Believed to be the most likely places of fictional Shangri-La on our planet, Tibet and Nepal, the two landlocked destinations in Southeast Asia, are popular for trekkers and hikers and multiple tour activities. You will enjoy the Himalayan peaks of Tibet and then travelling to the Kathmandu valley of Nepal for your Tibet travel. Two cultures with rich traditions and intriguing cultural heritage will make you the most amazing trips you’ve ever taken. However, before you hit the road, there are few things you need to know for the epic journey.
Geography between Tibet and Nepal
Tibet is unique in its landscape. It is very different from the other countries and is the highest region on Earth with an average elevation of 4,900 meters. Thanks to its topography, it is marked as having some beautiful natural sceneries from Lake Namtso, to the sacred Mount Kailash to the ever so popular Mount Everest. Don’t forget the northern Tibet grasslands filled with dense plantations.
Nepal has terrain which is hilly towards the Himalayan part of Nepal and as you go lower, it becomes lower lying. Nepal may be a small country but it is filled with landscapes of all sorts and perfect for the adventurer who likes to seek thrills in every moment. Nepal is landlocked by India on three sides while Tibet is to its north region.
Best Travel Season for Tibet Nepal tour
If you are a trekker and love the experience of walking in different terrains especially lower elevations then the winter season from November to March in Nepal is ideal for you. Morning and night are cold while the days are warmer. Rains and the snow can be a nuisance for trekkers. Thus during this season there is very little rainfall and less snow.
While in Tibet, the best travel season for the visit of all purposes comes from mid-April to early June and September to October. It’ would be a perfect time for Himalayan sightseeing, esp. to Everest Base Camp. It’s also a great time frame for photography in Tibet.
Coming to Tibet and Nepal for the temples, monasteries and the national parks then summer time has the right weather for you. Summer falls from June to September and is also the monsoon season in Nepal.
The most pleasant climate is during Autumn which is September to November. Ideal for those who love to take photos of the ever memorable mountain views from Mount Everest. If you wanna to do kora around Mount Kailash, Mid April to early Oct. would be the ideal time for the visit. Don’t miss the festival Dashain in Nepal during this time, which is marked as the biggest Hindu festival.
If you feel like cycling around looking at flowers blossoming with your loved one, take a trip during Spring which is from March to May. Do remember, from mid-Feb to entire March, Tibet is not available for international tourists, according to the tour policy.
How to Get to Tibet and Nepal afterwards
The trip starts from Tibet and thus you have to reach the capital of Tibet which is Lhasa from mainland China. You can hop in from the major train stations in China to get on a magnificent scenic Tibet train journey or you could fly to Lhasa from China’s main airports.
There are two ways of travelling from Tibet to Nepal. The recommended way is the overland journey from Tibet to Nepal. Many tourists prefer it as you get to be part of the various terrains of Tibet from the high mountains to the blue lakes. The overland route taken is 830 kilometers long, which links Lhasa to the Nepal border. The route is filled with popular tourist spots which will be the best trip by road you will ever take.
If you are not a fan of the long drives, or you get car sick you can take a direct flight from Lhasa’s airport to Kathmandu. There are three airlines which you can opt from – Sichuan Airlines, Air China and Tibet Airlines. Please make sure you get a window seat to experience a view from the top like you never thought possible!
Travel Documents for Visiting Tibet and Nepal
There are a number of permits and visas you will need to get arranged to ensure your journey from Tibet to Nepal is not disrupted by officials and the authority. Here are the Travel documents needed in a nutshell.
Chinese Visa – Apply for the Chinese visa before hand through the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the country you originate from.
Tibet Travel Permit – The tour operator you have chosen will apply for your Tibet Travel Permit. This document is the gateway to Tibet and takes around 10 days for the whole processing of the permit. It is handed over to you when you are in china ready to travel to Tibet.
Alien’s Travel Permit – Travelling to the other parts of Lhasa requires this permit. The tour operator organizes this and is provided at Lhasa.
Military Area Entry Permit – Tibet is quite sensitive in terms of security and thus this permit allows you to travel freely to locations such as the Sacred Mount Kailash.
Nepal Visa – This is a fairly easy document to process as it can be applied at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It’s a visa on arrival.
Highlights for Touring Tibet and Nepal
In the city of Lhasa, you can explore the tourist spots of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, like Potala Palace. Don’t miss the monasteries like Sera and Drepung which are fabulous and in all aspects unique.
While travelling towards Nepal take a short stroll along Lake Yamdrok and dazzle in the blue turquoise waters. Don’t miss the Kumbum Stupa which is a 100 thousand Buddha Pagoda situated in Gyantse. Explore the second most populated city in Tibet, Shigatse where you can visit Tashilumpo Monastery which has a rich history.
Don’t miss Mount Everest which can be travelled by a road diversified off from the Friendship Highway which leads to Nepal. Stay a day back at Rongpuk where you can watch the sunrise. Trek early morning to Everest Base Camp which has air that will enlighten your body and spirit.
When you are in Kathmandu, you will agree to the fact that the Kathmandu Valley is a world heritage site. It features Bhaktapur Durbar Square which is a fine plaza in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom. In the Square you can visit the Palace of Fifty five Windows, temples such as Vatsala Temple dedicated to Vatsala Devi and see the Lu Dhowka which is the world’s famous Golden gate of Bhaktapur.
Don’t miss the Tibet Nepal tour which guarantees a truly different experience and will be the best trip of your lifetime.
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