Travel to Tibet from Singapore

Asked by Goh ***

Hi,

We are a pair of Singaporeans planning to visit China/Tibet.

Couple of questions:-
1) Our friend from Qingdao holds a China HK home return permit (港澳通行证）under Hongkong Citizenship and has a valid Chinese driving license issued by Shanghai ministry of transportation. Does he also require the Tibet Travel Permit and be part of the pre-arranged tour?

2) Is it compulsory to have your guide follow us for the entire duration of our stay in Tibet? If yes, how do we coordinate on his schedule?

3) While we had identified a number of places (Potara Palace, Shigatse, Gawu la Pass, Yamdrok, Everest Base Camp) to visit over the span of 8 days, we would prefer the itinerary to be kept flexible since we do anticipate impromptu changes along the way (due to weather conditions, unexpected delays, etc).. How do you think we can best coordinate to have that flexibility?

4) One of our destination is the Rongbuk Monastery, passing through Shigatse and we have plans to have our friend (with the Chinese driving license) rent a car for that estimated 4 days to-and-return drive. Is he able to do so using his Chinese driving license? And do we have to cater for the guide's lodgings since we have to do overnight stays at Shigatse?

Answered by Jennie

Dear Goh****,

We can arrange a Lhasa Shigatse EBC tour for you on 26 April. I will answer your questions one by one.

1. We can help you apply for the Tibet Travel permit. Your friend doesn't need the Tibet Travel Permit but needs the Border Defense Certificate and we can help your friend apply for it.

2. Yes, your guide will accompany you for the entire duration of your tour in Tibet. 

3. I suggest we keep a fixed itinerary because we need to attach the places to the Tibet Travel Permit. If some places won't attach to the Permit, you can't go. Usually, the impact of weather changes on the itinerary is relatively small.

4. According to the authority, all foreign tourists in Tibet need to take the tourist vehicle in Tibet. I'm afraid you can't take your friend's car in Tibet.

Asked by weso***

Hi,
I am from Singapore and planning to do the EBC (7-8 days).
We are a party of 2pax, can fly off on 21/3/2024 after 9pm and return by 31st March.
If you can assist to arrange flights and visas to/fro tibet and the ground trip to EBC. Accommodation: 3 stars.

Looking forward to your proposal. Thank you.

Answered by Merry

Dear Weso****, 

I'm afraid there's not enough time for the Tibet Permit application. Usually, it takes about 2 weeks to obtain the Tibet Permit. I suggest you consider postponing the tour. We have a confirmed 8 days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour departure on 4 April. Is it avaible for you?

Asked by Zhen***

Hello, I would like to know if a 6 day itinerary could be arranged. My group is tentatively around 3 or 4 persons and we are looking at reaching Lhasa on 23rd May 2024. Could you provide a quote and advice on any visa requirements?

Answered by Jennie

Dear Zhen****,

We can arrange the 6-day Tibet tour for you on 23 May. We will help you apply for the Tibet Travel permit. For Singapore citizens, you can stay in China within 30 days without a China Visa.

6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour is my suggested itinerary according to your schedule & preference. If you agree, I will quote you. If not, I will tweak it until your satisfaction.

Asked by Meis***

Hi, planning a trip for a group of 4. We are interested in the 8-day tibet itinerary but would like to get a quote for a private tour. Also, we would like to travel to tibet by train but back by plane. Could the agency help to book the train tickets and also recommend the best place to take the train from?

Answered by Beatrice

Dear Meish****,

We can arrange your 8 Days Tibet trip starting on 27 October. If you are traveling from Singapore to Tibet, I suggest you take a Tibet train from Chengdu. And we can help book the related soft sleepers.

Asked by Ange***

Hi. I'm from Singapore and planning a trip 22 or 23 Dec 2023 (depending on flight timing) departure from Singapore and return to Singapore on 30 Dec. With such short time frame, what would be your recommendation on the itinerary if I want to go to Tibet (I would like to have an easy and not too tiring trip and able to view the best scenaries in Tibet) and which city in China should I go first from Singapore to travel to Tibet? I'm also concerned about the weather and the altitude in Tibet especially during winter. Can pls advise? Is it going to be a tour group or is it a private tour? How much is the cost per pax? There's 3 of us, myself and my 2 children (21yo and 17yo). Pardon me for asking so many question as I have no idea how to plan for this trip. :p Thanks!

Answered by Jennie

Dear Ange****,

1. We can arrange the Tibet tour for you. I suggest you consider the 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour, and you can see the beautiful scenery.

2. We can arrange both group and private tours for you. Currently, we have a group departure on 22 December. Would you consider departing Singapore on 21 December so you can join our group? If you can't adjust your date, we also can arrange a private tour for you.

3. I suggest you take a flight from Singapore to Lhasa via Chengdu. We will express the Tibet Travel Permit to your hotel in Chengdu in advance.

4. For high altitude sickness, we suggest that visitors with a severe cold, a high fever, acute or chronic pulmonary diseases, or severe cardiovascular diseases should avoid traveling to regions with a high altitude. Most visitors to Tibet will suffer from at least some symptoms which will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days. After 1 or 2 days of acclimation, almost all of them can adapt to the local environment and these symptoms will disappear. And, we have equipped oxygen tanks for emergency use. Please don't worry on this point as there are hundreds of thousands of travelers coming to Tibet every year of all ranges of conditions. 

Regarding altitude sickness, don't worry about it too much. We usually stay in Lhasa for 2-3 days first to adapt to the altitude. Most of the travelers will get used to it before heading to other places with a higher elevation. A good rest can help you stand up to the altitude sickness as long as you have no cardiovascular or respiratory disease. 

5. Usually at night, the weather is cold but we have heating in the hotel room.

6. Here's the recommended itinerary. If you agree, I can quote you in the next email.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour