I'm planning to go to Tibet in the next few months and I
wanted to know what level of fitness do you have to have in
order to really enjoy the place? I want to do some treks
(to Everest base camp and around Mt. Kailish) and just
generally walk as much as possible. If I spend a week or
so in Llasa will I be acclimatised enough to do this?
I'm 20 and moderately fit.
Also has anyone had any luck getting a 90 day visa from the
Hong Kong office? I read in the L.P book that this was
possible, and I just wanted to know if anyone has had any
success at this. Thanks.
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Spent some time in Nepal last year and had a really great
time. Probably don't need to be *very* fit to go, given that
trekking days are short to allow for acclimitisation, and
you'll get fit pretty quickly. Having said that, you'd
probably enjoy it more with a reasonable degree of fitness,
rather than huffing and puffing half the time!!
.
Can't help you with the rest, seeing as I am not in Hong
Kong, or been to Tibet. However, may I recommend going to
Gokyo, which is very much prettier than Everest Base Camp -
there's nothing to see there unless there are expeditions
(around Feb-Mar), and Kala Patar isn't much to look at
either. But that's my opinion :-)
.
Cheers, and have fun!!
Dave
PS: Join the travel mailing list, e-mail:
peanutz73@yahoo.com
In the last post, note that Gokyo, Kala Pattar, and BC
Dave is talking about are in Nepal, not Tibet. BC in
Tibet is very scenic (if the weather is decent at least) and
the Rongbuk Monastery near there
is quite a nice place to stay. There's no problem with
fitness as such in doing any of the things you suggest -
it's just level and hilly walking - the key, as you
indicate, is acclimatisation. A week in Lhasa should be
fine for this but BC and one ridge on the Kailash circuit
are above 5000m. The majority of people will have no
problems but the chances of AMS are not predictable in terms
of fitness. Anyone can get it, even those who have been
higher in the past with no problems (Hillary got it on a
revisit to Nepal years after summiting). I've had it at
4800m in the Andes but had no problem at 5500m in the
Himalayas. For most people AMS doesn't happen and regular
mountain sickness can be avoided or eased by taking it slow
(in fact some Swiss studies show fit people are more likely
to get sick because they push too hard, while elderly, less
fit people tend to take it slow and are fine). So enjoy the
scenery as you walk and have a great time!
I am currently in Urumqi having just made my way overland
from Dehli, Nepal and Tibet. I was at the base camp at
5,200 m (17,000 ft) you will need some warm
clothes...anytime of the year. Although I got by without
the warm clothes at times I certainly wished I had them.
Regarding altitude sickness, nobody escaped the effects. I
climatized for 3 days at 3,500m and was dizzy with slight
headaches for 1 day and very tired the second day.
Afterwards I was "OK", except at base camp. Mt. Everest
base camp was breath taking.... literally! Even those
climbing Everst take a few weeks to climatize and even then
they still walk around like snails. Many tried to sleep
overnight at the monestary, but 11 out of 12 couldn't
sleep, were freezing cold and had bad headaches. Apart from
that...ITS GREAT!!!!!!
its possible and i for example got 3 month visa in laos just asked for it
Sorry Noy but it is totally impossible to get Visa for Tibet from Hong Kong. I am leaving in HK and all people I know get their visa in Chengdu where you are obliged to stay one night.
Moreover, it seems that is since few weeks even quite difficult to get visa in Chengdu due to the 50th Anniversay of the Republic. I am desesperatly looking for informations about it as I am going to Tibet...next week...
Take care
France