China Travel Forum

[Ale]

Hello ,
we're a couple who want to spend 3 weeks in Tibet next May. We're going to land in KTM and we need some information. I wonder if someone could help us about our followings doubt:
1) What about obtaining in KTM a travel permit with a package flight tour to Lhasa?
2) What about obtaining the “alien permit” to visit Gyantse, Sakya, Ronghpu monastery, EBC and Zhangmu? Is it possible to obtain it in Lhasa or it's better to try to obtain it in Shigatse?
3) What about visit Gyantse without “alien permits”? Do you think it's possible or not? Did anyone do that? If the police stop us how much do we have to pay?
4) We'd like to spend a few days trekking from Ganden (or Gyama) to Samye? Is it possible (and easy) to find a “private” staff (guide, yaks and a small field kitchen) in Ganden (or Gyama)? And how much it could cost? And what about the “alien permit”to Samye? Or it's better to arrange the whole trek with an agency in Lhasa? And in this case how much is it?
5) We'd also like to go to Ronghpu monastery and EBC on trek from Tingri, but we haven't enough time to come back to Friendship Highway on foot. So we need to know if it's possible (and easy) to find a car in Ronghpu to give us a lift to Shegar. And, as for the Ganden-Samye trek: is it possible (and easy) to find a “private” staff (guide, yaks and a small filed kitchen) in Tingri? And how much it could cost? Or it's better to arrange the whole trek with an agency in Shigatse? And in this case how much is it?
6) If, instead of trekking, we decide to rent a car in Shigatse for a five days trip to Sakya, Ronghpu, EBC (here one day sightseeing) and Zhangmu, does anyone know how much is it?
7) And, finally(!!), what about have a lift on a lorry from Shegar to Zhangmu? Is it easy? How long does the trip take? (I mean included the time we need to find a lift). Is there any public transportation from Shegar to Zhangmu?
Thank you very very much indeed!

[Aynur]

1...Lots of agencies in KTM that arrange a permit, visa and flight to Lhasa. I recommend this one.

2. Arranging permits to these places are taken care by the travel agency that you use (if you go by 4WD). If not, then you can get the permit in Shigatse on your own. In Lhasa, you can't get it on your own. Only through an agency.

3. Most people make it from Shigatse to Gyantse without a permit, even though you are supposed to have one.

4. Ganden is a monastery and not a town, so you won't find a guide there. You are supposed to have a permit to go to Samye, but I haven't heard of anyone being caught without one in a long time. The public buses in front of the Barkor will sell you a seat on the bus without any hesitation.

5. Again Rongbhu is a monastery and not a town. The only people that live there are a handful of monks and nuns and they do not have cars. The only cars that are going to be passing by are rented out 4WD's and it is unlikely they will pick you up, since they are paying money for the car. You could try asking and pleading your case to a group of travelers. If there is an empty seat, they may let you in. As far as arranging the Ganden to Samye trek in Tingri...Tingri is a LONG, LONG way from Samye and Ganden. You won't find anyone to arrange this trek there. Arrange it in Lhasa.

6. A five day trip to Sakya, Rongbhu, EBC to Zhangmu will cost around Y3500 in Shigatse.

7. There is an occasional bus from Zhangmu to Shigatse (and vice-versa) that briefly stops in Shegar, but there is no time table and the bus isn't everyday (maybe twice a week, but I am not sure). Shegar is a very small place. You be much better off trying to flag down a truck heading to Zhangmu. From Shegar to Zhangmu is 245km, but the road is not so good. Plan on 4-6 hours in a big truck.