Tours & Permits - Tibet - page 71

THE NITTY GRITTIES OF 4WD TRIPS & CONTRACTS
When finalising details with a tour agency it's a good idea to look through their contract (if
they have one) and see where you stand in the event that things don't go according to
plan. Bear the following in mind:
You should agree on the rate for any extra days that may need to be tacked onto an itiner-
ary. For delays caused by bad weather, blocked passes and so on, there should be no ex-
tra charge for vehicle hire. At the very least, the cost for extra days should be split 50%
between your group and the agency.
For delays caused by vehicle breakdowns, driver illness etc the agency should cover
100% of the costs and provide a back-up vehicle if necessary.
Ask the agency about its policy on refunds for an uncompleted trip. Most agencies refuse
any kind of refund, except if they are unable to get permits, while others are more open to
negotiation. If you decide to cut a trip short for personal reasons it's unlikely you'll get a
refund.
Establish which vehicle costs are not covered in the price (eg the ¥400 vehicle fee to drive
to Everest Base Camp and ¥40 vehicle fee at Peiku-tso), as well as entry fees for your
guides (such as the ¥180 entry ticket for your guide and ¥25 'environmental bus fee' for
Everest).
Once you are sorted with the agency, it's a good idea to organise a meeting between
your group and the driver a day or two before departure. Make sure the driver is aware of
your itinerary (it may be the first time they have seen it!). Ensure that the guide speaks
fluent Tibetan, good Chinese and usable English. It's not a bad idea to test the driver and
car on a day trip to somewhere like Ganden Monastery before you head off on the big trip.
Unless you are a qualified mechanic, inspecting the soundness of the vehicle may
prove to be difficult, but you should at least check that the windows open and close and
that the handbrake works (ours didn't!). Tyres and spares should be in reasonable condi-
tion.
Tour Agencies in Tibet
In general, Tibetan tour agencies are not as professional as agencies in neighbouring Ne-
pal. The following companies in Lhasa are experienced in arranging customised trips.
For good information on responsible tour companies and ecotourism initiatives in Tibet,
visit www.tibetecotravel.com and www.tibet g reenmap.