Tibet Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Tours By Helicopter

Terms & Conditions

PAYMENT TERMS
We require your booking application at least 30 days prior to the departure date along with 10% of the tour cost as an advance. The balance of the payment must be paid in Kathmandu before the tour commences.

CANCELLATION & REFUND
Any cancellation notice must be sent in a printed form to our office. Any verbal communication will not be treated as a cancellation notice. No partial refund will be given for any unutilized services.

The company will impose cancellation charges as per the following schedule

• 10% of tour cost for the cancellation made before 21 days prior to departure date.
• 40% of tour cost for the cancellation made between 16 to 20 days prior to departure date.
• 75% of tour cost for the cancellation made between 10 to 15 days prior to departure date
• No refund will be given for cancellation made 9 or less days prior to departure date.

The above rule is applicable for all clients as per the policy of IPSC (Indian Pilgrimage Service Center). We will not accept any medical or personal reason / request for reduction of cancellation charges.

HEALTH & FITNESS
Physical fitness is indispensable for you to get the most out of your holy Mt. Kailash tour in Tibet. You should start an exercise regime and develop a walking habit, at least a month prior to the trip starting date.

To keep yourself in good shape and make the best of your Holy Kailash tour, try incorporating some of the following exercise habits into your daily routine : use the steps instead of elevator on the way to office; go for a brisk walk; do some aerobic exercise to help you greatly in maintaining your cardiac rhythm. “Drink more liquid & Pass more Urine” is the first principle of any high altitude tour.

Since you will be spending several days at high attitude, consult your physician prior to participating in this tour. This is strongly recommended!

HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS:
You need not worry about altitude sickness as all our itineraries are designed perfectly for proper acclimatization. The best medication for any ailments is “prevention”. Here are a few guidelines, which can help you take necessary action so that you can help prevent yourself from falling sick. Please, bear in mind that the effect of altitude sickness varies from individual to individual. The most noticeable symptoms are:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Less urination output
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness
• Dry cough

“Acute Mountain Sickness is better prevented than treated.” By Peter Hackett, M.D.

The above symptoms are something that everyone experiences for a few days before the body acclimatizes to the altitude. If these symptoms start getting severe, then you should consult immediately with our staff / guide, who will be traveling with you.

Frost Bite & Sun Burn: Tibet is a place where there chance of getting frostbite as well as sunstroke, because in this region the thin layer of air allows the ultra-violet ray of the sun to penetrate directly to your bare skin. Therefore, there is a tremendous difference in temperature between the open and closed areas.

VISA & PERMIT
The FYI General Tourist Visa or Business Visa of China is not valid for traveling in Tibet. Special group visas & permits issued by the foreign ministry of The People’s Republic of China are compulsory for pilgrims. This permit is available only to the foreign tourist approved agencies of China. So to arrange your travel permits and process your visa, we need a copy of your passport a month before the departure date.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Professional TV Cameras for journalism or the media are restricted in China. However, a still camera, professional video or digital cameras are permitted. There is a restriction on taking photographs of any public, and security installations, including bridges.

INSURANCE & RISK COVER
Traveling abroad means leaving your comfort zone. There are risks & dangers inherent in trekking and overland travel through hazardous or difficult terrain, both of which may be involved in your adventure tour to Tibet.
We strongly recommend you to insure against the risk of loss or damage of your baggage, accidents, altitude or any other sickness requiring hospitalization and medication, emergency rescue including any airlift by helicopter or use of any extra ground transport, delay of trip due to weather, landslides or political considerations which may entail extra expenses for your stay at any place over and above your tour itinerary.

Our Company will not be liable for any illness, personal injury, loss or damage of property, delay or additional expenses due to act of God, terrorism, Govt. restrictions and regulation, detentions, annoyance, quarantine, strikes, theft, disruption of advertised schedules, civil disturbances or change in transits etc. which are beyond our control.

EMERGENCIES & RESCUE OPERATION:
In the case of emergencies when a rescue operation has to be enforced, we arrange the transportation to bring back the member to a safe place where intensive medical care can be given, as soon as possible. Any costs of evacuation and medical fees will be borne by the clients. 

FIRST AID KIT:
Apart from our comprehensive first-aid medical kit, we also carry a Gammow bag (pressure) plus oxygen cylinders on our tour.

ACCOMMODATION IN TIBET
Modern amenities are very hard to find in the Hotels & Guest Houses in Western Tibet. Only dormitory style accommodation is available. So, "PLEASE DON'T EXPECT ANY LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATION".

For your convenience we use spacious tents that are approved for high attitude with floor mattresses and heavy dawn sleeping bags while on Kailash circumambulation/Parikrama. Also we provide separate tents for kitchen, dining and toilet.

FOOD
Throughout your trip, we have trained and experienced Nepali cooks & Sherpa staff who take care of you. Your day starts with a breakfast consisting of a choice of cereals followed by some of the Indian dishes such as Puri bhaji, Aloo Paratha, Upma, Aloo Pauha, Veg. cutlet etc. along with fresh fruits followed by hot tea/ coffee. We advise to fill up your thermos flasks with tea / coffee/ hot water as during the day journey, we won’t be able to serve tea / coffee till we reach the next destination. Our menus are designed with travellers from different nationalities in mind.

Because of our busy day’s schedule lunch is generally prepared in the morning and will be served at lunch time on the way. It is a lunch box with a selection of light snacks (Aloo Paratha, Pakodas etc.) followed by fruits or sweet dishes.

Supplementary foods such as chocolates, dry fruits etc, come handy in the mountains. We recommend that you carry some along.

CURRENCY MATTERS
The Chinese currency is the Yuan. The exchange rate for Chinese Yuan (RMB) is US$ 1 = RMB 7.5 = (Nepali) NC Rs 72 = (Indian) Rs. 45 (All rates are approx).

Money can be exchanged at the border towns / counties of Nepal / Tibet.

You can also find many private money changers who accept Indian or Nepali Rupees at border towns like Zhangmu or Taklakot ,though you have to bargain tactfully.

TIME DIFFERENCE
Despite the huge land mass of China, standard time is measured from Beijing. Tibetan time is 8 hours ahead of GMT. When the border is crossed from Nepal, the time difference is considerable. Nepalese time is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT and Indian Standard Time is 5 hours and 30 Minutes ahead of GMT, so Tibet is 2 hours & 30 minutes ahead of Indian time.

JOURNEY BY ROAD
Members of the tour are expected to be up early in the morning ,by 06:30 a.m. (Chinese time) , to be ready for breakfast by 8:00 a.m. and ready to move after breakfast by about 09.00 a.m. The journey in Land Cruiser takes approximately 7-8 hours each day. However, there will be small intervals for enjoying the scenery and taking photos while on the ride. At noon, lunch will be served and the ride resumes till the destination is reached at about 3-4 p.m.

TREKKING DAYS
While trekking your day begins with a hot cup of tea served in your tent at about 6 a.m. by our ever smiling hardy sherpas of Nepal, followed by a bowl of hot water for washing. When you are packed and have had a good breakfast, we hit the trail for the morning trek. While on trek, we should carry a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and a warm jumper (just in case), medication and necessary essentials. Yaks will carry the rest.

After 3 to 4 hours walking, we stop for lunch at around noon. Normally, we arrive at the camp by about 6 p.m. The free time available can be spent in exploring the nearby places, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing. Dinner is usually served by about 8 p.m.

THE CREW
Our Nepalese trekking crews with a Tibetan guide are always ready to run an extra mile to make your trip as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible. They all speak some English and Hindi, so there are no language barriers. Under the leadership of the Sirdar (Chief Sherpa), the crew consists of several Sherpa guides who will ensure that guest members have a wonderful time and also guide you on your trek . Our cooks and kitchen crew serve nutritious and delicious food.

Yaks are used in carrying all baggage, rations and camping equipment on treks. You are requested to develop friendship with our Sherpa staff, guides and drivers, as this will enable you to get some insights into the social and cultural aspects of the area. Such intimacy will enrich your understanding of day-to-day life in the Himalayas.

ITEMS TO CARRY

CLOTHING:
For the Nepal part, normal clothing is fine.

In Tibet, during the day, the climate is warm and pleasant with temperatures hovering around 22 degrees Celsius. Early mornings and evenings can see a plummet of temperatures from 10 degrees to – 10 degrees. Because Tibet is a vast and high plateau, it is often that we encounter high winds & a lot of dust. Our company provides you with a down-filled jacket which is warm enough for Tibet. But, we advise you to bring the following items yourself.

• Warm Windproof Jacket – one
• Woollen Sweater (Full sleeve + Half)
• Woollen Shawl
• Long Johns or Thermals (2 pair)
• Warm trousers (2)
• Cotton pants or Jeans (2)
• T Shirts & Shirts
• Rain coat with hood (Poncho type)
• Warm Hand Gloves
• Warm Socks
• Cotton Dust Mask
• Towel & Napkin
• Monkey cap, Muffler, Scarf
• Regular clothing
• Under garments (enough for the tour as there is no laundry in Western Tibet)
• Hat or cap
• Empty plastic bag to pack your used clothes
• Half pants or Bermudas for holy bath.
• Normal walking shoes or sandals.
• Trekking shoes with proper grip

MEDICAL & COSMETICS
• Soap & paper soap, washing kit
• Cold cream, Sun cream or lotion, chap sticks, moisturizers.
• Personal medical kit with tablets for diarrhea, headache & Stomach, cough lozenges, Cough syrup, Antiseptic cream, pain balm, Glucose powder, Electoral, Bandages, Cotton & Gauge, Dettol or Savlon, Disposable syringe, your regular medicines etc.
• Toilet kit, Nail clippers, scissors, Sewing kit, pocket knife.
• Hair oil, shampoo pouches.

OTHER ACCESSORIES
• Sun Glasses
• Empty water bottles (two)
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Unbreakable Thermos flask
• Camera, Films & batteries
• Note book, Pen, Pencil

TIPS / BAKSHIS:
It is the norm on all tours / treks to tip the crew as a sign of appreciation for the work and the services rendered to you. At the end of the tour group members can at their own discretion collectively tip the crew.

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