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Planning this trip was not easy - emotionally or practically. I had dreamed about visiting Tibet for over two years. Initially, I tried to gather a group of friends to go with me. Everyone seemed excited at first, especially when I shared YouTube videos of the scenic overnight train ride from Xining to Lhasa. But as time passed, people backed out - some faced personal problems, others financial difficulties. A year later, I asked again, hoping someone would join. Unfortunately, all of them declined.
Even my wife, who has breathing issues, didn't think she could make it to Mount Everest Base Camp due to the altitude. So eventually, I made the brave decision to travel alone.
Experience the epic overland adventure from Lhasa to Kathmandu through the Himalayas!
How Challenging the Planning of My Journey to Tibet Was
The planning stage was challenging. I'm not very tech-savvy, so I relied on my wife to help me set up WeChat and Messenger so I could communicate with the travel agency - Tibet Vista.
I also had to consider something even more serious: I'm a stage 4 lung cancer patient. I still undergo treatment every three weeks. Many friends were concerned for me, especially about the high altitude of Tibet and Mount Everest Base Camp, which stands at over 5,000 meters.
I consulted my oncologist. He knew my condition well and told me, "You may have lung cancer, but your breathing is still okay. As long as you start altitude medicine the day before reaching Lhasa, you should be fine.". That gave me the confidence to go ahead. I reminded myself that I used to be a solo traveler 45 years ago - and now, I had a new reason: to fulfill my dream of being a budget traveler once more and to celebrate life, even in the face of illness.
At first, I only planned to visit Tibet and Nepal. But later, I included Bhutan in the itinerary, since flying to Bhutan from Kathmandu is much cheaper than from Singapore. Also, because both Tibet and Bhutan require a licensed travel agency and local guide, I booked the entire Tibet Nepal Bhutan tour through Tibet Vista Travel.
Finally, I fulfilled my dream of visiting Mount Everest Base Camp in Tibet.
Thanks to the excellent arrangements by Tibet Vista, my flight from Kathmandu to Paro was smooth and hassle-free.
Lost and Found on Everest: Grateful to Everyone Who Helped
I'm especially grateful to Miss Laura Tang from the sales department, who handled all the paperwork, Tibet Travel Permit, and flight arrangements with amazing efficiency. Thanks to her, I received all my travel documents on time and had smooth arrivals at each destination.
But the person who truly made this trip unforgettable was my Tibetan guide, Jigme.
In the morning, as we were leaving Mount Everest Base Camp, I suddenly realized I had lost my phone. We were already descending the mountain with the rest of our group when panic set in. I told Jigme, and without hesitation, he asked the driver to stop. He returned with me to the base camp to retrace our steps - from the room we stayed in, to the last monastery we visited. Still, no luck.
He remained calm and asked me to think carefully - where was the last place I used my phone? Suddenly, I remembered: the toilet at the base camp. We rushed back, asked the cleaner, but he claimed he hadn't seen anything. By this point, I was full of disappointment. I told Jigme to let it go and continue the journey. It wasn't just the phone - I was mostly worried about how I'd tell my wife. This was my first solo trip in decades, and I had lost all my trip photos and memories.
But Jigme didn't give up. As we continued our descent, he kept making calls to the base camp office, trying to locate the phone. And then, halfway down the road, a call came in: they had found my phone. The entire bus erupted in applause. I could only say, "Thank you." I asked where it was found, but Jigme just smiled and said, "It doesn't matter where - what matters is, we found it." That simple wisdom touched me deeply. Maybe it was just luck, or maybe a blessing from the two highest monasteries in the world that I had prayed at that morning.
Jigme arranged for the next bus coming down from the base camp to deliver the phone back to him. Everything went so well that I decided to treat the entire group on the bus to lunch that day - a small gesture of thanks for a moment that meant so much.
My Tibetan tour guide, Jigme, was a great help throughout the journey.
A hassle-free journey from Tibet to Nepal with Tibet Vista!
Furthermore, Grateful Thanks to My Guides in Nepal and Bhutan
My gratitude doesn't end there. I also want to thank Gyan, my guide in Nepal, for showing me the rich culture and beauty of Kathmandu.
And in Bhutan, a young guide named Wangchuk accompanied me all the way to the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery. I asked him how many times he had done the trek - "Over 100 times," he said. I laughed and replied, "If you've done it 100 times, then what am I doing here?"
But the trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the most popular treks in Bhutan, held deep spiritual meaning for me. I've chanted the Guru Rinpoche mantra for years - and climbing to the Tiger's Nest felt like a way of finally connecting with that devotion in the real world.
The visit to Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro, Bhutan, meant a lot to me.
My Tibet Nepal Bhutan Tour: More Than Just a Journey
Looking back, this trip meant far more to me than just seeing the sights. It was a journey of personal strength, spiritual awakening, and deep human kindness.
As someone living with lung cancer, I never imagined I'd complete an Everest Base Camp tour, stand beneath the Himalayan skies, or walk the sacred trails of Bhutan. But I did - and not alone. I was surrounded by guides who cared, strangers who cheered, and silent prayers that carried me forward.
Thank you to Tibet Vista Travel, to Miss Laura Tang, to Jigme, Gyan, and Wangchuk, and to everyone who helped make this journey possible.
This was more than a trip. It was a memory for life - full of courage, healing, and grace.
Highlights of My Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour included:
• Visiting Potala Palace in Lhasa - a dream come true.
• Witnessing the peaceful majesty of Yamdrok Lake.
• Trekking through stunning Himalayan landscapes.
• Connecting with locals and learning about their traditions.
Experienced the Xining-to-Lhasa train journey along the legendary Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
Visited the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the iconic landmark of Tibet.
Experienced the most epic overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu across the Himalayas.
A Heartfelt Thanks to Tibet Vista Travel
I recently returned from an unforgettable journey through Tibet, and I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank Tibet Vista Travel for making it so special.
From start to finish, the trip was seamless - the planning, logistics, permits, and accommodations were all handled with professionalism and care. Traveling in a region as unique as Tibet requires expertise and sensitivity, and Tibet Vista truly delivered.
A special thanks goes to our incredible Tibetan tour guide, whose knowledge, warmth, and patience made all the difference. Not only did they share fascinating insights into Tibetan history, religion, and culture, but they also ensured that we were comfortable and safe every step of the way. Their passion for Tibet was truly inspiring and added a deep, personal touch to the experience.
If you're considering visiting Tibet, I wholeheartedly recommend Tibet Vista Travel. They took the complexity out of the process and turned it into a smooth, enriching, and soul-stirring adventure.
Thank you again to the entire team - this is a trip I'll carry in my heart forever.
Enjoying a photo moment with Tibetan mastiffs.
Met the locals while visiting the Potala Palace.
Took photos with the white Tibetan yak by the holy lake.
"A Journey of a Lifetime: My Solo Adventure Through Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan"