• To arrange a trek in Tibet using a Tibetan guide, and staying in Tibetan-run accommodation, your reader should contact Pasang Lama in Kathmandu. Email plama@plama.wlink.com.np. Pasang is a Nepalese trekking guide who organises tailor-made treks in Nepal and Tibet for individuals and groups of all sizes. Pasang always uses local guides, porters, and accommodation. His family were originally from Tibet and he consequently has excellent contacts there. Please contact Pasang directly, or through us at mcarrott@lineone.net
Rob McLaren and Sue Carrott
• I have done several private treks in Nepal with Nima Tamang, who is a very capable and experienced guide and who also takes groups into Tibet. He knows Tibet well, has the right contacts there with officials and with travel agencies and is utterly reliable, as well as being a very fine man. He speaks English well.
His email address is manakamana@expd.wlink.com.np. His address is Nima Tamang, PO Box 1920, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Rootsjl
• Don't go to Tibet: the visa fee you pay to the Chinese government is contributing to their exploitation of the natural resources of the country and the cultural/political represession of Tibetans. Any tour you join will be operating strictly within the confines of the Chinese tourism department, and you would not be allowed to trek or freely associate with Tibetans either within or outside designated tourist destinations. If you want to experience a living Tibetan culture, go to Ladakh, (Kashmir state) Spiti/Lahaul (Himachal Pradesh) or Sikkim: all these areas within Himalayan India can be accessed via New Delhi and will ultimately reward your interest.
Marc Hadley
• For trips to Tibet in September, check out The Oriental Caravan (020 7582 0716). They specialise in small group, fully escorted discovery tours to the far east, including Tibet, Japan, the Silk Road, Bhutan, Turkmenistan and Georgia. The tour leader is a linguist fluent in Tibetan, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese, and the company use local-run facilities and guides wherever possible, all of which contibutes to a very special travel experience.
Janet Ludlow
