Cross Country Tour (Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan) provides an opportunity to explore the culture, history, and landscapes and the craftsmanship of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Your 18-Day Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Overland Tour is a unique combination of three countries, starting with a train ride from Beijing or Chengdu. Choose to arrive in Tibet via sky train from Beijing to Lhasa. The famous Beijing-Lhasa train crosses six provinces of China before reaching Lhasa. The 3-Day Beijing Lhasa train journey is 40.40 hours; you can experience a roller coaster ride, especially when the train leaves Taiyuan and climbs Qinghai provinces to the Tibetan plateau.
On this classic journey of Tibet, Nepal Bhutan, you will be touring each country’s most famous landmarks, including Everest Base Camp from the north face. On this Cross Country Tour (Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan), you will explore ancient Durbar Squares (Palaces), Stupas, Monasteries, and Temples and meet friendly locals to learn about their culture and lifestyle. While traveling to Tibet, you will visit the impressive Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Sera, and Drepung Monastery and drive to Everest Base Camp before reaching Nepal. The overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu via Everest Base Camp is an exciting epic journey through the high Himalayan passes and pristine lakes.
In Nepal, you will visit historical monuments in Kathmandu valley and drive to Chitwan to see Royal Bengal Tigers (If you are Lucky!) and one-horned Rhino, then go to Pokhara to observe spectacular views of the Annapurna massif. You will visit the impressive Dzongs (fortress) and hike the stunning Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). Finally, you will fly to Bhutan, the country of gross national happiness.
Besides, you will be thrilled with an exciting flight from Kathmandu to Paro with panoramic views of the Himalayas! If you are looking for a short holiday starting from Kathmandu, you may check the 11-Day 3 Country Tour (Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan).
HimalayanWindows puts every effort into making your Cross Country Tour (Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan) smooth and pleasant by keeping all the possible attractions.
Arrive in Lhasa from Mainland China (Beijing/Chengdu). Pick you up from Lhasa Train station – Full rest for acclimatization – O/N at Hotel.
Please read: You may choose to take a flight to Lhasa or several cities of China or Kathmandu. If you are taking a flight from Beijing/Chengdu, we recommend you to stay at least for a night in China in order to deliver your original permit before boarding for Lhasa. If you are flying from Kathmandu, you must acquire a Tibet Group Visa (TGV) which takes 3-4 working days in Kathmandu.
Two Full Days Sightseeing Tour In Lhasa Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Bazaar, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery – O/N at Hotel
Drive to Shigatse via Gyantse and Yamdrotso. Visit Phalkhor Monastery in Gyantse and Tashilhopo monastery in Shigatse. Overnight at the hotel.
Early in the morning, you will drive to Tingri from Shigatse. The total distance is 270 Kilometers and takes approximately five to six hours. You can choose to stay at Tingri and early morning drive to Rongbuk or continue to drive to Rongbuk for overnight. It takes about two hours to cross 90 KM drive from Tingri to Rongbuk.
Overnight at Guest house
Rent a horse cart or walk to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) and explore around – back to Rongbuk – Drive back to Tingri and further to Kerung. One can enjoy the magnificent view of the Mt. Xishapagma (8,212m) & Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m). Overnight at Guesthouse at Kerung
After necessary border formalities at Kerung (Gyirong) border crossing; continue scenic drive to Kathmandu through the green lush countryside- transfer to your Hotel. Our representative will be waiting for you at the border Nepal side. Continue to drive to Kathmandu
A full Day sightseeing tour will combine various monument culture and Heritage site within the valley- Boudhanath Buddhist stupa, Pashupatinath Hindu Temple, Patan durbar square, Swoyambunath Budhist and Hindu Shrine. KTM Durbar Square, Hanuman dhoka museum and Kumari (virgin) living goddess temple. Overnight at hotel
Take 160km scenic drive to Chitwan by Car / Coach Depend on the group size and lunch in safari Lodge. After lunch activities- village/birds watching tour, evening Tharu culture programs. Overnight at hotel
Full DayJungle wildlife activities; – Elephant ride, Jungle walk, canoeing, Bird watch etc and overnight safari lodge. Overnight at hotel
Take a scenic drive from Chitwan to Pokhara following the picturesque view of rivers and beautiful landscapes. Overnight in Pokhara
Early morning visit Sarangkot Sunrise tour and back to hotel and afternoon excursion around valley and overnight hotel. The sightseeing trip includes visits to all these exotic places. Phewa Lake is the center of all attraction it is the largest and most enchanting of three lakes. Here, one can sail or row a hired boat across visit the island temple in the middle of the lake. The eastern shore, popularly known as Lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite haunt of all travelers’ restaurants, handicraft shops and other tourist facilities are located. Overnight at hotel
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to the capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes approximately 25 minutes. OverNight Hotel In Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel
Flying to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills, each flight is a mesmerizing feat and offers exciting descent into the Kingdom. On arrival at the airport received by our representative and transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan and Overnight at the hotel in Thimpu
After breakfast proceeds on to visit Thimphu valley.
Visit Trashichhoedzong (Thimpu Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and King’s Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Then visit the National Library which has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. After that drive to Arts & Crafts School, famous for traditional thangka paintings. Here you will see, students at work producing intricate designs on cloth. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museums, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions. After lunch visits Handicrafts Emporium which displays a wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products. Then drive to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s Third King who is popularly regarded as the Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside this monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Late afternoon drive to Punakha across Dochula passes (3,080m). Overnight at the hotel in Punakha
After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong, Built tactically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has now been fully restored. Then drive to Wangdiphodrang visiting Dzong and the local market. The district of Wangdiphodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate, and stone carvings. After lunch drive to Paro with a short stop at Dochula pass. En-route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. The excursion to the monastery takes about 5 hours for a round trip. Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is acting as the National Museum of the country and holding a fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings, and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro
After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
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Payment: A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required to book the tour with Himalayan Windows (HW). The remaining balance is to be paid three days prior to the departure date. Payment can be made via Wire Transfer or Credit Card. All credit card payments are securely processed and a bank fee applies.
Cancellation: For cancellations more than 30 days before the Tour Start Date, there will be no cancellation fee. If the cancellation happens within 29-4 days prior to the Tour Start Date, a charge of 30% of the total invoice amount will be applied. Cancellations occurring within 3 days or less of the start date or in the case of a no-show, 100% of the total invoice amount will be charged. Learn more about Terms and Conditions.
Accommodation: Accommodation is typically provided in twin rooms in cities, though a single supplement can be requested for an additional fee. During peak season, it can be difficult to find single or twin rooms in the mountains, so our lodges usually offer dormitory-style accommodation. Our priority is always to provide clean and safe rooms for our guests.
Meals: Our packages in Bhutan include full board meals, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. For treks, all meals are provided, but you will need to pay extra for drinking water and snacks.
Nepal Visa: If you are planning a trip to Nepal, you must have a valid passport and Nepal Visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may need to obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa before your arrival. To be eligible, your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from your Tour Start Date. If you are planning on traveling to multiple countries on your trip, make sure to get a multi-entries Nepal Visa.
Bhutan Visa Clearance: All visitors to Bhutan must have a valid Bhutan Visa Clearance before their trip. To obtain it, you must submit a color-scanned copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the start date of your tour. Your tour operator will send you a Visa Clearance prior to your departure, which you must present at the Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines counter during check-in. Once you arrive at Paro Airport, your passport will be stamped with the original visa.
Tibet Group Visa (TGV): All travelers from any nation intending to go to Tibet from Nepal must obtain a Tibet Group Visa (TGV) in Kathmandu with the help of a tour operator. To ensure the successful application of the TGV, you should plan to arrive in Kathmandu 3-4 working days before your travel date. If you are coming from China, you will not require a TGV; instead, you will need a Chinese Visa and Permit. To find out more about the process of entering Tibet, please look into the Tibet entry procedure.
Nepal & Bhutan: Visiting Nepal and Bhutan at the same time is ideal as they share a similar climate. From high mountains to low land sub-tropical plains and jungles, the two countries have similar weather. The best time to visit is from March to April (spring) and October to December (autumn and early winter). During these months, the air is clean and fresh with sunny skies. January and February are colder months, while June, July, and August (summer) are typically monsoon seasons.
Tibet: It is best to visit Tibet between April and October when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. However, from November to March, it is still possible to explore certain areas like Namtso, Everest Base Camp, and Mount Kailash, as long as the roads are not blocked by snow. Temperatures during this time may be quite cold.
HimalayanWindows strongly recommends that anyone planning to travel in the Himalayas purchase Travel Insurance. This policy will provide coverage in the case of medical emergencies, evacuation, theft, loss of belongings, and last-minute tour/ticket cancellations. Having this protection in place will help ensure that your trip is safe and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tibet tour Where is Tibet? Tibet is situated in the South-West of China, also bordering Nepal, India, Burma, and Bhutan. The historical territory of Tibet would make it the world's tenth-largest nation. Tibet is under China's occupation and has been divided, renamed, and incorporated into Chinese Provinces. If China refers to Tibet, It means only part of historical Tibet, which it names China's Tibet Autonomous… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nepal Tour and Trekking Do I Need A Visa To Enter Nepal? Yes, all foreigners, Except Indians, need a Nepalese visa to enter Nepal. Most nationals can get an on-arrival visa at the TIA airport. However, it is advised to consult with your nearby Embassy or Consulate of Nepal. What do I need to get my visa? You need to have a valid passport, some… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Bhutan tour Where is Bhutan? Bhutan is a small, landlocked country situated in the eastern Himalayas between China and India. Its landscape ranges from Subtropical plains and forests in the south to subalpine forests and the snowy Himalayas in the North. Bhutan is a principally Buddhist country, and it is recognized as the last stronghold of Mahayana Buddhism. Do I need to use a… Read More »
