In’s and Out’s of Getting a Tibet Permit

With all the travel to China for the Olympics, the rules have changed to get a Chinese visa, which impacts many people traveling to Tibet.  Here is everything you need to know to get your Tibet travel permit and your Chinese visa.

Tibet

All travelers going to Tibet will need a travel permit for Tibet, which must be arranged for you by a local tour operator. If you are traveling through China to get to Tibet, you will also need to get a Chinese visa ahead of time. If you are traveling through Nepal, then you do not get a Chinese visa ahead of time.

The travel permit to Tibet will be handled for you as they can only be issued in Nepal or China. The visa is $135/person for U.S. citizens and $45/person for all other countries, subject to change.

Barkhor Square with Potala Palace in the distance

China

The Chinese visa must be acquired before arrival if you are flying through a Chinese city that is not Lhasa.

You either need to apply for your visa at a Chinese visa consulate in person, or you need to use a visa service (you cannot mail in for a visa).

You will need to send in the following to apply for your Chinese visa:

1. Passport – must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip and must have at least 2 blank pages (remember you may need more blank pages if you are going to Nepal or Bhutan or elsewhere).
2. Chinese visa application form – do not mention Tibet or Hong Kong on your application form or it will be denied. You must list your hotel and contact information.
3. Flight itinerary – must show flight into Chengdu, no exit flight is necessary.
4. Hotel confirmation – we will send you this for your hotel in Chengdu.
5. One passport size photo — 2” x 2” on white background.
6. Visa service application form
7. Photocopies of all documents – keep on file.

Unless you are requesting rush service, allow 7 business days for processing, which does not include shipping time. We recommend that you send your visa application by FedEx or certified mail to protect your passport.

• Sample Chinese Visa Application >>

Tour the Himalayas with scholar John Bellezza

Adventures Within Reach is offering two trips with archaeologist John Bellezza in 2009 — one to remote regions of Tibet in May and one to the forbidden kingdom of Mustang, Nepal in September.

John Vincent Bellezza is a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia where he specializes in the pre-Buddhist phase of Tibetan civilization. Bellezza, a fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies and Explorer’s Club, has spent 25 years exploring the most remote parts of the Great Western Himalaya and Tibet. No ordinary academic, John is a great story teller and entertainer, skills he developed during his long years of wandering around the Himalaya. His latest book, “Zhang Zhung: Foundations of Civilization in Tibet”, provides comprehensive treatment of the pre-Buddhist civilization he discovered single-handedly.

View of Himalayas from Pokhara

The Tibet Looking Glass trip is a unique opportunity to see Tibetan civilization in all its splendor with John Vincent Bellezza, one of the world’s leading authorities. From Buddhist monasteries to Eurasian animal art, this journey reveals Tibet in all her depth.

The Mustang trip gives you the opportunity to go to the places where few have been before. Most of the trek keeps to arid, high deserts inhabited mostly by people of Tibetan stock. The men folk are either traders or farmers while the women mostly tend the fields. Along with insights into the everyday lives of the people of “Lo” you will have the opportunity to witness their vibrant culture and also a chance to get a look at Lamaistic Buddhism little changed by time.

Tour the Himalayas with John Bellezza >>

Videos from Kilimanjaro and Tanzania Safari

Great videos from Kilimanjaro and Tanzania safari in June 2008!

Welcoming to Camp Mawenzi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsmiOu7_nTo

Lake Manyara zebras
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QpnVNI048A

Lake Manyara baboons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8hR6cIEK44

Lake Manyara elephant herd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUHwA0y2avk

Leopard with dinner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUAVS78YRrE

Hippo pool in the rain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqkQg0gWbcQ

Lioness and cub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyBypxyrVOE

Group on safari in Tanzania

Everything you ever wanted to know about getting to Machu Picchu

GETTING THERE

To get to Machu Picchu, you take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) to the village of Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). From there, you take a shuttle bus 9km to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary itself. By train and shuttle is the only way to get to the ruins.

TRAINS

There are three types of trains that go to Aguas Calientes: a backpacker train, the VistaDome, and the Hiram Bingham train.

Most people take the VistaDome train which has glass windows in the roof, so you can see out and enjoy the view. The backpacker train is cheaper and makes many more stops but is still very comfortable. Both trains have multiple departures daily up and back from Cusco and from Ollantytambo. Transfer to the train station is included.

The Hiram Bingham train is very luxurious — and has a price tag to match (about $375/person one-way). This train includes a gourmet brunch served on the train, afternoon tea served at the Sanctuary Lodge overlooking the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, and a gourmet dinner on board during your return trip.

This only one departure daily excluding Sundays — morning departure from Cusco and late afternoon departure from Aguas Calientes. This train departs from the Poroy Station just outside Cusco, so you will need a transfer to the station. You can spend the night in Aguas Calientes or the Sanctuary Lodge and the take the train over two days.

The VistaDome and Hiram Bingham trains can fill up — especially in July and August. If the train you want is full, you may have to start or end in Ollantytambo and take a bus to/from there, or you will have to take the backpacker train one-way on your trip.

Train in Aguas Calientes

MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOURS

Our tours include a half-day guided tour of Machu Picchu with a local guide. The Hiram Bingham train includes a half day guided tour as well as narration on the train.

If you spend more time in the Machu Picchu area, you will be on your own to explore the ruins or the village area. You may want a guide book to make the most of your visit.

PLANNING YOUR DAY

Most people visit Machu Picchu in a day. Therefore, it is busiest from 10am until 2pm. If you want to visit the ruins when it is not so crowded (to get better pictures), you may want to spend the night so that you can visit later in the afternoon or first thing in the morning.

There are many great treks around Machu Picchu. The most popular is to Wayna Picchu, the hill you see above the ruins. There are only 500 tickets given out each day, which are free, but you will want to get one as soon as possible before they run out (your guide can help you with this).

There are other interesting hikes around Machu Picchu. Many people like to hike back towards the Inca Trail to get pictures from the Sun Gate. Many guide books describe all the different hiking trails in the area, but some are closed due to landslides. Check with a local guide for information on which trails are still open.

WHERE TO STAY

We can book any hotel in the Aguas Calientes area that you wish. The most popular are

The Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located right at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and is the most luxurious in the area.

The Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a 4-star hotel centrally located in Aguas Calientes.

The Machu Picchu Inn is a high-end 3-star hotel centrally located in Aguas Calientes.

The El Presidente is a comfortable 3-star backpacker hotel centrally located in Aguas Calientes.

AGUAS CALIENTES

Aguas Calientes is a small village with a nice local crafts market and small, interesting churches. There are hot springs near by, which are open to the public for a nominal fee.

Climbing Kilimanjaro for the Prostate Awareness Foundation

In September 2008, a group of 8 men and women will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft) to raise funding for education and outreach programs for the Prostate Awareness Foundation.

This expedition has two primary objectives: 1) raise critically needed funding for education and outreach programs, and 2) inspire men and their families with a message of hope. Prostate cancer will affect one in five families in the United States and has reached epidemic proportions.

The Prostate Awareness Foundation, the non-profit organization that sponsors these expeditions provides men and their families with information about available treatment options both conventional and alternative. It also offers guidance about preventative measures, nutritional support and stress management techniques. The object is to help men and their families take a proactive approach to good prostate health.

“Climbing Kilimanjaro is a very popular and successful way of raising money and awareness to charitable causes,” says Robin Paschall, owner of Adventures Within Reach. “We help charity climbs with group rates, promotion, travel arrangements, and ensure a safe and incredible experience.”

This is the 7th year for these “Prostate Cancer Climbs”. Prior climbs have raised over $400,000 USD for prostate cancer awareness and education programs. The expeditions started in 2001 and have included Mt. Aconcagua, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Yosemite, the Colorado Rockies, Mt. Blanc, and El Misti.

Ken Malik who is the operations manager for both expeditions is also the co-founder of PAF and a thirteen year veteran of prostate cancer. Ken says that “This year’s expedition will send a message to men and their families dealing with prostate cancer that there can be a rich and rewarding life after diagnosis.”

The group will be climbing Kilimanjaro on the 6-day Marangu Route. The men and women on the climb come from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Idaho, and Florida and range in age from early 30’s to early 60’s.

Mount Kilimanjaro, located three degrees south of the equator in northeastern Tanzania, is the tallest mountain in Africa, and the highest freestanding mountain in the world. “Kilimanjaro is our hottest destination,” says Paschall. “Of the famous ‘Seven Summits,’ this is the easiest to get to and the easiest to climb. It requires no technical climbing experience, and any moderately fit person can summit the mountain.”

The Marangu Route, also called the Coca-Cola Route, is the most popular route to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. It takes a minimum of 5 days to complete, and trekkers sleep in huts with simple beds. Although the climb is not a technical climb, summit day is long, strenuous and at high elevation.

Kilimanjaro Marathon

The 2009 Kilimanjaro Marathon has been scheduled for February 22. There is a full marathon, a half-marathon, and 5k fun run, so there is something for everyone.

The course starts and ends in the town of Moshi and goes uphill towards Mt. Kilimanjaro (from 2600 feet / 800 meters up to about 3700 feet / 1120 meters).  Racers have amazing views as they run through local villages, farms, banana and coffee plantations, and forests with lots of local villagers to cheer you on.  The race is fully supported with water/aid stations and medical support.  The finish is the Moshi Stadium with bands, spectators, and lots of prizes to welcome you back.

To round out your marathon experience, add a Kilimanjaro trek and safari.  February is a fantastic time to visit Tanzania.  The migration is typically in the southern Serengeti or northern Ngorongoro area, so it is easy to get to, and the weather is usually warm and sunny.

We have a sample Kilimanjaro Marathon itinerary with a 7-day Kilimanjaro trek, 5-day lodge safari, and extra days to prepare for and recover from your race.

• Starting at $3420/person

Plan now and start your training!

Climbing Kilimanjaro