Discover Tibet

Traveler Reviews

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  Jude Garden

  November 13th, 2013
  4
  An amazing experience only disappointed by not getting to base camp due to weather conditions. It's the chance you...
  An amazing experience only disappointed by not getting to base camp due to weather conditions. It's the chance you take and you may not get to see Everest if weather turns for the worst. There are a lot of monasteries to see but each one did have something spectacular to look at. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Watching the pilgrims circling the Jokhang and seeing Potala Palace. The Yamdrok Tso green lake was fantastic. What did you think of your group leader? Keshar was amazing! He was so knowledgeable and experienced. He sorted out problems caused by the weather and nothing was too much trouble for him. He was always willing to take us out at night for meals and even became the waiter on many occasions. Made us feel very at ease. He was an inspirational guy. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for the tibean toilets as they are very basic and dirty. Take plenty toilet paper and antibacterial wipes and lotion as there is often no running water to wash your hands. Better to ask the guide to stop roadside for toilet stops! Every menu is the same in every restaurant you are in. There is a good choice of chinese food and the food is very cheap. Stick to vegetarian options or yak sizzlers were worth a try.There were a lot of long drives as the cars speed limit was very slow and we had to stop for check points along the way which slowed the journeys down. You can't take photos inside any monasteries unless you paid - the prices varied depending on the room. No photos at all inside Potala Palace and you can't take your Lonely Planet guide of Tibet into the country. Is there anything else you would like to add? Worth going to the viewpoint at the west side of the main square for fantastic views of the Potala Palace.Go to see it lit up at night with fountains dancing and the locals dancing to the music. Very friendly locals encourage you to join in. It is really cold at night in October the further you travel from Lhasa and the hotels often don't have heating or hot water so take hand warmers and sleeping bags to stay warm.Some accommodation was surprising good like in Lhasa and Shigaste but some are quite basic - especially the one in Xegar and the last one in Zhangmu - it was disappointing.If you are in a big group of 16 it can take a long time for meals to be prepared for you so there is often a lot of waiting about at meal times. Maximum size of trips would be better limited to 12 at the most.There are a lot of wild dogs in every town you visit but they don't bother you at all.Remember to slow down for the altitude - it might be worth taking diamox to help with the symptoms.Show more
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  Catherine Presto

  November 6th, 2013
  4
  It was at times challenging, aweinspiring, spiritual, fun and unforgettable! I got cold feet before I went but I am...
  It was at times challenging, aweinspiring, spiritual, fun and unforgettable! I got cold feet before I went but I am so glad I did this trip and I had more stamina than I thought! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? What can I say?  I will never forget being driven through the Himalayas, the vastness and majesty of the mountains, the beautiful lakes and of course the people of Nepal and Tibet.Standing in the Potala Palace feeling the spiritual energy flow through me, which I needed after huffing and puffing from the altitude up all the steps!Seeing the youth of Lhasa dancing in the square in the evening, in front of the Potala Palace, it gave me hope for the future.Riding on a horse, which I hadn't done for over 30 years, up a steep hill! What did you think of your group leader?  Our guide was very experienced and I felt reassured that if I had had any problems with the altitude then I would be in safe hands.  Everything was explained thoroughly and we were well looked after when the weather got difficult.He had a wealth of knowledge and expertise of both Nepal and Tibet and was deeply committed to his work. Thank you for all your care  Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared, some of the toilets are very basic!  Don't let that put you off, if you get into the spirit of the trip and open your heart, you will start to feel the magic of the spirit and energy of Nepal and Tibet. Try the yak sizzlers. Don't expect to cash travellers cheques in Nepal as they don't do it anymore there. Give yourself time to get used to the altitude and slow down!I used some altitude herbs that I got from the States when we got to 5,000 metres, and didn't have any problems    Is there anything else you would like to add? Sadly we weren't able to get to Mount Everest base camp due to the weather but it meant we had an extra day in Kathmandu which was great.If you have a yearning in your heart to go to Tibet, then you need to go.   It is changing a lot, this trip is a great opportunity to see the country and perhaps gain a greater understanding of its people and to allow the Himalayas to touch your heart.  Thank you everyone who was on the journey with me, it was fun as well!Show more
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  Tony Holloway

  November 5th, 2013
  4
  good trip with lots to see, although the failure to get to Everest Base Camp due to very bad weather conditions was a...
  good trip with lots to see, although the failure to get to Everest Base Camp due to very bad weather conditions was a big disappointment What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? seeing the Potala Palace 'in the flesh'scenery across the Himalayas What did you think of your group leader? excellent.  he had a difficult task when confronted with the bad weather problem, but he delivered on all fronts when things were not quite right Do you have any advice for potential travellers? be prepared for the weather to intervene! Is there anything else you would like to add? beware of taking the Everest flight trip from Kathmandu as we were very disappointed with itShow more
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  Stephen Bishop

  October 22nd, 2013
  3
  A little heavy on the monastery front but as there are few other cultural buildings of places to visit this is all...
  A little heavy on the monastery front but as there are few other cultural buildings of places to visit this is all there is. However many of them are incredible although the site of all of the money in buckets and boxes does get some getting used to. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? As we were unable to visit Everest Base Camp, the best moment would be the Potala Palace in Lhasa as it is a beautiful building rising high above the surrounding area. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader Keisher was excellent at all times especially when we experienced the problems with the bad weather and were unable to visit the Everest Base Camp and instead had to make haste back to Kathmandhu to escape the heavy snow and rain. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for all eventualities and for potential disappointments on what you may be able to visit due to changeable weather. Is there anything else you would like to add? With the exception of the final night in Zhangmu (Rongbruk excepted as we did not make it there) all of the accommodation was excellent - even better than expected. We were warned of basic accommodation at Zhangmu and whilst it was basic it was still good and had en-suite facilities. However, the food was poor and took a exceedingly long time to prepare.Do not be put off by the thought of the accommodation unless you are a 5* traveller.Show more
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  Sharon Cain

  June 25th, 2013
  4
  Spectacular scenery and inspiring culture What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The Potala at night,...
  Spectacular scenery and inspiring culture What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The Potala at night, and the off road journeys, especially the road from Pang La. Discovering Tsampa was a treat! What did you think of your group leader? Ok, however he always travelled in the same landcruiser so we didn't see that much of him during the Tibet part, so unlike the other reviewer I can't say I learnt as much as that person or the others from either him or the Tibetan guide. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Plan on stopping to see the Crystal Dzong near Tingre and other older ruins (we drove past the dzong, it would have been great to be able to take some shots) . Insist perhaps that the tibetan guide spends more time with the group after travelling as if the guides don't switch round one or more groups can receive little information during the long drives, and if the Tibetan guide then spends his evenings with the drivers, not much is learned. It would also be helpful if the information on e.g. photography charges at Tashilumpo and when the generator came on in Tingre was more accurate.  Is there anything else you would like to add? Good on giving time to take photographs and see the places rather than being taken shopping. The initial plan to have 4 or 5 people per landcruiser would have meant that some travellers were not restrained by seatbelts. The two hour delay to find another landcruiser in order that we were safe could have been avoided had these issues been considered. The hotel in Shigatse is awful.  The seatbelts in the coach that took us back to Kathmandu were so old they didn't work. The rooms at Rongbuk is in an awful wooden hut stuck on the side of the proper hotel. My room did not have a view of Everest like the others to compensate for the damp and cold, so not a great experience. Overall however I enjoyed my holiday, it did what I wanted!Show more
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  Owen Cheverton

  June 18th, 2013
  4
  An incredibly beautiful country, friendly people, fascinating culture. Highly recommend a visit to Tibet; be aware...
  An incredibly beautiful country, friendly people, fascinating culture. Highly recommend a visit to Tibet; be aware this trip is largely focussed on monasteries, with 2 days of mountain-viewing at the end. The altitude throughout Tibet also makes this trip physiologically tough, though beyond an optional trek to Base Camp and climbing numerous monastery steps there is not much physical exercise. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Night in a Tibetan guesthouse in Rombuk - stunning sunset/sunrise over Everest and views of the summit from our window! What did you think of your group leader? Gum was excellent - incredibly knowledgable in all areas from wildlife to Buddhist history. Went out of his way to accomodate the various requests of the group and ensure we were well fed and coping with the altitude. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you love Buddhism/monasteries, this trip is definitely for you. If you expect a slightly broader insight into Tibetan culture, or trekking/mountaineering, I'd look elsewhere.Recommend booking your own flights and spending a few days in Kathmandu at the beginning or end - wonderful city with lots of activities/sights/shopping, or excursions further into Nepal.If you are susceptible to altitude sickness I wouldn't recommend this trip.  Is there anything else you would like to add? I'd recommend Exodus review their itinerary for this trip - its appeal could be considerably broadened by including a wider range of Tibetan culture or lifestyle rather than just monasteries.Show more
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  Sylvia Brazenall

  April 28th, 2012
  4
  a pilgramage for me, facinating and eye opening experience friendly people and diverse scenery a mind challenging...
  a pilgramage for me, facinating and eye opening experience friendly people and diverse scenery a mind challenging adventure . perfect for lay budhists but other aspects of the trip were equally engoyable and facinating .small group which was perfect in this instance.guide leaders experience and personality made the trip perfect What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? spiritual moments at a temple,the compassion and calmness within the local tibetan people and the unity of their philosophies. What did you think of your group leader? an amazing man oozing with compassion for his country, and fellow man. vast experience sensitive and humourous.could pitch at all levels. very helpfull Do you have any advice for potential travellers? read up on basic budhist philosophy if interested as it is taught diferently in the west  allthough the principles are the same  there is such a wealth of information in its homeland that it could become overwhelming without some basic grounding. no problems with money food or locals plenty of things to do and visit .what are you waiting for ...go book it Is there anything else you would like to add? has the potential for mind blowing insight if youre prepared  to relinquish pre learned thought processesShow more
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  Peter Bladd

  April 17th, 2012
  3
  Bit of an overload on monastary visits, and probably a bit light on other views on Tibetian culture - but the views...
  Bit of an overload on monastary visits, and probably a bit light on other views on Tibetian culture - but the views are between good and stunning, except perhaps for the Chinese architecture What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Its between the Potala Palace, and Everest Base Camp. One was warm and sunny, one was very cold and chilly, with clouds shielding the summit - no one can account for the weather. What did you think of your group leader? Brilliant. Kesher was communicative, knowledgeable and helpful throughout. When some of our group suffered with altitude he was caring and sympathetic throughout. Really good guy. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is a big country and whether by bus or 4 x 4 its a long, long journey through Tibet. You need to be comfortable with hours of travel a day, this is not a massively active holiday - only when getting into and out of Base Camp will you have a real chance to stretch your legs and get a bit of trekking done. Is there anything else you would like to add? See Tibet soon before its culture changes forever with influences from the east. The countryside is beautiful, mountains majestic, people friendly, food quite acceptable especially if you like curry and soup and cheap beer.Show more
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  Julie Vowles

  January 20th, 2012
  5
  This was an absolutely fabulous trip and lived up to all our expectations and leaves us with some amazing memories...
  This was an absolutely fabulous trip and lived up to all our expectations and leaves us with some amazing memories that will last a lifetime. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Everest ! seeing it for the first time was breath taking - having said that , every day had its high point whether it was sitting at base camp, taking in a view over the mountain range, a lake , a monastery or the potala palace there was never a dull moment. What did you think of your group leader? Our tour leader Keshar was brilliant - great company and kept us well informed what to expect and how to prepar for the days adventure.  His local and wider knowledge added a great deal to our experience.He really looked after us, and dealt with our questions and queries quickly and sensitively and we hope to travel with him again. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't just think about it - do it !  I'm sure you will be glad you did.  There are many schools of thought regarding medication especially for altitude sickness and all have valid view, but for me anyway,  I would say take something with you - that way you will be prepared should you need it. Is there anything else you would like to add? We were very very lucky with our group, we all seemed to get along so well - and it made the trip even more brilliant. We thought Exodus were great and would certainly book with them again.Show more
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  Andrew To

  November 2nd, 2011
  5
  An extraordinary and enriching journey across the Tibetan Plateau. An adventure like no other that combines the...
  An extraordinary and enriching journey across the Tibetan Plateau. An adventure like no other that combines the remote high altitude deserts of Tibet and the fascinating gorges of Nepal. Visits to ancient monasteries will leave you culturally enlightened and of course the unparalleled vistas of Mount Everest (or Qomolangma as the Tibetans call it) from its base camp will be one of the best experiences of your life. You will be literally (and metaphorically) on top of the world. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Easily, the visit to Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk monastery was the most inspirational moments of the trip.  I was lucky enough to observe Mount Everest against a cloudless sky at both sunset and sunrise.  Notwithstanding the subzero outside temperatures, I ensured that I made the most of my time with nature’s highest peak.  Another inspirational moment was when we were invited inside Rongbuk monastery at sunset to listen to the Buddhist monks and nuns chanting the sutras. The heat from the warm glowing yak butter candles was very much welcomed and created the perfect spiritual atmosphere which left me enlightened. In addition to the above, there were other personal inspirational moments such as witnessing the dedication of the Tibetan pilgrims at the Barkhor and Jokhang before sunrise, and of course, the journey across the Tibetan Plateau, which offered stunning landscapes that I never knew existed. What did you think of your group leader? Our leader, Keshar Khadka was exceptional.  I felt extremely reassured that he was leading the trip as I had previously read positive comments about him.   He is friendly, extremely organised, informative, knowledgeable and passionate about the countries that we visited.  He went above and beyond his duties to ensure that the group was enjoying the adventure and looked after those that required a little help because of the altitude. A true credit to Exodus and the local agent.  Thank you very much Keshar for making the trip a fantastic one and I hope that your efforts are commended. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you are looking for an adventure of a lifetime, this trip is for you.  Not many people can say that they have visited Mount Everest or its base camp. I am so glad that I made the trip.  My only advice is to perhaps check with your GP before booking this trip.   As the trip notes state, travel at altitude needs to be taken into consideration.  I am no medical expert, but I would recommend (for your own peace of mind) obtaining a prescription of Diamox (Altitude sickness medication) from your GP.  The chances are that you may not need to use it, but you will have the medication should require it.  Keep well hydrated by drinking lots of water and remember to take things easy whilst at altitude.  The highest point on this trip is c.5224m above sea level, which is pretty high!  Luckily, none of the group members required evacuation to a lower altitude. Is there anything else you would like to add? One of the best travel experiences of my life so far.  Tibet is known as the ‘forbidden land’ that is guarded by the great Himalayan range.  Its sheer remoteness and mystery attracted me to visit this intriguing country.  Tibet is a treasure chest of stunning landscapes, exceptionally clear blue skies, turquoise lakes with much of its beautiful Tibetan architecture still intact despite the cultural revolution by the Chinese.  I was very fortunate to have witnessed the traditional way of Tibetan life, but only just.  Tibet is changing fast and is becoming more modern.  Don’t delay.  Book the trip now!   I took this trip in October 2011 and it was very cold at altitude in particular at Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp, so thermals are a must.  However, in Nepal the temperatures were quite high – 30c so a mixture of warm and cold weather clothing is required for this month.   I was also fortunate to be travelling with a great bunch of people and had plenty of laughs along the way.  This trip also involves a short taster of Nepal, which will leave you wanting to book a trip to see more.   Finally, if you are interested, you can see a collection of the photographs that I took along the way at: http://www.exodus.co.uk/photos/album/2414 Thanks ExodusShow more