Practical information, rates

Rates

All routes and itineraries are developed together during preparatory videoconference meetings. They are decided by mutual agreement according to each participant’s wishes and interests. These meetings, along with a WhatsApp group (or similar) that I create for the occasion, also allow us to get to know each other before departure — a major asset for the success of such expeditions. This is why every journey is unique and unlike any other!

Meeting point:

The meeting point is in Xining, the capital of Qinghai.
On average, a round-trip flight from Europe to China costs between €700 and €1100, depending on the season and departure airport (e.g., flights from France tend to be more expensive than from Italy).

Good to know: China no longer requires visas for many European countries! Check to see if you are eligible for this exemption.

For departures with two participants:

• Departures are scheduled on fixed dates (see below).
• Registration is possible up to one month before departure.
• Payment is made via bank transfer in France or Italy.
• To confirm your booking, a 50% deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 30 days before departure.

For solo departures:

• You choose the date that suits you, and we arrange the trip based on my availability.
• The duration can be adjusted, but a minimum of 10 days is required.
• The price will be adapted depending on the number of days.
• There is no strict deadline for registration, but at least one month is needed for planning.
• Payment is made via bank transfer in France or Italy.
• To confirm your booking, a 50% deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 30 days before departure.

Cancellations:

• I strongly recommend purchasing cancellation/repatriation insurance.
• If you cancel 30 days before departure, I will retain the 50% deposit.
• If you cancel less than 30 days before departure, 80% of the trip cost will be retained.
• If I must cancel the trip for imperative personal reasons, I will refund the full amount.

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Departure Dates

The most comfortable period to travel in Qinghai is from early July to late September. During this time, the grasslands are green and filled with flowers, and wildlife is abundant. That said, outside this window the landscapes are equally captivating, especially for photographers! In winter, mountains and valleys are blanketed in snow, and rivers are frozen. In spring and autumn, the scenery turns ochre, with snow-covered peaks offering striking contrast.

I propose three main travel windows — we’ll set the exact dates together once the group is formed:

• Spring: mid-May to late May
• Summer: mid-July to late July
• Autumn: mid-September to late September

As for winter, trips are organized on request only, as road conditions require a very different route, mostly toward northern Qinghai, where altitudes are lower (around 3,000 meters on average).

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Weather and Altitude Conditions

Temperatures

Summer is the “warmest” season, with average temperatures around 15°C. But at 4200 meters, the sun can feel very intense — you might find yourself in a t-shirt during the day. Nights, however, are cold and often drop to around 0°C. It’s also the rainiest season, as the monsoon forms, though it’s rarely disruptive.

In spring and autumn, expect daytime temperatures between 8–10°C and slightly negative values at night. Layered clothing (“onion style”) is highly recommended.

Winter brings freezing temperatures: about -15°C during the day and as low as -30°C at night. Appropriate gear for extreme cold is essential. It is also the driest season.

Altitude

But it is altitude that must be considered above all.

With an average of 4200 meters above sea level, adapting to the altitude should absolutely not be taken lightly.

That is why I recommend meeting in Xining, the capital of Qinghai. It is at 2200 meters, and we spend one night there, which helps absorb both the altitude change and the jet lag. Then we take a flight to Yushu, which is at 3800 meters. There, we stay two nights and quietly visit the small town to continue getting used to the altitude.

A few days before departure, I strongly recommend taking medication to help prepare for the altitude, especially if you normally live at low elevation. Speak with your doctor about the best approach!

No one is immune to altitude sickness.
The higher you go, the more likely you are to be affected: while less than 20% of people suffer at around 2000 meters, more than 60% experience symptoms above 4000 meters. There are no rules about who may be affected: anyone, whether athletic or not, can suffer from altitude sickness. Symptoms, which can appear alone or together, are usually: shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, sleep disturbances. In the most severe (but much rarer) cases, there can be a risk of pulmonary or cerebral edema.

This is also why I insist on staying in a town for 2–3 days, near hospitals experienced in dealing with such problems. But in the vast majority of cases, symptoms subside with time, paracetamol, or oxygen.

In any case, this trip is not a trek! Most of the time we will be in a car, and if a few ascents on foot seem necessary to get a better viewpoint, we will do them at our own pace and very gently!

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Accommodation, food and transports

Accommodation

I try to choose hotels of the best possible standard, but given how little developed tourism is in the region, they rarely reach the standards we’re used to. That said, I can assure you that everywhere I’ve been, the rooms, sheets, and towels are always very clean!

As for breakfast, it’s impossible to find anything resembling a “continental” breakfast. If you can’t go without coffee and a pastry, please note that rooms are always equipped with electric kettles. However, you’ll need to bring your own instant coffee, as it’s very difficult to find in local shops.

Food

The food is generally simple but varied. Most restaurants are run by the Hui minority (a Muslim ethnic group), and meals are mainly based on noodles and potatoes. Tibetans eat a lot of meat, but there are always plenty of different vegetables. A vegetarian will have no trouble finding something to eat, but it’s much more difficult for a vegan. That said, we can always ask the cook to prepare something special if needed.

Transport

We’ll be traveling in an SUV or 4×4 whenever possible. I always try to find the most spacious and comfortable vehicle available, but I’m not in control of local availability — which is often limited.
In any case, I guarantee a reliable vehicle that can take us wherever we want to go!

We will need to take a domestic flight, as making a full loop in two weeks is almost impossible without spending hours and hours in the car. And that’s not the goal! This is a road trip, not a marathon.
The cost of these flights is included in the price.

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Photography Equipment

We’ll be doing a lot of street photography, landscape, and wildlife shots.

I therefore recommend bringing either prime lenses (my personal preference) such as a 28mm or 35mm, an 80mm, and something over 300mm. Alternatively, you can bring zoom lenses that cover those focal lengths.
Ultra-wide-angle lenses aren’t particularly practical given the vastness of the landscapes — they can actually be harder to use effectively.

A tripod doesn’t seem essential to me, but that depends entirely on your habits and the kind of projects you’re working on.

And of course: laptop, memory cards, chargers, adapters… Keep in mind that we’ll be in a remote and underdeveloped region, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be able to find any kind of photography or tech accessory on the spot!