1. What permits are needed for Tibet Nepal tours?
Tibet Travel Permit: This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) and is required for all foreign travelers visiting Tibet.
Chinese Group Visa: To travel to Tibet from Nepal, travelers need a Chinese Group Visa. If you are from countries that enjoy China’s visa-free policies, including the 15-day, and 30-day visa-free policies, you need not to apply for the Chinese Group Visa.
Aliens' Travel Permit: Travelers traveling to partially restricted areas such as EBC, Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, need to obtain Aliens’ Travel Permit via Tibet Travel Agency (like Tibet Horizon).
Military Area Entry Permit: Since Ngari Prefecture is a military-sensitive area, a Military Area Entry Permit is required for foreigners and Taiwan compatriots’ visits to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.
Border Permit/ Frontier Pass: This permit is required for Taiwan compatriots and Chinese nationals including Hong Kong and Macau residents visiting the restricted areas around Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake.
Nepal Visa/ Nepal Visa on Arrival: To enter Nepal from Tibet, tourists need to obtain the Nepal Visa.
Our Xizang (Tibet) tour packages include Tibet Travel Permit and all the necessary Tibet travel documents. If you book with us, we’ll help apply for the permits needed to ensure a smooth and worry-free Tibet Nepal tour.
2. How to apply for Chinese Group Visa in Nepal?
First, confirm your Tibet tour.
Discuss your Tibet trip itinerary with our travel consultant. Then, sign the tour contract by paying the deposit. After booking your trip, provide the copy or photocopy of your passport to us.
Secondly, submit the Tibet Travel Permit and Invitation Letter application.
We will gather your travel information and submit your Tibet Permit application to Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). Normally, it takes 8-9 working days to get your Tibet Travel Permit. Meanwhile, we’ll apply for your Official Group Authorization Visa Invitation Letter, which is needed for applying for your Chinese Group Visa. It usually takes 8 working days to arrange your Visa Invitation Letter and we’ll send it to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
Thirdly, arrive in Kathmandu and give your original passport to our staff.
Please arrive in Kathmandu at least 4 days earlier before you enter Tibet and give your original passport, personal photo, visa fee, and service fee to our staff in Kathmandu and fill out the application form. You also need to visit the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu to input your fingerprint.
Lastly, get you China Group Visa.
Your China Group Visa will be given to you in person by our staff in your hotel in Kathmandu. Typically, after you submit your application, you can get your Chinese Group Visa and original passport on the afternoon of the fourth working day.
3. Can I get a Nepal Visa in Tibet?
Yes. You can apply for a Nepal Visa at the Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa. For tourists from most countries, a more convenient way is to apply Nepali Visa on Arrival at the Immigration Office of Nepal. If you enter Nepal from Gyirong Border, you can apply it at Immigration Office Rasuwagadi (Rasuwa), which is not far from the Gyirong Border. Please check that if you’re eligible for a Nepal Visa on Arrival.
4. What is the best time to join Tibet Nepal tours?
Taking the climate and temperature of the Himalayan region into consideration, the best time to join our Tibet Nepal tours is generally from April to June and from September to October. During these months, the weather is relatively stable, with less rainfall, clear skies and mild temperatures, making it ideal for enjoying the stunning views, riding motorbikes, and trekking around Mt. Kailash. Also, you can experience the grand Saga Dawa Festival in May. In summer, the weather may be rainy, but tourists can witness the celebration of Shoton Festival. Winter in Tibet is not as cold as you might think and you can enjoy a lower cost of transportation and accommodation and feel less crowded as there are fewer tourists. Also, Losar, the Tibetan New Year, often falls in February or March.
5. How many days are needed for Tibet Nepal tours?
The duration for Tibet Nepal tours can vary significantly based on the itinerary and the travel modes you choose. The length of the tour depends on the extent of the attractions you wish to cover. A standard Tibet Nepal tour takes around 8 days, but if you include more remote or additional destinations such as Mount Kailash, Lake Mansarovar, and the Guge Kingdom Ruins in Ngari, you should expect the tour to extend to at least 12 to 15 days or more. These sites are in remote areas and require more time for travel and exploration. The mode of transportation also affects the duration. Traveling by car offers a balance between cost and time. By motor, the journey can be more time-consuming.
6. Starting the tour in Tibet or Nepal, which one do you recommend?
The decision to start your journey in Tibet or Nepal often depends on your travel preferences. Starting in Lhasa offers the advantage of gradual altitude acclimatization, which is essential for a comfortable journey through high-altitude regions. On the other hand, beginning your journey in Kathmandu provides the benefit of convenient transportation options that directly link to Tibet. Nepal's capital is well-connected by air and land, offering a range of transportation services that can facilitate a smooth transition into Tibet.
7. Where to stay during Tibet Nepal tours?
Major cities like Lhasa, Shigatse and Kathmandu offer more diverse options from 3-to 5-star hotels to local guesthouses. They provide basic to luxury facilities, all ensuring a comfortable stay. For private travelers, you can choose according to your standards. However, in remote areas like EBC and Mount Kailash, only cozy tents and guesthouses are available.
8. What to eat during Tibet Nepal Tours?
Traveling in Kathmandu, you can find authentic Napali food such as momos, chicken masala and various curries. During your trip in Tibet, we have handpicked restaurants with food safety guarantees for our travelers. You can enjoy unique Tibetan and Sichuan cuisines along the way. Specialties include yak hotpot, sweet tea, butter tea, roasted pig, tsampa, barley wine, stone pot chicken and spicy diced chicken. You can also find Nepali, Indian and Western-style dishes in Tibet. If you have any special dietary requirements, please keep our guides informed and they will help you check food composition when you order dishes.
9. How to deal with possible altitude sickness?
Traveling on the Tibet Plateau with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, it’s common for some tourists to experience altitude sickness. The symptoms of altitude sickness can include headache, nausea, and dizziness.
To minimize the effect of altitude sickness, it is important to allow time to acclimate to the high altitude and to take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. Travelers should drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and avoid alcohol or caffeine. It is also recommended to take a slow path in the first two days after entering Tibet, avoiding strenuous activities like running.
If you feel uncomfortable, tell your guide. We have prepared oxygen tanks in our vehicles. You can inhale oxygen and take medication when necessary. If symptoms of altitude sickness persist or worsen, we’ll help transfer you to the hotel or hospital to seek medical attention immediately.
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