4 independent reviews for Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour
Reviews for Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour
Simon Whittle review 3 Dec 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The jeep trip from Tibet down into Nepal.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't bring a Lonely Planet Guide into China as it is likely to be confiscated on exit!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - we gave local people employment. I also carbon offset the flight costs to minimise the environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good and good value. Leon, is an organisational genius so many thanks to him and his colleagues!Read the operator's response here:
Dear Simon Whittle,
Thank you very much for your comments.
Best Regards,
Leon
Gunnjona Gudmundsdottir review 4 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole trip was quite unique. To travel in Tibet at 5000 meters high, to feel the hight and see the ancient Tibetan culture. I would have liked to see more Tibetan culture, like farming and people in the countryside. The temples were impressive as well as the landscape and the Tibetan people. The Potala Palace and the old city of Lasha were very memorable and to see the ordinary people praying in the temples was great. Also, see the monks debating. But I did not like to see all the money in the temples. I searched for a hat with the name Tibet but didn't find any and I felt so sorry about it.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Read about Tibet before you go there and be in warm clothing.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, I think more tourism is needed to help the Tibetian people to look after their culture. I did not like how the Tibetian culture has been wiped out in some places, like Kyirong.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The trip is once in a lifetime trip for me. I am very glad that I could go there. I want to thank Leon Zhang from the tour operator for his very good and informative communication. He always answered my questions right away and helped to solve the problem. When we came to Kathmandu, a representative of the tour operator was here to greet us and we could not call from our mobile phones so I sent him an email and he responded right away and asked us to wait at the airport.Tony Davies review 13 Nov 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The drive down the zigzag road and on to Everest Base Camp2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take Diamox to counter altitude sickness3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Meals were usually at smaller family owned restaurants4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Thoroughly enjoyed the tripRead the operator's response here:
Thank you very much for your feedback.
Gillian Gillanders review 21 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I was equally enthralled by the beauty of the Tibetan countryside and the wonderful monasteries, and surprised by the friendliness of the Tibetan people.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Mid-late October is an ideal time to go, with beautiful autumn colouring, and fewer crowds than in the summer. You need to be fit and healthy to cope with the altitude and the considerable climbing involved in exploring the monasteries. Be prepared for some discomfort. A relaxed attitude towards the unexpected helps!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I did not feel that the holiday benefited local people at all. We stayed in hotels owned and run by Chinese (possibly there were no Tibetan run ones of a suitable standard). Less excusably we always ate in Chinese or Nepali restaurants, when Tibetan ones existed and would have been much preferred by the group. We were constantly plied with bottled water, whereas boiled or filtered water would have been less environmentally damaging.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The trip was well organised and honestly described. The tour company have high standards of customer service and I would not hesitate to recommend them. My main criticism is that the itinerary was too tight, given the large distances to be covered and the chances of delays. An extra day would have allowed more time for sightseeing and provided better value for money overall.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you very much for your comments.
About point 3:
1. We used Tibetan tour guide, driver and tourist bus for the group.
2. The hotels are registerred in Tibet tourism bureau and need pay tax to TTB and the money will be used in infrastructure of Tibet, incl. road building,
school, etc.
3. For the meals, we did not arrange in advance. Our Tibetan tour guide will recommend clients to eat during the trip. There are many restaurants to choose.
4. We offer bottled water and boiled water on the road. But boiled water is not enough because it need get from restaurant. On the bus, there is no method to boil water. So, we have to prepare some bottled water in advance.
Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
