Boating in Tibet

[Chris Jones]

Hey there

I'm currently putting a bunch of trips together to kayak and raft in Tibet this summer. Due to the Chinese government relaxing their travel restrictions it is now possible to boat in Tibet with minimal permits and logistics. I have been boating there for the last 3 summers and have begun to train 5 local Tibet guys in rafting and kayaking.

If you want info on kayaking in Tibet (either independantly or commercially) beam me an email at chris@windhorsetibet.com You can also check out some images from some of our trips at www.windhorsetibet.com Go to "RAFTING" then "PICTURE GALLERY"

Cheers

Chris

[yetigonecrazy]

does their policy changes also include trekking? ive always wanted to trek into the tsangpo gorge. not even to look at the falls, that would be a side bonus, but to go to pemakochung. that seems like one of the most incredible places you could be on planet earth.

[Chris Jones]

The relaxing of travel restrictions mostly applies to area within a days drive of Lhasa. (Which is a huge area) you can trek in many areas without permits but the Gorges of the Yarlung Tsangpo and the Pemako area is not one of them. Due to the proximity of the Indian border and the tenuous border agreements the Chinese have with the Indians this area will be highly controlled for many years to come. Fortunately the Chinese government does recognise the significance of this area and have created a "National Preservation Area" I have heard of people doing small self supported missions into the area but it is tough going and a very very difficult area to trek into without porters or assistance of some sort. There are a number of fringe areas you can access (Like the Po Tsangpo gorges) with minimal permits. You can explore the valleys north of the Yarlung (Parlung, Yigong Tsangpo, Tong Chu and Bagsum Tso area) with minimal organisation.....these valleys are also inbelieveably beautiful but do have chinese and Tibetan villages in most valleys....so it is not really true wilderness as Pemako is.

We are hoping that with the Beijing Olympics coming up and Chinese increasing economic ties with western countries......Tibet will open up even more.

Hope this helps

Chris