The combined tours of magical destinations Bhutan and Tibet treat visitors with their cultural and natural diversity. Buddhism is highly practiced in these destinations and several monuments, and cultural monasteries are prime attractions. The spiritual significance is high in both destinations and visitors can feel peaceful while exploring these destinations. The unique heritage, remote landscapes, towering snow-covered mountains including Everest, serene lakes, vast grasslands, and the indomitable spirit of its people in Tibet make it an attractive and unmissed destination. Likewise, stunning Himalayan ranges, cultural heritages, impressive architectural landmarks, green valleys, and friendly and ever-smiling Bhutanese make Bhutan a top destination among visitors.
Tibet is popular as ‘The Roof of the World’ while Bhutan is renowned as the ‘Land of Thunder Dragon’. Ancient fortresses and monasteries, fascinating architecture, unique traditional festivals, cultural richness, and cultural dresses add value to these destinations. Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka Palace, Yamdruk Lake, Rongbuk Monastery, etc. are major attractions in Tibet. Bhutan is also rich in its monuments and landmarks like Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Chhimi Lhakhang Temple, Dzongs, Buddha Dordenma Statue, etc. Visitors must try unique and authentic delicious foods in both destinations. They are the identity of these destinations. With good scenic views, try some yummy meals and capture them in your tour memories of the combined Bhutan and Tibet tours. Visitors have the flexibility to choose an overland or flight tour as their preference. Connect with us for an unforgettable Bhutan and Tibet tours.
What are China’s mainland cities for Tibet tour?
Chengdu, Beijing, Chongqing, Xian, Xining, Kunming, Shanghai, Mian Yang, Zhengzhou, Shi Quan He, Wuhan, Wanxian, Luzhou, Bangda, Changsha, Diqing, Golmud, etc.
We have several Bhutan and Tibet tour packages with various durations (3-15 days) that are perfectly flexible and customizable to your choices of accommodations and monuments/landmarks visit. You just need to provide us with your preferred travel time, available duration, number of travelers, preferred hotels, interested monuments, travel days in each destination, etc. With the provided information, we will prepare a suitable itinerary that mostly aligns with your choices and calculate the total cost. It is best to travel between April to November in both destinations as these months offer phenomenal views with stable weather and temperature. Both Bhutan and Tibet tours are expensive due to the high transportation costs in Tibet and government SDF fee (USD 100 per person per night) in Bhutan. We only operate private tours for the personalized service which means there is no group joining. Suggested Tibet and Bhutan tour packages are as follows with travel routes and place to visits:
Route: Fly to Lhasa from the city of China, Lhasa to Kathmandu (By flight or drive), Kathmandu to Paro (Bhutan), Paro to next destination
Route: Fly from China mainland to Lhasa, Lhasa to Everest Base Camp (Rongbuk Monastery) to Kathmandu by drive, Kathmandu to Paro, Paro to next destination
Route: Fly from Bangkok/Kathmandu/New Delhi to Bhutan, Bhutan to Kathmandu (Nepal), Kathmandu to Chengdu, Chengdu to Lhasa, Lhasa to next destination via China mainland
Route: Fly to Kathmandu (Connecting flight available from worldwide), Apply for Tibet group visa and Kathmandu Tour, after getting Tibet visa, Kathmandu to Bhutan flight, Bhutan to Kathmandu, Kathmandu to Lhasa (by flight/drive), Lhasa to next destination
Route:Fly to Kathmandu(Connecting flight available from worldwide), Kathmandu to Paro(Bhutan), Paro to Kathmandu, Apply for Tibet group visa and Kathmandu Tour, after getting Tibet visa, drive from Kathmandu to Rongbuk Monastery (Everest base camp) to Lhasa, and flight from Lhasa to next destination
We offer short tours for Chengdu, Beijing, Xining, and various mainland cities in China for those planning to reach Tibet via the Chinese mainland. It’s essential to bring your China visa from your home. We will provide you required Tibet travel permit to fly or take a train to Lhasa (Tibet) from any city in China where you land.
There are mainly 3 options to go to Tibet from Kathmandu (Nepal) and are as follows:
We offer short tours in Kathmandu and surrounding while applying your Tibet visa in China embassy of Kathmandu. We offer helicopter tours to Mt. Everest, world heritage sites in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park etc.
Tibet:
Bhutan:
Nepal:
Destination: KTM – LXA (Kathmandu to Lhasa, Tibet)
Days: Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Departure: 07:00 / 08:25 (KTM time)
Arrival: 10:25 / 12:00(Tibet time)
Destination: LXA – KTM (Lhasa to Kathmandu, Nepal)
Days: Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Departure: 12:45 / 12:15 (Tibet time)
Arrival: 12:05 / 11:35 (Kathmandu time)
Foreigners are allowed to visit Tibet, and flights from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Lhasa (Tibet) or vice versa are currently available 1 flight per week. If not matched flight with your travel date, there are other tour options such as overland or driving tours.
Notice on Exempting fingerprint (biometrics) collection for certain types of visa Application of China (Tibet Group Visa) from Kathmandu, Nepal:
Between August 11, 2023, and December 31, 2023, the Chinese embassy in Nepal will waive the requirement for eligible applicants seeking single or double-entry business (M), tourist (L), family visit (Q2), transit (G), Crew (C), foreigner of high talent or specialist (R) visas to provide fingerprints. For more details about Chinese Visa center of Kathmandu, click here
China has decided to trial a unilateral visa-free program, alongside the promotion of Summer Holiday & Autumn China or Tibet tour packages for 2024.
Travelers from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, New Zealand and Australia can now enter China without a visa for up to 15 or 30 days. The policy is in effect until December 31, 2025.
For Chinese Mainland
(From December 11th, 2023 to December 31st, 2025)
Nationality | Group Visa Fees (NPR) |
Nepal | 11,100 |
US | 25,100 |
Canada | 15,900 |
Serbia | 10,000 |
Brazil | 20,200 |
Israel | 11,900 |
Argentina | 12,700 |
Panama | 14,800 |
Romania | 16,000 |
Uruguay | 13,300 |
Albania & Micronesia & BiH | 9,800 |
Chile | 7,800 |
Pakistan & Maldives | – |
Other Countries | 12,700 |
For Tibet:
For Bhutan:
For Nepal:
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a common condition that can occur when people ascend/climb to high elevations without giving proper rest to the body. Altitude sickness is common at the high-altitudes. But, travelers must know the symptoms and preventions of altitude sickness.
Headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, and confusion. In some cases, AMS can be severe, and even life-threatening.
Tibet: As mentioned earlier, Tibet is on a high plateau and its elevation is higher compared to Nepal. It has an initial altitude at Lhasa of approx. 3650m from the sea level. So, we recommend you before visiting Tibet, get as fit and healthy as possible, both physically and mentally. It is advised that travelers having records of heart, lung, or other organ problems or anemia must consult their doctor before traveling to Tibet. If anyone planning to travel to Northern EBC, we advise you to spend at least 2-3 days in Lhasa city to acclimatize and adjust to the temperature. During the Tibet visit, we have the facility of oxygen cylinders for emergency and traveler’s safety.
Bhutan: Bhutan’s capital Thimphu is at an elevation of 2,320m. Altitude sickness is common above an elevation of 3,000m. During our Bhutan tours, we don’t go above an elevation of 3,000m except Tiger’s Nest Monastery (3,120m), and Dochu La Pass (3,100m). Most cities like Paro, Punakha, and Phobjikha are below an elevation of 2,500m, so getting altitude sickness is minimal. Also, mountain climbing is strictly prohibited in Bhutan. And our tour package only offers city tours in Bhutan. Our itinerary is designed properly including acclimatization adjustments. So, the excursion to Dochu La Pass is planned properly. We suggest hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) at the end of the tour as visitors would have adapted to the environment and it would be comfortable for them and hike at their own pace. Still, to prevent altitude sickness we recommend visitors stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, ascend slowly, follow instructions strictly, and consult with a guide to clear doubts or confusion.
There are several advantages of Private Tours over a Group Tour. A private tour offers a more personalized and flexible itinerary. You will have the great opportunity to explore the places of your interest as well as more comfort and more privacy. You will get accompanied by an expert & dedicated guide who will take care of all the logistics and an experienced driver who knows the remote region and its high-altitude destination very well, especially in Tibet.
A: Your visa, passport, and permits are necessary to travel to both destinations. We take care of your visa and permit for Bhutan and Tibet.
If applying for a Tibet Group Visa from Kathmandu it takes around 4 days to process the visa at the Chinese embassy of Kathmandu. Each traveler’s biometric data is required, so they need to be physically present at the embassy in Kathmandu. A minimum of 4 persons is required to apply for a Tibet group visa. If you are coming through China mainland, you have to bring China visa from your home-country.
For Bhutan, we will apply for a group visa for you which you must have to enter the country as a part of the tour and provide you via email. It is paper visa.
A: China has decided a unilateral visa-free program, alongside the promotion of Summer Holiday & Autumn China or Tibet tour packages for 2024/2026.
Travelers can enter China and Tibet without a visa from the nationality of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, New Zealand and Australia for up to 15 days and Singapore for upto 30 days. The policy is in effect until December 31, 2025.
A: Yes, a Tibet travel permit is required to enter Tibet. We will provide the permit based on your itinerary and places of stay.
A: It is not difficult. We can send the Tibet Travel Permit to any city where you will be staying overnight, including airports if you have a same-day flight to Lhasa, Tibet.
A: Both Bhutan and Tibet have limited flights and Kathmandu (Nepal) is the best option. Besides mainland cities in China, Kathmandu (Nepal) is the only international destination for a direct Lhasa (Tibet) flight.
Bhutan too has limited flights to 5 international destinations (Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Singapore). Bhutan’s only two carriers are allowed to operate flights and there is no connecting flight to Bhutan. Thus, visitors must take flights to Bhutan from above mentioned 5 nations.
For the travel between Tibet and Bhutan, Kathmandu (Nepal) is the perfect connecting point. Visitors can first fly to Bhutan from Kathmandu Nepal and return to Kathmandu after completing Bhutan tour and take a flight or overland tour to Tibet. Visitors can also fly to Tibet first via China Mainland and then to Bhutan.
A: Both Tibet-Bhutan tours are expensive due to the high transportation costs in Tibet and government sustainability fees in Bhutan.
A: In Bhutan, the government requires visitors to stay in at least 3-star hotels. You can also upgrade to four or five-star hotels costing anywhere between USD 200 to 2500 per night per room.
In Lhasa and Shigatse, there are 5-star luxury hotels available. In Shegar/Tingri and Gyirong, accommodations are available up to locally 3-star standards. In Rongbuk, only guesthouses are available. The accommodation cost varies with the hotel’s standards.
A: The high altitude in Tibet can pose some challenges. It is recommended to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and take adequate rest. Oxygen cylinders are always available in the vehicles during the tour as a precautionary measure. So, there is no need to worry, but it is important to be mindful of the altitude.
A: Yes, it is possible to visit China mainland cities with a Tibet group visa.
A: A Tibetan guide will be provided for the tour.
A: Yes, it is possible to arrange a full meal plan in Tibet. If visitors wish, Lunch and Dinner can be served in an outside restaurant in cities as there is abundant availability of restaurants and food menus are reasonable.
We suggest going for a full meal plan in Bhutan as it is reasonable and suitable, and lunch and dinner serving outside is slightly expensive.
A: We will provide you with a private vehicle that fits your group size comfortably. Our vehicles are tuned up and regularly maintained for comfort and smoothness. Similarly, our experienced drivers are well knowledgeable about the routes you will take and their latest condition for your assurance.
A: Yes, it is possible to witness the sunrise with Mt. Everest and other mountain ranges from Gawu La Pass, even if you are staying in Shegar
A: Yes, only 3 flights per week as of now (Updated: 5th April 2024). But you have a option via Chengdu from/to Kathmandu for the Tibet tour.
A: It is best to exchange your currencies for local ones at the airport. The exchange rates might quite fluctuate quite a bit outside here. US dollars are the easiest and cheapest to exchange here. ATMs are available in the major cities and you’ll not have to go far to find one. You can ask your guide for the itinerary schedule and manage cash according to it. The rates might vary from banks but most will accept your international card anyway.
A: Yes, both Tibet and Bhutan are amongst the safest countries for travelers to be. Solo or female travelers have nothing to worry about while traveling as they are properly assigned to a group. There are enough help posts for your assistance and the people, in general, are much friendlier and helpful. As both these destinations are religious and traditional, you can feel welcomed and safe as long as you travel responsibly.
A: Payment or deposit can be made through bank transfer or by card or in cash. Please choose the option that is most convenient for you.
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