Starting in August 2012
For centuries Tibet remained the inaccessible goal of numerous intrepid, determined and hardy explorers. While Lhasa is no longer a secret city, it remains mystical, and the ancient route west along...
Lhasa is the traditional capital of Tibet and the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama. One of the highest cities in the world at an altitude of 3,650 m, Lhasa literally means "place of the gods". For centuries it was forbidden for foreigners to enter Lhasa and today it still has the feel of a hidden kingdom. Standing on a plain over 3,600 metres above sea level, surrounded by towering mountains, it is easy to understand see why its name translates as 'Place of the Gods'.
Famous for its mural-covered Kumbum, or multi-tiered Buddhist temple, and magnificent fort, Gyantse is a small ancient town in the Yang River Valley which was once highly significant in the Tibet region. Sitting above the peaceful Lake Yamdrok, its well-known sights are home to events and pilgrimages throughout the year. The well-preserved, multi-coloured murals and statues of the Gyantse Kumbum depict religious tales and create intricate shrines inside the country’s best-known temple.
Famous throughout Hindu mythology, Lake Mansarovar sits at the base of the spiritual Mount Kailash, its edges forming part of the area’s pilgrimage route. Bright blue and very still, Mansarovar is the highest freshwater lake in the world. At 4,556 metres, Hindu legends dictate that its waters symbolise purity, and drinking them can cleanse away sins. Because of its cultural importance the shores of Lake Mansarovar are dotted with monasteries, making it a fascinating destination today.
Tibet’s second largest city, Xigatse is the connecting hub between Nepal and Tibet. Set in a plateau at 3,840 metres, its name is derived from the Chinese for ‘fertile land’, and the surrounding peaks include that of Mount Everest. Being over 600 years old, Xigatse is dotted with huge, ancient monasteries, which look out over impressive views of dramatic glaciers, placid lakes and gushing rivers.
In the heart of the Khumbu region, which houses the world’s highest mountains, Everest Base Camp is a mountain hiking and climbing mecca. Lines of tents, huts and flags cover the grey stony ground, as visitors acclimatise to the altitude underneath the towering peak of Mount Everest. Tea houses sit inside white-sided tents and sherpas and climbers alike huddle to keep warm. At 5,360 metres above sea level, for many this is the highest they will ever be, and the atmosphere and feeling of achievement here is incomparable.
Part of the Gangdisê Mountains, Mount Kailash is one of the only peaks which has not welcomed any summit attempts in the Tibetan Himalayas. Because of its Hindu and Buddhist significance, Kailash is off limits to climbers, although every year thousands make religious pilgrimages to its base, walking around it for good luck. This sacred, snow-capped mountain is said to be home of the Hindu wild mountain god Shiva, and in Buddhism it is said to resemble sheer bliss. Perhaps its distance from any form of transport, or the treacherous weather and steep faces of the peak make it so spiritual – whatever the reason, this magnificent mountain is a must-see for any trip to Tibet.
The ancient kingdom of Guge, once the Summer Palace of Tibet, is now a sight of great archaeological significance. Having survived power struggles, civil war and foreign invasions through the centuries, this city may now be a shell compared to its glory days, but it still provides fascinating insight into a past world. Today, you’ll find hundreds of rooms carved into caves tucked away in this western Tibetan dwelling, as well as remains of fortresses, pagodas, arm storerooms, granaries and burial places.
Visa Information
UK Passport holders require a visa to visit Tibet.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
If you would prefer not to go to the embassy yourself then another option is the use of a visa company such as:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road Battersea
London
SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Tibet, although you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
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