At Shigatse Travels itineraries are tailor-made to your specific interests, budget and time constraints. You decide where you want to go, when, and what you want included.
Below is an indication of the range of accommodation, transport and services available.

The suggested itineraries list some of the most popular tours and are an indication of the time needed to visit various regions, but they are by no means exhaustive.

Designing your trip
When you email us we need some basic information to get started designing your trip for you.
Please give an indication of where you want to go, how long you have to spend in Tibet, when you want to travel, how many people in your group and an idea of what you would like included - and we will help you design the perfect itinerary for you.

Accommodation
In cities - Lhasa and the common 'gateway' cities of Beijing, Chengdu and Kathmandu - accommodation is available at all levels - from dormitory to 5 star.
In smaller towns (Gyantse, Shigatse, Tsetang) top range accommodations do not exist, but hotels have comfortable rooms with private facilities.
In some of the remoter areas accommodation can be very basic with only multi-share rooms, common pit-toilets, no showers and well water.

Transport
Transport in Tibet is generally by private 4WD landcruiser. Both older vehicles and the newer, more powerful 4500s are available.
For tours in the central Tibetan region minibus or van is an option for larger groups.

Services
All tours include transfers to/from Lhasa airport as applicable.
You may decide to have entry fees to main sites included or decide which you wish to visit and pay as you go.
A guide is a requirement outside Lhasa. In Lhasa you may choose to have a guide and transport for sightseeing or to explore on your own.

Food
In Lhasa there are numerous restaurants of every style and budget. The further you travel from Lhasa the less variety of food available.
Tours can be booked with all meals included, breakfast only included or no meals.

Guides & Drivers
You will be met at Gongkar airport or the Zhangmu-Kodari border on arrival and accompanied in Tibet by an English-speaking guide. It is a regulation that you be accompanied by a TTB guide when traveling outside Lhasa.
Guides in Tibet are licensed and controlled by the Tibetan Tourist Bureau and vary enormously in fluency and knowledge. Whilst we maintain a core of trained guides, there may be times when selection is outside our control.
Landcruiser and support truck drivers have generally made the trip many times, speak varying amounts of English and know the best places to stop for photos.
If you make the effort to get to know your guide and drivers it will greatly enhance your experience - they are a lot of fun.

Visas and Permits
It is only possible to enter China from Nepal with a visa issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Shigatse Travels will apply for visa approval on your behalf. In order to apply for this approval you must provide a photocopy of the details page of your passport 14 days prior to your trip. The visa will be issued once you arrive in Kathmandu – it takes one full day. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu issues visas on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only so you must plan your itinerary to allow for this.
From other provinces of China you enter Tibet on your Chinese visa issued prior to arrival in China. It should be valid for the full length of your intended stay in China including Tibet.
Travel Permits are required for Tibet. Shigatse Travels will apply for your permit on your behalf.
Single entry visas for Nepal are available on arrival at Kathmandu airport and all land borders. The visa is valid for 60 days and costs USD30. One photo is required. The visa may then be extended up to 90 days.

Flights
Air China operates between Lhasa and Kathmandu on Tuesdays and Saturdays and flights fill quickly. Whilst your ticket will not be issued before your travel permit, seats may be booked well in advance. Your full name, nationality and passport number are necessary to make the booking.
There are daily flights to Lhasa from Chengdu and Beijing, with connections from other cities via Chengdu