Culture, Kayaking and Rafting Trip to Tibet

Trip Facts

Duration: 15 Days

Challenge level : Moderate

Group size :6-10 People

Best TimeSpring / Autumn

Destination :Tibet

About Culture, Kayaking and Rafting Trip to Tibet

River and Culture Journey to Tibet, the top of the world!

Rafting and Kayaking

Tibet is home to breathtaking rivers. Mt. Kailash, nestled in the western expanse of Tibet, serves as the origin of the subcontinent's four greatest rivers: the Ganges, Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra. In the eastern region of Kham, green forests give rise to the sources of the Mekong and Yangtse, East Asia's two largest rivers. During the summer monsoon, Tibet's rivers swell with regular rains, unveiling a surprising range of world-class rafting and kayaking opportunities.

Adventure Hub Nepal (AHN) collaborates with trusted partners in Tibet to arrange all necessary permits for rafting and kayaking expeditions. Our team comprises international guides working alongside Tibetan guides, ensuring an exceptional standard of safety, service, and cultural immersion. Offering a diverse range of trips that combine cultural exploration with thrilling river adventures amidst breathtaking landscapes, we also specialize in facilitating first descents for seasoned kayakers and rafters.

Safety and Experience

Our international guides are certified in wilderness first aid and river rescue techniques. With extensive experience challenging whitewater expeditions, terrains in the Himalayas and beyond, our team ensures a safe and exhilarating journey. Expert safety kayakers accompany every whitewater excursion for added security. Led by Ram Bhandari, our seasoned trip leader boasting over 20 years of experience in guiding and managing outdoor adventures worldwide, we equip all our clients with top-notch safety gear, including full wetsuits, helmets, and buoyancy vests, along with state-of-the-art rafts, kayaks, and equipment.

Tailored Itineraries for Best Experience

Each itinerary is meticulously crafted, considering seasonal weather patterns, water levels, altitude, accessibility, and cultural attractions to ensure an unforgettable adventure on the water.

Travel options to Tibet.

The options are to travel through Kathmandu Nepal and Beijing China.

*Nepal Route: Allocate three days in Kathmandu for the application of Chinese visas and Tibetan permits.

*Opting for the Beijing route means reaching Lhasa in two days. We'll take care of your Tibetan permit, sending it to Beijing, you will only need a Chinese visa.

Note: When traveling via Beijing, flights are booked to Chengdu, China, then onwards to Lhasa, streamlining the journey and potentially reducing costs. For Nepal-bound travelers, Adventure Hub Nepal can assist with ticket arrangements from Kathmandu to Lhasa, factoring in the visa and permit processing duration.

Fixed Departure: 10th - 24th September 2020

Join us for an unparalleled adventure in the heart of Tibet!

Trip Highlights

The Potala Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century and symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet.

Toulung Chu which river in Tibetan test out how we feel paddling in the highest point in the world. It’s a fun whitewater adventure only 1 hour from Lhasa.

Reting Tsangpo River this incredible river journey was first paddled in 2005. We take a gear boat and say good-bye to the road for four days, carrying our supplies along with us. We access the Reting Tsangpo by its north fork, beginning as a small alpine stream with amazing views of the Nyenchen Thanglha range near Namtso.

Visiting hot springs and nunnery and paddle some primo whitewater on the Drigung Chu.

Yarlung Tsangpo River which is the biggest river in Tibet in terms of volume and paddle for two days. This is a truly unforgeable whitewater paddling journey as you are immersed deep in the heart of Tibet and all its wildness.

All lovely local villages that we paddle past on these four rivers.

We will visit a few world heritage sites like The Potala palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor street. You can visit the Dalai lama’s summer palace and stroll in the old alleys of Barkhor street where you can enjoy the sweet tea and chat with locals or bargain with the street vendors to understand the real life in Lhasa.

What's included

Included

Tibet entry permit and all Tibet travel permits. (couriered to)
All transport from Lhasa airport pick-up to drop-off and throughout the trip using well maintained and safe bus 15 seats or 17 seats. (includes all fuel, maintenance, driver expenses etc.)
Local Tibetan guide (good English with excellent cultural knowledge)
Twin share (double bed) accommodation (extra added folding bed) with Breakfast
All meals outside of Lhasa (as listed in itinerary: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Entry fees to all monasteries and sights as listed in itinerary. (extra sites may be visited; time permitting, at the client’s expense)
All camping equipment with 1 equipment truck
1 trekking cook with all cooking equipment
Kayak, and raft.
First aid kit with oxygen cylinder
Lhasa breakfast included only in hotel you are staying
Full meals arrangement out of Lhasa and during camping

What's Excluded

Excluded

Chinese tourist visa. (Must arrange in your home country)
Travel insurance (recommended) with rescue helicopter included in your insurance
Flight ticket to and from Tibet
Items of a personal nature (such as laundry, extra snacks, alcohol etc.)
Lunches and Dinners when in Lhasa, snacks and extra drinks throughout trip.
Tips to guides and drivers etc.
International flight ticket to Tibet and return

Know before you travel

Travelling in Tibet at the best of times can be awe-inspiring and will push your perception of the world as you thought you knew it. At times, it can be downright much of rural Tibet is still very rough and wild and for many this is the greatest attraction of Tibet. We are here to ensure that you have the most comfortable trip possible for the places you want to go and the things you want to do. Generally, infrastructure has gotten much more efficient and convenient here in the last few years. Roads are greatly improved; new hotels have been built (some with heating!) but Tibet still involves a number of special considerations. The standard of service in Tibet cannot be compared to western standards, food is often very different and you will have to adjust your expectations. Below are some of the factors that you should bear in mind before and during your time in Tibet.

Anyone with a good level of fitness can join one of our kayaking or rafting trips. However, for your own enjoyment, it is important that you read the information we have provided and ask us questions. We give each of our trips a rating. These indicate the effort and challenge level based on the length of time paddling each day, the difficulty of terrain covered and the altitude reached.

All travel in Tibet involves some degree of difficulty. Adjusting to the high altitude can be challenging and roads can be rough. This information will help you understand the trip.

MODERATE

Many of our River, Trekking and cultural tours fall into this category. The trip is venturesome simply because it is in Tibet, but your tour will not involve strenuous physical activity apart from paddling. Short walks and stairs will be involved but these tours are suitable for anyone in decent health. Roads can be rough with high altitude passess and accommodation on some nights will not have hot running water.

ADVENTUROUS

A good level of fitness is required. Accommodation often includes camping. The comforts of hotels and restaurants may not be available for extended periods. Long driving days on rough roads over high altitude passes are common and there will be several nights in basic accommodation without running water.

CHALLENGING

A high level of fitness is required and some pre-trip training should be undertaken. Paddling days may be long on difficult paths at high altitude. Rafting and kayaking may involve long physical days on difficult whitewater. These trips often involve camping for extended periods and the comforts of hotels and restaurants may not be available.

EXPERT

A specific skill is required such as kayaking or rafting. These trips will require working together as a team to meet a difficult goal such as a first descent of a river on an extended kayaking expedition. A high level of physical and psychological stamina is required and prior experience must be discussed with the trip leader.

Getting to Tibet involves some distance as it's not particularly close to any major cities. Typically, there are two entry points: from Nepal or mainland China. While we can arrange transit from either location by flight or overland, international flights must be booked independently. Once you arrive in Nepal or China, we can handle all logistics, including the Kathmandu-Lhasa flight. From China, transfers are available through cities likes Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Kunming. Additionally, we can organize sightseeing in major Chinese cities.

Tibet is an official province of China so you need a Chinese visa to enter China and Tibet. (Officially you also need a Tibet entry permit). If you are coming to Tibet through mainland China, you need to apply for your Chinese tourist visa before you arrive. Contact your local nearest Chinese consulate for visa application details. NOTE: When you fill in your application form it is recommended that you do not mention Tibet as some consulates have an unclear policy regarding travel to Tibet. Just put down Beijing or Chengdu as your itinerary and write down the hotel you will be staying at as your contact. IMPORTANT: If you are planning to enter Tibet from Kathmandu DO NOT get your Chinese visa in advance. The Chinese visa is issued as a group visa in Kathmandu and is arranged by Adventure Hub Nepal along with your Tibet entry permit.

Adventure Hub Nepal has partners in Tibet and is obliged under Chinese law to arrange the Tibet Entry Permit and specific travel permits if your itinerary takes you outside of the Lhasa prefecture. This permit is arranged in advance and will be couriered to your point of entry (usually your hotel). For Adventure Hub Nepal to arrange permits and visas (if coming through KTM) we need a digital copy (photo or scan) of your passport info page and your Chinese visa (if coming through mainland China) well in advance. As soon as you commit to your booking, please email your whole groups passports and visas image. (make sure the file is a jpg format readable on your screen but under 200kb please)

Independent Travel to Tibet is currently not allowed in Tibet. This situation may change in the near future but at this stage only groups fully booked in advance (with the correct permits) are allowed into Tibet.

The “normal” tourist season in Tibet is from May through until October. The busiest months are usually July and August. However, this is changing as infrastructure development (roads and hotels) makes traveling at other times far easier.

Summer weather can be cool to warm. Summer is the rainy season but it rarely rains for long before the sun comes out. Trekking is possible from April through October. You can trek in winter but it is cold and you should be very experienced.

Fall & Spring are often cool and clear and can be excellent for trekking and cultural trips as you don’t have to face the crowds of Chinese tourists in Lhasa and Shigatse.

Winter is generally cold and clear in Tibet. It is not advised to attempt remote or high journeys during this time without prior experience. However, cultural tours to Lhasa and other regional centers can be very rewarding during winter months as there are hardly any other tourists and it is the customary time for Tibetan pilgrimage to central Buddhist temples. The overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu is usually possible year-round now that the new road has been built.

Generally, pricing details are not available on our website, except for specific trips. Our prices vary based on your chosen level of service and itinerary. Travel in Tibet tends to be relatively expensive due to the need for 4-wheel-drive land cruisers, specialized camping equipment, guides, and cooks. We cater to renowned international adventure travel companies, offering exceptional value compared to international rates.

Due to Tibet's high altitude, remote locations, and semi-arid climate, unique health concerns arise. While you don’t need to be worried about malaria or uncommon strains of para-typhoid, precautions against sun exposure and altitude sickness are essential. It's advisable to consult reliable sources such as the CIWEC clinic in Kathmandu for comprehensive information. Our trips are designed to prevent overexertion in the initial days, and our experienced guides are well-versed in altitude sickness risks. Bringing preventive and symptomatic medication for minor altitude symptoms is recommended, along with sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. For specific clothing and equipment needs, tailored advice is available. Feel free to inquire, and refer to our "Adventure travel" introduction for additional guidance or recommended resources.

About Adventure Hub Nepal

Adventure Hub Nepal has been operating adventure holidays trips since 2007. Today we can help you discover whole Nepal and we can offer high-quality, excellent –value, small group adventure to your interested area of Nepal, Extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation- ask Adventure Hub Nepal.

Other Information

This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the program and can affect the availability of views and panoramas described. Be aware that all times stated are approximate and may vary with individual and group fitness, weather, Trekking route, river level and road conditions.

Travelling with responsibility

We care about the place and people that we meet on our journeys, and we try to ensure that we give something back, as well as taking away so many incredible memories, for more information on our commitment to people of Nepal and responsible tourism please visit.http://www.sharmilafoundation.org