How Does It Work?
(1) Trip Registration: Choose the program you wish to register for and submit the trip application and security deposit. If necessary, we may conduct a short interview to ensure you are enrolled in a travel program that best matches your needs.
(2) International Flight: Once you are registered, we can help you to book your international flight or you can arrange your own, as we do not collect your international airfare.
(3) China Visa: The visa to enter China can be obtained from a Chinese consulate that has jurisdiction of your residential area. All individuals entering China must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry. There are two ways to apply for your visa: (1) you, a family member, or a friend can go directly to the consulate or (2) you may use a visa service agency.
(4) Flight to Lhasa and Tibet Permit: If you are traveling to Central Tibet, now known as Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), you will not be able to book your flight until you have your Tibetan Tourist Permit (TTB). We will make sure that you have your permit and flight to Lhasa. If you are traveling outside of TAR (such as where our Spirit of Kham program operates), we will coordinate your overland travel, as you will not need to purchase airfare within the country.
(5) Costs and Program Balance: Your program balance (land cost minus trip deposit) is due 60 days prior to departure unless you have made other arrangements with us. In most cases, your land program fee covers: food in villages, cooks, drivers, interpreters, permits & fees, travel insurance, ground transportation, and hotel accommodations outside villages. Costs vary for each program, so please be sure to check the details of the specific program you are registered for. The land cost does not include: international flights to Chengdu, the flight from Chengdu to Lhasa, Chinese visa costs and other personal expenditures.
(6) Itinerary and Packing List: A few weeks prior to departure, you will receive a day-to-day itinerary, detailed descriptions of volunteer work if available, and a recommended packing list.
(7) Additional Information: Our website and the Lonely Planet Guidebook for Tibet provide most of the information you will need to prepare for your Journey. However, if you would like to receive our Trip Logistics Guideline, which provides step-by-step preparation advice, please be sure to ask your trip leader for a soft copy in advance.
Fundraising and Volunteering: In the past, all participants were required to raise a minimum of US$500 to support sustainable development projects in Tibet. Most of the program participants have exceeded this goal by simply sending emails and letters to friends and family members. As of 2009, fundraising will be voluntary (not required) due to the poor global economy and political unrest that limits our ability to arrange volunteer work for foreigners. However, this does not affect our ability to allocate funds where needed. Thus, we hope you will make efforts to raise awareness and funds to support projects of Tibetan Village Project. We will be happy to help with fund-raising ideas, provide sample materials and support, and can explain specifically where and how donated funds will be used.
