Tibet travel review 2014-Reliable Tour Agency Recommended
Tibet Culture Tour Review by USA Travelers Winter 2014
Travelers' Name: Miss Anita Hix and Miss Leslie Presutti (see original Tibet travel review presented by email from clients)
Tour code: 20141130-P2
Nationality:USA
Tibet Travel Period: Nov.30-Dec.2, 2014
-----Original Message-----
From: Presutti, Leslie [mailto:lesliep AT qca.qualcomm DOT com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2014 3:05 AM
Subject: Tibet tours Review
Hi Tony:
Happy Holidays!
Tony, I could not find a place to put some input on your agency so I am going to send you what I think and allow you to post it. I hope this mail finds you well! Leslie
Input on your Travel Agency you can Post:
"My friend and I just completed three days in Tibet with Tibet Ctrip Travel Service. Tony was an awesome host and coordinator and delivered on everything he proposed to do for us. Not only did he personally deliver our visas to us in Chengdu, but he employed one of the most knowledgeable people in Tibet to show us around for three days. Tony had a very well planned out itinerary to ensure we saw all the major sights and having Sonam who was so expert and knowledgeable in everything was such a bonus! Tibet is a beautiful place and the people wonderful!
Upon completion of our Tibet travel, I spent one more day in Chengdu on my own and Tony helped me find a hotel and serve as my personal concierge when I had to confer with folks who did not speak English. I knew I had a resource in Chengdu and it was so reassuring as Tony gave me his personal cell number to help with anything that came along. This gave me such reassurance particularly in dealing with the cab drivers and hotel personnel.
I would definitely recommend Tony's Tibet tour agency. He was very competitive in pricing and allowed us to book our own hotel and adjust the price accordingly. More importantly than price, though, Tony was very ethical, had great interpersonal skills, and delivered on everything he stated he would do. I cannot recommend this agency enough and I definitely will use them in the future when my travels take me to Asia."
Leslie Presutti
UK-Sweden-Traveler-Tibet-Agency-Review 20140826-p5
Travelers' Name: Mr. Carl Lee and Mrs. Bee Bee Kwa (see handwriten original Tibet travel review)
Tour code: 20141020-P2
Nationality:Canada
Tibet Travel Period: Oct.20-Nov.4, 2014
Oct.20 Day01 Fly to Nyingchi from Chengdu (Terminal2) by morning flight CA4251, 6:35am-8:25am [Nyingchi, altitude, about 2700m], airport-hotel transfer, in the afternoon visit huge Cypress and Lunang Forest, o/n in typical local family hotel at Lulang
Oct.21 Day02 (B) Lulang-Pomi —Lake Raog---landscape trip, overnight at ping’an hotel or similar one (accommodation in this remote area is basic)
Oct.22 Day03 (B) Lake Raog—Nyingchi, check in Nyingchi Impression Hotel (4 star standard good hotel) or similar one
Oct.23 Day04 (B) Nyingchi-Kading Valley-Lake Draksumtso-Tedrum hot spring, o/n in Tedrum Shambhala Source hotel
Oct.24 Day05 (B) Tedrum Nunnery and Hotspring-Drigungthil Monastery-(Ganden Monastery-this replaces the Shalu Monastery on the way from Shigatse to Gyantse)-Drak Yerpa Cave monastery and mountain view-Lhasa, o/n in Snow Heaven hotel or similar one (4 star hotel)
Oct.25 Day06 (B) Highlight Sightseeing in Lhasa Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, o/n in Snow Heaven hotel
Oct.26 Day07 (B) Norbulinka Palace, Zhaji Monastery, Sera Monastery, o/n in Snow Heaven hotel
Oct.27 Day08 (B) Lhasa-Nam-Tso Lake-Damxung County, o/n in Baima hotel or similar one
Oct.28 Day09 (B) Damxung-Yangpachen-Mountain Shugula-Datruka- northern scenery road-Shigatse city, o/n in Shigatse Manasarovar hotel
Oct.29 Day10 (B) at Shigatse city, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery and Tibetan streets view, Banchan new place, o/n in Shigatse Manasarovar hotel
Oct.30 Day 11(B) drive from Shigatse city to Gyantse, visit Pelkhor Monastery and Kumbum Pagoda, o/n in Yeti Hotel
Oct.31 Day12 (B) Gyantse-Karola Glacier-Lake Yamdrok- Mindroling kloster-Tsetang, o/n in Yulong Hotel
Nov.1 Day 13(B) Tsetang- Tramdruk Monastery -Yumbulagang Palace o/n in Yulong Hotel
Nov.2 Day14 (B) Tsetang- -Samye Monastery, o/n in Samye monastery; o/n in samye monastery hotel
Nov.3 Day15 (B) Samye Monastery- Lhasa, Snow Heaven Hotel
Nov.4 Day 16(B) Take flight from Lhasa to Chengdu, China eastern airline flight MU5474, 10:55 am-12:55pm, we can check out of hotel at 8:20 am and your Tibet tour ends with our agency till you get to Lhasa airport.
UK-Sweden-Traveler-Tibet-Agency-Review 20140826-p5
Travelers' Name: Dan, Steve, Cliff, Emma and Charles, (see handwriten)
Tour code: 20140826-P5
Nationality:UK, Sweden
Tibet Travel Period: Aug.26-Sept.7, 2014
From: Tony [mailto:sales@tibetctrip.com]
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 8:59 PM
To: 'Cg'
Subject: RE: Our Tibet travel review for Tibet Ctrip Travel Service
Thank you so much Charlie, well appreciated!
Tony (c/o Tibet Ctrip Travel Service
Tel/fax: 86-891-6349360, 86-13628999610)
www.tibetCtrip.com: Tibet Travel Reviews
From: Cg [mailto:chageeseeatyahoo.co.uk]
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 8:32 AM
To: Tony, CC to dan_ptcciathotmail.co.uk; steve.parsonsatnmbinsurance.com; cliff_paulineatyahoo.co.uk; chageeseeatyahoo.co.uk; emmcathatgmail.com
Subject: Re: Our Tibet travel review for Tibet Ctrip Travel Service
Will send you some pictures and we all plan to write revues on the net for you and your company.
Charlie
Sent from my iPhone
On 7 Sep 2014, at 23:55, "Tony" <sales@tibetctrip.com> wrote:
Dear Charles,
Very happy to know you had a safe trip home. Thank you and this is great review to us. we will keep moving forward and do better and better for our future clients. It is highly appreciated if you could send us a few of your group travel photos in Tibet, and write internet reviews if you do not mind. Thank you again.
Best wishes,
Tony (c/o Tibet Ctrip Travel Service
Tel/fax: 86-891-6349360, 86-13628999610)
www.tibetCtrip.com: Tibet Travel Reviews
From: Cg [mailto:chageeseeatyahoo.co.uk]
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 2:48 AM
To: Tony
Subject: Re: flight to Chongqing Aug.26?------------------Tibet tour reconfirmation-Aug.26-Sept.1----Sept.6 MU2216, 3:40pm-5:45pm Dunhuang-Xi'an Chongqing MU2267, 8:45PM-10:00PM (TibetCtrip.com)
Dear tony, I have just made it back to London. The trip was the most wonderful experience. We encountered absolutely no problems. Your planning was faultless.
In Tibet our guide basson and driver dorgen were fantastic the spread restrictions held us up a bit but meant we were able to see more of the country side. And the train trips just got better and better. Trip from Lhasa to Lanzhou was an experience I will always remember and the train from Lanzhou to dunhuang, with the dancing girls and excellent Chinese wine and food..... That took things to another level.
Thank you for all your help.
Charles Gorrie.
Sent from my iPhone
Australian Traveler's Everest-Vacation Review 20140718-P2
Travelers' Name: Bee & Say Khor, (see handwriten Tibet Everest Base Camp Landscape tour 2014 review)
Tour code: 20140718-P2
Nationality:Australia
Tibet Travel Period: July18-25, 2014
Group code: TCTS 20140721-P2--Private tour reconfirmation-service voucher
July14-18 in Chengdu by yourself, and Tibet travel permits will be arranged to your hotel on time
July18 Day1 leave your hotel in Chengdu by taxi easily for Chengdu airport Terminal 2 around 6:40 am, and arrive there around 7:30am, get the boarding pass with our Tibet entry permits and passports, fly from Chengdu to Lhasa by China Eastern Airline MU5473, 9:55am-11:55am, Arrival in Lhasa (3680m) airport, we will come to airport to pick you up and transfer to Lhasa. it takes about 1 hour to drive the 65 km highway between Lhasa and airport, rest at hotel. 4 star hotel Snow Heaven Hotel or similar one if late booking
July19 Day2 Lhasa highlight sightseeing tour: Barkhor Street, Johkang Temple, Potala Palace, 4 star hotel Snow Heaven Hotel or similar one if late booking.
Attractions info: The Barkhor street market provides tourist a pivotal insight in multiple aspects of Tibetan culture by the vast assortments of authentic Tibetan products easily available to purchase at the visitors discretion. The Barkhor market is constantly alive and thriving with activity as the countless vendors and shops present a utopia of local Tibetan arts, crafts and cultural specialties.
The Jokhang temple was first constructed by King Songtsän Gampo (see also internet variant Songsten Gampo) probably in 642. It was originally called the Rasa Tulnang Tsuklakang or The House of Mysteries, The Magical Emanation at Rasa [the early name for Lhasa]. Both Bhrituti and Wencheng, the Nepalese and Chinese wives of Songsten Gampo are said to have brought important Buddhist statues and images to Tibet as part of their dowries, and they were housed here.
Potala Palace, one of Tibet’s top must see cultural sites, has been capturing travelers’ imaginations as it takes them on an adventure through Tibetan history. With its highest point at about 300 meters (around 1000 feet) above the valley floor its gargantuan size often surprises travelers: this building houses over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and around 200,000 statues.
July20 Day3 Lhasa-Tsubushi Village (about 50km)-Tibetan family visit-trekking about 4 hours and back, drive back to Lhasa in the late evening around 8 pm, , 4 star hotel Snow Heaven Hotel or similar one if late booking
July21 Day4 Lhasa sightseeing Norbulinka Palace, Tibet Museum, Sera Monastery, 4 star hotel Snow Heaven Hotel or similar one if late booking
July22 Day5 Lhasa-Yamdrok-Karola Glacier-Gyangtse-Shigatse (3900m), 350km, approx. 7hrs o/n in Tashi Choeta Hotel or Shigatse hotel (two hotels are the top standard one in Shigatse city)
Yamdrok Lake, also called Yamdrok Yumtso, is a lake with two long arms of water, making it look like a scorpion from the sky. This shape means you can never see its shape from around it. From Gyantse, you can see one arm, and follow it until it disappears around a bend in the shore which makes it difficult to estimate the size of the lake.
July23 Day6 Shigatse-Tashilhunpo, Sakya Monastery-Gyatso La Pass (4500m)-Shegar-Old Tingri, see Everest from a far, Chamdo Hotspring, o/n in local budget hotel
July24 Day7 Old Tingri-Rongphu Monastery (60 km, in about 1 and half hours)-trek 4 km to campsite, enjoy the sunrise of Everest, have some hours leisure time at Everest base camp, and then trek back to campsite, o/n in local tent, enjoy the sunset view of Everest at night
July25 Day8 Drive back to Old Tingri-Nyalam-Taratso Lake-Zhangmu (it is about 180 km landscape), around 3:30 pm, check out of Tibet and to be transferred to KTM by our Nepali driver and jeep, your Tibet tour ends with our agency.
From: Khor, Bee [mailto:Bee.Khor(at)bisindustries.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 4:57 PM
To: 'Tony at Tibet Ctrip Travel Service'
Subject: Tibet CTrip Review - Bee & Say Khor
Hi Tony,
We’re back in Sydney for a week now and I have finally found some time to write a review on our recent trip. I’ve attached our review and also a photo taken at Snow Heaven Hotel.
There are a couple of additional suggestions for improvement that we’d like to mention.
- Trekking – we were looking forward to the Tibetan family visit-trekking Tsubushi Village, but that was changed to trek around Sera Monastery after being suggested that there’s not much to see on the Tsubushi village trekking even though it is optionally the trekking starting point for trekkers from Ganden to Samye monastery. Unfortunately, Sera Monastery trekking path was closed on that day and so we didn’t do much trekking. Instead we visited a Nunnery near Sera Monastery. That was still ok, but it would have been better if the alternate itinerary was planned better.
- Itinerary – in most of our travel experience, the itinerary is usually planned for a full day (8-9 hours). On most days in Lhasa, we start around 10.30-11am and finished around 4pm. We managed to cover most of the itinerary planned, but it wouldn’t be rushed if we had more time. However I know the Tibetan life pace maybe not be that fast as in other countries.
- Tibet-Nepal border – communications to the guide handing us over to the Nepali agent could be improved. Pa-Sang was quite stressed when she doesn’t have the details of who she’s supposed to hand us over to. As for us, we felt insecure when we found out that we haven’t been handed over to your actual Nepal agent (instead another person with our names on paper claiming to be our Nepal agent). Luckily, all went fine as finally we know it is quite normal for border pick up situation from Nepal.
- Nepal agent’s jeep – the jeep’s tyres went loose after travelling 10 kms on a bumpy road along Araniko Highway. We were lucky that the driver stopped to check what was rattling. Had those tyres gave way, we would have been down the cliffs. This is our feedback to your Nepal agent.
Overall, we found that you’ve managed our trip well and to your best ability.
It has been great we managed to meet and we’d like to thank you for your effort in ensuring we have a great and safe trip.
We have enjoyed our trip and have certainly brought back our travel memories that will last a lifetime!
Thanks,
Bee & Say
|
Bee Khor - Financial Systems Manager Lvl 5, 146 Arthur St, North Sydney, NSW 2060 T +61 2 9245 6365 M 0429 181 010 |
Tony's note: Dear Bee, Thank you for your review and we will keep trying our best to upgrade our service in every detailed section in the future and as you know, we support Tibet year by year with our hard work in tourism and it will be surelly a better land here.
Best regards,
Tony
USA Traveler's Tibet-Everest-Vacation-Experience 2014
Travelers' Name: Mr. JAMES ALFRED RANCOURT and Mrs. LORA LYNDA RANCOURT
(see handwriten Tibet Everest Base Camp Landscape tour 2014 review)
Nationality:USA
From: James Rancourt [mailto:jrancourtatdfinancingdotcom]
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2014 10:30 PM
To: Tony
Subject: RE: Tibet group visa letter copy---ready
Tony,
I have been pretty busy this fall, but wanted to write you about our trip.
It was a great experience (I am glad we were not there a few weeks later when the Friendship Highway washed out!)
The number of things that had to go right (documents for Tibet, timing of guides, etc.) was amazing, and they all got done perfectly!
Naryan and his group at Himalayan Mentor in Nepal did everything they said they would, and were great hosts.
I also wanted to thank you for setting us up with the Tibet Guide Tenzin Gelie. He is of course and excellent guide, but also because we did not want to sleep at the base camp, it was perfect that he knew Tashi Dzom, and was from the area.
Let me know if anyone needs a reference for you—It can be scary to wire money overseas, but I can vouch that you are honest, competent, and did everything you said you would.
Thanks again
Jim Rancourt
Tibet Travel Period: July20-25, 2014, Tibet tour outline as below
20 July Arive Kathmandu. Airport to Hotel transfer, hotel Yak and Yeti (booked by yourself)
21 July Sightseeing in Kathmandu: Sightseeing spots: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar square
Sightseeing spots: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Bhaktapur Durbar Square--- hotel Yak and Yeti (booked by yourself)
22 July Drive to Nyalam, best hotel
23 July Drive to Tashi Dzom & Basum-overnight here- best hotel
24 July early excursion to Ronbuk & Everest Base Camp. Drive back to Nyalam-Zhangmu, o/n in Zhangmu Hotel
25 July Drive to Kathmandu, hotel, Tibet tour ends with our agency.