Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Clothing & Footwear
As a minimum, you will need basic warm clothing, including a hat, scarf, gloves, down
jacket, long underwear, warm absorbent socks, all-weather shell and sun hat, as well as
comfortable and well-made pants and shirts. Women may want to add a long skirt to their
clothing list. Bring loose-fitting clothes that cover your arms, legs and neck, and a wide-
brimmed hat like the ones Tibetans wear.
If you attempt winter trekking, you will certainly need more substantial mountaineering
clothing. Many people opt for synthetic clothing, but also consider traditional wool or
sheep fleece, which have proven themselves in the mountains of Tibet for centuries. One
of your most important assets will be a pair of strong, well-fitting hiking boots. And re-
member to break them in before starting your trekking!
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
At the time of research, foreigners were not allowed to travel on public transport in Tibet.
Equipment
Three essential items are a tent, sleeping bag and portable stove. There are few restaurants
in the remote areas of Tibet and provisions are hard to come by, so you or your support
staff will end up preparing most of your meals. Expect to camp most nights - except in
certain villages on the main trekking routes, it can be difficult to find places to sleep. In-
vest in a four-season tent that can handle big storms and heavy winds. A warm sleeping
bag is a must. Manufacturers tend to overrate the effectiveness of their bags, so always buy
a warmer one than you think you'll need.
You will also need a strong, comfortable backpack or duffel bag large enough to carry
all of your gear and supplies. To save a lot of misery, test the backpack on short hikes to be
certain it fits and is properly adjusted. When trekking with animal transport a small knap-
sack is essential for your immediate daily needs.
Other basic items include water containers with at least 2L capacity, a system for water
purification, a torch (flashlight), compass, pocketknife, first-aid kit, waterproof matches,
sewing kit, shrill whistle and walking stick or ski pole. This last item not only acts as a
