Nepal Bhutan Tibet Tour Tips

Nepal Bhutan Tibet tour is a transnational journey. Although many travelers are fond of this trip, they still have some questions and confusion about this tour because of the lack of information. Foreigners are not allowed to travel to Tibet and Bhutan alone. Thus, you must book via a local travel agency. Your travel agency will help you secure your related permits to Tibet and Bhutan, as well as air tickets or train tickets, a tour guide, accommodation, entrance tickets, vehicles, etc. If you decide to travel to Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, you may need to check the tips in advance.

Visas and Permits

Traveling to Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet requires careful planning, especially when it comes to visas and permits, as each country has different regulations.

Visas in Nepal

A Nepal visa is needed when you enter Nepal. There are two main ways for travelers to get this visa. The first way is to apply for it as long as you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. The second way is to apply for it on the official website online. Applying for your Nepali visa upon arrival is recommended. Foreigners can visit Nepal on their own. And if you are going to visit Bhutan from Nepal and then Tibet, you need to apply for a multi-entry Nepalese visa.

Permits in Bhutan

Foreign travelers can't travel to Bhutan unless join a tour arranged by a local travel agency. With the help of your Bhutanese agency, you can get the necessary Bhutan Visa, which usually takes 2 weeks. For your Bhutan visa, after you pay for your Bhutan tour, the local agent will require your passport copy, a passport-sized photo with a white background, your contact number and address.

Permits in Tibet

Like Bhutan, you can't apply for your permit in Tibet on your own. The first obligatory document for travelers is a China visa which can be applied in your own country. Usually the Chinese Embassy will require your tourist invitation letter, which can be provided by your Tibet travel agency. Or if there are more than 4 people from you, you can go to Tibet from Nepal by applying for a China Group visa. If there are less than 4 people from you, you have to apply for a China visa prior.

The second document is the Tibet Travel Permit, aka Tibet Visa. This permit is very important because it is needed when you board any train or airplane to Tibet, check in a hotel in Tibet, or visit some iconic landmarks in Tibet. This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau which can be applied by your travel agency. There are some extra permits for travelers who want to visit other restricted areas like Alien's Travel Permit and the Military permit. Your Tibet Travel Agency will handle all of these permits for you.

Attractions in Three Himalayan Countries

Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, the three mystical Himalayan destinations offer a unique blend of spiritual heritage, stunning natural beauty, and rich cultural experiences

Nepal Attractions

Travelers will usually start their Nepali journey from Kathmandu, a bustling hub of Nepalese culture and spirituality. Here you can visit Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) - a revered Buddhist shrine offering panoramic views of the city; Pashupatinath Temple - a sacred Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River; Boudhanath Stupa - a pilgrimage site for Buddhists and a symbol of peace; Patan Durbar Square - a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with intricately designed temples, palaces, and statues; and Bhaktapur - famous for its well-preserved medieval atmosphere, as well as Nargarkot - famous panoramic platform for viewing the Himalayan snow mountains

Then Pokhara, the second biggest city in Nepal. Here you can visit Phewa Lake - enjoy stunning views of the snow-capped Annapurna range and Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain), as well as Tal Barahi Temple, located on an island in the middle of the lake, adds a spiritual charm; World Peace Pagoda, offering spectacular panoramic views of Pokhara; Devi's Falls and Gupteshwor Cave- Pokhara's most fascinating natural sites; and Sarangkot, a popular viewpoint known for its breathtaking sunrise and sunset views over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.

And Chitwan National Park, one of Asia’s premier national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with highly dense wildlife resources including including endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger.

Bhutan Attractions

Travelers will get to the western part of Bhutan first. Here you can visit Paro Valley for cultural and historical treasures such as Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)- perched dramatically on a cliffside; Rinpung Dzong - a fortress and monastery that stands as a symbol of Bhutanese architecture and spiritual life; Tashichho Dzong - which houses the throne room of the King of Bhutan; Buddha Dordenma - an enormous golden statue overlooking the Thimphu valley; Punakha Dzong, which is regarded as the most beautiful dzong in the country; and Chimi Lhakhang - a temple dedicated to the Divine Madman, known for its blessings of fertility.

And many travelers will also visit the central part of Bhutan. Here you can visit Bumthang Valley, which is considered the spiritual heartland of Bhutan; Trongsa Dzong - the largest dzong in Bhutan; Gangtey Monastery, being the winter home of the endangered black-necked cranes in Phobjikha Valley.

Tibet Attractions

Lhasa is the first stop for most travelers. It's the spiritual and administrative capital of Tibet. Here you can visit Potala Palace, winter palace of Dalai Lama, one of Tibet's most iconic landmarks; Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple of Tibetan Buddhism, also home to the revered statue of Jowo Rinpoche; Norbulingka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas, as well Sera and Drepung Monastery, famous Tibetan monasteries for lively debates among monks and largest monastery in the world.

And Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, is an important cultural and spiritual center, home to significant monasteries and awe-inspiring landscapes. Here you can visit Gyantse Kumbum, a towering stupa filled with elaborate chapels and murals; Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama; Sakya Monastery, for a vast collection of ancient Buddhist scriptures and art; and Everest Base Camp, the closest place for tourists to worship Mount Everest by road.

Ngari, is a remote region renowned for its spiritual significance and otherworldly landscapes, known as the "Roof of the Roof of the World". Here you can do a kora around the most sacred Mt.Kailash of Tibet - a spiritual circumambulation around the mountain, believed to bring good fortune; and Lake Manasarovar for cleansing and purification.

How to Book a Nepal Bhutan Tibet Tour?

Due to the geographical location and the VISA application process, your trip to Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet needs to be carefully planned in advance.

Choose a Reputable Tour Operator

Since both Bhutan and Tibet have strict entry regulations that require foreign tourists to travel with an authorized tour operator, it’s crucial to select a reputable agency that can handle the logistics for all three destinations. Look for operators with expertise and reputation in multi-country Himalayan tours. Many operators also can customize itineraries for Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. They will arrange your visas, permits, flights, accommodations, and guided tours.

Plan the Itinerary

Before you get in touch with the local operators, you may need to know the top destinations of Nepal tour is Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, or ABC OR EBC trekking routes. The top destinations of Bhutan tour are Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha. And the top destinations in Tibet are Lhasa, Shigatse and Nagri. For visiting Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, usually it takes 13 to 15 days. You can contact the local operators to arrange your itinerary according to your preference, interest, and budget. After you confirm your itinerary, you may pay the deposit and ask your operator to book flights for you, especially to Lhasa and Paro. Meanwhile, your operators will help obtain the visas and permits.

Conclusion

Embarking on a Nepal-Bhutan-Tibet tour requires careful planning, especially due to the unique travel regulations in Bhutan and Tibet. By working with a reputable travel agency, you can seamlessly navigate the visa and permit processes, ensuring that your trip goes smoothly. With the right preparation and guidance, your visit to these mystical lands will be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with spiritual enrichment and unforgettable memories.