In 2013, when I was visiting Nepal with my family, I also thought of making an overland trip from to Tibet - a long time dream.
So I started collected information about the cost and available tours. Usually I like avoiding organized tours and travel agencies and try to plan all the travel myself, not only to save cost but I think it is more fun also. However, Tibet is one place where one needs the help of a travel agency as Chinese immigration laws do not approve of Inexpedient Tourism when it comes to the sensitive yet majestic Tibet.
Unfortunately, at the end of the day we could not make it to Tibet because citizens of Pakistani, along with some other countries, were supposedly not allowed to enter Tibet from Nepal. So my dream is still alive and I keep my fingers crossed for the future!
But in that process, I collected some useful information which might be helpful for those who want to travel overland from Nepal to Tibet. This information is largely good for all nationalities.
1. First thing first, one must needs a travel agent to arrange them a Tibet tour, including the infamous Tibet Permit. Then I discovered that there are ONLY 4 travel agencies in Nepal who actually handle Tibet tours. All other operators ultimately depend on them. These are:
I contacted 3 of them on the given email addresses and got response. So they were functional.
2. If you are already in Kathmandu then meeting them in person will make more sense. You can google for their addresses, and more information, as I believe all of them are Kathmandu based (beware of spellings as you may find similar names but different companies)
3. Usually travel agencies sell customized trips which are not only expensive but may force one to search for travel companions. The way out is their 'fixed departure' tours which cater for walk-in solo travelers for a lower price and will most probably be nationality friendly.
For more information, following links might also be helpful:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-indian-subcontinent/topics/nepal-from-7th-jan-til-13th-jan
http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/resources/overland/How-to-travel-overland-into-Tibet.html
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-north-east-asia/Tibet/2012-permit-situation-update?page=88
www.cafespinn.com
So I started collected information about the cost and available tours. Usually I like avoiding organized tours and travel agencies and try to plan all the travel myself, not only to save cost but I think it is more fun also. However, Tibet is one place where one needs the help of a travel agency as Chinese immigration laws do not approve of Inexpedient Tourism when it comes to the sensitive yet majestic Tibet.
Unfortunately, at the end of the day we could not make it to Tibet because citizens of Pakistani, along with some other countries, were supposedly not allowed to enter Tibet from Nepal. So my dream is still alive and I keep my fingers crossed for the future!
But in that process, I collected some useful information which might be helpful for those who want to travel overland from Nepal to Tibet. This information is largely good for all nationalities.
1. First thing first, one must needs a travel agent to arrange them a Tibet tour, including the infamous Tibet Permit. Then I discovered that there are ONLY 4 travel agencies in Nepal who actually handle Tibet tours. All other operators ultimately depend on them. These are:
- Eco Trek International (info@ecotrek.com.np)
- Touch Kailash Tours
- Tibet International Travel (tibet@bigfoottreks.com), and
- Tashi Delek Tours (tashidele@mail.com.np)
I contacted 3 of them on the given email addresses and got response. So they were functional.
2. If you are already in Kathmandu then meeting them in person will make more sense. You can google for their addresses, and more information, as I believe all of them are Kathmandu based (beware of spellings as you may find similar names but different companies)
3. Usually travel agencies sell customized trips which are not only expensive but may force one to search for travel companions. The way out is their 'fixed departure' tours which cater for walk-in solo travelers for a lower price and will most probably be nationality friendly.
For more information, following links might also be helpful:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-indian-subcontinent/topics/nepal-from-7th-jan-til-13th-jan
http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/resources/overland/How-to-travel-overland-into-Tibet.html
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-north-east-asia/Tibet/2012-permit-situation-update?page=88
www.cafespinn.com
