Visiting Tibet had always been my dream and in my travel bucket list since 2010. It’d always been a difficult situation in getting a companion to go together.
Photo in front of Drepung monastery.
After a long 14 years of asking and trying to get someone to join me to visit Tibet together, I had finally given up the idea and decided to proceed on my own instead. I started asking around for advice from whoever had been to Tibet before for agency contacts, comparing the pricing, the reviews and the speed of responses from the various agencies.
And this was how I came to decide to go with Tibet Vista and how I ended up taking the 8D Tour which included the Everest Base Camp based on the advice and prompt responses received from Tibet Vista.
Overcoming Challenges: From Solo Plans to an Unforgettable Journey to Tibet
It had been a roller coaster journey for planning this Tibet trip even the Tibet package was done by Tibet Vista. There were still planning needed on my end like getting air ticket to either Chongqing or Chengdu, decision on whether to take the Qinghai-Tibet Train or by flying to Tibet through plane to weight on all the possibilities on how to mitigate the altitude sickness and those unforeseen situations.
Beautilful Tibetan Yak to take picture with.
While I started getting to work on the trip myself, I managed to get another two friends to join me. These two friends came in time to make my planning and journey more enjoyable and unforgettable with all the experiences that we went throughout the journey in Tibet together!
So, first thing to combat with is of course the Altitude sickness! Yes, the main detractor that makes many people re-considering whether to go Tibet or not. Indeed, I was worrying sick about this even before the planning started. Tibet Vista had provided me many information on how to mitigate this, so do ask Tibet Vista for their advice whenever you are in doubt.
Tourists were excited to take photos with the Tibetan Mastiff.
Choosing the Scenic Route: Expect the Journey to Lhasa by the Qinghai-Tibet Train
Next came to plan was on the decision whether to go Lhasa by plane or by train. One thing to note, foreigners are not able to get the Qinghai-Tibet Train ticket unless your passport has been verified by the train authority, and you have a China ready local mobile number. We went through the hassle of trying to get the Qinghai-Tibet Train ticket on our own but was unsuccessful.
Beautiful lakes can be found everywhere in Tibet.
So, Tibet Vista through third party agent helped us to get the Qinghai-Tibet Train ticket with some service fee. But be prepared to take on Hard Sleeper as Soft Sleeper is always sold out the moment the seats are released which makes that most likely unable to get it especially during the peak season period like in July when I had my Tibet trip!
After a long waiting and agony episode, we finally got the Train ticket though it was hard sleeper (just 2 days before our date to the Qinghai-Tibet Train service). We were fine as we wanted to mitigate the possibility of having altitude sickness by going slowly through the mountainous of the scenic sceneries!
Karola Glacier is known for its breathtaking beauty and awe-inspiring ice formations..
An Unexpected Change: Our Last-Minute Flight to Lhasa
Unfortunately, our Train service was suspended due to the flood! So, we resorted to get an air ticket last minute to fly in! Take note, you need your original Tibet travel permit from the agency in order to fly in. And Tibet Vista managed to courier the original Tibet travel permit to our hotel in time before our flight, phew!
The flight from Chongqing to Lhasa was approximately 2 hours. Upon touching down at Lhasa, both of my friends had experienced headache and giddiness while I was blessed with no altitude sickness symptoms at all! So LHASA! And we were finally here, touching down on the city that is nearest heaven yay! All the greenery with the mountainous landscape – it’s breath-taking!
The post office at Everest Base Camp, the highest post office in the world, allows you to send postcards from the summit of Mount Everest to friends and family around the globe.
Discovering Lhasa: From the Vibrant Bakhor Street to the Majestic Potala Palace
We were greeted by Tibet Vista guide who sent us to the hotel upon touching down at Lhasa. We explored the Bakhor street on our own after resting for few hours. The hotel we stayed was strategically located next to Bakhor Street which is definitely a must to visit - a place totally different from all other places where I had visited before. The rich culture, the religion, the strong beliefs that the people have, the colourful costumes and buildings!
Bakhor street is full of locals and tourists.
Our next destination, Potala Palace! The ultimate target of our visit in Tibet! What a magnificent palace indeed! Our tour guide explained along as we visited the impressive Potala Palace – the history, the background, the Lamas and the tombs! Unfortunately, one of my friends’ altitude sickness got worse and had no choice but returned to Chongqing after visiting the Potala Palace.
Here, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tibet Vista again for their assistance in sending my friend to hospital for inhaling oxygen after my friend had experienced of low oxygen level on our second day in Lhasa.
My travel companions and I in front of Potala Palace.
An Epic Adventure: Exploring Everest Base Camp, Tibetan Culture, and Scenic Wonders
Our other sightseeing places included Yamdrok Lake, the Korola Glacier, and all the monasteries and of course our another ultimate target Everest Base Camp throughout our 8-day tour in Tibet! The 108-turn leading to the Everest Base Camp all came into my view within the few days during our Tibet trip!
I was glad that we requested to upgrade to the Rongbuk Hotel instead of staying at the Everest Base Camp tent. The Rongbuk Hotel which was equipped with the oxygen and heated flooring inside the room with a big window mountain view! We could see the Everest peak from our hotel room window!
The stunning view of Yamdrok Lake.
The Tibetan food - yak meat, yak milk and yoghurt, butter tea, the lamb and many more food to try on! But if you have sensitive stomach like me or lactose in-tolerance, please do refrain from taking too much of yak milk/yoghurt products.
The animal – the yak and the mesmerizing Tibetan mastiff! I had eventually seen and tried all these during this visit!
To end my Tibet tour, I finally managed to take the hard sleeper train on my way back from Lhasa to Chengdu as I wanted to experience the mountainous journey which took a total of 36 hours!
Delicious Tibetan food was another highlight of this unforgettable journey.
Navigating the Journey: Insights and Tips from My Qinghai-Tibet Train Experience
From my experience on booking the Qinghai-Tibet train, I would advise anyone who wants to take the train, please get all the necessary documentation done and book earlier for Soft Sleeper berth instead as the Hard Sleeper is way below comfortable level as it does not allow a person to sit upright on the bed and there is no door hence there is no privacy and noise everywhere.
But all these experiences made my journey more memorable and be able to advise others better.
All these would not be possible without the advices and help from Tibet Vista throughout our planning since Day 1 which lasted from few months since May 24 till the fulfilment of our Tibet trip in mid-July! This is indeed once in a lifetime experience! An unforgettable experience that is with me forever for the rest of my life!
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