Is the travel agent lying to me?

Tags : property, business, travel, technology, nightlife, events, food, food

Shanghai Expat Forum Index » Hot Topics Forums » Travelers and Travel Issues

Author

Message

tanya

Squeeker

Joined: July 18, 2004
Posts: 17

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 19, 2004 - 02:50 PM
Post subject: Is the travel agent lying to me?

I'm looking in to travel arrangements for t¡bet and I'm a bit confused by the rules and the conflicting information I'm getting. Does anyone know a cheap and relatively easy way to get to t¡bet?

I understand that you need a visa from the t¡betan Tourism Board and that you have to enter with a tour group. I went to CITS to talk to a travel agent about arranging this. Although he was very nice, what he told me didn't match any of the research i've done on going to t¡bet.

He told us that we'd have to get a package which includes the flight, accomodation and a tour guide. The prices were a bit high and I think that there must be a cheaper way to fly and stay in t¡bet.

I've heard that people have gone to Chengdu met somes randoms, found a guide and made up a tour group for entering Lhasa. When they get there they ditch out and travel on their own. How do people manage this? The travel agent very adamantly said this was impossible. Is this true? Does he have to say this?

Also the Lonely Planet lists a few cheap hostels in Lhasa, but the travel agent only offers packages which have hotels already included. He told us that along with the permit we also needed to have some sort of package arranged already. Is he full of ****? He also told us that it is the t¡betan Tourism Board that sets these prices.

We would much rather not have to get a package. We went to another travel agent for a second opinion and he pretty much said the same thing.

Help please..

xixi
Reacher
Reacher

Joined: Jan 04, 2004
Posts: 312

Posted: Nov 19, 2004 - 03:41 PM

obviously they were lying...

Try this backpackers' guest house in Chendu and they will help you arrange t¡bet tour.

No.27 Kuanxiangzi , Chengdu 成都市宽巷子27号
TEL: 0086-28-86648408
FAX:0086-28-86245901

Some of staff speak English and they are very friendly. The place is clean and cheap.

If you want to stay in a hotel in Chengdu, they can also find you a travel agency dealing with t¡bet tour. It is not that hard if u go to Chengdu.

Magnolia
Board Biatch

Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31071

Posted: Nov 19, 2004 - 03:41 PM

tanya ... I posted a question about t¡bet travel in August or so ... another user (I apologize, but I cannot remember who is was) wrote a wonderful write-up that may be of help to you ... even if your direct question isn't anwered then you may at least be able to PM the other person ... I am pretty sure it is in this forum (Travels and Travel Issues, but if it is not, it may be in Questions and Answers).

_________________
BOYCOTT BENSON SALON