Tibet Tour From Nepal

Tibet is an asian country which is occupied by the Chinese government. Most of the rules and regulations in Tibet are made and implemented from China. Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal and India lie on the southern border of Tibet. Similarly, Sichuan to the East, Yunnan to the Southeast, Kashmir to the west. Meanwhile, Qinghai lies to the northeast and Xinjiang lies to the northwest.

Located in the southwest of China, Tibet is the second largest province of China. As of now Tibet is one of the parts of Chinese Territory. The Chinese government had direct control over Tibet since 1965 during the regime of the Yuan Dynasty. Before the division of Tibet by the Chinese government there used to be three provinces of Tibet which included U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo. The Chinese government took some parts of Kham and all parts of Amdo and made Qinghai, Yunnan, Gansu and Sichuan Provinces.

Tibet is also known by the name “The Roof of the World”. It is because the average height of Tibet is above 4,200 meters above sea level. Because of being at such a great height from the sea level it was given the name. With unique geography, culture, costumes and history, visitors can enjoy various exciting places, lakes, mountains, landscapes and the vintage monasteries.

Located in the lapse of the Himalayas, Tibet holds some of the hidden gems and the vintage places to explore around. Some of the marvellous views of the landscapes as well as the typical Tibetan culture can also be witnessed during your Tibet tour package from Kathmandu.

Besides that, you can also witness the highest peak of the world Mt. Everest along with other mountain ranges during your drive to Everest base camp. Similarly, you can also explore the spectacular lakes as well as the vintage monasteries.

Potala Palace

Potala palace is one of the major attractions of Lhasa city. Situated at an elevation of 3,700 meters above sea level it is the highest building of China. The total height of the palace is 117 meters. Meanwhile the area of the Potala palace is 130,000 Square Meters. Potala palace was presented to the king's bride in 637 A.D. As of now it serves as a museum after the 14th Dalai lama fled to India in 1959.

There are two places at the top of the hill. One is painted White and another is painted Red. The white palace serves as the office of the Tibetan government, assembly halls, and the Dalai Lama's residence. Meanwhile the red palace serves as the house of prayer by the Dalai Lama. There are a total 9 bodies of previous Dalai Lamas which were mummified and preserved. The bodies of the Dalai Lama 5th to 13th are preserved in this palace.

Although the palace is large, only 2,300 visitors are allowed per day to protect the palace and visitors have an uncrowded tour of the palace. Because of that it is better to get an entrance card one day before you visit this Palace. The Cost of Potala Palace permit is 200RMB during peak season (May- October) and can decrease upto 100 RMB during off peak season (November - April). From the palace's roof and balcony you can witness the amazing views of the Lhasa city, valleys and the mountain ranges in distance. 

Lhasa City

Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and also is one of the major cities of Tibet. Situated at an elevation of 3,665 meters above sea level, it is also known by the name The Sunshine city. With a population of 1,100,000, the total area of Lhasa is 30,000 square kilometers. Meanwhile, the total area of the downtown area is 544 Square Kilometers. Located beside the Kyi River, the nearest airport from Lhasa city is Lhasa Gonggar Airport that lies about 68 miles away from the main city.

Potala palace is the most amazing place in Tibet, but the holiest place is the Jokhang Temple. Meanwhile, during your stay at Lhasa you can also explore Barkhor street or the old Lhasa market. Besides that , you can also taste the local cuisines as well as wear the local dress and capture pictures. 

Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake is one of the holiest lakes of tibet. Situated at an elevation of 4,718 meters above sea level, it is the second largest salt water lake of China. This crystal clear blue water lake is frozen until May. Because of that it is not favourable to visit this lake before May. The total distance from Lhasa to Namtso lake is 112 kilometers. There are no public vehicles leaving towards Namtso lake from Lhasa. Because of that it is better to hire a car which will take about 4-5 hours to reach.

Situated on the lapse of the snowy mountain, it will take 2 days to complete the Kora of the lake on drive. Meanwhile, it will take about 20-30 days to complete the Kora by walking. The best time to visit Namtso lake is during the months of May to September. You will need to pay a fee to explore this lake. 120 RMB per person for peak season (May to October) and 60 RMB per person during off season (November to April).

Jokhang Temple

The Jokhang Temple is the place that everyone must visit when they are in Lhasa, locals, pilgrims or any casual travelers. This is the destination for pilgrims, many of them walked and kneeled miles and miles to get to the temple to worship. Its significance in the political structure of the past and culture of today may be found in any documentation of the temple and the city. Built in the 7th century, it took 3 years to complete the temple. 

When you enter the temple, you can feel a mixture of different architectural styles such as Han style, Tiberian style, Nepalese style and Indian style. Inside the temple, there are two huge mural paintings of almost 1 km in length that deal with the arrival of Princess Wencheng and the structure of the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest place of destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims.

The actual name of this temple is Resa and the meaning of Re is the ‘Goats’ and Sa means ‘Earth.’The name was given to show the graduation to the goats who carried all the materials used to build the temple. Only after the 15th century the temple was named Jokhang Temple. Ticket price is CNY 85 per person during peak season and CNY 35 during off season. Meanwhile, tourists can visit this temple only after 11:30 to 17:30 only. Similarly, The visitors have to walk clockwise from left to right and taking photos inside the temple is not allowed.

Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake mainly lies in Nagarze County of Shannan City, southwest China's Tibet autonomous region. Lying under the sunshine, the peaceful water seems like a bright mirror. The reflection of sunshine in different depths lends the lake gorgeous and mysterious colors. Overlooked from the nearby high mountain, one could see the Yamdrok Lake, like a holy sapphire, set in the group of mountains.

It is also believed that this sacred lake is able to help Tibetians find the reincarnation soul of the Dalai Lama. Many species of fishes are also found in this lake but the fish are not caught and eaten by the locals. Similarly, this lake is also an ideal place for bird watching. Meanwhile, this lake changes its colour into turquoise when the sun shines on it.

In the lake, are dotted several small islands. Embraced by the uninterrupted snow-capped mountains and lying under the clear blue sky, the Yamdrok Lake appears very holy and evokes solemnity. An absolutely breath-taking sight to be seen to be believed. A turquoise ribbon wafted its way through  lush foliage against a backdrop of cerulean dome. This sacred area is so pristine as if it could purify your soul. A bestowal from Mother Nature to this spiritual land of Tibet.

Everest Base Camp

The Everest base camp drive from Lhasa is the easiest way to witness the highest peak in the world as well as its surrounding peaks. It will take about 3 days to reach the Everest base camp from Lhasa through a drive. Meanwhile, it is the best option to witness the highest mountain of the world without a demanding trek. Situated about 620 kilometers away from the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, it was opened for visitors in the 1920s.

During your trip to Everest base camp from Lhasa, you can also explore some other sightseeing places. Meanwhile, during your overnight stay at Shigatse you can also explore some of the popular sites around Shigatse. This base camp of Mount Everest is also known by the name Northern Mount Everest Base Camp. with an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level, it is located in the Gamagou of Qudang Township, Shigatse.

Various festivals are celebrated all over Tibet throughout the year. Some of the festivals are celebrated all over Tibet, Meanwhile few of the festivals are celebrated in only some specific locations. Some of the major Tibetan festivals celebrated all over Tibet include the Tibetan New Year, Butter Lamp Festival, Saga Dawa Festival and Bathing Festival. 

Tibetan New Year

Tibetian New year is the most significant festival of Tibet. It is celebrated all over Tibet and falls on the 1st January of the Tibetan Calendar. Similarly, this day is also celebrated as the Losar festival all over Tibet. Mostly the Tibetans celebrated the first 3 days as the main festival, however it lasts for 2 weeks. Different parts of Tibet celebrated this festival in their own way but the most representative one is from Lhasa. 

Butter Lamp Festival

Normally, the Butter Lamp Festival of Tibet falls on January 15 of the Tibetan calendar. It is a one day festival and is mostly celebrated in Lhasa and other Tibetan areas. On this day people visit temples and burn incense to worship Buddha. Most of the devotees make their own lamp and the shape of the lamp can be in forms of gods, birds, flowers, trees, beasts and any more which can be burned. 

Bathing Festival

Bathing Festival falls in the July month of the Tibetaian calendar which lasts for a week. Locals also call it “Gamiriji” which translates to venues. The bathing festival starts after being seen in the sky and ends after the star sets. A huge number of locals wait eagerly for the group bathing. It is believed that bathing at this time is beneficial for health. The locals go to nearby rivers, ponds or hot water steam to take a bath during this festival. 

Ongkor Festival

Ongkor is one of the oldest festivals of Tibet which is celebrated by the farmers. This festival is celebrated during the months of July and August months of the Tibetian calendar when all the crops are ready for harvest. Various activities are done during the Ongkor festival in Tibet. Some of the activities include horse riding, singing, dancing, shooting, Tibetan Opera, stone holding and wrestling.

If you are travelling to Tibet then you may know that Tibet can only be visited either from epal or From Tibet. Exploring Tibet from Nepal is one of the ideal choices and probably the best choice too. During your Tibet tour from Nepal you can witness these two himalayan countries and can understand the culture and traditions of these two nations. 

The tour package to Tibet can be from 4 days and extended upto 20 days. Here are a few of the Tibet tour packages we offer. Besides that, we can also make a tailor made itinerary specially designed for you. 

Lhasa Monasteries Tour

Lhasa Monasteries tour is among the best Tibet Tour packages from Kathmandu to witness the vintage monasteries. This short tour is of 5 days only. During this tour you can explore all the popular monasteries and  places of Lhasa. Besides that you can also explore the holy Namtso lake during the tour. Some other popular places that you can explore during the trip include the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Bakor street and many more. Besides that you can explore Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

The best time for the Tibet Lhasa Namtso Lake Tour is during the months of March, April, May, June, October and November. Meanwhile, the cost of this Tibet Lhasa Namtso Lake is USD 800 per person for 2-3 people. The price of the tour changes according to the size of the group. Meanwhile, the cost of the two way flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa and back to Kathmandu is not included.

Short Lhasa Tour Package

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor street are the three UNESCO world heritage sites that you will be exploring during the Short Lhasa tour package. Meanwhile, you can also have a side visit of the Drepung monastery and Sera Monastery during your visit. Upon reaching Lhasa you will meet our office representative and check in the hotel. 

The next day you will explore the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. During the third day of your Tibet tour you will explore the Drepung monastery and Sera monastery. The total cost of the Short Lhasa tour is USD 680 per person for the group size of 2-3 people. Meanwhile, the flight ticket from Kathmandu to Lhasa and back to Kathmandu is not included in the price. 

Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour

Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour is a 8 days tour from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. During the tour you can reach the North Everest Base Camp that lies at an elevation of 5,200.  During the Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa you can skip the demanding trek to reach the base camp of the highest mountain of the world. Besides that, you will also get to explore the Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace and Barkhor Street during the tour.

The best time for the Lhasa Everest Base Camp tour is during the April, May, September, October and November. The cost of an 8 days tour from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is USD 1,480 per person for 2-3 pax. Meanwhile, the cost of the package is cheaper with an increase in the number of group sizes.

Tibet Lhasa Namtso Lake Tour

Tibet Lhasa Namtso Lake tour is a 7 nights and 8 days trip in Tibet. During the trip you can witness some of the most popular sites of Lhasa and Shigatse city of Tibet. Both of these two destinations are among the most visited tourist destinations in Tibet. Besides that during your second day at Lhasa you will get to explore the two of the most significant architecture of Lhasa as well as of Tibet. Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace are the two major buildings of Tibet which are also included in the UNESCO world heritage sites.

Namtso Lake is the highest salt water lake of Tibet. During your trip to Namtso lake you can also witness the marvellous views of the Nyenchen Tanglha mountain ranges. Some other places that you will be visiting during your Tibet Namtso lake tour include the Drepung, Sera Monastery, Pelklor Monastery and many more. The cost of Tibet Lhasa Namtso Lake Tour is USD 1350 per person for the group size of 2-3 people.

Best of Tibet Lhasa Tour

Best of Tibet Lhasa Tour is one of the short tour packages to Tibet. With 5 nights and 6 days to travel the Roof of the World, you can explore some of the vintage monasteries and witness astonishing mountain views, lakes and valleys. Some of the major attractions that you will be visiting at Lhasa include Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. Besides that you will also get to explore the amazing Namtso lake during your Tibet tour packages.

The best time for the Tibet tour packages is during the months of May, June, October and November. Meanwhile, this can also be done in other months of the year. This is an easy Tibet trip which can be done by almost all the age groups. The only problem here is the Altitude sickness but with enough preparation you can also beat altitude sickness. Meanwhile, the cost of Tibet tour packages from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is USD 980 per person for 2-3 group sizes.

Explore Tibet Tour

During your Explore Tibet Tour package you'll stay about 5 nights and 6 days on the roof of the world. During your visit to Tibet you will mainly visit two of the most popular places of Tibet which includes Lhasa city and Shigatse city. Meanwhile, during your stay at Lhasa you can explore some of the most popular heritage sites such as the Jokhang Temple and the Potala palace. 

Besides that you can also witness some other places and monasteries during your visit to Tibet which includes the Sera Monastery, Barkhor street and the Drepung Monastery. Similarly, during your way to Shigatse you can witness the astonishing views of the mountain ranges. Besides that you can also witness Gampala pass and the Yamdrok-Tso during your visit to the second largest city of Tibet. 

Tibet Combo Tour

Tibet Combo tour package from Nepal is a 9 nights and 10 days tour to visit one of the unique and culturally rich nations of Asia. Some of the places that you will be exploring during your Tibet Combo tour include the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung Monastery, Sera monastery, Tashilhunpo monastery as well as Namtso lake.

April, May, June, September, October and November are the best times for the Tibet Combo Tour. This moderate level of trip starts from Lhasa and you can also reach the Everest base camp during the tour. This base camp of Everest is also known by the name Northern Everest base camp and it can easily be reached through drive. Unlike southern Everest base camp you don’t need a demanding hike to reach the base camp.

Kailsah Mansarovar via Lhasa

The kailash Mansarovar yatra is dedicated to hindu god Shiva. The elevation of the Kailash mountain is 6,638 meters above sea level. Meanwhile thousands of visitors explore Mansarovar to worship lord shiva and get blessings from him. Besides the Kailash mountain, you can also witness some other popular sites around Lhasa which includes Jokhang Temple, Potala palace, Barkhor street and many more.

Besides that, you can also explore Shigatse city as well as the Northern Annapurna Base Camp. This tour can be done almost throughout the year but the best time for the Kailash Mansarovar via Lhasa is During the months of May, June, July, August and September. The cost of the 16 days Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lhasa is USD 2,750 per person for 2-3 people.

Starting the journey of Lhasa from Kathmandu is the ideal choice for almost all the visitors. One of the major benefits of the trip is that you will get to witness both of the trans himalaya nations of the world.

Travelling to Tibet from Nepal is one of the easiest options then that of any parts of the world. Daily flights are operated from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Besides that, you can also take a road trip through the China-Nepal friendship highway.

Reading Tibet By Air

Flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu is the best as well as the easiest option. The total duration of the flight is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. During your flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu, you can also spot some of the highest mountain ranges. You can take a flight to Lhasa from the Kathmandu International Airport.

Some of the flights that run both ways to Lhasa and Kathmandu are Sichuan Airlines, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern airlines. Meanwhile, The total distance from Kathmandu to Lhasa is about 600 kilometers.

Reaching Tibet By Road

The road trip to Lhasa from Kathmandu is a lot longer. But during the trip you can drive through both the parts of Nepal as well as of tibet. It will take about 6 hours to reach the Gyirong port from Kathmandu.

From The port the roads are well paved and easy to drive compared to that of the roads of Nepal. But we do not recommend taking a drive to Lhasa for the travellers who are short on time.

Tibet is one of those places which can be explored almost throughout the year. The average altitude of Tibet is above 4,200 meters above sea level. Because of that there are high chances of altitude sickness as well as snow fall.

Because of that, the winter season of the year is not recommended to travel to Tibet. The best time for sightseeing in Tibet is from April to November months of the year. The weather is warm during the day time and the average temperature is above 10 degree celsius.

Meanwhile, if you are travelling to the North Everest Base camp then April to June and Mid September to Mid October is the best time to witness the highest peak of the world. Similarly, if you are travelling to Kailash Mansarover then April to Mid June and September to Mid October is the best time.

All the tours for Tibet must be booked at least 20 days before your Tibet trip. On normal days it takes about 2-3 days to confirm hotel bookings in Tibet. Meanwhile, 10 days is needed to get a permit for the Tibet Tourism Bureau to issue the Tibet Entry Permit. The average height of Tibet is 4,200 meters above sea level, because of that there are high chances of getting altitude sickness around Tibet. 

There are no international flights to Tibet from any other countries of the world except Nepal. Because of that the travellers have to reach Nepal or China to take a visit to Tibet. Meanwhile, to enter Tibet from Nepal you will need a group visa. Meanwhile, to celebrate the festivals Tibet is closed during the months of February and March. During these months of the year no visitors are allowed to enter inside Tibet.

Visa and Entry Permits

To visit Tibet from Nepal, you will need a group visa. Meanwhile, there must be at least 3 travellers while travelling towards Tibet from Nepal. You can get a group visa from the Chinese embassy of Kathmandu, Nepal. It will take about two weeks to obtain a group visa to Tibet. Because of that either you are willing to spend two weeks in Nepal or you have to find a trusted travel agency  who can do the work for you.

After getting the invitation letter and the Tibet itinerary only you can then apply for the Tibet visa. You will need 2 passport size photos as well as a photocopy of your passport to apply for the Chinese visa as well as the Tibet visa. Upon getting the visa you can take a tour to Tibet.

If you are travelling to Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal then do not apply for your Chinese visa from your country or any other embassies of the world. From Kathmandu you will get a group visa which means that you do not need stamps on your passport but rather on a sheet of paper. If you apply for your Chinese visa from other parts of the world then the visa automatically gets cancelled.

Weather and Climate

The weather of Tibet is dry almost throughout the year. There are very low chances of rainfall as well as the snowfall in almost all the parts of Tibet. Usually Tibet gets only 18 inches of rainfall, about 460 mm.

The humidity around Tibet is very low but the fog is practically nonexistent. The climate in the higher valley is cold almost throughout the year but the lower lands are pleasant during the summer season of the year.

The average temperature of Tibet depending on the region is between -12 degree celsius to 9 degree celsius. The temperature in the Everest base camp and the higher plateaus is cold almost throughout the year. Meanwhile, the strong winds are common throughout the year in most parts of Tibet. Similarly, the Everest region is clear especially during the May month of the year.

Foods and Drinks

You can find various options to try the Tibetian food. The food may not meet your expectations but most of the foods of Tibet will help you to boost energy and overcome Altitude sickness.

Meanwhile, you can also find some of the Western, Indian as well as the Nepalese food restaurants in some of the big cities such as Lhasa and Shigatse. Meanwhile, around the small villages or the cities there are no options other than the Tibetan foods.

Tsampa and Salted Butter tea are available in almost all parts of Tibet. Both of these cuisines are used as daily food by the Tibetians. Some other foods to try during your visit to Tibet include the Air dry meat, Tibetan momos, Tibetan Noodles, Tibetan sausages and many more. Meanwhile, throughout your stay try to eat more fruits and vegetables for extra nutritions.

Packing List Suggestions

Situated at a high altitude Tibet is cloorer than other countries of the world. Because of that you need to take as warm clothes as possible. Similarly, you also need to carry thick jackets if you are travelling towards the base camp of Everest. Carrying a sunblock or sunscreen and Lip balm is also highly recommended while travelling around Tibet.

If you have not reached such a high altitude before then we highly recommend you to drink plenty of water before your trip to Tibet. Similarly, you can also use altitude sickness medicine one day before travelling. The food you try in Tibet is unusual then your hometime. It may not digest and you may need anti-diarrhea medicine.

Local Culture

Almost all the Tibetians follow buddhist culture. You can also find various vintage monasteries as well as the gompas all over Tibet. Besides that, you can also get to know alot about Buddhism during the trip. Tipet is renowned for its religious scroll paintings, metal images and the wooden block paintings. The folk songs and dances of local regions abound with colour, joy and simplicity. All of these cheerful performances of the locals signifies the people's love and celebrate their faith in their religion. Besides that it also represents the beauty of their land and the brave deeds of their ancestors.

Insurance

Most of the tourists neglect this part during the trip. Travel insurance is one of the most important parts during any travel or trip inside the country or outside the country. Travel can be expensive while travelling to multiple destinations. Besides that, any unexpected thing can happen during the travel or tour. So that it is better to take a backup on any trip. Travel insurance covers various travel related risks such as emergency rescue, flight cancellation, medical emergencies, lost baggage and many more.

All the travellers must have insurance before travelling to Tibet. It ensures security throughout the trip and makes the trip fruitful. Besides that this can also be used as your backup money if you run out of cash. But before getting any travel insurance we suggest you read the terms and conditions carefully so that you can know about the things that your insurance company can provide you in case of emergencies.

Basic Linguistic Term

Here are a few of the basic terms to learn before you travel to Tibet. These are some of the most used terms in our daily life and hope that they will help a lot during your Tibet tour.

Currency in Tibet

The currency of Tibet is called Renminbi (RNB). Meanwhile, the legal note of Tibet is offered by the Foreign Bank of China only. As of now 1 USD equals 6.52 RMB. Meanwhile, you can always change Pound Sterling, USD or any of other major currencies. But remember that currency exchange can not be done all over Tibet. Some of the places where you can easily exchange foreigh currency include Shigatse and Lhasa. 

Meanwhile, some of the big hotels also provide facilities to exchange foreign currencies. Besides that, there are also ATMs in Lhasa as well as the Shigatse and credit cards are accepted in most of the big hotels, shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, we do not recommend Travellerl’s cheque as they are difficult to exchange most of the times and also incur high fees.

Accommodation

During your Tibet trip you can find various categories of hotels. Normally, the big cities such as Lhasa and Shigatse have various 4 star and 5 star hotels. Meanwhile, you can’t find hotels in these categories in other parts of Tibet.

You can also choose to stay in the homestay or guest house during your tour. Normally, the cost of the hotels in Tibet depends upon the types of accommodation you choose to stay. The accommodation cost at the guest house is comparatively lower than that of the star hotels. 

The accommodation in Tibet has been improving in the recent few years. You may find many star hotels in Tibet but the services provided there are not as good as other star hotels of your country. Most of the hotels in Tibet don’t have heating systems. Besides that, most of the guests also complain about the poor condition of the air conditioner and other facilities. But keep in mind that the hotels in Tibet are way better than those of China but are not comparable to other star hotels of western.