Moderate - trekking hours approximately 2 to Everest Base Camp at altitude.

Minimum elevation: 1310 m/Maximum elevation: 5220 m

*Please note that you MUST attend the pre departure meeting on Day 1 with your Passport to enable us to obtain your Tibet Visa.

USA PPT holders are subject to an additional visa charge of US$85 per person which must be paid at the pre departure meeting. Please note that this is subject to change at short notice.

It is also recommended that you obtain a Nepal multiple entry visa, as this will allow you back into Nepal on your return from Tibet.

Those planning on travelling to China AFTER Tibet should plan to get the Chinese visa in Kathmandu upon completion of the Tibet tour, as any valid Chinese visa in your passport will be cancelled upon arrival in Tibet.

Kathmandu (1310m/4298ft) Our airport representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. It is 7km and takes about 30 minutes. Our tour leader will brief the group about the trip during the pre-departure meeting. This will be held at 6.00pm, a notice regarding where it is to be held will be posted in the hotel reception. The briefing will cover the itinerary and re-confirm flight times and departure time on Day 3. Your passports and urgent visa processing fee will also be collected to enable us to obtain your Tibet Visa.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE HAVE YOUR PASSPORT ON DAY 1 OF THE TOUR, TO ENABLE US TO OBTAIN YOUR TIBET VISA.

WE ALSO NEED A SCANNED COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT AT THE TIME OF BOOKING (MINIMUM 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO APPLY FOR THE TIBET VISA).  MUST BE SCANNED NOT PHOTOCOPIED OR FAXED.

Day 3 - Day 12 Overview.

Our journey to Tibet starts with a spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa over the snow capped Himalayan mountains - Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m/ 28,169ft), Mt. Everest (8848m/ 29.028ft), Mt. Makalu (8463m/ 27,766ft) and others.

In Lhasa we visit the Potala, the monumental palace of Kings and Dalai Lamas, with its numerous chapels and unforgettable view of the holy city from the roof. We visit the Sera and Drepung monasteries, which were amongst the largest monastic institutions in the world. The Chorten tombs of three Dalai Lamas are sited at Drepung. Sera is one of the best-preserved monasteries in Tibet. We also take in the Summer Palace of Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple and the bustling Barkor Market

Crossing the arid Tibetan plateau, we drive past the beautiful Turquoise lake on the way to the historic town of Gyantse with its unique multi-storied Kumbum Stupa. At Shigatse we walk through the massive Tashilungpo monastery and visit the memorial 'Chorten' of the late Panchen Lama. We continue over the Gyatmso La Pass, the highest point in our journey at 5220m on our way to Shegar, and cross the Pang La Pass with spectacular views of the Himalayas.

We trek to the Base Camp of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, along the historic expedition route from Rongbuk Monastery, and catch a glimpse of the Rongbuk glacier set directly below the massive north-face of Mount Everest.

After gazing at the world’s highest mountain scenery from Rongbuk we continue to Zhangmu crossing the spectacular Lalung La Pass. And from there we cross the border, and journey back to Kathmandu.

Lhasa (3660m). A guide will lead you through several of Lhasa"s many monasteries. We visit the Sera Monastery, a fifteenth century sprawl of golden roofs and whitewashed walls. This well preserved monastery is located just a few miles North of Lhasa and is home to several hundred monks. In the afternoon we will visit the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is the most revered shrine in all of Tibet and is constantly bustling with devout worshippers. You will also visit the crowded central market of Lhasa.

Shigatse to Shegar (4050m) This stretch is some of the most spectacular landscape in Tibet. The views of this desert plateau are breathtaking. After passing through the small town of Lhatse we will cross Gyatmso La. The land quickly descends to plains after Gyatmso La. While travelling through the plains we will see many nomadic herders, quiet countryside, and secluded monasteries. Overnight at hotel.

Rongbuk to Zhangmu. Today is a fairly long drive to Tingri and then across the Lalung La and Shung La Passes to Zhangmu. The views from the passes are again breathtaking, and you are surrounded by huge mountains such as Shishpangma, Cho Oyu, and Gauri Shankar. We continue to Nyalam and then begin to descend from the arid Tibetan plateau to the small town of Zhangmu, near the border. We overnight at a hotel in Zhangmu.

Kathmandu (1310m). Tour ends after breakfast in Kathmandu.

Please note that the cost of the flight fom Kathmandu to Lhasa must be paid for in full at the time of payment of the tour deposit.  The flight is non-refundable.  The cost of the flight will be deducted from the tour cost.

All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary; drinks, Nepal visa; Tibet urgent visa fee, tips, pre- and post-tour accommodation.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx  for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, http://www.kumuka.com/ provides up-to-date visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

NEPAL - All nationalities require visas.

You can apply to the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) prior to travelling. Alternatively, visas can also be obtained on arrival from the Immigration authorities at all entry points (with fees payable in US Dollars) provided travellers are in possession of valid travel documents, two passport photos and the relevant fee.

Please re-confirm all fees through your local consulate as these can change without notice.

Please Note: As you will be travelling from Nepal to Tibet and back to Nepal on this trip, you are advised to obtain a Nepal Multiple Entry Visa either prior to arrival, or on arrival into Nepal.

Obtaining a visa for travel in Tibet in the last decade has encountered changing policies and regulations.

At present, Individual Visas will not work for travel into Tibet from Kathmandu - you must have a group visa & permit to travel through the country. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu issues a special "Group Visa". The cost of the standard visa is included in the tour price, and Kumuka will obtain the visa on your behalf in Kathmandu the day before you depart for Tibet. The group visa will be a document, separate to your Passport. It is essential that we have your Passport on Day 1 at the Pre Departure Meeting, to enable us to obtain the Group Visa.

Please note that USA Passport holders are charged an additional US$85 per person payment for their visas and this surcharge MUST be paid at the pre departure meeting.

WE ALSO NEED A SCANNED COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT AT THE TIME OF BOOKING (MINIMUM 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO APPLY FOR THE TIBET VISA).  MUST BE SCANNED, CANNOT BE PHOTOCOPIED OR FAXED.

Kumuka arranges Visas and Entry Permits. The visas for tourists travelling to Tibet from Kathmandu can currently only be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. We require the following passport information for the Tibet Visa and Permit.

1. Name in full (as in passport) - First name, Middle name and Last name
2. Sex
3. Nationality
4. Passport Number
5. Date of Birth
6. Occupation

Please bring at least 2 spare Passport photos, in case they are required.

The Tibet Permit is a list of people travelling together in a group into Tibet. All visitors must have a Travel Permit to travel outside Lhasa in Tibet.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for *diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.

NB* Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.

That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

Your local guide has a well-equipped medical kit that by law must remain sealed and can only be used in an emergency. We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills. We also recommend you take water purification tablets with you.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

Information on Altitude sickness.

Many people are concerned about altitude sickness. This problem, often known
as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a particularly important medical
consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude illness rarely
occurs lower than 2800 meters (9520ft) and only minor symptoms occur below 3000 meters (9,800ft). AMS occurs when the body does not adapt well to less oxygen at higher altitudes. At 18,000 ft (5490m), there is one half the
oxygen available as at sea level, on top of Mount Everest, only one third. The body tries to adapt to less oxygen by increasing the rate and depth of breathing, as well as the heart rate. Individual susceptibility to altitude sickness seems to be genetically determined.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$15-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

For security you are advised to carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable.

It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport.

Banks are generally open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning. In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns.

Some Hotels will also change money.

Recommended equipment for tour:

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available.

Personal Effects:
Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

The Nepalese are vegetarian and meals usually consist of a dish called ‘dal bhaat tarakari’ which means lentil soup, rice and curried vegetables. Restaurants in tourist areas cater to the westerners with varied menus.

In Tibet, you will find Chinese and Tibetan style food. In the main cities you will find a reasonable variety of food, but in the small towns, the choice can be more limited.

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs.

The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting both Nepal and Tibet. We try to ensure that you get the most experience from your Kumuka trip and one of the ways to do this is by trying local cuisine.

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean and comfortable. Accommodation for the Tibet trip is in tourist class hotels generally with en suite facilities.

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to book accommodation to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable.

Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Although Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by a third party.

Details and prices of optional activities will be advised by your tour leader.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

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Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664
Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

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