General Information FAQ

What is a private tour?

Private tour is contrary of group tour. For the private tour, your tour group ( only the members in your group) will have a private guide, car, driver only provides the service for you. You will have much more freedom and control of your own tours.

Private cars

There will be only your group members, guide, and driver will be in the car. No strangers share the car with you. So you can have more freedom to decide where to stop to take a picture.

Private local tour guide

An English-speaking guide is available for your group in each city or town that you visit. The guide will take care of all tour arrangements. We mostly use local guides for our groups because they know better about their culture and history.

Private driver

An experienced driver is transfering you in each city or town. Your travel safety is the first concern of our company.

Flexible tour arrangements

Private tour does not have fixed departure place and date. You can choose anytime you're free to travel from anywhere you're convenient. And you can design your itineraries according to your interests. This gives you the flexibility to change the visiting order or extend visiting time of some attractions.

When is the best time to visit Tibet?

The best period to visit Tibet can be from early April to late October because the weather in Tibet would be nice during that time, neither too cold nor too hot; From Nov. to Feb, some sightseeing places are not available to visit because of the snow. Actually, March and April is also a good time to visit, weather is nice, and less tourists.

What's the weather like in Tibet and how can it affect the travel there?

Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Tingri - Nylam

Along this Friendship highway (Lhasa to Katmandu), it is basically in good condition all year around.

Mt. Everest Area

Early May and early October are the best time to visit Mt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to see Mt. Everest's true face. From December to February next year, it will be extremely cold, but you can still go there, just avoiding staying overnight at Mt. Everst.

Ngari (Mt. Kailash)

Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable. Big rain and snow could make the journey worse. However, for those determined tourists, especially some pilgrims, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October.

Northern Tibet

Summer (July to August) is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.

Eastern Tibet

It is not suggested to go to this area in July or August (the rainy season) because the rain could ruin the road. In winter, the heavy snow could block the way.

What do you suggest we bring with us if we travel to China?

For the clothing, it determined by when and where you will be traveled. But usually we suggest casual attire style and layered clothing. In day time you may need only a T-shirt or at most a jacket, but at night you might need a coat. Down coat is necessary if you go beyond Lhasa and Shigatse to remote areas, the Everest Camp or further to Mt. Kailash.

If you are going to Tibet, sun glasses, sun blocking cream, moisture scream are very necessary to be in your packing list because Lhasa is famous about its heavy sunshine.

Can you define the high season, the shoulder season and the low season?

High season is the most popular time for tourism industry in China. Therefore hotels, airlines and travel agencies are heavily booked, and prices are higher than at other times. Shoulder season is the transitional period between high season and low season. Prices are lower than high season but higher low season. Low season is normally considered the winter time in China when business goes slow and less travelers can be found.

The seasons are usually defined as follows:

High season

July 1 to October 15, especially hot during the Nationa Holiday, the golden week in China

Shoulder season

April 1 to June 30

Low season

October 16 to March 31

What currency is used in China?

The currency circulated in China is Chinese Yuan (aka RMB). Banks and some hotels provide 'currency exchange' services.

Is it easy to find an ATM in China?

There will be no problem for you to find an ATM in big cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, even in Lhasa. But it will be hard to find in some rural places. If you're taking our classic tours, there will be no problem. But if you're taking adventure tours or overland tours, we suggest you withdraw enough money when you're in the big cities.

What credit cards are accepted in CHINA?

Actually it is often possible to use in big citis in China, like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, even in Lhasa. Most of the international credit cards are usable in China, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's club, and the JCB card. Credit cards are accepted only in some large stores. Credit card logos are usually displayed in the visible place in shops and hotels indicating which credit cards are acceptable.