Planning a trip to the Himalayan countries Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan in ‘One Go? Here is a complete guide to help you plan the Himalayan single trip smoothly.
“Based on our experiences organizing Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour packages for more than a decade, we present the most important things that you should know before traveling to these nations in a single trip.”
A trip to Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan as 3 Country Himalayan destinations that cover three different countries in a single tour allowing us to experience the culture, tradition, history, and religion of each country. From the magical city of Kathmandu including ancient temples & palaces to the roof of the world of Tibet including the Potala Palace & monasteries in Lhasa and Tibet Everest Base Camp to the last Shangri-La, Bhutan to explore the cultural cities of Paro and Thimphu with a hike to Tiger’s Nest. This can be the complete combo trip to the Himalayas and learn about the culture, history, and religion (Buddhism and Hinduism) that are being practiced differently in each country.
First of all, it is advised that you allow at least two weeks to explore these three beautiful Himalayan destinations and choose the best tour company that can help you plan all the arrangements including Visas and flights to and from Paro and Lhasa. 3 Country Himalayan Tours (Cross-Country) including Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan can be started from any city such as Kathmandu, Lhasa, or Paro. Depending on your flight, destination, and cheapest fare; you can choose the cities to start your journey of 3 Country Himalayan Tours. However, some procedures need to be followed before you book the tour. Your tour operator can organize everything including Visas, flights, etc and it is wise to know everything before you plan this trip.
Landscapes as seen from Dhulikhel near Kathmandu Valley. Take an add-on trip to Nagarkot-Dhulikhel One-Day Hike for this amazing landscape view.
“Currently, there is no direct flight available from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Instead, the flight must include a stopover in Chengdu, which contributes to the high cost of the airfare. Therefore, it is advised to initiate the journey from Beijing or another location in Mainland China and travel overland through the Kyirong border for a smoother travel experience. However, please note that this overland route will add an additional 3-4 days to the itinerary from Lhasa to Kathmandu. “
Starting the trip from Kathmandu could be the first choice for most travelers. It is much easier to plan the 3 Country Himalayan Tours including the flight and visa from Kathmandu. Tour agents based in Kathmandu are well experienced in organizing your tours professionally. However, it is important to select the best itinerary and tour company to have a hassle-free arrangement. Here are the point-wise suggestions that you can take into account before you plan a trip starting from Kathmandu.
Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet – Used to be the residence of the Dalai Lamas.
“Currently, there is no direct flight available from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Instead, the flight must include a stopover in Chengdu, which contributes to the high cost of the airfare. Therefore, it is advised to initiate the journey from Beijing or another location in Mainland China and travel overland through the Kyirong border for a smoother travel experience. However, please note that this overland route will add an additional 3-4 days to the itinerary from Lhasa to Kathmandu. “
The 3 Country Himalayan tour can be started from Lhasa – before you book the flight and tour; you should be aware of the permit and visa requirements for the Tibet tour. If you are entering from Beijing or Chengdu to Lhasa via flight or train; make sure that you have the original permit in hand before you leave for Lhasa. You can plan the Lhasa-only trip or take an overland tour to Kathmandu via Everest Base Camp.
After the trip to Tibet is over, you may fly into Kathmandu from Lhasa or take an overland tour to Kathmandu via the Kerung border. If you are traveling overland, there will be a guide at the border to receive you and take you to Kathmandu, it takes about 7-8 hours through the rough road to reach Kathmandu. Then, you can explore around Kathmandu and beyond before you fly to Bhutan.
Thimphu City as seen from Buddha Point – The picture was taken in December.
Same as Kathmandu, you can plan 3 Country Himalayan Tours starting from Paro, Bhutan. You can land at Paro airport from several destinations such as Thailand (Bangkok), India (Delhi, Kolkotta Guwahati, Bagdogra) Singapore, Bangladesh (Dhaka), and Nepal (Kathmandu). There are two flights (DurkAir and Bhutan Airlines) in operation, check the destinations and available dates before you confirm the date of your holiday to the Himalayas. After you complete the tour in Bhutan, you will fly to Kathmandu, a short flight from Paro to Kathmandu, you can enjoy the eye-level Himalayan vistas from the window – request for a left seat window for KTM to Paro and a right window seat for Paro to KTM. As described above, you will need to allow at least 4 working days in Kathmandu to process for TGV and fly to Lhasa or travel to Lhasa via border crossing.
It is advised to travel in a group to minimize the tour cost as tailor-made private trips are expensive especially if you are traveling solo. Being two people & choosing 3 country tours for about 11-14 days with a 3-Star hotel stay with breakfast, guide, private transportation, and entrance fees; the budget would be between USD 3500-USD 5000 Per Person including flights and visas to/from Kathmandu. However, it depends on the package you choose, there will be varieties of budget to luxury versions and prices may differ accordingly.
The destinations Tibet and Bhutan DO NOT allow independent travel and it is a must to hire a licensed guide. The trip has to be booked through the local tour company or any international associates. There are some group tours available for the Tibet tour that you can check before you book the trip. However, if you are a couple or group of friends/family of three or more with similar travel interests, it is wise to book tailor-made private trips to have a better travel experience.
A scenic flight from Kathmandu to Paro | an Eye-level view of the Himalayas incl. Mt. Everest
It is possible to travel to three destinations all year round and getting the perfect weather for each destination at the same time can be difficult sometimes. Tibet is on the high Himalayan plateau and has arid weather and long winter the best time to visit Tibet is in during summer (June, July, August, and September) whereas Nepal and Bhutan share sub-tropical climates with four seasons such as spring ‘pre-monsoon’ (March, April, May), Summer ‘monsoon’ (June, July, August), Autumn ‘post-monsoon’ (September, October, November), and winter (December, January, February). Exploring only cities on this trip, all seasons are suggested, however; if you wish to choose the best months for combining the trip for all three destinations, it is recommended to travel during April, May, September, October, and November to enjoy the best weather/climate of three places of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan.
There are several packages that you can choose or customize as per your requirements; here are some of the popular packages that are liked by our previous clients – take a look:
The purpose of this blog is to provide essential information for those planning a trip to Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan as part of a single package. If the trip ideas mentioned above do not fully satisfy your requirements, please feel free to contact us at any time. It is important to note that rules and protocols, particularly in Tibet, can change unexpectedly. Therefore, it is wise to stay updated with the latest information before finalizing any decisions.
At HimalayanWindows, we are delighted to address any questions you may have and assist you in planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We wish you a joyful and safe journey as we emerge from the aftermath of the Coronavirus (Post-COVID-19) pandemic and gradually return to normalcy. Namaste!
*This blog was last edited by HimalayanWindows on July 4, 2023.
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