New Opportunities
The growth of urban centers is a sign of economic development of any country (“Opening Up New Opportunities” SPOTLIGHT August 10). The cover story on the rapid urbanization in Nepal also provides that same proof. But the process of urbanization has to be regulated and managed. Otherwise, environment, social and human costs will be too high.
Sonam Sherpa
Thamel
Open Letter On Travel Woes
My "Overland Adventure Tour" to Tibet was hardly an ideal trip. I recently returned from a fixed departure tour to Tibet and was appalled by the service and reckless disregard for the safety of tour passengers. Listed below is a brief synopsis of a complaint letter submitted to the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. Twenty-five tour passengers signed the complaint letter in response to an unacceptable standard of service. The Tibet Tourism Bureau issued an official apology to all of the passengers of the tour group, two days after the letter was received.
How did I find myself in such a lousy tour group? As a responsible tourist, I did my research. I consulted my Lonely Planet Nepal guidebook, which recommended Eco Trek Nepal as a tour agency in Thamel that operates trips to Tibet. Upon my return to Kathmandu, I discussed my health and safety concerns with the Eco Trek manager, Mr. Ram Adhikari. I also highlighted the fact that a sudden itinerary change, such as removing Yamdrok Lake from the itinerary, amounts to a breach of my contractual agreement with Eco Trek Nepal. Mr. Adhikari responded by offering a $10 refund, explaining that Eco Trek does not have any control over what occurs in Tibet.
From this unpleasant experience, I have learned two things. First, I have learned about the way in which fixed departure tours to Lhasa are organized. There are two main tour operators on the Tibet side that handle all fixed departure tours from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Tibet Niwei Travel is one of these such agencies. These tours are primarily offered by Tashi Delek Nepal Treks in Kathmandu, which are then offered to various other Nepal tour agencies, such as Eco Trek Nepal. Along the way, key information such as road construction resulting in itinerary changes is not conveyed to tour passengers. Several tour passengers in my group had paid a higher rate for better accommodation. Unfortunately, they were highly disappointed to realize that the extra dollars paid amounted to the same rat infested guesthouse accommodation.
The second thing I have learned is that I would not recommend group tours from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Instead, flying into Lhasa and directly arranging trips with Tibetan tour operators would avoid a considerable amount of needless miscommunication and hassle. In addition, the 2000 meter ascent from the Nepal-China border to Lhatse, customary with many budget tours would be avoided. This will save many travelers from the vomiting, breathlessness, and headache associated with Altitude Mountain Sickness. To conclude, both Nepali and Tibetan travel agencies are shifting the responsibility onto their counterparts. None of the agencies are willing to take any responsibility over problems encountered by their tours.
8-Day Budget Tours from Kathmandu to Tibet: Not Recommended
Day 1: Traveling at night in an area prone to landslides without explanation.
Day 2: Driver falls asleep at the wheel and has to stop at the roadside for a 40 minute nap. Guide dismisses symptoms of Altitude Mountain Sickness claiming it is not serious. Symptoms include: vomiting, breathlessness, and disorientation.
Day 3: Multiple rats chasing guests at night inside guesthouse. Tour guests suffering from Altitude Mountain Sickness were forced to draft a waiver removing the guide from all responsibility because they wished to travel faster than the group to mitigate the symptoms of Altitude Mountain Sickness.
Day 4: Guide disappears part way through the sight seeing tour.
Day 5: Sudden itinerary change, excluding Yamdrok Lake from the schedule. Tour passengers are upset and wish to discuss situation with guide. Guide attempts to charge additional amount for passengers to travel to the lake. This is in direct violation of Chinese tourist regulations. Situation escalates to physical intimidation and tourist police are called on scene.
Day 6: Guide pressures tour passengers to visit commission souvenir shops. Guide publicly scolds passengers who do not spend 10 minutes in each shop.
Day 7: Guide issues an ultimatum to dissatisfied tour passengers: Either visit the Sera and Drepung Monasteries or visit the Tibet Niwei Travel Agency to file a complaint.
Day 8: Appointment to see Tibet Tourism Bureau is scheduled. The following day at the Tibet Tourism Bureau our guide was fined 5000 yuan and dismissed from his job for is disrespectful and inappropriate conduct throughout the tour. No punishment was issued to the travel agency.
Karen Choy
Canadian Tourist
