PLANNING & PREPARATION

Since this pilgrimage is nothing short of an expedition. It demands good health and physical fitness. Those with a history of blood pressure, diabetes, heart ailments, epilepsy and asthma should avoid this journey or consult their personal physician for advice if they wish to dare. Awareness to the uncommon demands and situations faced during the pilgrimage is essential to complete the spiritual voyage successfully with confidence. Once the pilgrimage commences the panoramic Himalayas and Tibet cocoon it in their effulgence and they drift beyond the reach of a conventional world. A proper and disciplined planning would ensure that every pilgrim returns home spiritually enriched. We are glad to provide you with all the necessary information and broad guidelines, but it is advisable for each one to organize oneself according to individual needs and preferences.

HEALTH

Those in good health should have no difficulty traveling to this region. Due to the high altitude of this area, travelers may experience the effect of altitude sickness, which is characterized by mild headaches, nausea and loss of appetite. Altitude sickness can be reduced by frequently drinking non-alcoholic liquids such as water and juice, 3 to 4 litres a day. Travelers are reminded to protect themselves from the strong sun light which can cause sun burn. Those with health conditions including asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy and cardiac problems should seek doctor’s approval before embarking on this journey.

PARTICIPATION DETAILS

The application form has to be duly filled. (Click here for Application Form)

A passport size photograph has to be affixed on the application form and 2 extra copies enclosed.

A medical certificate from a recognized physician certifying that you are fit to travel at an altitude of 19000 feet has to be enclosed.

All desiring pilgrims must hold valid passports. The photostat copies of the passport have to be submitted at the time of confirmirming your booking . All Indian passport holders would be required to submit their original passports to us 15 days prior to their departure. The passports would be handed over to the yatris before their date of departure.

A demand draft / cheque of Rs. 10,000 favoring ‘Leisure Port Tours and Travels’ payable at Mumbai on booking and balance to be paid at least 45 days prior to the departure.

Incase of foreign participants and NRIs the remittance of 100% tour cost should reach us at least 45 days prior to departure.

Participants are responsible for complying with all formalities required by Nepalese and Chinese authorities en route. Any participant carrying unlawful drugs, political propaganda, firearms or banned published materials will immediately be excluded from the tour.

DOCUMENTS

All related documents should be updated for your travel. A valid passport is necessary and photostat copies of the same must be sent to us at least a month in advance to obtain Chinese Visa. Traveler’s cheques, credit cards, and Indian currency (except Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 currency notes) are transacted in Nepal. It is advisable to keep photostat copies of the passport and the articles mentioned below with you at all times during the journey.

Airline / Railway tickets / vouchers.
Identity Card / Visiting cards.
Diary / notebooks / ball pens.
Passport / traveler’s cheques / currency.
Maps / charts / books of the area.
Any other documents required for personal use.
A waist pouch to carry all the above-mentioned articles.

EMERGENCY

The weather in Tibet and the border areas of Nepal is unpredictable during the pilgrimage period. Incase of landslides it becomes mandatory to change vehicles which is an additional cost to us. The same has to be borne collectively by the pilgrims. Every pilgrim should be able to carry their own daypack/handbag incase of landslide. Oxygen cylinders with mask and regulator sets are always carried by us and are provided only when necessary. We carry Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) or Gamow Bag along with us but the use is restricted only if the evacuation of the pilgrim to Kathmandu is necessary.

INSURANCE

It is advisable for all travelers to Tibet to have a comprehensive travel protection insurance that includes curtailment of tour, helicopter evacuation and other medical emergencies. The Photostat details should be provided to us so that incase of emergency the same could forwarded to the concerned agent/insurance company.

COMMUNICATION

We at LEISURE PORT understand the importance of being in touch with your dear and near ones.You could leave behind our office contact details with your family back home incase of any urgency. Our office will ensure that your messages are conveyed.Public Telephone booths are available at all our halt destinations except for Dirapuk and Zuthulpuk. Your cellphone too will be accessible except for the 2 places mentoned. Kindly check the international roaming charges applicable on your network. The daily movement of the touring group will be updated on our website, and a notification will be sent on the email address provided by you.

Roads in Tibet are mostly unpaved even though there is an improvement every passing year. Overland travel in Nepal will be in a private bus and in Tibet in land cruisers (4WD). A truck is provided to carry all the equipments, foodstuff and luggage. Luggage must be kept minimum to a handbag in the jeep.

CURRENCY

RENMINBI, the official Chinese currency used by the Tibetans is circulated in denominations (notes) of 1,2,5,10,100 Yuan, 1,2 and 5 jiao and coins of 1,2 and 5 fen. 1 Yuan is equivalent to 10 jiao or approximately INR 8. It is advisable to carry Chinese Yuan to avoid unhealthy rates and futile bargaining at the Kodari Border or at Zhangmu.

CATERING

While on the journey in Tibet we serve only vegetarian meals. We serve hot breakfast every morning, which would include tea, coffee, milk, drinking chocolate, cereals etc. Packed lunch would be provided while traveling and hot dinner with tasty soup will be served for dinner. The meals served to you will be typical Indian in taste and variety. We are competent enough to provide any type of cuisine (Chinese, Continental etc.) Any recommendation/suggestion or requirement in terms of catering has to be passed on to us at the time of your reservation. Boiled water / mineral water can be filled in your personal water bottles/flasks every day before and after our daily journey.

BRIEFING AND ORIENTATION

Our team would be more than willing to provide all the information about the pilgrimage whenever required by you. We have a well-trained and hospitable team to accompany you in Tibet. Our friendly and courteous staff will always serve you with a smiling face. Our staff and guides are all experienced having scaled peaks over 8000 mts. The team leader accompanying you on your trip to Tibet will conduct a complete briefing and re-examination of your accessories on your arrival in Kathmandu. Any last minute alterations or additions can be taken care of in Kathmandu.

RECOMMENDED MEDICINES

Multi-vitamin capsules Crepe bandage / cotton for dressing wounds / band-aid Laxative Vicks vaporub / inhaler / eucalyptus oil, camphor etc. Isabgol, Digene, Pudin Hara Diamox tablets Analgesic and antipyretic (Crocin, Dispirin etc. ) Listerene / mouth fresheners Vitamin C supplements / tablets / Iodex / Moov / Tiger Balm etc. Cologne Dettol / Savlon Garlic pills Vaseline / Chapstick Sunscreen lotion, body lotion, mustard oil and other moisturizers Strepsils / Kanthil Soap, paper soap and other toiletries Glucose / Electral powder

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

Lightweight suitcase and travel bag Towels Pure wool and thick cotton socks Hot water bottles and bag Long Johns or full thermal wear of wool or mixed combinations 2 pairs of ked / boots (very light, skid-proof, water resistant, ankle protection and soft interior) Down jacket (light, quilted and well-insulated) Wind cheaters / umbrella / raincoat with hood Woolen pullovers / polo neck Black and Dark Sunglasses with a chain, conventional spectacles Thick woolen trousers Contact lens is not advisable during the journey Warm & light gloves (woolen and leather) Facial tissues Caps (sun, snow and rain protection) Eye masks Woolen monkey cap Earmuffs Scarf Dust cover (surgeon’s mask ). Cotton undergarments

EQUIPMENTS

Personal jewellery must be kept to minimum Camera with spare roll and cells Torch with spare cells (water-proof, powerful and preferably one head torch) Pocket cassette recorder to listen to music, prayers etc. during travel and to record daily events Video camera with charged cells and spare cassettes Binoculars Plastic glass or mug Thermos flak Swiss multipurpose knife Small plastic bags Leak proof plastic water bottles / cans for carrying water from Lake Manas Sarovar and Gauri Kund Candles, lighter, match box. A video camera (Handy Cam) can be carried to Tibet but it is advisable to get it noted at the time of departure in your home country.

RISK AND LIABILITY

We always put all our efforts into making the tour smooth, pleasant and spiritually enriching.The tour programmes to the Kailash Region are conducted under the rules and regulations of Tibet Tourism Bureau. The Chinese authorities strictly supervise the tour to Kailash Manas Sarovar and Leisure Port will not be responsible for any changes in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstances such as landslides, road blockade, flood, snow, political unrest, cancellation of flights,sickness accidents etc. Any extra cost arising due to the above mentioned factors shall be borne by the Yatris/passengers.