Tibet: backpacker travelling?

Question

I am hoping to go from Nepal into Tibet in October 2008 to spend a bit of time doing some travelling around Tibet. Does anyone know how easy or hard it is, what is required in terms of visas/bribes etc. and whether it's possible to get into Tibet without booking a guided bus tour from Nepal? I'd rather travel individually and not with a guided tour. Also I want to experience Tibetan culture and Tibetan people. Any suggestions how to do this without putting cash into the pockets of the Han Chinese?

Answer 1

You need to have a permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Board to travel to Tibet. Without that, you can not even go there. And to receive a permit, you need to book a package as you can not travel independently. This is also true for the travel by air.

If you do not want to use the overland trip from Nepal, you could fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu. For this as well, you need a permit.