Motorcycle Adventure to Tibet; Must know Essential Info

Tibet Overland Tour

Introduction
There is no other tours exciting and adventurous than riding to Lhasa. For this to happen, there are basic formalities that need to be completed before proceeding to the plateau of Tibet. According to Chinese embassy in Nepal, Minimum of 3 working days is strictly required to get Chinese Group Visa and we need your original passport to process the visa. Therefore, we encourage you to arrive Kathmandu in the morning to make it convenience in visa application. In addition to the China Group Visa, Tibet Travel Permit is also necessary for all foreign nationals to be eligible to enter Tibet. It is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) in Tibet. Apart from Tibet Travel Permit, an Alien’s Travel Permit and Military Area TravelPermit may be needed when traveling beyond Lhasa, for example to Shigatse (Mount Everest), Ngari (Mount Kailash), Tsedang (Samye Monastery), or Nyingchi (Basum Tso).

1. Environment

Tibet is culturally and spiritually rich and it possesses unparalleled natural beauty. Its ancient cultures can still be felt and seen throughout the plateau given that many regions within Tibet remain undeveloped. As such hotels accommodations are moderate, water can be scarce at times and electricity is not always reliable and/or available in all areas. The motorcycle tours have been designed to offer a variety of natural and cultural highlights that provide an amazing travel experience. The demanding itinerary calls for long distances on challenging road conditions. Thus, participants must possess an intermediate to advance skill level.

 

2. Health concerns

Due to Tibet high altitude, participants are encouraged to obtain a comprehensive physical examination as well as get plenty of rest and sleep prior to traveling to Tibet. Abstaining from tobacco and alcohol use is also recommended before the commencement of trip in order to prevent upper respiratory infections.

 

3. Items of daily use

Personal First Aid items are recommended such as sun screen, lip sun screen, lip balm, antiseptic cream, anti-diarrhea medicine and broad spectrum antibiotics (participants must contact their doctor). Given that temperatures can range greatly from morning to evening, long-sleeve clothes, a wool sweater, and a jacket are recommended in addition to sunglasses and a sun hat.

4. Road conditions

Landslides as well as rock and mud slides occur from time to time during Tibet rainy season. A full or partial refund will not be issued should the itinerary be interrupted by weather conditions or natural disasters.

5. Culture

Participants are expected to be mindful and respectful of the local culture and traditions. Participants must walk clockwise when visiting temples, chapels, pagodas and similar structures. When in doubt, please consult your guide prior to engaging in a culturally or spiritually sensitive activity.

 

6. Safety issues

Tibet is considered a safe place with friendly inhabitants; however, it is recommended that participants are aware of their surroundings and guard their valuables. Exploring areas in pairs or as a group is advisable to avoid unforeseen dangers.

 

7. Important Health Considerations
Participants with any of the following conditions, you should seek medical consultation with your doctor before confirming your journey to a high altitude area of more than 3,000 meters:

• Heart disease, arrhythmia, stage II hypertension, blood disease, cerebrovascular disease or if the resting heart rate is significantly above 110 beats per minute.
• Chronic respiratory disease, moderate or severe obstructive pulmonary disease such as bronchial asthma,bronchiectasis, emphysema, active tuberculosis or pneumoconiosis.
• Uncontrolled diabetes, epilepsy or schizophrenia.
• Severe cold and upper respiratory tract infection, body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius or below 35 degrees Celsius.
• Patients who have been diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema, high altitude cerebral edema, high altitude hypertension, high altitude heart disease and high altitude polycythemia.

 

8. Riders and must do

• Participants must be over 18 years of age, in good health and must bear a Tibet Entry Permit. An international motorcycle driving license is required to ride motorcycles in Tibet.
• Please wear a helmet conforming to DOT international standards,riding clothes,riding pants, riding gloves, riding boots etc.
• Please contact our guide, customer service staff immediately if you are in an accident during your ride.

 

9. Passport Type

Passport should be normal/ordinary. Chinese Embassy refused to give visa in Kathmandu for Diplomatic passport holder and the passport holder of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan etc and few South African countries as well as for the reporters/journalist. French passport holder can get visa in normal process with 5 working days so they have to reach Kathmandu accordingly about a week before.

10. Equipment riders need to pack

Warm clothing is essential to ensure comfort and safety, while non-essential gear such as a knife may simply come in handy. Here we have a suggested packing list to guide you in preparation:

·         Walking boots and sandals for rest (normal sports shoes also work)

·         A water & wind proof jacket

·         Woolen T-shirt/base layer

·         T-shirts

·         A thick pullover/fleece

·         Shorts / skirt for sunny days

·         Trousers / track suit or long pants

·         Thermal long underwear

·         Water bottle

·         Warm socks (woolen is best)

·         Swiss army knife

·         Torchlight with spare batteries

·         Sunglasses

·         Sun lotion

·         Personal medical supplies

·         Towel

·         Day pack for your valuables (camera, money, Passport etc.) and rucksack or duffel bag for your clothes

·         Warm hat with sun protection

·         Gloves

11. ACCLIMATIZATION
Keep in mind that you are traveling overland to highest plateau in the world; we will be driving consistently above 5000m/16400ft during the journey to Lhasa (3,650m/11,975ft) being the exception. Driving fast at such elevation could lead to medical complications (Acute Mountain Sickness) which could be fatal. There is 50% less oxygen compared to sea level in high-altitudes places like in Tibet. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen in air. Your body needs few days to acclimatize to this environment, which is why we will begin acclimatise from Kerung. Although we provide information regarding AMS precaution, the only option for treatment is descending (evacuation). We advise that clients with known heart, lung or blood diseases, or clients over the age of 60 to consult their doctor before traveling. Symptoms of AMS include mild to severe headaches, dizziness, fever, loss of appetite or stomach pain; it is essential to alert our staff if you are feeling poorly to ensure that illness does not progress.

Therefore, we advise you to get emergency evacuation insurance just in case during the trip. We believe Europe and Americas have many options of insurance to offer you for this type of trip.

Travel Insurance: Good travel insurance

1. That covers a medical/illness including, immediate recovery by air in the Himalayas abroad in an emergency.

2. That covers any liabilities in case something happen on the tour abroad. (Accidents or any unexpected event while riding).

BEST SEASON
Autumn (August, Sept, & Oct), spring (March & April) & summer (May, June & July) are the best seasons for attempting this unforgettable Trans-Himalayan journey. No matter about the group size but should be at least two person but same nationality.

Participating in this tour meaning embarking on adventurous, exhausting and enjoyable motorcycle journey and also certainly making  a remarkable milestone in your riding diary to share among others about your indelible experience later. The interesting thing is you are going to base(5,380 M/17600 ft) of Mount Everest (8848 M/29002 Ft), the highest peak in the world.

We welcome you to be a participant of this wonderful tour on the roof of the world!