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Cycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu

COUNTRY:
Nepal, Tibet
HOLIDAY TYPE:
Challenging / hard core mountain biking holidays
DEPARTURES:
This trip can be tailor made to run on a private group basis. Please enquire to arrange departures.
PRICE:
From €1550 (24 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:
Price depends on number of travellers. Includes transfer, sightseeing and entry fees in Lhasa, transport, accommodation, guide. Flight costs: Kathmandu-Lhasa €255 or Chengdu-Lhasa €195. Tibet visa cost: €35
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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Cycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Cycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu

How this holiday makes a difference

- We use Tibetan drivers and interpreter/guide
- Privately owned Tibetan owned hotels unless clients request 4 or 5 star accommodation in Lhasa
- Option to visit and support Project for the Blind, Lhasa
- Proper waste disposal – encouraged to refill water bottles. Plastic water bottles all returned to Lhasa for recycling. Responsible Travel guidelines distributed to all travellers. Project Support
Project for the Blind commenced in 1998 in Lhasa with the opening of the first rehabilitation and training center for the blind in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Groups are encouraged to visit and make contributions both through interaction and financial. The main goal is the integration and acceptation of the blind in the Tibetan society, through the four major projects:
- Implementation of a preparatory school for blind children
- Production of educational materials for the blind.
- Preparation of a reintegration program, facilitating the return to local schools and home life.
- Realization of a vocational training which gives blind people an opportunity and skills to generate their own income. Schools
Whilst remote schools are financially supported by the government access to learning materials is often restricted by access to cities to purchase supplies. In some villages, eg Samye, leaders have developed relations with schools and purchase materials (exercise books, pencils etc) in Lhasa for delivery to the school. This is administered on an order taken on one visit, materials delivered next visit basis to ensure schools receive exactly what they need (learning to write in 3 very different scripts means differently ruled exercise books for each). Groups are offered the option to contribute to or cover the cost of such purchases.

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Cycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Reviewed 17 Sep 2007 by Barbara Noseworthy3 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


The bicycle riding was wonderful. We covered 45-60 miles every day and I enjoyed the physical exercise very much. The Nepalese camp crew and cook were awesome -- they worked hard to make our trip so enjoyable.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


I would make certain you have trained for bike riding, know how to repair your bike, and are comfortable riding alone for long distances.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Not really. Yes, we put money into the local economy, but I didn't see any impact of it benefiting those in greatest need. Also, I was not pleased at all with the Tibetan guide service on this trip. We did not get into to see the Potala Palace and several other monasteries (the guide couldn't get tickets), the Tibet guide did not help with any of the camp activities, and his information about how far we needed to bike was incorrect several times. In Lhasa, we were taken to one of the guide's friends' shops. Instead, we could have been directed to the women's foundation or the local artisans cooperative -- both of which I found while walking, on my own, in Lhasa.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


3 stars. I would recommend it to others, with a caveat not to expect much in the way of service from the Tibetan guides.

Read the operator's response here:

Benefiting local people means we use the services of the local Tibetan guides, local truck drivers during the entire holiday trip in Tibet for the clients. This way the local Tibetans benefit financially. Due to the introduction of the railway service in Lhasa, the flow of tourists (domestic+international) increased and the local good guides were not enough to serve the clients. There were a few left who we were bound to hire. We really feel sorry for the inconvenience caused to the clients due to poor service of the Tibetan guide.

Having trouble to see the Potala palace and other monasteries for the clients was due to the overflow of tourists in the peak season. The limited number of tourists to be allowed entry into the Potala palace each day is 1200 only but the number of tourists rose to 3,000 each day during the time. So, the clients were not able to visit the Potala Palace & monasteries.
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