Tibet and Bhutan are two of the most mysterious Himalayan destinations, each with a distinctive Buddhist culture and varied alpine landscapes waiting to be explored. Planning a Tibet Bhutan tour together allows you to experience diverse Himalayan beauty and explore their rich local culture and history from different perspectives.

So, if you are planning to visit Tibet and Bhutan on one trip, we’ve got you covered! In this travel guide, we will offer you a complete guide to the Tibet Bhutan tour, including top highlights, best travel routes, best time to visit, travel documents, cost, and more.

What Are the Must-see Attractions for the Tibet Bhutan Tour? Where Are They?

Despite both being renowned Himalayan destinations, Tibet and Bhutan have distinct landscapes, cultures, and histories. As a result, the travel highlights in these two places are utterly different.

Perched on the soaring Tibetan Plateau, Tibet is known as “the roof of the world”, with an average altitude of above 4,000m and a massive size of 1.22 million km² for highland adventure. Tibet is famous for its majestic Himalayan peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and profound Tibetan Buddhism.

Popluar tourist regions in Tibet on the map.

The most popular attractions in Tibet center in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Ngari. Lhasa is the capital city and spiritual heart of Tibet. 90% of travelers begin their Tibet tour in Lhasa. It’s where you can explore Tibet’s landmarks, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, bustling Barhor Street, and Sera Monastery for Tibetan monk debates and Drepung Monastery.

4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour: Explore the Heart of Tibet and Mingle with the Locals

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD509 p.p

This 4-day Lhasa tour covers the must-see attractions in Lhasa for travelers who are short on time.

After touring Lhasa, if you plan to fulfill your travel bucket list by exploring jaw-dropping Mt. Everest and other highest peaks along the mighty Himalayas, then Shigatse , the second-largest Tibetan city and the gateway to Tibet Everest Base Camp should be at the top of your travel list for a Tibet Bhutan tour.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

The most popular Tibet Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa.

Additionally, if you long for the ultimate spiritual experience on your Tibet Bhutan tour, Ngari, home to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in western Tibet, is a must-visit to gain blessings and erase sins of a lifetime from the holiest mountain in Tibet.

13 Day Lhasa, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasarovar and Kathmandu Adventure Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Saga - Darchen - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Saga - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD2069 p.p

Travel across the Mighty Himalayas via Tibet EBC and Giyrong border to Kathmandu.

Conversely, Bhutan is tucked away in the eastern Himalayas. It’s much smaller than Tibet, covering 38,394 km², with a lower average altitude of around 3,280m. Compared with Tibet, Bhutan is greener, featuring lush forests, steep valleys, and terraced fields that give it a pastoral charm. Learn more about the difference between Tibet and Bhutan.

Touted as the “Last Shangri La”, Bhutan’s top highlights are mainly scattered in western Bhutan, including Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha.

Popluar trourist regions in Bhutan on the map

Paro lies in the enchanting Paro Valley. It is your entry point into Bhutan via the Paro International Airport. In Paro, you can hike the iconic Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery hanging miraculously from the cliff face, and explore Paro Dzong, a majestic fortress.

The imposing Taktsang Monastery hanging on the cliff in Paro Valley.

Thimphu is Bhutan’s vibrant capital, filled with cultural gems like Tashichho Dzong, Buddha Dordenma Statue, Memorial Chorten, and Dochula Pass. The city is a mix of tradition and modernity, with Tsechu festivals and events that draw both locals and travelers.

Punakha is Bhutan’s former capital, best known for Punakha Dzong, Bhutan’s most beautiful dzong, set at the confluence of the Mo Chhu River and Pho Chhu River. This sultry and fertile valley region offers scenic hikes and is a perfect place for birding.

4 Days Classic Bhutan Culture Tour

Tour Route: Paro - Punakha - Thimphu - Paro

Price from USD p.p

Enjoy the classic 4-day Bhutan tour from Paro to Thimphu and Punakha.

How Many Days Are Needed for a Tibet Bhutan Tour? Best Travel Route & Itinerary

To plan a Tibet Bhutan tour, you can budget 4 to 13 days in Tibet and 4 to 7 days in Bhutan to focus on the highlights of Tibet and Bhutan or dive deeper, depending on your time and interests. Here, we offer you three feasible plans for your Tibet Bhutan tour, from the most basic to get a bite of Tibet and Bhutan’s essentials to an in-depth exploration.

Plan A: Visit Tibet and Bhutan in 8 Days to Get a Glimpse into the Himalayas

If you are short on time and can only afford a basic Tibet Bhutan tour to get a bite of these two Himalayan regions.

The perfect choice is to enjoy the 4-day Lhasa tour to explore iconic Tibetan attractions in Lhasa like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and more, and fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu and change flight to Paro, Bhutan.

Then, enjoy a 3-day tour from Paro to Thimphu to cover the must-see Bhutanese attractions including Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Tashichho Dzong, and Buddha Dordenma Statue. It’s a perfect choice for a tight-packed Tibet Bhutan tour.

8 Days Tibet Bhutan Impression Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Kathmandu - Paro - Thimpu - Paro

Price from USD p.p

This 8-day Tibet Bhutan tour offers you a swift visit to Lhasa, Paro and Thimphu.

Plan B: Explore Tibet and Bhutan in 12 Days with Thrilling EBC Explorations

If you are keen to explore Tibet Everest Base Camp for the awe-inspiring Himalayan views in your Tibet Bhutan Tour, then you can spend 7-days in Tibet to travel from Lhasa to Shigatse with EBC exploration included and keep traveling overland via Gyirong border to Kathmandu.

Then, catch flights to Paro, Bhutan, and spend another 4 days from Paro to Thimpu and Punakha, three cultural highlights in western Bhutan to cover some of Bhutan’s best attractions.

This itinerary rewards you with five of the highest peaks along the mighty Himalayas, such as Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everest (8848.86m), and Cho Oyu (8201m) and Shishapangma (8012m) and overnight at Tibet EBC and Bhutan’s most beautiful dzongs. Adventure awaits!

12 Days Everest Exploration Tour from Tibet to Bhutan

Tour Route: Lhasa - Shigatse - EBC - Gyirong - Kathmandu - Paro - Thimpu - Punakha - Paro

Price from USD p.p

Explore the Tibet EBC and cover the must-see attractions from Paro to Thimphu and Punakha.

Plan C: Go for the 18-day Tibet and Bhutan Tour with Ultimate Mt. Kailash Pilgrimage

For Buddhist travelers and spiritual seekers who are eager for the ultimate spiritual experience in a Tibet and Bhutan tour, you can spend 12-day traveling from Lhasa to Shigatse to explore Tibet EBC and further heading west to Ngari to enjoy the epic 3-day Mt. Kailash kora and mediate along the shore of holy Lake Mansarovar before descending to Kathmandu via Gyirong border.

Then, take a flight from Kathmandu to Paro and cover Paro Valley, Thimphu, and Punakha in another 4 days. The unique spiritual vibes around holy Mt. Kailash the idyllic countryside view of Bhutan and the photogenic Bhutanese dzongs and high level of happiness there will leave you spellbound.

18 Days Spiritual Adventure to Tibet and Bhutan

Tour Route: Lhasa - Shigatse - EBC - Kailash - Saga - Gyirong - Kathmandu - Paro - Thimpu - Punakha - Paro

Price from USD p.p

Embrace the ultimate spiritual tour in Tibet and Bhutan with holy Mt. Kailash kora included.

What Are the Best Time to Visit Tibet and Bhutan? March to May & Sept to Oct

Well, the best time of the year to visit Tibet and Bhutan depends on what you want to do or experience in these two destinations.

To enjoy the most ideal weather for all outdoor activities, the best time to visit Tibet and Bhutan is between March to May or September to October. You can enjoy perfect road conditions and crystal-clear blue skies for Himalayan views, esp. the unobstructed view of the north face of Mt. Everest at Tibet EBC, and rosy peach blossoms in eastern Tibet and Rhododendron blooms in Bhutan in March and April.

10 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival Small Group Tour with Everest Base Camp in 2025

Tour Route: Nyingchi - Bomi - Basom tso Lake - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD1729 p.p

Explore the "Swiss-style" landscape in eastern Tibet with peach blossom festival visits and EBC tour.

Additionally, to savor the unique festival vibes in Tibet and Bhutan, during the Saga Dawa Festival (May/June), you can experience the massive celebrations around Mt. Kailash and witness the auspicious Tarboche prayer pole being erected. In Bhutan, Thimphu Tsechu (September/October) and Paro Tsechu (March/April) are prime times to witness dramatic masked cham dance and giant Thangka unfolding.

16 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: Touching Mount Kailash with Spiritual Saga Dawa Festival Experience

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Saga - Darchen - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2299 p.p

Experience the joyous celebration and pilgrimage around Mt.Kailash during Saga Dawa Festival.

How Much Does a Tibet Bhutan Tour Cost? From at least $1,900

Well, having a Tibet Bhutan tour is not cheap, at least not for backpackers. The total cost of a Tibet Bhutan tour depends on your travel season, tour length, hotel type, tour activities, dining, transportation, guide service, and other personal expenses.

In Tibet, the tour cost ranges from $600 to several thousand. A large sum of your money goes to transportation, guide service, hotel, driver, dining, entrance fee, and travel permits without the cost of a flight or train to Tibet included.

In Bhutan, travelers have to pay a minimum tariff of $250-$300 per day (high season) or $200–$250 per day (low season) for travel in Bhutan. The good thing is that it includes hotels, meals, guides, entrance fees, and local transportation.

For a well-balanced 14-day Tibet-Bhutan tour, budgeting between $3,500 and $5,500 per person (including flights) should provide a comfortable experience, with plenty of options to choose from.

Two practical solutions to cut down your Tibet Bhutan tour cost is you sign up for Tibet Small Group tours to share transportation fees with global travelers and enjoy local three-star hotels and entrance tickets and guided services included. The other way out is to travel in the winter seasons (Dec to Feb) since Bhutan has seasonal discounts and Tibet sees more tangible discounts as to hotels and flights during these months.

10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung - Lhasa

Price from USD1299 p.p

Tibet EBC exploration with visiting heavenly Namtso Lake. Never miss out on that adventure!

What Travel Documents Are Needed for Tibet Bhutan Tour?

To visit the Tibet Autonomous Region, overseas travelers first need to apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) and then depend on your pre-booked local Tibet travel like us to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit, with which you can legally board the flight or train to Lhasa. We offer you free processing of Tibet Travel Permit.

In Tibet, the tour cost ranges from $600 to several thousand. A large sum of your money goes to transportation, guide service, hotel, driver, dining, entrance fee, and travel permits without the cost of a flight or train to Tibet included.

A sample of Tibet travel permit.

To visit Bhutan, all foreign visitors (except Indian, Maldivian, and Bangladeshi citizens) need a Bhutan visa to enter the country. Your Bhutanese visa is arranged by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator as part of the Minimum Daily Package requirement. Currently, e-visa is also available through online applications through Bhutan’s official tourism website.

A sample of Bhutan Visa.

Most Importantly, Choose a Reliable Local Travel Agency like Tibet Vista

Since both Tibet and Bhutan can only be visited through a guided tour, a crucial factor that makes or breaks your Tibet Bhutan tour is choosing a reliable local travel agency.

As a local Tibet travel agency with offices in Lhasa, Kathmandu, and Chengdu, we offer you one-stop services to book your Tibet Bhutan tour. You can enjoy smooth border transfers from Tibet to Kathmandu, travel with our local experts, and local drivers, choose from extensive quality hotels and quality local eateries in both Tibet and Bhutan, secure your travel documents with ease, and have a professional team behind you for prompt support and beyond.

So, you can immerse yourself in discovering amazing Himalayan views, exploring Buddhist traditions, and intriguing local customs in both Tibet and Bhutan.

Conclusion

A Tibet Bhutan tour offers you the best of Himalayan landscapes, rich Buddhist culture, and unforgettable adventures. Whether you’re looking to explore spiritual sites, admire breathtaking peaks, or experience local festivals, the options in both regions can be tailored to fit your schedule and preferences. If you have more questions about a Tibet Bhutan tour, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Cheers!