China Tibet Nepal Bhutan Tour – 16 Days

For “Cultural Journey through Himalayan Kingdom” tour there will be a local Chinese tour guide in Beijing, Tibetan guide in Lhasa, local Nepali tour guide and driver for Kathmandu sightseeing. Similarly for Bhutan tour, there will a local Bhutanese guide, a driver and a helper if necessary.

All Extollo Adventure trips are accompanied by a local, experienced tour leader. The tour leader will be there to ensure the trip runs smoothly making it the best possible trip. Whilst travelling, the leader provides information on the places being visited and also suggests what activities can be undertaken there.They have wide, general knowledge on history, culture, religion and social aspects of the people and communities visited. The leader takes care of the details, of course, so that you can savor the moment. Extollo Adventures carefully selects a tour leader who is a highly skilled professional, yet he/she is also incredibly warm, energetic, and has an unquenchable thirst for fun and genuine excitement for the journey at hand. The leader is expected to have that special “it” factor that transforms a trip into an unforgettable journey.

Please use this checklist as a guide when packing for ‘Cultural Journey through Himalayan Kingdom’ tour.

Documents: The documents provided below are a must and should be with you at all times.

• Valid passport
• Medical insurance card(s)
• Address book
• Airline tickets, e-tickets, etc.
• Passport size photographs (minimum 4)
• All necessary permit(s)

We recommend that you make copies of your passport, visas, permits, airline tickets/schedule, travelers check numbers, etc. Leave a copy with someone at home and put another copy in a separate place in your luggage.

Clothing: In Tibet, the weather is cool during summer (with cold winds) and excruciatingly cold in winter. Since you will not be staying in one place for long, consider carrying warm, lightweight, hand-washable and quick-drying clothes.

• Sweater, jacket, windbreaker
• A pair of shorts, mid-thigh or longer
• Long pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
• T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
• Undergarments (optimum supply)
• Sport bras for women (roads can be bumpy)
• Rain jackets and pants
• A warm cap and a sun hat with brim and chin strap
• Bandanna or scarf
• Belt
• Pajamas
• Decent swim suit
• Comfortable and sturdy shoes (if possible waterproof)
• Tennis shoes or sandals
• Comfortable, breathable socks (“Smart wool” or “Thorlos” are both excellent)
• Toiletries
• Soap, shampoo (2-in-1 shampoo with conditioner is preferable instead of carrying a separate conditioner bottle)
• Shaving items
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Hairbrush, comb, mirror, nail clippers
• Wet-wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Sun-block lotion (at least SPF 15)
• Facial tissue
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Small towel
• Toilet paper
• Q-tips
• Tampons and sanitary napkins
• Sewing kit
• Baggage
• Duffel bag or a suitcase
• Day pack bag for daily activities and easy access
• Waterproof plastic bags or zip-lock bags (Plastic garbage bags are useful to protect sleeping bags, etc. from wet weather, and zip-lock bags are useful for storage in dusty/wet environments)

Electronics

• Headlamp or flashlight
• Camera, lenses, filters, memory disks (you will not be able to download)
• Video camera, tapes
• Tripod
• Batteries (extra batteries are always a good idea)
• GPS
• Alarm clock
• iPod, MP3 player
• Calculator (for currency conversion) or calculator app
• Battery chargers, plugs

Note: It’s always a good idea to keep electronics warm and dry, so storing them in sealed water-proof bags is recommended. Also, note that the electrical current in Tibet is 220v, AC 50 Hz. There are numerous different plug types used in Tibet, so it might be easier to purchase an adapter once you get there.

Medical supplies/ First Aid

Take an adequate supply of any prescription medication(s) you use regularly and consult your doctor before the trip. Most over-the-counter medicines are available in Lhasa but are more difficult to obtain outside of urban areas.

• Ibuprofen or aspirin
• Anti-diarrhea pills
• Iron supplements (for women)
• Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
• Band-Aids/plasters
• Gauze bandages and tape
• Throat lozenges
• Vitamin supplements (available in Lhasa but of lower quality and dosage)
• Anti-histamines
• Ace bandage
• Malaria pills (consult your doctor)
• Anti-biotics (consult your doctor)
• Water-purification tablets
• Bottled mineral water and thermoses of boiled water are available for purchase everywhere throughout Tibet. However, water-purification tablets can be useful during excursions.
• Steripen
• Water filter
• Iodine or chlorine dioxide purification tablets
• Miscellaneous Items
• Good UV protection sunglasses with straps (this is very important against strong high-altitude sun)
• Eyeglasses or contacts and plenty of cleaning solution (carrying extra eyeglasses is recommended)
• Binoculars
• Swiss knife
• Notebook (small size recommended), pencil and pen
• Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
• Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
• Cash, travelers checks, credit cards ($500 or more in cash and/or travelers checks, including some small U.S., Euros, or local currency)
• Money belt (waterproof is best)
• Maps, guidebooks
• Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season
• Salt and pepper for bland food, flavoring for coffee or water
• Water bottles and Camelback (useful on bumpy roads)

A representative from Extollo Adventures will be there to meet you at the airport upon your arrival in Beijing. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. If you cannot see our representative you can call us. Upon leaving the country you will be picked up from your hotel by our representative to drop off you at the Paro airport for your onward destination.

Nepal: There are vaccinations needed prior to travel to Nepal. Please note that some vaccinations need to be taken over a course of several months. Hence, before taking any vaccinations, or immunization medications, please consult your qualified travel medical practitioner at least 6 months before the start of the travel. There is no need to present inoculation/immunization certificates to enter Nepal for any legal purpose, but bring them just in case you need to provide them. The following vaccinations/immunizations are the ones needed generally whilst travelling to Nepal:

• Hepatitis A: Recommended for all travelers
• Hepatitis B: Recommended for all travelers
• Typhoid: Recommended for all travelers
• Rabies: For travelers who are spending a lot of time outdoors and are at high risk of animal bites, or involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with animals.
• Cholera: Travelers going to, or living and working in, places with inadequate sanitary conditions such as refugee camps are at greater risk.
• Japanese Encephalitis: For travelers who may spend a month or more in rural areas and for short-term travelers who may spend substantial time outdoors in rural areas, especially after dusk
• Tetanus: Recommended for all travelers (normally you will need a booster)
• Polio (normally you will just need a booster)

Bhutan: No vaccinations are currently compulsory for entry into Bhutan. However, some immunizations are highly recommended. They include polio, tetanus, typhoid, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), hepatitis A and B as well as Malaria. Most of your tour runs through western, central and eastern Bhutan. However, if you are travelling to remote areas of southern Bhutan, it is advised that you consult your physician about taking anti-malaria pills as Malaria is an endemic in those remote areas.

China/Tibet: There are no any specific vaccinations to be taken prior to your visit to Tibet. However, you are advised to bring the following medicines that might be useful during your travel: Diamox, cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant, aspirin, and multivitamins. Please consult your doctor or physician prior to planning your tour.

Tibet: Generally, the electricity supply in Tibet is 220V, 50HZ. If you are planning to travel in Tibet and wish to bring some electrical devices with you for basic use then keep in mind that transformer is very essential. Tibet hotels bathrooms have access to 220V and 110V electrical devices power. But, in the guest room normally only 220V electrical sockets are available.

Nepal: Nepal uses 220-240V electrical outlets to power everyday appliances. So to avoid injury or destroying your appliances, it is good to buy converter pins or adapters that regulates the voltage and makes it safe to use. You are also advised to carry two and three pin adapters with you.

Bhutan: Bhutan’s electricity is 230 volts 50 hertz. Electrical outlets accept 3 types of plug: three round pins arranged in a triangle, two round pins and two parallel flat pins with ground pin.

Tibet: Very importantly, on the last and first day, if you are travelling with a group visa, please make sure your guide has the original visa copy with him along with other necessary travel documents (travel permit for the group and alien’s travel permit for the individual travelers) before you leave your hotel for the airport for the final departure. This is recommended in order for you to check out from the immigration without any hassle. (This point does not apply if you are carrying your visa for Tibet in your passports.)

You are not allowed to take any Tibetan religious books, flags, literatures, T- shirts/caps with slogans, lonely planet items and photographs, especially related to Dalai Lama during your travel to Tibet. If the above mentioned items are found in your possession, they will be confiscated by the Chinese officials and you will not be allowed to enter Tibet. Also, confine yourself within the interests of the tour and refrain from talking about the political situation with the locals. Please also note that Diplomats, Journalists, professional media photographer and government officials cannot issue their Tibet permit through Extollo Adventures. They are only able to travel to Tibet under the arrangement of Foreign Affairs Department, Economic Development Committee, etc.

Due to the current political tension between China and Tibet, thorough attention is paid by the Chinese government on customs and immigration. Sometimes you may need to wait for a couple of hours so please be patient.

Tibet: As in the rest of China, Renminbi (RMB) is the legal currency in Tibet. Only the Bank of China offers foreign exchange services and facilities in Tibet including certain hotels. The banks in Tibet/China are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Travelers Cheque and credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks especially outside Lhasa. ATM facilities are easily available in Lhasa and Shigatse; however, it may be difficult to find one in other smaller towns or in remote places. So we suggest you to bring some cash with you. If you are entering Tibet via China you can also exchange currencies in mainland China itself.

Nepal: Nepali Rupees (NRS) is the official currency of Nepal, and the stable rate for US dollar exchange is USD 1=98 NRS (The rate is subject to sudden changes, without notice).

Foreign currencies must be exchanged at all major banks and authorized currency exchange centers throughout the city, who accept most major currencies from the world over. Convertible currencies are as follows: Dollar (U.S., Australian, Hong Kong, Canadian, and Singapore); Euro (Swiss, French, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy); Pound (U.K.); Yen (Japan). There is also an option of changing currencies at the airport on arrival, all currency changes might have a small service charge attached.

All major credit/debit cards are accepted in cities. Most of the banks in Nepal have ATMs operating 24/7 in urban locations, though we would recommend only using these machines during bank opening hours so as not to run the risk of losing your card if the system crashes.

All banks in Kathmandu Valley are open between 10.00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from Sunday through Friday. They are closed on Saturdays and other public holidays. Money can be easily wired or transferred by various means into Nepal from the world over, as numerous banks and money transfer agencies in Kathmandu are very reliable.

Bhutan:

Currency: The Bhutanese currency is the ngultrum, which is pegged to the Indian rupee and thus trades at par with that currency. As of April 2013, USD 1 is equivalent to about 53 ngultrum if you are using USD 50 or USD 100 notes. Please take note that USD 50 and USD100 notes are given a better exchange rate than USD 20 notes or lesser. The smaller USD notes fetch about 5% less. If you plan to bring USD 100 notes be aware that the banks in Bhutan do not accept notes printed in 1996 due to counterfeiting that took place in that year. So go through your notes carefully. Also, make sure that your cash has no tears, ink marks, staple holes etc.

Credit Cards: Bhutan is a cash economy! Visa, Maestro and MasterCard are not accepted at smaller shops, but bigger shops and hotels accept them.

ATM: Bank of Bhutan (BOB) and Druk PNB Bank provide ATM facilities. Their ATM outlets are readily found in the major cities/towns of Bhutan like Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. So, if you have a Visa, Maestro or Master Card with a pin code, you can en-cash from their ATM outlets in the country. The business hours for almost all companies in Bhutan are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays (Monday to Friday) but the banks also stay open from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturdays.

Money Exchange: If you bring in cash, your best option is to change dollars or whatever you bring into ngultrum at the airport. The exchange rate is the same as in the banks in town. Keep in mind that banks are much harder to find outside the capital. You can also change your money at the hotels in Thimphu, but the rate is not as good.

• Use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling to keep your passport, air tickets, travelers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items safe.
• Leave your valuable jewelry at home – you won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables.
• A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
• When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your tour leader will accompany you on all included activities.
• The cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day; there can be risks when wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night- time excursions.
• At times of protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters have assembled, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.
• Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). Swimming is always at your own risk.