FAQs Tibet
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 4 steps of application
• There are two options for applying to volunteer in Tibet through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 application fee. This fee is required to make an application valid.
• Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Tibet for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.
• Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
• Preparation for trips should include reading about Tibet , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.
• Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Tibet staff who will arrange an airport pickup.
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| Visa : |
All tourists visiting Tibet require a valid China visa & a special Alien Travel Permit, which they can obtain only by joining tours organized by recognized travel agencies. In this case, contact our office about your visa well before departure. You can also visit a Chinese embassy in your country or see the website www.projectvisa.com for more information.
Rustic Volunteer Travel suggests that ALL volunteers acquire the appropriate visa in their home country BEFORE arriving in-country |
| Health and safety : |
Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to Tibet . We suggest you visit some of the websites listed below.
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
Tips for visitor ( http://kathmandu.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html )
General Health Tips for volunteer/travel in Tibet
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
- Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact to avoid being sold tap water in a resealed bottle.
- Watch out for spicy dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Don't eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
- Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to Tibet ) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.
- If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions. Beware of the health effects that the mid day sun may cause, most importantly SUN BURN or DEHYDRATION.
- Pharmacies or chemists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low (less than a dollar) compared to western countries.
- In Tibet , most modern medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is wise with any prescription drugs you require, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include remedy for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc.
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| Vaccination : |
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications by CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm#vaccines)
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Southeast Asia including Thailand . Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
- Japanese encephalitis , if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
- Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in some of the countries in this region. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Southeast Asia .
- Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid , particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles .
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| Money Matter : |
What is the exchange rate? Where should I change my dollar? Can I use debit card and/or credit card? Should I bring traveler's check?
Find the Exchange Rate of Tibet Renminbi (RMB ) http://www.xe.com/ucc/
The official currency of Tibet is the Renminbi (RMB). You can change your money upon arrival to Lhasa International Airport . There are many bank counters at the airport. We suggest you change $400 in the beginning as you can change money in any bank (some banks are near to our office).
Your credit card information can be stolen and used fraudulently just by making a credit card payment. For this reason, cash and travelers checks are suggested to settle most accounts. You will have trouble paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them at local banks. Traveler's checks are recommended as a safe way to carry money with you, make sure you write down the check numbers and contact information you need to cancel stolen checks. Different brands of traveler's checks work better in different countries so consult your local financial institution about which company you should buy your checks from.
Travelers should have a credit card for large and emergency purchases so you won't go broke if something goes wrong. If you've requested a pin number for your credit card, you can use it to get cash advances at the ATM.
You can also carry a debit card that can be used at ATM's to withdraw local currency. Debit card is the best way of getting money and ATM vendors are available in major bank and department store in Lhasa . Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but not accepted in smaller cities.
How much money you bring depends on your personal spending habits. Thrifty people can get by on less than $10/day. Your budget should also include money to explore Tibet in free time as well as for your personal use. A good rule of thumb for money management is the 1/3 method, bring 1/3 cash, 1/3 traveler's check and leave 1/3 of your money in your account - plus a credit |
| Field Support and supervision: |
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Vol unteer Travel visit volunteers?
Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff members stay in touch with volunteers. We visit our volunteers every 2 weeks (if possible). If the project is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by email and phone.
Our Tibet coordinators maintain 24/7 mobile phones, so you can call them at any time. Before you return home, you can come to our office, and stay there for one night (space permitting). |
| Communication : |
How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?
Volunteers are requested to bring their mobile phone. Once you arrive in Tibet , you can change sim-card and use it. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and Rustic Volunteer Travel office in Tibet . |
| Climate of India: |
Take advantage of the Web which can bring you current weather and forecasts for your destination:
• Yahoo Weather: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/NPXX0002.html (www.weather.yahoo.com)
• The Weather Channel: www.weather.com
• The Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/global/TH.html
Tibetan weather is famously extreme – indeed, the winters can be excruciatingly harsh, while the summers can also be hot. Lhasa is less intense than some areas of Tibet , though you should still be prepared for very cold winters and hot summer.
Temperature and rain fall of Lhasa
Average Temperature
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
°f |
32 |
34 |
41 |
48 |
55 |
62 |
61 |
60 |
57 |
38 |
39 |
32 |
Average Rainfall
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Inches |
0 |
.5 |
.3 |
.2 |
1 |
2.5 |
4.8 |
3.5 |
2.6 |
.5 |
.2 |
0 |
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| Materials to Bring |
Most of stuffs of daily use are available in India at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things.
• Camera
• Mobile phone (you can use mobile phone after changing sim card)
• Sleeping bag
• Mosquito repellents
• Insect repellents
• Sun-block
• Working gloves (if you are joining conservation or construction project)
• Some books about Tibet
• Map of Tibet
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Flash light
• Electricity adopter/converter
• Sun glasses
• Footwear (for work and travel)
• Towel |
| Gift for Host Family and Project |
It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the family that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown logo, or pictures of your family and some local post cards.
If you want to bring gifts for your project (and if you are working for an orphanage or a school please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing. |
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