does not depart beforemidday.(B)

Optional ActivitiesThe following optional activities are available tobook and pay locally.

Mountain Flight 'Everest Experience Flight' inKathmanduFlight Time: 45 to 50 minsCost: Approx USD$245 - USD$260 per person,including return transfers and domestic airporttaxes

Paragliding in PokharaFlight Time: Approx 25 minsCost: Approx USD$90 per person, includingreturn transfers and taxes

Ultra-light Flight in PokharaFlight Time: Approx 30 minsCost: Approx USD$156, including returntransfers and taxesPrices are subject to change.

ClothingCasual wear and comfortable walking shoes arethe rule for Tibet and Nepal. Be sure to bringwarm clothing as nights and early morningscan range from quite chilly to down rightcold, particularly in winter. Waterproof clothingis essential if travelling in the rainy seasonand throughout the year pack clothing whichcan be layered for warmth, since temperaturesfluctuate.

Travelling November to April

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• Down jacket• Thermal underwear• Warm/thick trousers• Warm sweaters• Warm hat, scarf and gloves• Light leather boots in case of snow• Sunglasses

Travelling May to October• Raincoat or windbreaker• Jacket• Trousers• Sweaters• Sun Hat• T-shirts• Comfortable shoes• Sunglasses

TippingTipping is not a natural part of many Westerncultures and many of us feel uncomfortableor unsure about when and how much totip. However in the Himalayas, tipping is animportant part of local incomes and it's handy toalways keep a supply of small

InsuranceWe will make every effort to ensure thatyour tour runs as smoothly as possible.However, we shall not be responsible forany changes and alterations in the itinerarydue to unavoidable circumstances such aslandslide, road blockage, flood, snow, politicalunrest, cancellation of flight, delayed arrival,sickness or accidents. Any extra cost incurringthere of, shall be borne by yourself/uponconsultation. It is therefore essential that youhave comprehensive insurance to cover you formedical, personal accidents, cancellation.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Entrance FeesOn our Himalayas group tours, entrance feesare not included must be budgeted for by you.The total cost of the entrance fees which needto be paid locally, as noted under 'Exclusions'on the first page of this Go Guide. Entrance feeamounts can change and as such upon arrival toNepal your tour leader will highlight the exacttotal entrance fee cost for your tour.

Entrance fees are to be paid in Nepalese Rupeesand they will be collected on day 2 of your tour.

Group SizeThe number of passengers joining ourHimalayan tours and treks varies from week toweek. Our maximum group size in Nepal is 15,although on average the number of passengerson our trips tends to be lower, typically between2 - 6 travellers.

Style of TripLocal guides provide sightseeing and assistanceat each port of call, the tours are not escortedthroughout by a tour leader. On flights youwill therefore travel without a guide and willbe met upon arrival at your destination andtransferred to your hotel. In Chitwan NationalPark guiding will be provided by the lodgesown expert jungle guides. Transportation is acombination of internal flights and private airconditioned vehicles.

What to ExpectPlease note that Nepal and Tibet are stillpoor, underdeveloped regions and theirinfrastructure and weather patterns cansometimes lead to delays or cancellations. Thismay take the form of flight delays due to lowcloud in the mountains or foggy conditionsin Kathmandu and Lhasa. The road networkis quite congested in the cities and suffersfrom poor maintenance on some routes againcausing delays and a rough ride from time totime.

Whilst Kathmandu has a good choice of highquality hotels, in other areas hotels and facilitiesare not as high as western standards. Powershortages, water supply issues and fuel scarcityare common problems throughout Nepal.We will always try to offset any unforeseenproblems but patience and understandingshould be included when packing. Bear in mindthat tourism is still relatively new to thesebeautiful Himalayan regions, things do notalways run smoothly and a sense of adventure isa must!

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to the Himalayas from your local

health practitioner and ensure that you receiveall of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A andPolio are strongly recommended. You may alsobe advised to take anti-Malarial medication.Water

As tap water is not safe to drink in the Himalayas,only drink bottled mineral water which is readilyavailable in hotels, shops and restaurants. Youshould also avoid salads which may be washedin unhygienic water.

Altitude SicknessAn altitude of over 3,000 meters is defined ashigh altitude and seeing as most of Tibet andparts of Nepal are higher than this level, itis possible to experience differing degrees ofsymptoms which include headaches, nausea,dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Thesesymptoms will usually decrease in severityduring acclimatization and mild cases of altitudesickness should not interfere with light activity.It is important not over exert yourself iftravelling to altitude and drink plenty of fluidsand eat carbohydrate food to keep the bodyproperly hydrated. Please report any symptomsof Altitude Sickness immediately to your tourleader.

Temple EtiquettePlease take particular care when visitingreligious places, such as temples andmonasteries. Dress and behave appropriately- don’t wear shorts or sleeveless tops anddo not smoke or hold hands. Shoes andhats should be removed. Within temples nocarvings, statues or deities should be touched.Photography is prohibited in certain sections ofmost sacred sites and please do not attemptto be photographed with Buddhist monks.If in doubt ask your local guide for furtherinformation.

Nepal Country Guide

Nepal Visa RequirementsPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours. Please check with your localembassy before travelling and also ensure that

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your passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Nepal.

All nationalities must obtain a visa for Nepal. Onour 'Nepal to Tibet', 'Himalayan Highlights' and'Nepal & Bhutan' tours you will need a multipleentry visa.

It is possible for UK, EEC, Australian, NewZealand, Canadian, South African and USApassport holders to obtain a visa upon arrival.However in the event of visa refusal at port ofentry On The Go will not be held responsible.

• To obtain your visa upon arrival will need apassport with at least 6 months validity,

• 2 passport photos• Visa fee of approx USD $25 - $100 in CASH

(dependent on length of stay)

Please refer the Royal Nepalese Embassywebsite for the current Nepal visa costs.

Please note that we require your passportdetails and date of birth at time of bookingin order to for permits and internal flights.Please note that if you're trekking, you will needto provide us with additional passport photosand information upon arrival, in order for usto obtain your permit. See the 'Upon Arrival'paragraph in this the Go Guide for details.

Currency in NepalThe currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee.

Pound Sterling, US Dollars or other majorcurrencies can be exchanged at the airportand there are plenty of places to exchangemoney in Kathmandu.There are also ATMs atthe banks in Kathmandu and Pokhara, althoughas these are sometimes out of order and banksare not always open, we advise that you bringsome cash with you, preferably US dollars.It's advisable to request bank notes in smallerdenominations, as it can sometimes be hard toget change from large notes and smaller notesare handy for smaller purchases and gratuities.

Traveller's Cheques are not recommended asthey're often difficult to exchange and incurhigh fees.

Time & Voltage in NepalKathmandu (Nepal) is 5 hours 45 mins aheadof GMT and does not observe daylight savingstime.

Standard voltage in Nepal is 220 volts. Primarysockets generally require Indian round 3 pinplugs that are similar but not identical toEuropean plugs, however you will also findthose which require the European variety. Werecommend that you pack a universal traveladaptor. You will need a voltage converter, andplug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

Vaccinations for NepalYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Nepal from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A andPolio are strongly recommended. You may alsobe advised to take anti-Malarial medication.

WATERAs tap water is not safe to drink in Nepal, onlydrink bottled mineral water which is readilyavailable in hotels, shops and restaurants. Youshould also avoid salads which may be washedin unhygienic water.

Climate in Nepaln Nepal, June to September is monsoon seasonand during these months it is very hot andrains almost every day. October to November ismuch drier with pleasant temperatures in thedaytime and good visibility, and at this time ofyear conditions are ideal for trekking. The wintermonths from December to February tend to bemild in the daytime but can become very coldat night especially in the mountains. Januaryis the coldest month of the year. March toMay is very warm, with occasional showers. Theannual temperatures peak in May just before themonsoons begin.

The best time to trek in Nepal is duringthe spring (March through May) and autumn(October and November).

Food in NepalThe national dish of Nepal is Daal Bhaat Takaari(lentils, rice and vegetable curry) which can befound in a range of flavours and is often servedas a main course for lunch and dinner. Formany people in Nepal this is the only dish theyeat. It often varies in quality, being excellentin one restaurant and bland in another. Nepalifood has Tibetan influences especially in themountains where a traditional diet consists ofsoups, potatoes, pasta and toasted flour. Youwill also find Indian food in Nepal, such asRoti (bread) tandoori meats, masaala and kofti.Kathmandu is renowned as the budget eatingcapital of Asia with tourist restaurants selling awide variety of Western style fast food includingchips, steaks and pizza. Noodles are availableeverywhere and ideal for a quick snack, theNepali name for them is chao-chao.

Shopping in NepalThe Kathmandu Valley is heavenly for shoppers,with a host of craft outlets selling locallymade handicrafts, stone idols and statues ofBuddhist and Hindu deities. There are alsobeautifully designed brass pots and vesselsavailable. Jewellery shops sell gold, silver, whitemetal and semi precious stones, as well maala(the traditional necklace worn by women in theHimalayas, which is made of gold with strings ofglass beads) at very reasonable prices. If you aremore interested in clothing there are delicatelyembroidered Kaftans, Pashminas made of goatswool, Kashmiri Shawls and Tibetan robes. Youcan also pick up inexpensive leather jackets.

Whilst trekking there are traders dotted alongthe trails selling everything from down jackets,waterproofs, jumpers, hats and socks at veryreasonable prices, so there is no need to panicif you haven't packed enough! It is advisableto pack light and simply buy extra clothing enroute if needed.

You are expected to barter for your goodsin Nepal and the process is always verylighthearted. Most traders will speak English intourist areas but if you can learn a few words inNepali you may get a better deal.

Tibet Country Guide

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Tibet Visa RequirementsPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Tibet.

All nationalities require a Chinese visa/Tibetpermit to enter Tibet. It is only possible to enterTibet from Nepal with a visa and permit issuedby the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. If youare travelling with us the China visa/Tibet permitwill be arranged for you by On The Go. Youwill require 3 passport photos in order to obtainyour Tibet permit and Nepal visa and it's a goodidea to have a spare one. Before booking yourflights and trip to Tibet please contact yourtravel agent or one of our consultants for themost up to date Tibet visa Information.

Upon booking you will need to advise us of yourinternational flight details and you will also needto provide us with the following: a colouredscanned copy of your passport information andphoto page and a completed China Visa form.We will provide you with the form which youwill need to print it out, fill in by hand andattach a passport photo. Then create a colourscanned copy of the completed visa form withphotograph and email it back to us in PDFformat.

The cost of the Tibet visa/permit is not includedin the price of the tour and is to be paid directlyby you to our representative in Kathmanduupon arrival on day 1.

The current cost of a Tibet visa/permit on a oneday visa service is:

British, Australian and EU passport holders: USD$120USA passport holders: $220

Please note: Visa fees are subject to change.

If arriving into Kathmandu earlier and bookingpre tour accommodation, it may be possible forus to use a 3 or 5 working day embassy visa

service in Kathmandu, at a lower cost. Contactus for further details.

Currency in TibetThe currency is Tibet is the Chinese Yuan.

Pound Sterling, US Dollars or other majorcurrencies can be exchanged locally at the Bankof China in Zhangmu, Shigatse and Lhasa. Manyhotels also have exchange facilities. There areATMs in Lhasa and Shigatse and credit cardsmay be accepted in large hotels, shops andrestaurants. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.

Traveller's Cheques are not recommended asthey're often difficult to exchange and incurhigh fees.

Time in TibetTibet is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime(GMT) and does not observe Daylight Saving.

Voltage in TibetStandard voltage is 220 volts, 50Hz AC.Primary sockets generally require Continental orEuropean plugs, of the two round pin variety,or 2 flat pin similar to those found in America.We recommend that you pack a universal traveladaptor. You will need a voltage converter, andplug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

Food in TibetTibetan food consists mainly of barley, meatand dairy products. Staple foods include; Yakbutter which is refined from the milk of cattleand goats and 'tsamba' which is made of roastedbarley, ground with flour and mixed with alittle tea, butter, curds and sugar to add flavour.'Tubo' is a common evening dish; a type of gruelmade from dried meat, tsamba and wheat flour.Tibetans are limited to only being able to eatthings that grow at over 4000m, which meansvegetables are very scarce and people in thehigher altitudes eat a lot more meat instead. Inwinter beef and mutton is cut into strips and airdried in order to preserve it, it is then barbecuedor eaten raw.

In Lhasa there are numerous restaurants andnoodle places serving national dishes and alsoIndian, Western and Nepali cuisine. A tastyspecialty are 'momos,' which are tiny steamedor fried dough parcels containing meat orvegetables.

Shopping in TibetShopping in Lhasa is a popular tourist activityand Barkhor Street Bazaar is the best place for it.In Barkhor there are lots of stalls, selling a widerange of goods including; Yak wool jumpers,silver ornaments, jewellery and handicrafts.Tibetan incense is a good souvenir, Tibetansuse it to worship Buddha and drive away evilspirits. Thangkas (religious scrolls) are also verypopular, the higher quality ones have a hand-painted image (rather than printed) in themiddle, with very detailed backgrounds. Thequality of Thangkas can vary dramatically, sotake care when purchasing one.

It is a good idea to buy any practical items youmay need in Lhasa before you travel to moreremote towns. There are departments storeswhich will supply all of your everyday goods. Inthe markets, small shops and stalls, you shouldbarter and generally try to cut the asking priceby 50 percent.

Climate in TibetCentral Tibet is generally mild from April toNovember, making it the best time to visit. Dueto the high altitude it is rarely scorching, butthe sun’s rays are very strong. From Decemberto February/March it becomes very cold andtemperatures regularly drop below freezing.Travel during these months is not advisable.Tibet does not have a typical monsoon season,but May to September are the months withthe highest rainfall (which mostly occurs in theevenings).

Vaccinations for TibetYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Tibet from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A,Rabies and Polio are strongly recommended.You may also be advised to take anti-Malarialmedication.

TRIP NOTES





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WATERAs tap water is not safe to drink in Tibet, onlydrink bottled mineral water which is readilyavailable in hotels, shops and restaurants.

Himalayan Highlights DETAILED ITINERARY …cdn.onthegotours.com/resources/documents/goguides/2015 Go...

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Transcript of Himalayan Highlights DETAILED ITINERARY …cdn.onthegotours.com/resources/documents/goguides/2015 Go...