What is the permit?

The "Tibet Autonomous region" (TAR) is the frontier of People’s Republic of China in Himalayan region and bordering quite a few countries, It is restricted for free exploring for both Chinese and foreign nationals. Chinese people are generally hassle-free to enter TAR, but still need to apply the permit for going to the border regions such like Mt.everest. For foreign nationals, there are 3 different permits are necessarily required to carry out the whole trip across Tibet.

1.Tibet Entry Permit – It’s used to enter Lhasa.
2. Aliens Travel Permit – To go further outside of Lhasa.
3.Military permit - To go to some border regions such like Ali (for Mt.Kalish and Guge kingdom ruins)

Without the 3 permits mentioned above, traveling in Tibet is illegal and it is regarded as against the law and local authority, the monetary penalty and political inspection can apply.

I heard we could travel freely in TAR?

Hm...Tibet has never been freely open. Before the 2008 Lhasa riot however, backpackers enjoyed many years relative freedom of traveling in Tibet, some even sneaked into TAR without any permit. That actually because of in peaceful time, the authority didn't strictly enforce the rules for foreign travelers as the tourism benefits a lot of people in Tibet afterall, Chinese and Tibetan.

The situation has totally changed after the riot, the regional stability became the top concern for central government, all the rules started enforced again in TAR, the chance for "free" traveling in Tibet was dead. Until now, all the foreign nationals who want to travel in Tibet must be organized ahead entering TAR with fixed itierary (you can make your own itinerary) and all the necesarry documents. A Tibetan guide must be accompanied through out your trip.

Can I travel to Tibet only myself?

Yes, you can travel to Tibet even only yourself, though more people join the cost would be greatly reduced. You must arrange all the permits and necessary documents through an official tour operator. Also you must hire a Tibetan English speaking guide to accompany you through out the trip, the guide will hold your original permits and be responsible to see you off out of TAR.

I want to do hiking in Tibet, is it possible?

Yes, the tour operator can arrange you a guide fit and experienced for hiking to either "Classic Gandan Monastery Route" or "Mt.Kalish Kora".

How does the arrangement work?
Why should I get it arranged through "Mix"?

Since the travel restriction enforced in 2008, there are hundreds of travel agencies started to offer the Tibet Trips, we surprisingly found the itineraries and services they provide are exactly the same. Why should we pay differently for same? Thus Mix hostel started to search in the market since then and has been looking for the best value "official" and "direct" tour operators in Lhasa and suggested them to our backpacker fellows, this does avoid a lot of confusions, miscommunications as well as to be ripped off. With many years experience to help travelers to arrange the Tibet trip, our staff now can help you to arrange your journey just by a very simple and quick procedure.

Does Mix Hostel offer us the best deal?

Mix hostel vows to help our backpacker fellows to find out the best deal from market, should you find our offer is rediculously higher than others with exactly same itinerary and services, please don't hesitate to tell us, we'll find out the reason and give you back the anwser.

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