If the changes in the following conditions have been clearly communicated in writing to the client before the conclusion of the contract and they are properly provided for in the program;
Any changes subsequent to the conclusion of the contract are subject to prior agreement of both the agency and the client, except as provided in the "impossibility of comply" clause.
These general conditions comply with the provisions of Decree-Law 61/2011 of May 6th, as amended by Decree-Law 199/2012 of August 24th.
The general conditions, which refer to an organized trip described in this program, along with the specific conditions provided to the client in the travel documentation at the time of booking, constitute the travel contract that binds the agency and the client.
The technical organization and sale of the activities included on this website are the responsibility of Papa-Léguas, a travel and tourism agency, with home office at Rua Manuel Assunção Mestre, nº22, 7780-199 Castro Verde, registered in the Commercial Registry Office of Lisbon with Taxpayer Identification Number 504163590. It has a share capital of €99,759.60 (ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty-nine euros and sixty cents). Papa-Léguas is also registered with the National Registry of Travel Agents and Tourism Operators (RNAVT) nº2275 and the National Registry of Tourist Animation Agents (RNAT) nº67/2014.
At the time of registration the client must deposit 30% of the service price, paying the remaining 70% up to 21 days before the service begins. If the registration takes place 21 days or less before the service begins, the total price of the service must be paid at the time of registration. Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. reserves the right to cancel any booking that has not been paid for under the conditions mentioned above. Reservations are subject to the obtaining of a confirmation from suppliers for all services.
The prices of tours are presented per person and based on the occupation in a room shared by two people. The organizing agency will group clients who sign up individually for the same tour in pairs, by gender, and in chronological order of registration. Clients who are singled out must pay the respective individual supplement, when required by the service provider.
INFORMATION UNDER LAW N.º 144/2015 OF SEPTEMBER 8:
According to Law No. 144/2015 of September 8th, we inform that the customer may resort to the following Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution Entities:
i) Customer Authority of Travel and Tourism Agencies at provedorapavt.com;
ii) Arbitration Commission of Tourism in Portugal at turismodeportugal.pt;
iii) Or any of the entities indicated in the list provided by the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt, which we recommend consulting.
Complaints will only be considered if submitted in writing to the agency within a maximum period of 30 days after the completion of the services.
In the event of a complaint regarding non-compliance with contracted services, the customer may activate the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund provided for in DL 61/2011 of May 6, in its current wording, by submitting the respective complaint:
i) To the Customer Authority, as Papa-Léguas, Travel and Tourism Agency Ltd., is a member of the Customer Ombudsman for Travel and Tourism Agencies at www.provedorapavt.com. To benefit from this service, you must submit your written complaint within 20 business days after the end of the trip. Agencies are bound to comply promptly with any decisions issued by this entity.
ii) To Tourism of Portugal I.P. at www.turismodeportugal.pt within 30 days after: (i) the end of the trip; (ii) the cancellation of the trip attributable to the agency; (iii) the date of knowledge of the impossibility of its realization due to the agency; (iv) the closure of the establishment.
iii) To any of the entities listed on the website of the General Directorate for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt.
1) The agency is responsible for the luggage in the legal terms;
2) The Client has the obligation to complain to the service provider at the moment of subtraction, deterioration or destruction of luggage.
3) In international transport, if the luggage is damaged, the complaint must be made in writing to the carrier immediately after the damage is verified, and no later than 7 days after delivery. If the luggage is merely late in delivery, the claim must be made within 21 days from the date of delivery.
4) The presentation of such a claim will be an essential basis for Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. to hold responsible the entity providing the service.
The responsibility of the agency will be limited to the maximum amount that can be demanded from the service providers, in accordance with the Montreal Convention of May 28, 1999, on International Air Transport, and the Bern Convention of 1961, on Rail Transport.
Regarding maritime transport, the liability of travel agencies, concerning their clients, for the provision of transport services or accommodation, when applicable, by maritime transport companies, in the event of damages resulting from their willful misconduct or negligence, will be limited to the following amounts:
a) € 441,436, in case of death or physical injury;
b) € 7,881, in case of total or partial loss of baggage or its damage;
c) € 31,424, in case of loss of a motor vehicle, including the baggage contained therein;
d) € 10,375, in case of loss of baggage, whether accompanied or not, contained in a motor vehicle;
e) € 1,097, for damages to baggage resulting from the damage to the motor vehicle.
Where applicable, the liability of travel agencies and tourism for the deterioration, destruction, and theft of baggage or other items in tourist accommodation establishments, while the client is staying there, is limited as follows:
a) € 1,397, in total;
b) € 449 per item;
c) The value declared by the client regarding the items deposited under the custody of the tourist accommodation establishment.
The agency's liability for non-bodily damages may be contractually limited to an amount corresponding to five times the price of the service sold.
For each reservation the following will be charged:
Reservation Expenses:
Alteration Expenses:
For each alteration (names, dates, type of apartment or room, travel, etc) : 50€ (fifty euros). Please note that the acceptance of such changes depends on the acceptance by the respective suppliers.
The client must have their personal or family documentation in good order (identity card, military documentation, authorization for minors, visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents that may be required). The agency disclaims any responsibility for visa refusal or the client's denial of entry into a foreign country. The client is solely responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such a situation.
Travel in European Union:
Travel outside the European Union:
If the travel suppliers involved allow it, whenever a customer who is registered for a particular trip wishes to change their registration to another trip or the same trip with a different departure date, or any other changes, they must pay a fee as alteration expenses. However, if the change takes place 21 days or less before the departure date of the trip for which the customer is registered, or if the service providers do not accept the change, the customer will be subject to the expenses and charges specified under the “cancellation (termination)” section.
Once the trip has started, if a request is made to change the contracted services for reasons not related to the agency (e.g., extending the number of nights of stay, changing the flight), the prices of the touristic services may not correspond to those published on the website that prompted the contract.
The customer may transfer their registration by being replaced by another person who meets all the required conditions for the trip, provided that they inform the selling agency at least seven days in advance and such transfer is possible under the applicable air transport regulations. In the case of cruises and air travel, the prescribed period will be fifteen days in advance.
The transfer of the registration makes both the transferor and the transferee jointly responsible for the payment of the trip price and any additional charges incurred.
Whenever there are external reasons that justify it, the organizing agency may change the order of the itineraries, modify the departure times, or substitute any of the planned hotels with others of similar category and location. The agency must inform the client of such changes as soon as they become aware of them.
When the tour is dependent on a minimum number of participants the Agency reserves the right to cancel the organized tour if the number of participants reached is less than the minimum. In such cases, the Client will be informed in writing of the cancellation within 15 (fifteen) days.
The prices in the program are based on the costs of services and exchange rates in effect on the date of printing of the program, and are therefore subject to change resulting from variations in the cost of transportation or fuel, duties, taxes, fees, and exchange rate fluctuations up to 20 days prior to the date of departure.
Once the tour has begun, no refund is due for services not used by the client due to unforeseeable circumstances or for reasons attributable to the client, except for refunds by the respective suppliers. Failure to provide services foreseen in the travel program for reasons attributable to the organizing agency and if it is not possible to replace them with equivalent ones, entitles the client receive a refund for the price difference between the originally anticipated services and the services actually provided.
If, prior to the start of the journey and due to circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency, it becomes unable to fulfill any essential service included in the travel program, the client has the right to cancel the trip and immediately receive a refund of all amounts paid, or alternatively, accept a modification and possible price variation.
If the aforementioned circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency result in the cancellation of the trip, the client may choose to participate in another organized trip of equivalent price. If the proposed replacement organized trip is of a lower price, the client will be refunded the price difference accordingly.
The client or their companions are free to cancel the trip at any time.
i) Such cancellation implies that the client is responsible for the payment of all charges arising from the beginning of the fulfillment of the contract and their withdrawal, as well as a percentage that can go up to 15% of the price of the trip.
ii) If applicable, the client will be refunded the difference between the amount paid and the aforementioned amounts.
iii) The cancellation of travel services/organized trips whose reservation has been made using the voucher issued under Decree-Law No. 17/2020 of April 23rd is subject to a cancellation fee equal to the price of the service, in order to prevent simulated or fraudulent reservations made solely with the intention of anticipating the receipt of the voucher-entitled values.
If for reasons not attributable to the client, the agency has to cancel the organized tour before the departure date, the client can choose to:
i) Being immediately refunded all amounts paid;
ii) Optionally, choose to participate in another organized tour and be refunded for any difference in price.
The liability of the travel agency organizing the trips included in this program and arising from the assumed obligations is covered by a civil liability insurance policy with Fidelidade Insurance Company, under policy number 9257343, for an amount of 75,000€ (Seventy-five thousand euros), in accordance with the applicable legislation.
The prices mentioned in this program already include the Value Added Tax at the current rate of 23%
This program is valid from 01/01/2025 to 12/31/2025.
Arrival or departure times:
Departure and arrival times are stated in the local time of the respective country of destination and according to respective airline schedules at the time of printing this program, and may therefore be subject to change.
Hotels / Apartments:
Apartments - In case the accommodation is contracted in apartments, the client is responsible for informing the number of people that will occupy the apartment. If there are more people than booked, the apartments may refuse admittance.
Hotels - The prices shown are per person and are based on double occupancy. Not all hotels have triple rooms and usually an extra bed is placed in the room, which may not be of equal quality. In rooms equipped with two beds or a double bed, the triple may consist only of those beds.
The list of hotels and apartments in the program is indicative, as is their category, which is based on local criteria and classifications that are sometimes different from those used in your home country.
Meals:
Unless otherwise indicated, the prices shown for the Half Board and Full Board supplements do not include drinks.
On arrivals at the hotel after 7PM the first meal service will be breakfast the next day, on the last day and except for the possibility of late check-out, the last service of the hotel will be breakfast.
Check-in and check-out times:
The check-in and check-out times on the first and last day, will be defined according to the first and last service. As a rule, without binding character, the rooms can be used from 2PM on the day of arrival and should be left free by noon (12PM) on the day of departure.
In the apartments, the entry takes place generally at 5PM on the day of arrival and must be left free by 10AM on the day of departure.
Special conditions for children:
Given the conditions applied for children (destination and provider) it is recommended to always question the special conditions that may apply to the tour in question.
Insurance:
The agency offers the sale of insurance that can be purchased depending on the tour to guarantee assistance situations and cancellation expenses.
See our full Data Protection and Privacy Policy here.
Altitude Acclimatization
With the altitude, some travelers may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, excessive fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, etc. Therefore, we recommend that in the first days above 2500/3000 meters, take it easy, rest, walk slowly, and stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water to minimize the effects of altitude. Generally, we feel better on the second day at altitude and onwards. However, if symptoms persist, please contact the guide or any member of our team immediately.
Documentation
Cancellations
Single Supplement
The single room supplement does not apply to nights in Rungbuk, during the Monte Kailash trek, or whenever accommodation includes dormitory stays.
Transfers
If the traveler does not book flights through Papa-Léguas, transfers may not be guaranteed unless their flights are exactly the same as the flights booked for the group.
If the traveler opts to book transfers for their independently purchased flights through Papa-Léguas, an additional payment will be required, depending on the destination country and the specific itinerary.
Tibet Border Closures
The government of the People’s Republic of China may close the land and air borders to foreign citizens at any time and without prior notice. If this happens to clients with confirmed and issued flights, any changes or cancellations will be at the expense of the traveler.
Monte Kailash Trekking
During the trekking, we will only carry a daypack, as we will have porters to carry our main luggage. However, the cost of the porters is not included in the trip price and will be discussed with our guides on-site. The same procedure applies to meals, the cost of which is also not included in the trip price.
WhatsApp Group
Before departure, Papa-Léguas will create a WhatsApp group for easy communication between travelers and the leader. If you do not agree with this, please inform us.
O líder desta viagem é disponibilizado pelo operador com quem trabalhamos no destino.
Estamos a preparar o seu programa de viagem.
Aguarde por favor...
Do not hesitate to call us. We have a specialized team and we will be happy to talk to you.
+351 21 845 26 89 / 90
geral@papa-leguas.com
Circumambulating Mount Kailash, in a clockwise direction, has become a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists. The former call it Parikrama, the latter, Kora. The goal for both is to pay homage to the gods that inhabit it and seek protection from diseases and evil spirits.
Mount Kailash is also the source of the four great rivers that irrigate the entire Asian continent: the Indus, the Brahmaputra, the Karnali, and the Sutlej.
Despite the introductory note, this trip is much more than the walk around Kailash. It is a journey of discovery and trekking filled with history, stories, and the spirit of adventure, framed in a physical and human landscape, which we dare say is unique. In the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, lives a people proud of their past, culture, and religion.
This trip, led by Artur Pegas with the support of local guides, marks the return of the co-founder of Papa-Léguas to Tibet. In 2007, Artur cycled through part of this territory and he will want to show you the best that Tibet has to offer.
We will pass through Lhasa and Shigatse, visiting their monasteries and sanctuaries. We will observe the local population, capturing the essence of the Tibetan people. We will visit lakes of an almost nonexistent turquoise color, and of course, we will spend a night at the Mount Everest Base Camp.
In the treasure chest of memories from this trip, you should also add the day spent in Beijing exploring one of the greatest constructions of humanity – the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.
For all the reasons presented, this trip is truly unmissable!
Flight from departure city to Beijing with layovers.
Overnight on board.
Note: the arrival/departure dates may vary, depending on your origin city. If you have any doubts, contact Papa-Léguas for further clarification.
Arrival, assistance at the airport, and transfer to the hotel located in central Beijing.
Check-in from 2:00 PM (subject to confirmation) and free time to explore the city.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, and at the scheduled time, meet with the guide to visit one of the "Wonders of the World," the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, located about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) from Beijing.
Depending on traffic, it will take around 2 hours to reach Mutianyu. Upon arrival, we will take a 2-hour tour of one of the most famous and well-preserved sections of the Great Wall, which once protected the tombs of emperors and the city of Beijing.
Lunch near the Great Wall, then return to Beijing to visit the famous "Forbidden City" for about 2 hours. The visit starts through the Tiananmen Gate, leading to the emperor’s chambers. This is the largest imperial palace in the world, with around 10,000 rooms. For about 600 years, 24 Chinese emperors lived here, governing the country from this incredible palace, from the Ming dynasty to the Qing dynasty.
Return to the hotel and free time.
Breakfast at the hotel, and at the scheduled time, transport to the airport for the flight to Lhasa, Tibet.
Upon arrival, assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Gonggar Airport is located about 1.5 hours away from the city, approximately 84 kilometers (52 miles).
Departure for Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Arrival, check-in at the hotel, and free time. Lhasa is situated at an altitude of 3,656 meters, so today is dedicated to altitude acclimatization. A visit to the historic center of Lhasa in the late afternoon is sufficient, including a stop at the square in front of the Jokhang Monastery, where pilgrims end their long journey from various parts of Tibet.
Dinner is free, followed by a return to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and meet with the Tibetan guide to start the city tour in Lhasa.
On this day, we will immerse ourselves in Tibetan culture, as we will participate in a small "workshop" on handicrafts and another on Tibetan cuisine, including the preparation of "tsampa," a traditional dish made of roasted barley, butter, and cheese. After these workshops, we will learn about the manufacturing process of Tibetan incense, the methods behind Tibetan calligraphy, and the secrets of ancient printing techniques.
This visit to the "Traditional Handicraft Art Center" will last about 2 hours.
Lunch is free, followed by a visit to the Sera Monastery. This iconic monastery, located 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Lhasa, is one of the great Gelugpa monasteries of Lhasa, alongside Deprung. It once had a population of about 5,000 monks, but now has a population of just a few hundred. Its architectural complex is vast. In its courtyard, between 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM, the monks engage in debates, which is a notable feature of the monastery.
Return to the hotel and free time. Overnight at the hotel.
We will start the day by visiting the iconic Potala Palace, which has served as the winter palace for the Dalai Lamas since the 7th century, a period during which it was founded by Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
Besides its unique architecture and Buddhist liturgical furnishings, the palace houses the tombs of the former Dalai Lamas, making it a sacred site for Buddhists.
After lunch (at the traveler's expense), we will continue our visit to the Jokhang Temple, also founded by Emperor Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. It is the most sacred temple in Tibet, housing the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, brought from India, and one of the oldest statues in Tibet.
This is the gathering place for thousands of pilgrims who walk long distances from their villages every day to complete the Kora (a religious circle walked by pilgrims around a mountain or temple) and prostrate themselves in reverence to Buddha in front of the Jokhang.
We will also visit Barkhor Street. Due to the high number of pilgrims, the area around Jokhang is a hub of intense commercial activity, with shops, tea houses, and markets that we can explore.
Return to the hotel. At the scheduled time, we will meet for dinner at the traveler's expense.
Today, we will leave Lhasa and head to Shigatse. We will travel a distance of 380 kilometers (236 miles), taking approximately 7-8 hours. It will be a long day, but the journey will offer absolutely spectacular landscapes as we ascend to 5000 meters of altitude.
After leaving Lhasa, we will head towards the Kampala Pass (4797 meters above sea level), where we can enjoy beautiful views of the sacred Nyenchen Khangsar mountain and catch our first sight of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three great sacred lakes, stretching about 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) in length. Along the way, we will visit the Karola Glacier before continuing on to Shigatse.
Upon arrival, we will check in at the hotel and have some free time.
After breakfast, we will head towards the "Roof of the World," the region of Mount Everest.
Today, we will reach an altitude of 5100 meters and travel approximately 340 kilometers (211 miles) over 7 hours, as the mountain roads are winding.
Indeed, we will be traversing some of the most beautiful roads on the planet, framed by mountain meadows and an endless blue sky, as we journey through Tibet on this unforgettable Himalayan expedition. We will make a stop at Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, before continuing on to the Everest Base Camp (Chinese side), where we will spend the night at an altitude of 5100 meters above sea level.
Please note that the accommodation and dinner will be very basic due to the altitude, and it is possible that some travelers may experience symptoms like headaches or nausea, common during high-altitude trekking. It is recommended to stay well-hydrated and rest to minimize these symptoms while enjoying the breathtaking surroundings of Mount Everest.
Today, we will follow the "Old Tingri Road" to the Saga region, accompanied by breathtaking views of some of the highest mountains on Earth: Mount Everest (8,849m) and Mount Shishapangma (8,012m).
Our route traverses the Digur Tang Plateau, which will amaze us with its vast sand dunes contrasting with the snow-capped peaks of Shishapangma and Langtang, visible to the south.
As we leave behind the Bum-Chu or Arun River Basin, we will descend to the lower grounds near Pelkhu Lake, a stunning cobalt-blue lake nestled in the Tibetan plateau. It stretches about 27 kilometers (16.7 miles) in length and 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) in width, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,600 meters.
After passing by the lake, we continue to the Saga region, where we will spend the night in the village of the same name.
Today's route covers about 320 kilometers (199 miles), which we will complete in approximately 7 hours.
Accommodation in a double room with a private bathroom in a basic hotel.
On this day, we continue our adventure to the Drongpa region, along the Brahmaputra River, which originates in the Tibetan plateau at around 5,100 meters altitude and flows into the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. Stretching about 4,000 kilometers (2.485 miles), it is the 9th longest river in the world, supporting about 130 million people.
During the route, we will stop at a small village where the "Old Drongpa" monastery is located. After visiting this monastery, we will continue our journey through the villages of "New Drongpa" and Baryang, heading to the mythical Manasarovar Lake, before reaching our destination for the day, the village of Darchen, where we will spend the night.
Today, we will cover a total of 500 kilometers (311 miles), over 7 to 8 hours.
Accommodation in a double room with a private bathroom in a basic hotel.
Today marks one of the most anticipated days of the trip—the start of the 40-kilometer (appr. 25 miles) pilgrimage trek around Mount Kailash, known as the Kora.
The trek begins in the village of Darchen at an altitude of 4,574 meters. Since the trek is a circular route around Mt. Kailash, this will also be the location where it ends.
There is the option to shorten the trek by 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), starting from Sarshung, making it a total of 13 kilometers (8 miles) on foot.
After a few hours of walking, we will arrive at a valley known by locals as "Sarshung," where we will meet a group of porters who will transport our luggage using yaks or horses. The cost for this service is negotiated on-site and is not included in the trip price.
We will continue to a grassy plain inhabited by nomads, who will be happy to offer us their tents to rest for a while and where we can purchase some drinks.
From there, we will walk for another 2 hours to a place called Drirapuk (4,920m), where we will spend the night in a monastery dormitory. This accommodation is basic and quite rustic.
The monastery is located near the northern face of Mt. Kailash.
The second day of the Kora around Mount Kailash is considered the most challenging of the trek, so we will begin the hike at sunrise.
We will face a tough 762-meter climb to the Dolma Pass, located at 5,630 meters altitude, offering stunning panoramic views. After a well-deserved break, we will start our descent to the Lhachu Valley, which will take about 1 hour. With rest stops along the way, we will continue our walk for another 4 hours, reaching our destination for the day in Dzultripuk, which means "the miracle of Milarepa's cave" in Tibetan.
The afternoon will be free for resting.
Today, we will cover a total of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles).
Overnight in a dormitory.
Today, we will complete our incredible walk, the Kora, around Mount Kailash.
We begin the day with a visit to some caves and temples near Milarepa's cave. After that, we will enjoy a relatively "easy" walk towards the outskirts of Darchen (Zongto), which will take about 3 hours, reaching the valley where our driver will be waiting to take us to Zanda, where we will spend the night.
The walking distance is approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).
Accommodation in a double room with a private bathroom in a basic hotel.
Today, we will visit the ruins of the ancient "Guge Kingdom" and the Torling Monastery.
Both are located in the Ngar region. The Guge Kingdom was once a small empire that collapsed after a civil war and an invasion by 8 allied forces, or 8 neighboring states that united to destroy the kingdom.
Fortunately, this kingdom was not "erased" from history, and some of its remnants have survived to the present, which we will explore.
Today will also bring other surprises, such as a visit to the Zanda Geological Park, which, among many points of interest, highlights the fossilized trees of Zanda. These trees are found in an incredible landscape of tertiary origin strata, stretching over about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) along the banks of the "Elephant Spring" river.
In addition to the geological interest, we will find a region with multi-colored sediments, shaped by erosion into incredible formations that create a beautiful, scenic effect, perfect for photography.
Interestingly, the sediments spread over an area of nearly 2,500 square kilometers, making it one of the largest of its kind on the planet.
We will return to Darchen, where we will spend the night in a double room with a private bathroom in a basic hotel.
Today, we will cover 340 kilometers (211 miles) in about 5 hours.
Today, our route takes us through a rural region of Tibet. We will pass through numerous villages and yak grazing fields until we reach Saga, covering a total of 500 kilometers (311 miles) over approximately 6 hours of driving.
The landscape is stunning, and we will have the opportunity to make several stops to rest, enjoy the views, and take photos.
Arrival in Saga and check-in at the accommodation.
Accommodation in a double room with a private bathroom in a basic hotel.
Another spectacular day on the road, with breathtaking landscapes.
The distance to be covered is 500 kilometers (311 miles), with about 6 hours of driving.
Arrival in Shigatse and free time to explore.
Overnight in a hotel, in a double room with a private bathroom.
Today, we will wake up early and, after breakfast, visit the Tashilunpo Monastery.
It is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama.
After the visit, we will return to Lhasa, covering a distance of 340 kilometers (211 miles) over a total of 7 hours of driving.
Arrival in Lhasa and check-in at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
At the scheduled time, transportation to the airport (approximately 84 kilometers / 52 miles from the hotel, around 1.5 hours of driving).
Flight to the departure city.
Arrival in the departure city and end of the Papa-Léguas services.
Note: the arrival/departure dates may vary, depending on your origin city. If you have any doubts, contact Papa-Léguas for further clarification.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. You will undertake a trekking adventure of great beauty, exploring incredibly stunning locations such as Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake. However, be aware that the accommodations during the roadtrip in Tibet will be very basic, often in dormitories, and you will certainly step out of your comfort zone. This trip is also physically demanding, with hundreds of kilometers traveled on narrow and rough roads, and most notably, the challenges of high-altitude trekking and the ever-present cold. If you're comfortable traveling outside your comfort zone, this trip is for you.
We will stay in a variety of accommodations. From comfortable 3-star hotels, well-located in Beijing or Lhasa, to basic dormitories during the "road trip" in Tibet or the Kailash Trek. There is the option for a single room, subject to an additional charge, but this is only available on the days we stay in hotels.
Throughout the trip, we will use private vehicles, driven by professional drivers.
The trip leader will be Artur Pegas, co-founder of Papa-Léguas, who is very familiar with the locations on this itinerary. Many years ago, he traveled through Tibet by bicycle, experiencing the incredible Tibetan hospitality.
This trip includes a group flight, meaning there is a specific arrival time, and transfers will be arranged according to the arrival of that flight. Those who choose to buy different flights will need to be at the airport at the same time as the group to take advantage of the transfers. Otherwise, they will need to take a taxi or another form of transport to the location indicated by the tour leader.
On average, 25 EUR per day should be sufficient for meals. In addition to meals, you may have personal expenses such as payments to local porters during the Kailash trek, entrance fees for places you wish to visit, laundry, shopping, and tips for the driver and local guide.
In China, you should not drink water that is not bottled and sealed. However, to avoid excessive plastic consumption, we recommend bringing a reusable bottle with you and refilling it with water from large bottles that you can purchase or sometimes find available for refilling in hotels.
Papa-Léguas will send you a flight proposal. After receiving the flight options, you can choose to purchase the flight through Papa-Léguas, another agency, or online.
You will meet the group at the airport in Beijing. If you are traveling on the "group flight," the meeting with the group and the trip leader will take place at that time.
Not necessarily. If you don't mind sharing accommodations, you can be paired with another participant. Papa-Léguas may group travelers who sign up individually for the same trip by gender and registration order.
Yes it is included. For further clarification, contact Papa-Léguas.
Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of departure from the visited country and with two blank pages. The necessary documentation may vary, depending on your nationality, the country of origin and the places you will travel to. For further information, consult the relevant embassy websites or contact Papa-Léguas.
It is important to bring equipment for mountain trekking and warm clothing for the cold. Contact Papa-Léguas for more detailed information on the necessary gear.
There are no health restrictions for entering the country.
To fully enjoy the city tours, long hours of road travel, and the treks at high altitudes during the trip, we recommend being in good physical shape. We will have three days of more challenging altitude trekking, but if you acclimate properly and are an active and healthy person, no special preparation will be necessary.
EXPLORER trips are designed for bold, open-minded, and young-at-heart travelers! We will stay in simple accommodations that reflect the essence of the region we're visiting. We'll often use public transportation to foster a closer connection with the local communities. The focus is on unique experiences and the stories you'll carry with you for a lifetime. You can tell all your friends who are willing to sacrifice some of their usual comfort in exchange for a more authentic experience that these trips are for them too.