How to Plan a China Tibet Nepal Tour: 7 Easy Steps for the First-Timers

A China Tibet Nepal journey would be a dreamy trip to the mysterious Himalaya and the oriental kingdom.

Covering 10 days or more, the multi-destination trip needs careful planning, from different travel document applications, route arrangement, to the tour booking, and more.

As the Tibetan travel agency with local offices in Lhasa, Chengdu, and Kathmandu, we at Tibet Vista, helped over thousands of tourists complete the legendary journey to explore the best of China Tibet and Nepal.

Here, we would love to share a comprehensive guide on how to plan your journey step by step for your first adventure to these amazing lands.

Step 1: Decide Thing to Do on Your China Tibet Nepal Tour: Sightseeing, Trekking, and More

China (including the Tibet Autonomous Region) and Nepal are popular travel destinations in Asia, offering a wealth of natural wonders and cultural experiences.

If you're interested in different cultures, consider destinations like Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Shigatse, Kathmandu, and Lumbini, where you can delve deeper into Chinese culture, Tibetan Buddhism, and Nepalese Buddhism.

Located on either side of the Himalayas, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal are world-renowned trekking destinations, particularly renowned for the Mount Everest Trek. If your goal is to experience the world-class Everest Base Camp Trek, you can spend more time in Tibet or Nepal, according to your preferred trekking trail.

The majestic Himalayas, the world’s highest Tibetan Plateau, and the vast land of China offer some of the most unique landscapes on Earth. If you are a natural lover, you can visit Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake in Tibet, explore Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara in Nepal, and get amazed by China’s stunning scenery in places like Guilin with its unique karst landscape, Zhangjiajie with its Avatar-like mountain peaks, Chongqing - he world’s only 8D city, and more.

If you already have some travel ideas, feel free to contact us and share your aspirations. We'll recommend the most suitable itinerary and experiences based on your interests. Even if you don't have a specific plan yet, you can still find inspiration in our popular China Tibet Nepal tour packages.

The Everest Base Camp trek is a popular way to explore the Himalayas in Tibet.

Step 2: Set Your China Tibet Nepal Tour Duration: 3 to 4 Days in Each City

Once you've chosen your destination, you can proceed to plan the length of your trip. Generally, a combined China Tibet Nepal tour takes at least 10 days or more.

The classic Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour takes 7 days, including one night at Everest Base Camp in Tibet, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the sunset, sunrise, and starry sky above the summit of the world.

If you choose this road trip, you can arrange more days to explore other destinations in the mainland of China, and after arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal.

It typically takes around 3 days to explore a major city, while a single night is sufficient in a transit city, such as Xining for the train to Tibet and Shigatse, before heading to Mount Everest.

For first-time travelers, our 12-day Beijing Lhasa and Kathmandu tour is popular, combining the Lhasa-Kathmandu road trip, an excursion to Mount Everest, and the unique experience of traveling by train to Tibet.

Flying in and out of Tibet can significantly shorten your trip. But if you have plenty of time, we still recommend the land route so that you can experience the magnificent scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau more deeply by taking a train to Tibet.

Visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet during Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour.

This is the best China Tibet tour with an unforgettable overland trip to Kathmandu, ideal for first-timers!

Step 3: Plan Your Travel Route: Starting from China or Nepal

One of the popular travel routes is to fly to a major Tibet-entry city, like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and so on. Then, you can either take a Tibet train or a flight to Lhasa.

The fastest way to go is by air. If you just have a short vacation, you can take a flight to Lhasa from most major cities in mainland China. But you will miss the chance to enjoy the marvelous landscape of the Tibetan Plateau.

If you have enough time, it is highly recommended to get to Tibet by train. Through the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the highest railway on earth, you will go through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, enjoying the snow-capped mountain ranges, the vast grassland, and even seeing the lovely wild donkeys and Tibetan antelopes beside the railway.

Upon arrival in Lhasa, you can follow the epic overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu along the Friendship Highway, and finally reach Kathmandu via the Gyirong Border.

Recently, tourists from over 50 countries can travel to China without a Visa and stay for up to 30 days, making it more convenient to start the China Tibet Nepal tour from China.

If you plan to start the journey from Nepal, it is highly recommended to take the overland trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa. It is the most popular way to enter Tibet from Nepal. After visiting Tibet, you can extend the journey to the mainland of China within the validity of your Chinese visa.

Don’t miss the legendary Tibet train journey if you’re traveling from the mainland of China.

This is the best China Tibet tour with an unforgettable overland trip to Kathmandu, ideal for first-timers!

Step 4: Apply for Necessary Travel Documents: Visas and Tibet Travel Permit

A Chinese Visa,which can only be applied for in your home country before your arrival, is the first travel document required for a China Tibet Nepal tour. Whether you start your journey from China or Nepal, it is essential to obtain a Chinese Visa in advance so that you can apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

The Tibet Travel Permit is a must for your trip to Tibet. Without the Tibet Travel Permit, you can not even board the Tibet train or flight to Tibet. Since it can only be applied for through a local travel agency, you need to book a tour first, and then provide scanned copies of your Chinese Visa and passport for the Tibet Permit application.

For a Nepali Visa, you can easily get a visa on arrival at the Kathmandu Airport, or after you cross the Gyirong Border at Rasuwa Gadi border.

Please Note:
If you are traveling on a passport that allows visa-free entry to China, you can simply apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with your passport only.

More local travel documents may be required for visiting Mount Kailash and some other remote areas in Tibet. But don’t worry. Once you book your tour with us, we guarantee all necessary local travel permits for you.

A Sample of Tibet Entry Permit.

Step 5: Choose the Best Time to Go: Try to Avoid National Holidays in China and the Monsoon Season in Nepal

It is hard to say when the best time is to visit China since it is really a big country that offers much to experience all year round. However, while planning your China tour, it is suggested to avoid visiting during the Chinese national holidays, such as the Golden Week at the beginning of October. Since there are too many domestic travelers, it is really hard to get Tibet train tickets, and they are always crowded in all popular tourist sites.

For better trekking experiences or more chances to get clear views of Mount Everest, it is not recommended to visit Tibet and Nepal during the summer monsoon season, especially in July and August. As the heavy rainfall brings more clouds and fog, it would cover the mountain peak. And the humid weather of summer in Nepal is not pleasant for outdoor sightseeing.

In general, April to June and September to October are the best times for China Tibet Nepal tours, especially for visiting Everest Base Camp and the trek in Nepal. You can enjoy clear views of the majestic Himalayas with pleasant temperatures. Spring and Autumn are also the best seasons to visit most areas of China.

If you can’t decide when to go, please feel free to contact us.Just tell us your interests, and our experienced local travel consultant will provide you with professional advice.

Follow this popular route to experience the best of the Himalayas!

Step 6: Find a Reliable Tour Operator for Your China Tibet Nepal Tour

Headquartered in Lhasa with local offices in Chengdu and Kathmandu, we at Tibet Vista, are better familiar with all these destinations in China, Tibet, and Nepal.

We can secure your Tibet Travel Permit for visiting Tibet and help you get all the other travel documents to visit major attractions across the Tibet Autonomous Region.

We can also guarantee you the Xining to Lhasa train ticket, and help you arrange transport, hotels, dining, and more in each destination, offering the best one-stop service for your China Tibet Nepal tour.

Enjoy the amazing highest Himalayan peaks at Gawula Pass with our Tibet Vista tour operator.

Step 7: Get Prepared for Your China Tibet Nepal Tour: Packing, Cash, SIM Card, and More

The final step is to get well-prepared for your China Tibet Nepal tour. As a long trip to cross both China and Nepal, there are some things you need to be prepared for before you go.

Since the journey covers multiple regions with different weather and climate, it’s recommended to pack layered clothing for your China Tibet Nepal tour. It will help you stay comfortable at a lower altitude and keep warm at the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau. Sun protection and rainproof clothing are also essential.

Both in mainland major cities and Lhasa, there are large shopping malls and supermarkets, where common international brands of toiletries are readily available. Some consumables don't need to be carried in excess, as you can easily buy them locally.

It's recommended to prepare some RMB and US dollars in advance. Nepal visas on arrival require payment in US dollars, while only RMB is accepted within China.

Since mobile payment is widely used in China, it's best to download and set up WeChat Pay or Alipay on your phone beforehand for easy access upon arrival.

In addition, China is 2 hours and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal. When booking the international flight, please pay attention to departure and arrival times and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Join us to meet the lovely giant pandas and experience the epic overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

Conclusion

Starting planning your China Tibet Nepal tour with these seven steps, from itinerary planning and travel document application to best time selection and worry-free travel.

With offices in Lhasa, Chengdu, and Kathmandu, we provide you with the most comprehensive guide on China Tibet Nepal tours and authentic local tour service to ensure you enjoy this legendary adventure through the Himalayas.

If you have any further questions about your trip, please feel free to contact us. Our professional travel consultants are always ready to assist you and tailor the best itinerary to your needs.