The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most epic adventures you can take in Asia! Starting in Lukla, you pass through small Sherpa villages, over glacier-fed rivers and along the world’s highest mountain peaks up to the foot of Mt Everest! Remember, we will have porters carrying most of our gear. But, it is still wise to pack smart and light. Mornings, evenings and the tops of mountain passes can be very cold, so dressing in layers is a must. Read on for what you need to pack for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
NOTE: Links are for reference only; you do not have to get the exact items in the links.
Documents
Passport: Make sure that your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining AND has at least 1.5 pages remaining for your Nepal visa. Your Nepal visa can be obtained quick and easily upon arrival to Kathmandu. The cost of a Nepal visa is $50 USD for a 30 day visa or $125 USD for a visa valid up to 90 days. Please note that the cost of the Nepal visa is not included in your journey cost.
Passport Copies: Be sure to have 3 color copies of your passport.
Passport Pictures: Have 4 color passport-size pictures.
Travel Insurance: Be sure to email us a copy of your travel insurance policy and keep another copy for yourself.
COVID Immunization Card: Keep this in a protective, waterproof bag/holder.
Headwear
Brimmed or baseball style hat: The sun can be intense at high altitude and can cause a sunburn quickly. A baseball-style hat with a bill will help protect your face from sunburn. A brimmed-style hat is best as it gives added protection to your neck, as well as your face.
Winter Beanie/Toque/Cap: Mornings and evenings can be cold. Having a good winter hat is essential.
Buff/Neck Gaiter: A neck gaiter will give added protection against the sun and help cover your mouth in case we hit spots on the trail that are a little dusty.
Headlamp: There will be a few early morning which may require a headlamp. Plus, a headlamp is nice for walking around villages after the sun goes down. Be sure to carry at least 4 sets of extra batteries.
Sunglasses: A good pair of sunglasses is absolutely essential. The sun is extremely bright and strong in October, so having glasses that are polarized is even better. Do yourself a favor and don’t buy cheap $10 sunglasses!
Upper-body Clothing
Thermal Base Layer Top: It is always best to dress in layers. In the mornings, it may start out cold, but by late morning the high altitude sun can make it feel like mid summer! Be sure to pack a thermal base layer top. I usually only bring one base layer top.
Moisture-Wicking T-shirts: For this trek, I suggest avoiding cotton T-shirts. A wicking T-shirt will be a much better option. I recommend bringing at least 2 or 3 short sleeved t-shirts, as well as 2 long-sleeved t-shirts.
Fleece Sweater: Nothing beats a good fleece! You really only need to bring one of these.
Waterproof Jacket: Though it is unlikely to rain, it is still best to be prepared in case it does. This is the waterproof jacket that I have.
Down Puffy Coat: Again, the mornings, evening and tops of mountain passes can be very cold. Having a good down coat, of at least 600 fill down, is essential. Want to support a good, Sherpa-owned company? Check out my buddies at Himali.
Sports Bras for Women
Mid-weight winter gloves
Lower-body Clothing
Thermal Base Layer Bottom: A pair of base layer bottoms are a must. Even if you don’t wear them during the day, they are nice to wear when you sleep. Just one pair is fine.
Breathable Hiking Pants: I recommend bringing 3 or 4 pairs of breathable hiking pants. The types with the side-zippers are good, as are the types that “zip off” and convert to shorts.
Fleece Pants or Pajamas: A pair of these is recommended for the evenings in our lodges and guesthouses.
Waterproof Hiking Pants: Again, it is unlikely to rain on our trek, but it is always best to be prepared in case it does. Be sure to include one pair of waterproof trekking pants.
Underwear: I recommend bring at least 6 to 8 pairs of underwear that will not easily cause chafing. Avoid cotton.
Shorts: Bringing shorts is up to you. I’ve had clients from Edmonton, Canada who thought that -10ºC/14ºF was “warm” and I’ve had clients from Singapore who thought that 18ºC/65ºF was “freezing”. I don’t normally trek in shorts, but if you want to bring a pair, that’s fine.
Footwear
Broken-in hiking boots/shoes: Your choice of footwear is absolutely essential for this trek. We will be covering some serious ground and making sure you have good, comfortable footwear will ensure your experience is a positive one! Be sure that your hiking boots are broken in. Don’t be a rookie and show up with brand new, straight-out-of-the-box hiking boots (If you do, there will be a $100,000 USD fine paid directly to me, haha). I normally bring two sets of hiking footwear. I bring a pair of low-top hiking shoes, as well as a pair of high-top hiking boots. I recommend La Sportiva,Scarpa, or Asolo (yep, the Italians make the BEST hiking boots/shoes). If you have questions about a pair of boots/shoes, let me know. Please DO NOT show up with a pair of La Sportiva 8000 meter boots. Haha, we will save those for a summit attempt next year!
Flip-flops, Crocs, Booties, etc: Be sure to bring a pair of footwear to be worn after a long day of trekking. I personally hate Crocs, but I know many trekkers and climbers love wearing them after a long day on the trail. I like to wear either a pair of flip-flops or a pair of insulated booties. Some people bring a pair of comfortable Nike-style running shoe, which is also fine.
Synthetic or Wool Socks: I recommend bringing at least 6 to 8 pairs of synthetic or wool socks to be used while trekking. Do not wear cotton socks while trekking.
Cotton Socks: Wait, didn’t I just write to not wear cotton socks?? Yeah, bring 2 or 3 pairs to be worn when we are at the lodge/guesthouses (and not while we are trekking).
YakTrax: Do not bring crampons for this trek, but I do recommend bringing a pair of YakTrax (or similar brand) in case we hit some icy spots on the high passes.
Gaiters: I do not recommend bringing gaiters for this trek as we will be going during the dry season.
Trekking Gear
Trekking Poles: Bring a pair of lightweight, retractable trekking poles.
Travel Duffel Bag 80 to 100L: You will use this style of duffel bag to travel internationally and this will be the bag that your porter will carry during the trek. I highly recommend getting the type that has straps that can be used to carry it like a backpack, for our porter’s sake.
Day Backpack 30L to 35L: This will be the backpack type that you will be carrying each day during the trek. It will hold your snacks, drinking water, puffy coat, personal first aid kit and other things you will need during the trek.
Sleeping Bag: The key here is warm, yet small and lightweight. Do not bring a car-camping type sleeping bag that can be very bulky and weigh 10 lbs/5 kgs!. The guesthouses we will be staying at almost all have blankets, but there is no heating. It will get cold in the evenings. This link has some suggestions. I personally use this sleeping bag for this trek.
Trekking Accessories
Garbage Bags: Bring at least two of these in case it rains (again, unlikely it will rain). If it rains, you can place the items in your backpack and duffel in garbage bags for added waterproof protection.
1 Liter/32 Ounce Nalgene Bottle: Carry this water bottle (or similar style) on you for drinking water during the trek and at the guesthouse.
Water Bladder: A 2L or 3L Camelbak-type water bladder will be filled each morning before we set out on our trek.
Stuff Sacks: I suggest bringing at least 2 stuff sacks to keep things organized during the trek.
External Battery Pack: Electricity is limited in the Everest region and charging phones, camera, etc is NOT free. Nearly all lodges/guesthouses will charge you around $4 USD to $10 USD to charge items. I highly recommend bringing a travel-approved external battery pack so you can charge your cell phone multiple times.
Personal and Toiletry Items
Over-the-counter pain medication: You will likely be a little sore at the end of the day during the early stage of our trek. I recommend bringing whatever over-the-counter, non-prescription pain relief tablets that you normally use.
Blister Kit/Personal First Aid Kit: Even worn-in trekking boots can sometimes cause hot spots or even blisters. Bring your own blister kit/First aid kit, including mole skin, band-aids and anti-septic cream to treat any blisters you may get.
Antibiotics: Talk to your doctor about getting an antibiotic prescription for diarrhea, respiratory tract infections or abdominal infection.
Diamox/Acetazolamide: Diamox can help your body adjust quicker with acclimatizing to high altitude. Talk to your doctor about a prescription for this.
Aquamira Water Treatment or Steri-Pen (or similar): These are to be used to treat water for drinking. I have used both Aquamira and a Steri-Pen and trust them.
Ear plugs: You will likely have a roommate during this trek. Your roommate, as nice as they may be, likely will snore. Rather than kill your roommate (which is frowned upon…..it means A LOT of paperwork for me), bring a few sets of ear plugs.
Prescription Medications: Be sure to take enough of the prescription medications that you are currently taking. Please do not bring any illegal narcotics. That also is frowned upon.
Sunscreen: Bring sunscreen that is at least 50 SPF or more.
Lip sunscreen: Don’t forget this! One of the worst sunburns you can get is on your lips. One time, back in 2000, I was snowboarding down Mt Shuksan and……you know what? I’ll save that story….
Wet Wipes: Some of the guesthouses do have showers for a fee, but not all of them. I recommend bringing at least one large pack of wet wipes. Some of you are going to get REALLY smelly on this trek.
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Hand sanitizer
Travel size soap
Deodorant
Feminine Hygiene Items: Please do not ask me for advice on this one.
Contact Lenses and Solution
Quick drying towel: For showers. Towels will not be provided.
Few Roles of Toilet Paper
Electrolyte Powder: Read this link to see why they are important.
Trekking Snacks: All meals will be provided for this trek, however, you will be responsible for snacks between meals.
Cash for souvenirs and tips: More details on this will be sent approximately 90 days before our trek begins.
NOTE: You should be able to get ALL of the above items for less than $1 million USD. Just kidding! Most of you should have a lot of the items listed above.
If you have any questions on what to bring, please email us. We are excited to experience this adventure with you!
On February 26, 2019, the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) announced to travel companies in Tibet that travel in March 2019 will be permitted for foreign travelers. Since the unrest in March 2008, traveling to Tibet during parts of February and all of March hasn’t been allowed for foreign travelers. As is typical, the TTB didn’t issue an official statement to media or give out any official document regarding this big change. The TTB doesn’t have an official website where travel updates on Tibet are given. Only travel companies in Tibet were given this news directly.
This means that for the first time in 11 years, foreigners will be allowed to travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region during the month of March. Tibet is open March 2019. All foreign travelers are still required to be on a full organized journey that needs to be arranged by a travel company. The “organized journey” policy is still very much in place and likely will not be changing anytime soon. Will Tibet be open in March 2020 and in subsequent years? It is hard to say right now, but it looks like there will be a very good chance that it will.
For more information, contact us at: info@himalayajourney.com
Whether you are going to Tibet, Nepal or Bhutan, we make booking a journey with us easy! If you ever have any questions about the booking process, please contact us.
Step 1: Contact our sales staff and let them know where you wish to travel, when you plan to go, how many people are traveling with you, how many days you plan to travel and whether you are looking for a private or a group journey. For a list of our journeys, please go to to the following links:
If you don’t see the journey you are looking for, no problem! We can customize a journey specifically for you.
Step 2: Get a price quotation from our experienced sales staff. You have the freedom to customize your travel route by adding additional days and destinations. Confirm with our sales staff that you wish to travel with Himalaya Journey.
Step 3: Fill out our short journey application. We have a set of questions asking you about your health, fitness and making sure you understand that you will be traveling in more remote regions of the Himalaya Mountains.
Step 4: Reserve your journey by paying a deposit. We offer 4 different options including Bank Transfer, Check/Bank Draft (only for US and Canada clients), Credit Card and PayPal.
Option 1 Bank Transfer: This is usually a low-cost option and can be used by clients across the world. Bank Transfers usually take 3 or 4 business days to process. If you wish to pay by bank transfer, let us know and we will email you our business banking details.
Option 2 Check Payments: Clients in the US and Canada can send us their payment by check or bank draft in US funds. They need to make the check payable to HIMALAYA JOURNEY and mail it to us at this address in the US:
Himalaya Journey
2209 Lakewood Dr SE
Olympia, WA 98501 USA
Option 3 PayPal: We can accept payments from clients who have PayPal accounts. With all PayPal payments, please add a 2.5% service charge fee to your total amount. Payments thru PayPal can be sent to us at: info@himalayajourney.com
Option 4 Credit Card Payments: We can accept payments by major credit card. Himalaya Journey will need to send you an official invoice that will allow you to make the payment securely thru the internet. Do not send us your credit card information by email. For payments by credit card, a 2.5% service charge fee will be added to your total. Let us know if you wish to make your payment by major credit card and we will send you an invoice.
Step 6: Email us your passport and/or China Visa so we can apply for your Tibet Travel Permit or Bhutan Visa. If you plan to travel from Nepal to Tibet, we only need your passport’s picture/information page. NOTE: Nothing is needed for those traveling only to Nepal.
Step 7: Confirm the date and time that you will be arriving. Send us your full itinerary so we know when to meet you at the airport or train station.
Step 8: Send us your hotel information in Mainland China so we can mail you your required travel permits for Tibet. NOTE: This is not needed for those going to Bhutan or Nepal or going from Nepal to Tibet OR those planning to take the train from Mainland China to Tibet.
Step 9: Arrive and enjoy your journey while being led by our expert staff!
China is going to continue doing a large scale clean up project on the Tibet side of Mt Everest throughout 2019. This clean up project began in 2018, where over 8 tons of waste was collected. The clean up effort will continue this year and will supposedly go as high as 8000 meters on Everest to try and remove bodies of climbers who died in the so-called “Death Zone”. As someone who has spent considerable time at Mt Everest each year for the past 16 years, this is a really good thing. In meetings that I have been to, China is planning to put eco-friendly toilets at Everest base camp, have a regular garbage service to the area, and has plans for a small medical clinic that would operate thru the tourism season.
How will this affect travel?
While the BBC Headline on February 15, 2019 made it sound like Everest is off-limits to foreign travelers, in reality the changes are not nearly as drastic. This year, travelers without an Everest climbing permit will only be able to go as far as Rongphu (Rongbuk) Monastery. Last year, travelers without a climbing permit could go as far as the Dza Rongphu Hermitage (just beyond the “tent hotels”), located 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) beyond Rongphu Monastery.
Prior to 2018, non-climbers could go another 2 kilometers beyond the Dza Rongphu Hermitage to a place the China government designated as “Everest Base Camp”. Though there was a sign there stating it was Everest Base Camp, almost all climbing expedition teams would set up their camp a further 500 meters to 1 kilometer further, in order to avoid having tourists going through expedition tents.
For 2019, China is putting a limit on the number of climbing permits that will be issued. The China Tibet Mountaineering Association CTMA) will only issue 300 climbing permits for this year and might keep that number the same going into the future. CTMA seems to be saying these 300 permits are the number allotted for foreign climbers and do not include the permits issued for Sherpa and Tibetan climbing staff. There will be no limit to the number of travelers who can go to Mt Everest. An estimated 45,000 people visited the Tibet-side of Mt Everest in 2018.
What will the view be like from Rongphu?
Though travelers to Mt Everest in 2019 can go no further than Rongphu Monastery, the view of Everest is still fantastic. I have been to the Tibet-side of Everest close to 40 times over the years. Those that have traveled with me on the journeys I lead all know that my favorite place in all of the Rongphu Valley is from the hill above Rongphu Monastery. Though the entire area offers a good view, by hiking just a few minutes above the monastery, you get a nice panoramic view. This view, in my opinion based on my many years of experience going to Everest, is just as good as the view from a few kilometers down the valley closer to the mountain.
Below are 3 pictures of Mt Everest:
The first is the view of Everest from Rongphu, which is as far as you can go in 2019
The second is from near the Dza Rongphu Hermitage, the closest you could go in 2018
The third is from Everest Base Camp, which you could go to from 2017 and before
Everest from Rongphu Monastery in Tibet. This is as close to Everest as you can go in 2019.
This is the view of Everest from near the Dza Rongphu Hermitage. This was as close as you could go in 2018.
Everest viewed from actual base camp. Non-climbers could go to this point until 2017.
What are the accommodation options?
Typically, there are 2 different basic accommodation options in the Everest Base Camp Region. Normally there is a group of 50 to 60 black, yak wool tents set up 3 kilometers beyond Rongphu Monastery. However, the government has told these “tent-hotel” owners that they will not be permitted to set up these tents for the 2019 tourism season. This means that the only accommodation option will be at the Rongphu Monastery Guesthouse, which is located directly across from the monastery. As I wrote above, the view of Everest from here is fantastic.
The Rongphu Monastery Guesthouse is relatively clean, but it is very basic as it sits at an altitude of around 5000 meters (16,400 feet). The bathrooms are separated for men and women. There are no showering facilities here. There is no heating, but plenty of blankets. The rooms have 4 to 6 beds inside them with plenty of boiled hot water provided. There is a good-sized restaurant here that is generally kept heated with a yak-dung stove (common in Tibet). The restaurant serves basic, but good food, including breakfast.
2019 Everest Clean Up Summary
Due to a massive clean up project, non-climbers will not be able to go beyond Rongphu Monastery in the Everest Region of Tibet in 2019. From Rongphu, you still get an amazing view of the world’s highest mountain, as the pictures above testify. The only accommodation option in the Everest Region of Tibet this year will be the Rongphu Monastery Guesthouse. This new regulation is not created by travel companies, but is handed down by the highest level of government in China.
If you have any questions about the new Everest regulation or any other travel related question on Tibet, contact us at: thelandofsnows@gmail.com
A common questions for those interested in Bhutan is “How to get a Bhutan Visa?”. All foreign travelers going to Bhutan must be on an organized journey that includes a private vehicle, driver, tour guide, pre-arranged travel itinerary and a Bhutan visa. Only a travel company can help you get to Bhutan. The travel agency you use will take care of ALL details for you inside Bhutan.
Independent travel to Bhutan is not permitted. Under the policy of “High Value, Low Impact Tourism”, the government sets a daily set price that is applied per person for each night you stay in Bhutan. The tariff includes a private vehicle, driver, licensed tour guide, all accommodations, entrance fees into monasteries, temples and dzongs and all meals while in Bhutan. Contrary to popular belief, Bhutan does NOT set a limit on the number of foreign travelers that can visit. However, as Bhutan is not a budget/backpacker destination, the number of foreign travelers each year remains relatively low.
Himalaya Journey can arrange any type of journey or trek in Bhutan. Contact us for info on arranging a journey: info@himalayajourney.com
Monks performing during a festival in Bhutan
Bhutan Visa Procedure
Here are the easy steps to arrange a journey to Bhutan and get your Bhutan Visa:
Step 1: Discuss with us and finalize a suitable Bhutan journey. You have the freedom to set your own travel dates and customize your own travel itinerary. If you need help, we can certainly help you. Here are some suggestions: Bhutan Journeys
Step 2: Reserve your journey with us by filling out our short journey application and sending in your journey deposit. Our booking terms and conditions are in the following link: Booking Terms and Conditions. Your remaining journey balance will be due 60 days before the start of your journey to Bhutan.
Step 3: Email us a clear, high resolution image of your passport’s picture and information page.
Step 4: We will email you the Bhutan Visa Application to fill out. You will then email it back to us.
Step 5: Himalaya Journey will apply for your visa for you. We will then email it to you after it has been issued for you to print out and keep with you. You will show this paper visa when checking in for your flight going to Paro (Bhutan’s only international airport) or when crossing the overland border into Bhutan from India. Once you arrive to the Paro Airport or cross the overland border from India into Bhutan, you will show your passport and paper visa to the Bhutan Immigration and Customs. The Customs Officer will then stamp a visa in your passport that is valid for the duration of your journey in Bhutan.
NOTE: Your travel dates to Bhutan must be set in advance. Your Bhutan Visa will only be valid for the dates of your journey. After your journey in Bhutan is finished, you will have to depart from Bhutan. You cannot stay in Bhutan after your journey is over as no independent travel in Bhutan is permitted.
Getting a Bhutan Visa is a very simple process that can only be done by a travel company. If you book with Himalaya Journey, we will take care of all details regarding your Bhutan Visa. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to book a journey to Bhutan: info@himalayajourney.com
Contact: Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia or email us for more details at: info@himalayajourney.com
#1 Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash, known in Tibetan as གངས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་ Kang Rinpoche or “Precious Jewel of Snow”, is the most sacred peak in Tibet. It is located in far western Tibet’s Ngari prefecture, more than 1200 kilometers from the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa. It is not particularly high as far as peaks in the Himalaya go as it only rises to 6714 meters/22,027 feet, but there is no other peak in Tibet that is as holy as Kailash. Each year thousands for Buddhists and Hindus do the 52 kilometer pilgrimage circuit around the mountain. A journey out to Kailash will take between 15 and 20 days to complete, but is absolutely worth it! For detailed information on how to get to Mount Kailash, please read the following post: How to get to Mount Kailash
Kailash, the most sacred peak in the Himalaya, comes in as the #1 destination to visit in Tibet
The south side of Mount Kailash, located in far western Tibet
#2 Everest Base Camp
Mount Everest, known in Tibetan as ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ་ Chomolangma, lies along the border of Nepal and Tibet, so there are 2 base camps: south side and north side. The north side of Everest in Tibet offers a far superior view compared to the Nepal side. Unlike the south side of Everest which can only be reached by trekking, you can drive all the way to the Tibet side Everest Base Camp, elevation 5200 meters. Around 8 kilometers (5 miles) before Everest Base Camp, you will come to Rongphu (Rongbuk) Monastery, elevation 4950 meters. The monastery offers an excellent view of the world’s highest peak. The 8 to 10 day overland journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp is the single most popular journey that people take in Tibet. It allows you to see many of the most important and most beautiful places in Tibet. You can also extend this journey a couple of more day and go all the way to the Nepal border and continue on to Kathmandu.
The Tibet side Everest Base Camp offers an excellent view of the world’s highest peak
The sun rising on Mt Everest in Tibet. This photo was taken from Rongphu Monastery.
#3 Nam Tso
Nam Tso Lake གནམ་མཚོ is located 5 hours north of the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa at an elevation of 4718 meters. It is the largest lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region and certainly one of the most beautiful. The lake is surrounded by the snow-covered Nyenchen Tanglha Range, the highest mountains in northern Tibet. During the summer months from late May through mid September, nomad Tibetans can be seen in the area herding their yaks and sheep. If you only have time to visit one lake in Tibet, Nam Tso is the easy choice! More info on visiting Nam Tso Lake in this link: Journey to Nam Tso
Nam Tso is the largest lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region…and one of the most amazing!
The turquoise-colored water of Nam Tso. The Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains are in the background.
#4 Guge Kingdom
Located in the extreme west part of Tibet, the ancient Guge Kingdom གུ་གེ་ is an amazing place that few travelers get to experience. Guge, pronounced “Goo-Gay”, was established in the late 10th century near the modern day town of Zanda. For nearly 700 years, Guge was a major Buddhist religious center as well as an important trade hub between Tibet and Central Asia. Guge is divided into a few different areas all in and around the town of Zanda. The most popular place is the Tsaparang Citadel, located 20 kilometers outside of town. Tsaparang is spectacular ruin set in an unreal badlands setting. The citadel is in ruin and is an intricate set of caves linging the base of a mountain. The top of the mountain have summer and winter palaces of the royal family that used to reside here. The entire area is unbelievable and spectacular in every way. Other parts of the Guge Kingdom are Tholing Monastery, Dungkar Village and the Piyang Caves.
The sun rising on the Tsaparang in the Guge Kingdom
A large stupa at Tholing Monastery at the Guge Kingdom
#5 Lhasa
No journey to Tibet is complete without spending at least 3 or 4 nights in the capital city of Lhasa ལྷ་ས་. Yes, it’s true that Lhasa is now a big city and that large parts of the city are completely Chinese style. However, the Old Town in Lhasa is incredible in so many ways! The site of the Jokhang, Tibet’s most holiest temple, can be life-changing. Each day, thousands of devout Buddhist pilgrims can be seen walking around the Jokhang while spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras. Their devotion is incredible. Other important sites in Lhasa include the Potala Palace, which dominates the skyline. This 1000 room building is the most iconic structure in Tibet. Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka, Ramoche Temple, Sangkhung Nunnery, Lhukang Temple and Drubthub Nunnery are also in Lhasa and are recommended places to see.
The Potala Palace in Lhasa. No journey to Tibet is complete without spending time in Lhasa.
The Jokhang is the most revered temple in all of the Himalaya. It is located in the Old Town in Lhasa.
#6 Samye Monastery
Samye བསམ་ཡས་ is Tibet’s first monastery and was founded in the late 8th century. It is located about 200 kilometers east of Lhasa in the fertile Yarlung River Valley at an elevation of 3630 meters. It is surrounded by pleasant mountains and, surprisingly, large sand dunes are found not far away. This is regarded as one of the most important monasteries in Tibet and the Greater Himalaya and the place from which Buddhism in Tibet expanded. The monastery’s unique layout in the shape of a mandala is unique. It is a major pilgrimage destination for Tibetans, especially during Losar, or Tibetan New Year.
Samye is the first monastery in Tibet and is over 1200 years old.
Samye is one monastery in Tibet that you shouldn’t miss
#7 Lake Manasarovar
Lake Manasarovar, or མ་ཕམ་གཡུ་མཚོ་ Mapaham Yum Tso in Tibetan, is Tibet’s most sacred lake. It is found in far western Tibet near Mount Kailash at an elevation of 4590 meters. It is one of the highest freshwater lakes on the planet. The lake lies near the border of Nepal and offers a sweeping view of the Himalaya to the south. The mighty peak of Gurla Mandhata, elevation 7694 meters, can be seen rising above the lakeshore. Most people going to Manasarovar also do the 3 day trek around nearby Mount Kailash. For more information on Lake Manasarovar, go to the following link: Lake Manasarovar.
Lake Manasarovar is Tibet’s most sacred lake. It is located close to Mount Kailash.
Gurla Mandhata rising above the waters of Manasarovar
#8 Sakya Monastery
Sakya Monastery ས་སྐྱ་དགོན་པ་ is located 130 kilometers west of Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city and lies at an altitude of 4315 meters. It is unique among monasteries in Tibet due to its fortress-like appearance and because it is painted maroon, gray and white (all monasteries of the Sakya sect are painted this color). The monastery was founded in the year 1073. There are several other smaller temples located close to Sakya Monastery. The mountains surrounding the monastery are great for day hiking. There are now a couple of decent hotels in Sakya making this a great place to spend one of your nights in Tibet.
Sakya is one of Tibet’s most unique monasteries due to its massive fortress-like appearance
Sakya Monastery was founded in the year 1073.
#9 Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok Lake, known as ཡར་འབྲོག་གཡུ་མཚོ་ Yamdrok Yum Tso in Tibetan, is one of the main holy lakes in Tibet. Famous for its turquoise-colored waters, it is easy to see why Yamdrok is such a popular attraction. The massive 7191 meter high peak of Nojun Kangtsang forms the background of the lake, which is shaped like a scorpion. The lake is best viewed some 90 kilometers past Lhasa from the top of the 4700+ meter high pass of Kamba La. From this pass, you can an outstanding panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake. This lake is visited along the overland route from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp.
Yamdrok Lake is one of Tibet’s 3 holiest lakes.
Yamdrok Lake during the summer time
#10 Gyantse
Rounding out the Top 10 places to visit in Tibet is the pleasant town of Gyantse རྒྱལ་རྩེ་, located 260 kilometers west of Lhasa. Though a small town, there is a lot to see and do here. The Palcho Chorten Monastery is located here, which is over 600 years old. The walled monastery contains the largest stupa in all of Tibet, which rises 32 meters high. A short hike to the base of the massive wall surrounding the monastery offers a panoramic view looking south towards Bhutan. The old Gyantse Fortress dominates the skyline of the town. Though now abandoned, this was once a large military base for Tibetan soldiers. Lastly, the Old Town of Gyantse will take you back to generations past as you stroll the streets lined with traditional Tibetan homes.
As Tibet is part of China, there is no such thing as a “Tibet Visa”. This post is for those planning to go directly from Nepal to Tibet, either by flying directly from Kathmandu to Lhasa or crossing the land border from Nepal into Tibet. If you are planning to go from Mainland China to Tibet, the information in this post is NOT for you. The visa regulations going to Tibet from Nepal versus going from Mainland China are very different. If you are going from Mainland China to Tibet, go to the following link: How to get a China Visa when going from Mainland China to Tibet
If you plan to go to Tibet from Nepal, let us know by the time you officially book your journey with us.
Visa from the China Embassy in Kathmandu
All travelers planning to go from Nepal directly to Tibet (by either flight or land crossing) must get their China Visa from the China Embassy in Kathmandu. This regulation has been in place for many years. If you arrive to Nepal with a Chinese tourist visa already in your passport, that visa will be permanently cancelled and you will not be able to use it. If you hold a residency permit for China, such as a student (X type) or work visa (Z type), contact us as this regulation may or may not apply to you.
When going from Nepal to Tibet, travelers need what is called a “Group China Visa”. Technically, this visa is only issued to travelers who are in a group of at least 5 travelers. However, if you are traveling solo or with a group of friends/family that are LESS than 5 people, it’s okay. We can still easily get your Group China Visa due to our relationship with the China Embassy. If there are less than 5 of you who are taking a private journey with us, you will NOT have to have additional people traveling with you. It will still be just you and those traveling on the private journey with you.
Unlike a standard China Tourist Visa, which can be applied for yourself directly from a China Embassy or Consulate, the Group China Visa needed to go to Tibet from Nepal needs the assistance of a travel company in order to obtain it. You cannot get this visa on your own without the help of a travel company. As Himalaya Journey has staff in both Lhasa and in Kathmandu (as well as in the US), we take care of everything for our clients who are going from Nepal to Tibet. Our staff in Kathmandu will personally meet you and walk you thru the procedure. We also work with other agencies in Tibet in getting their clients the required visa in Kathmandu. Getting your Group China Visa is a very easy process, but it will take 3 or 4 business days to complete.
Visa Processing Time
If you are planning to go from Nepal to Tibet, you will need to let us know at the time you book your tour with Himalaya Journey. The China Embassy is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. With a standard service, it will take 4 business days to get your Group China Visa. For an expedited service, it will take 3 business days. The two day visa option is no longer available. You will need to make sure that you factor this processing time into your journey plan.
For example, if you arrive to Kathmandu on a Sunday, Himalaya Journey staff will meet you either Sunday afternoon or early Monday morning before 9am to get your documents from you (listed below) and take them to the China Embassy. With a 3 business day service, your visa will be issued that Wednesday after 4pm. As flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa usually depart in the early afternoon, this means you will not be able to fly to Tibet until Thursday.
Another example: If you arrive to Kathmandu on a Wednesday, Himalaya Journey staff would meet you that afternoon or early Thursday morning to get your documents from you and take them to the China Embassy. With a 3 business day service, your visa would not be issued until Monday afternoon around 4pm as the China Embassy is closed on the weekends. You could then fly to Lhasa the next day on Tuesday. Again, make sure you factor this required time for your visa into your travel plans for Kathmandu.
Items Needed for Your Group China Visa
Here is a list of the items needed so that we can obtain your Group China Visa:
China Visa Application Form—Himalaya Journey will give you this to fill out once we meet you.
Length of time—Let us know the TOTAL number of days you plan to be in China. Remember, Tibet is part of China.
*Visa Invitation Letter—Himalaya Journey will take care of this if you are traveling with us.
Photocopy of your passport in color
Your passport—we will need your actual passport go get your visa
1 recent passport picture—must measure 48mm by 33mm with a white background. Picture must be without any glasses on with both ears showing. Further picture specifications in the following link: Visa Photo Requirements
Photocopy of your Nepal Tourist Visa
Photocopy of your Nepal Arrival Stamp in your passport
Visa Fee—This fee varies by nationality and is not included in your journey cost
*NOTE: Himalaya Journey will provide the required Visa Invitation Letter for clients traveling to Tibet with us. If you are NOT a client of Himalaya Journey, but are only using our visa services, the agency in Tibet that you are using MUST email us a color copy of the Visa Invitation Letter at least 2 days before you meet our staff in Kathmandu.
Group China Visa is Not in Your Passport
Unlike a standard China Tourist Visa, which is placed directly in your passport, the Group China Visa is a set of 2 full-sized pieces of paper. In addition to the original visa papers, you will be given a copy of the visa. The copy is given to China Customs upon arrival. Do NOT lose these 2 pieces of paper. Keep them well protected. If you are traveling with a group of friends and family, you will ALL have to enter and exit China at the same time at the same place as there is only ONE original copy of this visa. It is not possible for some of you to exit China from Beijing and have others exit China from Shanghai. You will need to exit China at the same place. If the friends and family you are traveling with have plans to exit China in different places, simply let us know and we will provide each of you with your own Group China Visa.
Visa is Valid in All of China
The Group China Visa that you are required to get from the China Embassy in Kathmandu is valid for ALL areas of China and not just Tibet. After your journey in Tibet is finished, you are free to travel to other areas of China on your own. Only Tibet requires you to be on an organized tour. Other places in China do not have this requirement.
Single Entry
The Group China Visa issued from the China Embassy in Kathmandu is a SINGLE entry visa. They do not issue a double or multiple entry visa if you plan to enter Tibet (China) from Nepal. As Tibet is part of China and is the same country, you do not need another visa to travel from Tibet to Mainland China.
Visa Length and Visa Extensions
Many people going to Tibet from Nepal have plans to continue traveling in other parts of Mainland China. As we explained above, that is fine as the Group China Visa that will be issued to you is valid for all areas of China, and not just Tibet. The Group China Visa length will cover all of your time in Tibet, even if you are on a long climbing expedition of up to 3 months. If you plan to travel to Mainland China after your journey in Tibet is finished, let us know. The China Embassy in Kathmandu can easily arrange a visa for normal travelers (non-climbers) valid for 30 days long, but we have been able to get them for as long as 45 days long. We can easily get at least 30 days for your visa, but it will be up to the China Embassy in Kathmandu if they will issue a visa longer than that.
Unfortunately a Group China Visa cannot be extended like a standard China Tourist Visa can. If you plan to spend an extended amount of time (longer than 30 days) in Mainland China and Tibet, you might want to rearrange your travel schedule and START your journey in Mainland China and then go to Tibet and on to Kathmandu. By starting in Mainland China, you can typically apply for a longer visa (sometimes up to 90 days long, depending on nationality) or apply for a double or multiple entry visa directly from the China Embassy either in your country or another country (expect in Nepal). For more information on getting a visa when going from Mainland China to Tibet, go to the following link: China Visa Going to Tibet from China.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the easy process of obtaining your Group China Visa when going from Nepal to Tibet, let us know! We are experts in Tibet travel and in the China visa process. Contact us for questions at: info@himalayajourney.com
Most nationalities will require a valid China Tourist Visa in their passport before they arrive to Tibet (which is part of China). Exceptions to this include people from Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Mauritius, Fiji and a small number of other countries found in the following link: Countries that do not require a China Visa. A number of nationalities can get a Transit Visa that allows them to stay in China up to 6 days, however, you cannot go to Tibet on a China Transit Visa.
When applying for your China Tourist Visa, it is very important to NOT list the word “TIBET” on any of your documents, including visa application, proof of flights and hotel bookings. If you do, you will almost certainly have your application sent back to you with instructions telling you to re-submit everything again while omitting the word “TIBET”. Though Tibet is open to foreign tourism, and has been for nearly 40 years, the term “TIBET” is a highly political term that China Embassies and Consulates don’t want to see anywhere on visa applications.
Over the past 15+ years, we have a 100% success rate in our clients getting their China Visa when following our instructions. We keep up-to-date on the China Visa regulations and get our information directly from the China Embassies in the US, Canada, UK and Australia. We are the visa experts and are here to help you thru the easy process. Read this post for step-by-step instructions on How to Get a China Tourist Visa.
This post only applies to those planning to go to Tibet from Mainland China. If you plan to go to Tibet directly from Nepal, please go to the following link:
Lake Manasarovar in Western Tibet
Step 1: Valid Passport
The first thing you will need is a valid passport that has at least 6 months of validity remaining on it by the time you plan to enter China. If your passport has less than 6 months of validity remaining, you most likely will need to get a new one. Your passport will also need to have at least two BLANK pages inside of it. In addition to your valid passport, you will likely need at least 1 color photocopy of your passport as well.
Step 2: Recent Passport Sized Picture
You will need at least one recent passport picture for your China Visa. The picture should show your complete face, including ears, and have a plain white or off-white background. The picture size should be 33mm wide by 48mm tall and be taken within the past 6 months. For further specific photo requirements, go to the following link: China Visa Photo Requirements
NOTE TO AMERICANS: You will need the international sized passport picture (33mm x 48mm) and NOT the US standard size of 2 inches x 2 inches.
Step 3: Proof of Flight to/from Mainland China
Most nationalities will require a proof of flight to and from Mainland China. This can be to ANY city in Mainland China, such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, etc. It is no problem to show a one way flight to China from one international city and then a one way flight departing China to another international city. For example, you can show proof of an arriving flight from New York to Beijing along with a departure flight going from Chengdu to London (examples only). Do NOT include flights that list Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau as these are not considered to be “Mainland China”. Also, do not list flights showing you flying anywhere in Tibet, including Lhasa. If you include a flight going to Lhasa, you will likely have your application sent back to you with instructions to omit that flight.
Lhasa, Tibet is only connected internationally to ONE city on the planet and that is Kathmandu. This means that you will have to reach Lhasa by first going to a city in Mainland China. What you need to do is first book your international flights to/from Mainland China. You can then buy your domestic flight from Mainland China to Tibet (Lhasa) separately (remember, a flight from Beijing or Chengdu to Lhasa is a domestic flight within China and not an international flight). For your visa, you do not need to show any domestic flights within China; you only need to show proof of international flights. Do not include any flights going to/from Tibet.
If you plan to exit Tibet by flying or going overland into Nepal, then you will need to “create” a flight booking showing you leaving Mainland China. Remember, you cannot show a flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu or list that you are exiting Tibet (China) by going overland to Nepal as you cannot list the word “TIBET” anywhere on your application.
What we suggest is going to the popular online air ticket booking site of Travelocity.com. There, you can “create” a booking, print it out and then cancel it for a full refund as long as you cancel your booking within 24 hours. Make sure that under the “Details and Baggage Fees” that it states that it has FREE CANCELLATION (almost all flights do). Be sure to print out the booking and then immediately cancel it. The China Embassy/Consulate will not check to see if you are actually booked on that flight. It is simply a formality. You only need to follow this step if you are planning to exit Tibet directly to Nepal by either flight to Kathmandu or going overland. The picture below, from the Travelocity.com site, shows what to look for:
Travelocity.com offers FREE Cancellation if you cancel within 24 hrs of booking
Step 4: Proof of Hotel Bookings
Most nationalities will need to show proof of at least 5 nights of hotel bookings when applying for their China Tourist Visa. You should not need proof of any more than 5 nights. These hotel bookings need to be in Mainland China. Do not include any hotels bookings in Tibet. If you do, you will almost certainly have your application sent back to you with instructions telling you to re-submit everything again while omitting the word “TIBET”. Only include proof of hotel bookings for Mainland China. If you are not planning to be in Mainland China for 5 nights before going to Tibet then you will need to “create” a booking, print it out and then cancel it. This will be sufficient for the China Embassy/Consulate’s need for proof of hotel bookings. The China Embassy/Consulate will not check with the hotel to see if you are actually staying there. It is simply a formality.
The best place to “create” a hotel booking is from the following site: Hotel booking on Trip.com. This site will allow you to book a hotel in Mainland China, print it out and then cancel it without having to pay anything. This is only permitted on hotels that specifically say “FREE CANCELLATION”. Don’t forget to CANCEL the hotel booking immediately after printing out the hotel booking. Look at the examples below for a hotel in Beijing from the Trip.com site:
Example of a hotel on Trip.com that offers FREE CANCELLATIONChoose the PAY AT HOTEL optionChoosing this option doesn’t require you to give any payment or credit card info
Step 5: Letter from your employer
This is NOT needed for all nationalities, but is becoming required for more and more travelers going to Tibet. If you are from the US, you almost certainly will need this letter. The letter, if needed, does not need to be long. The letter should be dated at the top of the page, be addressed to the “Government of China” and state your full name, passport number and date of birth along with the name/address of your company and your position there. The letter then needs to state that you are going to CHINA (again, do not list the word “TIBET”) for tourism along with the dates you will be gone. The bottom of the letter should be signed by a manager and “chopped” with your company’s seal, if they have one. Again, this is not needed for all nationalities, but is becoming more common. If it is needed, the China Embassy/Consulate you are using will specifically let you know.
Step 6: Fill out the China Visa Application
Look below at Step 7 to learn where you will get your China Visa Application. Please note that some visa applications, such as those in the UK, could be formatted slightly differently, but will still have the same questions. The China Visa Application for most nationalities has 4 pages, but can be easily filled out in 15 minutes or less. The application has 5 parts with many of the parts having sub-sections. Most of the application is very self explanatory. Here is how to fill out the other sections of the application:
Part 1.2: Write” N/A” as this is not applicable to you unless you have an official Chinese name
Part 1.3: Write “N/A”
Part 1.6: Write your nationality and not the country you reside in
Part 1.7: Write “N/A” unless you had a former nationality
Part 1.9: Write your local country ID number or Driver’s License Number
Part 1.10: Check the “ORDINARY” box
Part 1.15: Check the applicable box. Do not check Military/government/parliament/NGO/media or Religious boxes
Part 1.17: Write in very vague info about your work. Do not list “military” or “government worker”
Part 1.23: List ONLY your parents/spouse/children. Nothing else needs to be listed
Part 2.1. Check the “TOURISM” box only. Do not check any other box in Part 2.1.
Part 2.2 Check the “One entry valid for 3 months from date of issue” box if you only need one entry or “Two entries valid for 3 to 6 months from date of issue” if you require a double entry visa. NOTE: Tibet is part of China! So going from Mainland China to Tibet back to Mainland China does NOT count as leaving China.
Part 2.3: Express Service if you are needing your visa within the next 3 weeks.
Part 2.4: Enter the date you plan to enter China.
Part 2.5: Write the amount of total days you will be in China. Remember, Tibet is part of China so you will need to include the days you are in Tibet in the total amount of days you are in China.
Part 2.6: For this section, list only major places in MAINLAND CHINA. Do not list Tibet or any places in Tibet. You will need to list one or two hotels in Mainland China, along with the addresses of the hotel. Do NOT list any hotels in Tibet; only list hotels in Mainland China. You are free to go to other places in China, including Tibet, even though those places are not listed on your visa application.
Part 2.7: Write “I WILL PAY FOR MYSELF”
Part 2.8 Write “N/A”. This ONLY applies if you are visiting family members that live and work in China
Part 2.9: Write any previous times you have received a visa for China. Write N/A if you have never been to China before.
Part 2.10: Write any countries you have visited the past 12 months. Don’t not go beyond the past 12 months.
Part 3.1 thru 3.5: Write “NO” unless it applies to you (mostly likely doesn’t apply to you)
Part 3.7 :Write “N/A”
Part 3.8: Write “N/A” unless you come from a country where a child shares a passport with a parent or guardian.
Part 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3: Sign and date your application
Part 5.1: Leave this area BLANK unless you are filling it out on behalf of another person
Step 7: Submit Your China Visa Application
The final step is to submit Steps 1 thru 5 to the China Embassy/Consulate nearest to you. For those in Canada, UK, Western Europe, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, South Africa and a few other countries, go to the following link and click on your nation’s flag: Visa For China. Be sure to choose a TOURIST VISA, which is category L. You can then choose if you want to use a mail-in service or if you wish to apply in person. The China visa application will be in the link listed above. The steps are very easy to follow. Follow the instructions in Step 6 in filling out your application.
FOR US CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS: If you are in the United States, you will have to either go to the China Embassy/Consulate in person OR use a visa service company. Because of the ease and convenience, we strongly recommend using a visa service company. The China Embassy is located in Washington, DC with consulates in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston. Be advised that if you apply in person, it will likely take 5 to 10 business days for your visa to be issued. For a visa service company, we highly recommend our friends at Visa Rite (click link). Their website has the China visa application on it. Follow the instructions in Step 5 in filling out your application. They offer a convenient mail-in service, are experts in getting China visas and serve all 50 states. If you reside in the US with a Green Card or hold a US Residency Visa (Class L, H, F and TN), you can also use Visa Rite to obtain your China Tourist Visa. You cannot use Visa Rite if you hold a B1 or B2 visa.
If you are from a country not listed on the Visa For China website and do not live in the United States, you will need to do a Google search for the China Embassy/Consulate nearest to you and read what the process is. Usually, you can apply at any China Embassies/Consulates across the globe and not just at the embassy/consulate in the country that you are from. Follow the instructions in Step 6 in filling out your application.
Step 8: Fingerprinting
This step is not needed by all nationalities, but is required for some including those in the UK. For those in the UK, you get your fingerprinting done at the China Embassy/Consulate. If it is needed, the China Embassy/Consulate you are using will specifically let you know. If the China Embassy/Consulate does not mention fingerprinting, don’t worry about it. It means that you do not require it.
Step 9: When to Apply
Processing times for a China Tourist Visa is between 6 and 10 business days for most nationalities. China recommends that you apply for your China visa between 6 weeks and 3 months before you plan to enter China. If you apply more than 3 months in advance, your application will likely be returned to you with instructions telling you to apply closer to your arrival date to China. Because we need your China Visa in order to obtain your required Tibet Travel Permit, we recommend applying for your visa 2 to 3 months before you plan to arrive to China.
Step 10: Finalize
Once you have your China visa, you will need to email us a clear, high resolution image of the full page of your China Visa, including the bar code at the bottom of the visa. We will also need for you to email us a clear image of your passport (picture/information page). We will need both of these to obtain your travel permits for Tibet. Normally, we will need these to be emailed to us 5 to 7 weeks BEFORE your journey begins.
Step 11: China Visa Invitation Letter or Group Visa Needed?
Many people ask if a China Visa Invitation Letter is needed. The answer is NO. When going from Mainland China to Tibet, you do not require this letter of invitation. You can easily get your visa by following the steps above. You also do not need a Group Visa. This special visa is ONLY needed when going to Tibet directly from Nepal.
China Tourist Visa Summary
A China Tourist Visa may sound complicated to get, but actually it is extremely easy. We know that some of the requirements sound strange, but we assure you that you will have no problem getting a visa. The only way you can really be denied a visa is if you have a serious criminal record. Follow our instructions and we are sure you will be fine. Again, our clients have a 100% success rate the past 15+ years in getting their China Tourist Visa. Still need assistance? No problem! We are here to help. Simply email or call us and we can walk you thru the process: info@himalayajourney.com
Tibet has a reputation as being a cold, frozen place. It is nicknamed “The Land of Snows“, after all! In reality, Tibet is not nearly as cold or snowy as you might think. With proper clothing, Tibet can actually be visited just about all year round. Continue reading for info on what temps to expect, how much rain/snow you will encounter and our advice on the best months to visit Tibet.
Nam Tso is one of Tibet’s most stunning lakes
Temperatures in Tibet
Here are the average temperatures to expect in the main areas of Tibet for each season. Tibet is in the northern hemisphere with winter being December—March, spring being April thru June, summer being July—August and autumn being September thru November. Be advised that on high mountain passes, which are found throughout Tibet, the windchill can be lower than the temperatures listed below. When stopping at mountain passes, always be sure to put your coat on, and if necessary, a hat and gloves.
Temperatures to expect in TibetWestern Tibet’s sacred Mt Kailash
The Dry Season
Most of Tibet is quite dry as it is largely a high altitude desert. The dry months are January thru early June and again from late September thru December. These months typically see little precipitation and are good months to get good, clear views of the mountains, including Everest. You can see some light snow in December and January in Tibet, but the snowfall amount is generally light. More snow can fall in Tibet in February and March, however, these 2 months Tibet is closed to foreign travelers.
The Rainy Season
Though Tibet receives far less monsoon rain than neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal and India, it still does have a rainy season. Starting in mid to late June, some clouds begin moving across the Himalayas from the south. By late June/early July thru early to mid September, rain comes to many areas of Tibet. Again, the rain totals are a fraction of what falls on the south side of the Himalayas, but rain is certainly possible during this time frame. Rain normally does not last all day, but lasts for up to an hour at a time. Many of Tibet’s high peaks, like Everest, can be hidden in clouds during the rainy season. Mt Kailash and far Western Tibet have a different climate and see less rain that other areas of Tibet, so trekking Kailash in July and August is fine.
Best Time to Visit Tibet
So, when is the Best Time to Visit Tibet? That is hard question and really depends on what you are wanting to do on a journey to Tibet. If you are more interested in culture and religion, anytime of year is fine. If you are going to Tibet to see big mountains, the spring and autumn are best. Here are my suggestions based off of 15 years spent living in Tibet full-time and 20+ years of climbing, trekking and exploring the area.
Route from Lhasa to Everest: The best months for this route are April, May, October and November. These months are almost always dry and clear allowing for excellent views of Everest and other big peaks. My all-time favorite time frame for this journey is from mid October thru mid November as there are far fewer travelers in Tibet during that time. This route can be done in the winter months of December and January, but dress warmly…it can get a little cold.
Route from Lhasa to Everest and Kathmandu: Like the route above, The best months for this route are April, May, October and November. You can also do this route in December and January as long as you are prepared for colder weather. Due to rock and mudslides caused by monsoon rains in Nepal, Himalaya Journey does not offer this journey from June thru mid September. Your safety and well-being are too important to us to operate this route during the potentially dangerous monsoon months.
Mt Kailash Trek: The best time to do this trek is from late April thru late October. If you do this trek in early April, there will likely be heavy snow on the high pass along this trek. Many agencies, including Himalaya Journey, will not operate this trek from November thru the winter due to the risk of extreme cold or heavy snow. My favorite months to do this trek are May, June and October (with October being my all-time favorite month). The reason is that there are fewer trekkers along the mountain during these months and the skies are generally clear. In October, you are likely to have BLUE skies each and everyday. Be advised that in July and August there are usually a lot of pilgrims from India at Mt Kailash. It is common to see many hundreds of trekkers each day during those months.
Lhasa and Central Tibet: This area can really be visited anytime of year, though the best months are April thru June, and again from September thru December. The months of July and August bring tens of thousands of Chinese tourists to Lhasa EACH DAY, so those months are not highly recommended.
Can I Visit Tibet in Winter?
The winter months in Tibet are December, January and February. Though it might sound crazy, you can absolutely visit Tibet during these months. While these months will certainly be colder and will require you to dress warmly, there are far more Tibetan pilgrims in Lhasa during the winter months, the skies are almost always clear allowing for good mountain views and travel costs during that time are lower. In fact, this past January I stayed at the St Regis (the best 5 star hotel in Lhasa) and paid only 1/3 the cost compared to the high season rate! Plus, there are almost no other travelers in Tibet during that time. Some areas of Tibet are closed in winter, including Nam Tso Lake and the Kailash trek, but most other areas are completely open including Lhasa, the route to Mt Everest, and the road to Kathmandu.
What to Pack for Tibet?
For information on what to pack for your journey to Tibet, go to the following link: Packing List for Tibet
If you have any questions about the Weather in Tibet, let us know! Unlike most other travel companies in Tibet, we spend many months each year in the Himalayas climbing, trekking and exploring. Let us give you our advice based on our vast experience. Email us at: info@himalayajourney.com
Mt Kailash is located at a high altitude in far western Tibet. The weather can change so be sure to be well prepared. In this post, we will outline What to Pack for Mt Kailash Trek. If you have any questions, email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
One of our small group treks at Mt Kailash
What clothing to pack for Tibet?
The temperatures fluctuate considerably during the day in Tibet. The mornings and evenings can be cool, but if the sun is out, it can be quite warm during the afternoons. It is best to dress in layers that can easily be taken off and added as the day goes on. Mountain passes can have wind, so having your coat accessible is recommended. The Kailash Trek is at high altitude. While you are moving, you are generating a lot of heat. But when you stop for a rest, you can cool down quickly, so keep a coat in your pack. For info on what temperatures and weather to expect in Tibet, go to the following link: Weather in Tibet
This list is what you should bring for your entire journey in Tibet. You will NOT need to carry all of these items on the 3 day Kailash Trek. A journey to Mt Kailash will take between 15 and 18 days, though the trek around Kailash is only 3 days long. Below is what you should pack for your ENTIRE trip in Tibet. A separate section below will list what to specifically pack for the 3 day trek:
comfortable, broken-in hiking boots or hiking shoes
3 or 4pairs of hiking pants (don’t bring jeans)
6 pairs of wool socks
6 pairs of underwear
1 set of thermal underwear (tops and bottoms)
1 set of warm pajamas for overnight
mid to heavy weight winter coat (down is recommended)
lightweight hooded rain jacket
warm hat that goes over your ears
warm gloves
bandana or scarf (optional)
baseball or sun hat with wide brim
2 fleece tops
Sports bra for women
4 or 5 T-shirts (Mixture of short and long sleeved with wicking material)
Recommended Accessories
sunglasses with UV protection (polarized are best)
digital version of Lonely Planet Tibet guidebook (optional; avoid paper book edition)
small hand-held mirror (optional as guesthouses at Kailash ave no mirrors)
Kailash viewed from Dira Puk Monastery
What to Pack for the 3 Day Kailash Trek
The list above is what you should bring for your ENTIRE trip in Tibet. You will not need to bring all of those items with you for the 3 day Kailash Trek. In fact, you will not need to bring most of those items. All the items that you don’t need will be locked up securely in Darchen, the starting point of the Kailash Trek. Here is a list of items that you should wear or pack specifically for the 3 day Kailash Trek (much of this you will be wearing):
CLOTHING
comfortable, broken-in hiking boots or hiking shoes (wear)
1 set of thermal underwear top and bottom (wear unless really warm)
pajamas or extra set of thermal underwear to sleep in (pack)
1 long-sleeve wicking material hiking shirt (wear)
1 pair of hiking pants (wear)
1 pair of waterproof rain pants (needed if rain is in the forecast)
1 mid to heavy weight fleece (wear)
1 rain jacket (needed if rain is in the forecast)
1 mid to heavy weight winter coat (pack unless very cold)
3 pairs of wool socks (wear 1 pair; pack other pairs)
small bottle of tylenol, aspirin or other pain reliever
Diamox or any other prescription drugs
1 roll of toilet paper
small bottle of hand sanitizer
pack of wet wipes (no showers on the trek)
toothbrush
travel size tooth paste
ear plugs
450 to 600 Chinese Yuan for meals (per person)
quick dry towel (optional)
small hand-held mirror (optional)
Do I really need a sleeping bag?
Short answer, no…you do not NEED it, but we recommend it. The guesthouses at the Everest region, Lake Manasarovar and around the Kailash Trek all provide plenty of blankets. However, they are not regularly cleaned. We recommend a lightweight sleeping bag or a sleeping bag liner, mostly for the sake of hygiene. If you are cold, you can still put the blankets on top of the sleeping bag or liner you are using.
If you have any questions on What to Pack for Mt Kailash Trek, let us know! We have spent decades exploring Tibet and know exactly what you should bring.
Tibet, though nicknamed “The Land of Snows“, is actually not as cold as you might think. Knowing what to pack (and what NOT to pack) for any journey is important. In this post, we will outline What to Pack for Tibet. If you have any questions, email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
The Tibet side view of Mt Everest
What clothing to pack for Tibet?
The temperatures fluctuate considerably during the day in Tibet. The mornings and evenings can be cool, but if the sun is out, it can be quite warm during the afternoons. It is best to dress in layers that can easily be taken off and added as the day goes on. Mountain passes can have wind, so having your coat accessible is recommended. For info on what temperatures and weather to expect in Tibet, go to the following link: Weather in Tibet
comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or walking shoes (hiking boots not required on non-trekking journeys)
3 or 4pairs of pants (hiking-type pants are best)
2 pairs of cotton socks
3 or 4 pairs of wool socks
4 to 6 pairs of underwear
1 set of thermal underwear (tops and bottoms)
1 set of warm pajamas for overnight
mid to heavy weight winter coat (heavy weight recommended for travel in the months from Nov—Apr)
lightweight hooded rain jacket for any travel done from May thru September
warm hat
warm gloves
bandana or scarf (optional)
baseball or sun hat with wide brim
2 fleece tops
Sports bra for women
4 or 5 T-shirts (Mixture of short and long sleeved)
digital version of Lonely Planet Tibet guidebook (avoid paper book edition)
small hand-held mirror (optional if going to Everest, Nam Tso or Kailash Regions)
Tibetan nomads near Shishapangma in Tibet
Luggage to bring
Unless you are trekking or climbing, a backpack is NOT recommended. A better option is suitcase with wheels or a wheeled duffle bag. For inside the vehicle while you are traveling, you can bring a small bag or backpack to carry your camera, snack, personal items, passport, etc, but NOT a big backpack.
Documents Needed
If you are arriving to Tibet from Mainland China, you will already have a valid China visa in your passport. If you arrive to Tibet from Nepal, you will have a PAPER version of your China visa that is NOT in your passport (you will need to safeguard this and carry it with you, along with your passport). Here are other items you should have:
Photocopy of your passport (picture/info page)
Photocopy of your China visa (only if you go from Mainland China to Tibet)
Chinese currency (recommend at least Y2000 Chinese Yuan for personal items/tips)
Bank ATM card (you can withdraw Chinese currency using this)
If you have any questions on our Tibet Packing List or What to Pack for Tibet, let us know! We have spent decades exploring Tibet and know exactly what you should bring.
Interested in traveling to Bhutan? We can help! Email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
Tucked away towards the eastern Himalayas in South Asia, Bhutan is a kingdom. The region features all sorts of dynamic landscapes and locations, like fortresses and remote Buddhist monasteries. There’s much to see all over the country. You will love Bhutan if you have an interest in ancient relics, historic sites traditional culture and great hospitality.
Bhutan’s reputation has boosted as a popular tourist destination because of its interesting scenery and captivating history. Now that tourists are asking for a different experience from what the urban metropolis provides, they’re looking towards the mountain ranges and integral locations. These areas offer an encounter with nature, culture, and history. The experience is completely different from their urban lifestyle.
From sightseeing to trekking, photography tours to cultural experiences, there’s a lot to do in Bhutan. That’s why we’ve shortlisted the Top 5 Places to Visit in Bhutan.
Rinpung Dzong is located in the town of Paro
Rinpung Dzong
Rinpung Dzong
Located in Paro, the Rinpung Dzong is a fortress and Buddhist monastery commonly referred to as Paro Dzong. Drung Drung Gyal, who belonged to the Drukpa branch of the Kagyu School of Buddhism, founded it in the 15th Century. Two centuries later, the Zhabdrung of the period demolished Hungrel Dzong. They built a new structure from the ground up, naming it Rinpung Dzong.
A Dzong is a type of fortress found in Bhutan and Tibet. Dzongs are usually massive structures with towering outside walls that surround many inside courtyards, offices, temples and monks quarters. Dzongs in Bhutan serve as administrative centers for each district of the country. So dzongs act as the district capital building along with district monastic headquarters. Dzongs in Bhutan are all elaborately built.
The expansive Rinpung Dzong comprises fourteen chapels and shrines. Just outside the platform of the main Dzong, you will find the Deyangkha Temple. Below the massive structure of the Rinpung Dzong, you’ll find a cantilever bridge over the Paro River.
If you’re lucky or scheduled your trip with festivals in mind, you can catch a glimpse of Tsechu. Tsechu is one of Bhutan’s greatest annual festivals. The event takes place in the second month of the Bhutanese Lunar Calendar from the eleventh day to the fifteenth day. Hence, you have to plan a trip around March or April. You can see beautiful masked dances depicting stories, and a procession of holy images as well. Rinpung Dzong is easily one of the best places to visit in Bhutan.
Motithang Takin Preserve
To intrigue the nature enthusiast and wanderer, Bhutan has the Motithang Takin Preserve based in Thimphu. This is far from the usual cultural encounters you will have at monasteries and dzongs. However, the Motithang Takin Preserve aligns with the country’s mission of conservation and sustainability.
The takin is Bhutan’s national animal. What? You don’t know what a takin is? Well, don’t feel too bad as many people have not heard of the takin. A Takin is similar to a goat and an antelope and lives primarily in the eastern Himalayas of Tibet and Bhutan. They live in higher altitude areas between 1000m and 4500m above sea level. They stand between 100 and 140 cm high (39 to 55 inches) and weigh between 250 kg and 350 kg (550 lbs to 770 lbs).
The Motithang Takin Preserve was initially a small zoo. Later, they converted it into a preserve, when the animals stayed in the area instead of going into the forests that surrounded the zoo. Bhutan declared the takin as its national animal because of the belief in a legend that Lama Drukpa Kunley created the animal.
The preserve is inside a pine forest that offers an excellent opportunity to go trekking before you get to see the animals. Since the zoo disbanded a long time ago, you’ll only see more takin here as they have a nature of being very tame, which is why they had to be put back into captivity. You can see goats, Himalayan monals and species like sambal deer and barking deer there as well. The Takin reserve is a great place to take your kids to!
Bhutanese home along the way to Pobjikha Valley
The view along the Gangte Nature Trail in Pobjikha
Phobjikha Valley
This glacial valley in Phobjikha, elevation 2900m/9500 feet, is also referred to as the Gangtey Valley, which takes its name from the Nyingma Sect’s Gangtey monastery. Pobjikha is located along the western slopes of the Black Mountains, adjacent to the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. Pobjikha Valley is home to around 5000 people and is about 140 kilometers east of Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Winter is unique time to visit the valley because you’ll get to see the black-necked cranes that come to the valley from Tibet to roost during the season.The majestic birds have a mysterious nature because of the way they have a habit of circling Gangtey Monastery in the final week of October, when they arrive, and when they return to Tibet. Aside from black-necked cranes, the valley hosts thirteen other species that have a status of being globally threatened.
The festival of Tsechu takes place here as well, so you’ll be able to see the brightly colored masks as they dance through the festival. From the Gangtey Monastery, you can walk across the valley and get to enjoy a stunning view for miles around. The peaceful atmosphere will calm your nerves, and the feeling of nature around you will energize your senses.
There are numerous hiking trails throughout the Pobjikha Valley that go through villages, forests and alpine meadows. The Gangtey Nature Trail is the most popular hike and takes about 90 minutes to complete. It begins near the Gangtey Monastery and descends towards Semchubara Village and ends near the primary school on the other side of a metal bridge. Don’t worry…your guide will know the way! A longer and slightly more strenuous hike is the Sashi La Nature Trail, which takes about a half day to complete. This hike goes thru rhododendron forests, to the village of Ramgokha, past Buddhist stupas and thru an old growth forest. Again, your guide will know the way
Most people only stay 1 night in the Pobjikha Valley, but if your schedule allows it I strongly recommend staying 2 nights. With 2 nights, you can spend a full day hiking the many trails in the areas, spend more time at Gantey Monastery, meet with locals in the valley and have a more relaxed experience. There are several nice hotels in the valley, including the Dewachen Hotel, which offers a fantastic view of the valley.
Gangte Monastery in the Pobjikha Valley
Punakha Dzong is the second largest dzong in Bhutan. It is regarded as the most beautiful of all the dzongs in Bhutan.
Punakha is regarded as Bhutan’s most beautiful dzong
Punakha Dzong
The second largest dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, is famous for its distinctive architecture and design, which is why it is regarded as the most beautiful dzong in the country. Based near the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pho Chhu (Father River), the picturesque dzong looks like something out of a fairytale. This is partially true since the crowning ceremony for Bhutan’s kings took place at this fortress.
Aside from being the second biggest, it’s also the second oldest Dzong in the country. Until 1955, Punakha Dzong was the seat of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Since then, the capital has been moved westward to Thimphu. It is a well-known tourist site so you can easily access it via a three-hour drive east of Thimphu. After crossing the mountain pass, the spectacular sight of Punakha Dzong will enchant you at first glance. Punakha Dzong lies at an altitude of 1200 meters (3940 feet) and has a milder climate than Paro and Thimphu.
The Dzong itself was built between Pho Chu and Mo Chu, the two rivers with differently colored waters from each other. Spring is tan excellent time to visit as you can see the pretty jacaranda trees blossom in contrast with the white walls of the Punakha Dzong. It is easy to see why Punakha is listed as one of the Top 5 Places to Visit in Bhutan.
Tiger’s Nest is easily the most recognizable site in Bhutan
Along the hike up to Tiger’s Nest
Tiger’s Nest is perched on the side of a mountain
Tiger’s Nest Monastery
The Taktsang Palphug Monastery is commonly known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhism and is one of the most widely recognized sites in the greater Himalaya region, along with Lhasa’s Potala Palace. Not only is it one of the Top 5 places to visit in Bhutan, it is at the top of the list for most travelers. Tiger’s Nest Monastery lies along the side of a cliff nearly 900 meters above the Paro valley. Tiger’s Nest can only be reached by hike as there is no road that leads to the top.
In 1692, the temple complex at Taktsang was built near the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, the meditation place of Guru Padmasambhava. It is said that Padmasambhava, who is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, meditated here for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours back in the 8th century. The hike up to Tiger’s Nest is not overly difficult and can be easily completed by anyone in decent physical shape. For most people the hike will take between 1.5 and 2 hours to complete. You can take horses for part of the hike, but not all the way to the top. The trail up to the monastery is well-defined and has great views along the way. There is a restaurant about halfway up where you can stop for tea on the way up and have lunch at on the way down.
From Tiger’s Nest Monastery, you get a bird’s eye view of the entire Paro valley and all its breathtaking scenery. The atmosphere has the sense of being holy, but it’s also serene and peaceful. This certainly will be a major highlight of any journey to Bhutan.
Summary of the Top 5 Places to Visit in Bhutan
Our list of Top 5 Places to Visit in Bhutan is just our opinion for the best places to visit. There are many more places that are amazing to see and experience in Bhutan. Most of the places listed above are located in Western Bhutan and can be visited as part of an 8 day journey (click link for details).
All foreign travelers going to Bhutan must be part of an organized journey that can only be arranged by a travel company. You must have a private vehicle, a driver and a tour guide each and every day you are in Bhutan. No independent travel is permitted.
For more info on the Top 5 Places to Visit in Bhutan, including Tigers Nest Monastery, or to arrange a journey to Bhutan, email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
Interested in exploring Nepal? We can help! Email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
Far more than just a landing places before setting out on a Himalayan Trek, there are plenty of things to see and do in Kathmandu, Nepal. In fact, you could easily dedicate a week to exploring the Nepal capital, its personable neighborhoods and its winding passageways. Over the years, I have spent quite a bit of time in Kathmandu. It is usually before or after a long trek, climbing a 6000 meter peak or arriving after completing the overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu. This post is based off of being in Kathmandu 3 or 4 times each year for the past (almost) 15 years.
A city of stark contrasts and sensory overloads, first-time visitors to Nepal can feel something of a culture shock when they first touchdown in Kathmandu. Amid the stunning backdrop of the Himalayan foothills (haha….when the weather is clear!), navigating the city means fighting your way through jam-packed streets where rickshaws zip through the narrow alleys, where colorful market stalls selling local handicrafts crowd the sidewalks and where the echo of monks chanting spills out from ancient Buddhist temples. Kathmandu is eclectic, intoxicating and fascinating. This article has been prepared to help you make the most of your first trip to Kathmandu and explores the Top Places to Visit in Kathmandu.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa
Surrounded by colorful prayer flags that flutter elegantly in the breeze, the Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. With colorful painted eyes decorate on every side of it, the huge white-washed structure watches protectively over Kathmandu and its neighboring towns.
There are several stories behind the history of Boudhanath Stupa, commonly referred to as “Boudha”. One story states that stupa was originally built in the early 7th century. Another story connects Tibetan King Trisong Detsen with the construction in the mid to late 8th century. The tower is often referred to locally as “Chorten Chenpo” meaning “Great Stupa”. Undoubtedly one of the most fascinating Buddhist sites in the world, you can expect to see many Buddhist pilgrims and local devotees paying their respects and making offerings here. You will also find several small Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries in around Boudhanath Stupa as there are several thousand Tibetans living nearby.
Boudha suffered some damage during the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake, but has since been fully rebuilt. Boudha is located about 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) from the popular Thamel District. There are numerous guesthouses and restaurants in the area, making this a fun place to stay….and much quieter than Thamel. The entrance fee to Boudhanath Stupa is 400 rupees. You can easily get here by taxi from anywhere in Kathmandu.
Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu Temples in the world and is found in Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple
One of Asia’s most sacred Hindu sites is situated on the Bagmati river. Pashupatinath Temple is a sprawling complex of various temple annexes that date all the way back to the 5th century. Dedicated to the Lord Shiva, this is the largest temple complex in all of Nepal and the fourth most important in Asia for those devoted to following the teachings of Shiva. Along the river banks, the last rites of Hindus are often delivered, with cremations taking place by the waterfront. These cremations take place each day around the clock.
Whether you are religious and spiritual or not, Pashupatinath temple is a fascinating place to visit in order to learn about the Hindu outlook on life and reincarnation. Only Hindus can enter the main temple, however the remainder of the complex is open to all. It is said that those cremated at Pashupatinath will come back in the next life as humans, regardless of whatever sins they committed during their lives. As such, you will likely encounter elderly people living out their last days at the temple, in eager anticipation for the next life.
Pashupatinath Temple has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. It is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the city center and not far from the airport. The entrance fee is 1000 rupees. The temple can be reached by taxi from anywhere in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kathmandu’s famous “Monkey Temple” (Swayambhunath)
Swaymambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple)
Affectionately known by travelers as “The Monkey Temple”, Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath temple is a spiritual and historical experience, a daily workout, and a nature trip all rolled into one!Situated atop a hill, visitors have to work their quads as they ascend 365 steps to reach the temple complex (haha….or, have your driver take you to the upper parking lot!). The colorful temple in itself is beautiful – decorated in rich tones of gold and royal blue. However the little furry creatures that call this place home are certainly one of the highlights of Swayambhunath.
Both Hindu and Buddhist devotees come to this sacred stupa. It is common to see Hindu rituals going on closer to the main stupa. On the far side of the complex (to the left of the wishing well), there is a small Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The 3 dozen or so monks here are very friendly and normally enjoy visitors.
Hundreds of monkeys live within the Swayambhunath complex and if you follow the trail that leads upwards past the temple, you can see where they sleep and hang out. Many Buddhists and Hindus believe that the monkeys here are sacred creatures, and that they were created when Manjushree, the bodhisattva of wisdom, was creating the hill for the temple and the lice in his hair fell out and transformed into monkeys. Don’t get too close to the monkeys, though. They are well-known for stealing anything they can grab….and they have been known to scratch and bite!
On the rare clear day in Kathmandu, Nepal, the view from the Monkey Temple gives a great panoramic view of the sprawling city. Swayambhunath is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cost of admission is 200 rupees. Plan to spend half a day here.
Durbar Square in Kathmandu
Durbar Square
There is a Durbar Square in Bhaktapur, but also one in Kathmandu. Confusingly, there are three Durbar Squares situated within Kathmandu Valley in total. The square that awaits in Kathmandu city is of significant historical importance. It was here where Nepalese Kings and other members of the Royal family were crowned many centuries ago. The word “Durbar” translates to “palace” and this regal area is the beating heart of old town Kathmandu. An assortment of temples, ramshackle stores and piazzas comprise this zone.
The square area is covered in temples, ancient palaces, bathing pools and more. It is easy to explore on your own, but if you really want to learn about the history of this fantastic place, a local guide is recommended.
Sadly Durbar square was heavily damaged during the 2015 earthquake that hit Nepal and restorations are still very much ongoing as of December 2018. With that considered, there is still a lot to see and do here. The entrance fee to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is 1000 rupees.
Thamel District
Thamel is to Nepal, what the Khao San Road is to Bangkok (albeit less sketchy). Though Thamel is one of the most touristic areas of Kathmandu, often referred to as being a backpacker’s mecca, the neighborhood isn’t without its charm. The labyrinth-like narrow streets here house thousands of market stalls, trekking agencies, hotels and Nepalese eateries. If you haven’t already stocked up on trekking gear for your trip, Thamel is the place to do just that (though you should be prepared to haggle!). When the sun goes down, the area comes to life making it a perfect spot to meet new travel buddies to venture onwards with. Many bars have live music playing…mostly 70’s and 80’s rock and metal!
While Thamel is definitely a backpacker hangout, it’s also a lot of fun! There are great restaurants and some great hotels and guesthouses to stay at….everything from extreme low budget to high end (I personally stay at the Dalai La Boutique Hotel or at the Mulberry Hotel). Yes, I know that the Tiger Balm sellers, the freelance “trekking guides” and hash dealers can be annoying, but Thamel is fun and a great place to stay.
Bhaktapur
Located around 16 km (10 miles) from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur is certainly worthy of a day trip from the Nepali capital (or longer if you have time).Nepal is already a country that is steeped in history and packed full of temples and museums, however the ancient city of Bhaktapur almost transports you back in time. Bhaktapur is frequently referred to as being Nepal’s cultural city and for good reason – many ancient traditions and practices are preserved here and are still practiced today. Locals still live in traditional housing and ancient methods of pottery making, wood carving and blacksmithery are still followed. Don’t miss the Nyatapola Temple, the artisans at work in Potter’s square, or the spectacular architecture of Durbar Square.
Bhaktapur suffered some damage from the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake, but a lot of it has been repaired. There are still a few areas that are still being fixed, but I still recommend going there. There are some comfortable guesthouses to stay at and numerous restaurants to choose from. I suggest going to one that has rooftop seating. The entrance fee to Bhaktapur, another UNESCO site, is 1500 rupees.
Kopan Monastery
A monastery that practices Tibetan Buddhism, Kopan Monastery sits atop a hill of the same name, close to the historic stupa of Boudhanath. Offering far more than just a temple complex to wander through, Kopan Monastery offers immersive experiences for those wishing to learn about the Buddhist religion. Visitors do not need to be Buddhist in order to participate in one of the programs here; they just need an open mind and an interest in spirituality.
Programs hosted at Kopan Monasteryrange from daily speeches and relaxing retreats, to intensive courses about Buddhism. If you do not have the time and freedom of schedule to allocate an extended amount of time to being at Kopan Monastery, a day trip from Kathmandu is still certainly worthwhile in order to observe the beautiful interiors of the colorful site, and learn about its fascinating history. Just down from the monastery is the Kopan Nunnery. The nuns there are very welcoming and friendly.
The view of the Himalaya Mountains from Nagarkot
Nagarkot
Yes, I know that Nagarkot is 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the center of Kathmandu, but I had to include it in this post! Nagarkot is well-known for being an awesome place, that is close to Kathmandu, to watch the sunrise or sunset on the Himalaya Mountains. During the monsoon months from mid June thru late September, don’t bother making the trip here as the mountains will probably be covered in heavy clouds. But, most other times of the year the view here is epic.
Nagarkot, elevation 2175m (7140 feet) now has many different guesthouses and hotels to stay at with plenty of restaurant options. A lot of the hotels are built facing the mountains. I personally like to stay at the Club Himalaya Hotel, which has a great breakfast buffet. If you do stay at Nagarkot, its a great place to do some day hiking. If you don’t have time to make it up to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or other treks in the mountains, an overnight trip to Nagarkot will at least get you a good view of the Himalayas.
Boudhanath Temple
Hindu Sadhu men at Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple
Summary: Top Places to Visit in Kathmandu
Kathmandu can seem a bit chaotic and can give first-time visitors a bit of sensory overload, but still, it’s a cool city to spend some time in. I have been to all of these places many times and always enjoy them. I particularly like having dinner at a rooftop restaurant at Boudhanath while watching the sun set beneath the stupa….it’s pretty amazing! As much as the “tiger balm sellers” drive me crazy in Thamel, I still love roaming the narrow streets. For most people, Kathmandu is a place that they have to stay at before and after a climb or trek. But there are some really unique places to explore!
If you have any questions about my Top Places to Visit in Kathmandu, email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
A tiny country nestled deep within the high Himalayas, the “land of the Thunder Dragon” is one of the least visited countries in the world. Mysterious Bhutan is a land where magic and myths are a part of history where there are more monks than soldiers, and where happiness output is measured and considered more important than GDP. A Bhutan tour requires a little more planning and preparation than when visiting most parts of the globe, but it is certainly worth it.
#1 Bhutan is Home to Some of the Best Himalayan Hiking Trails
The iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, looming ominously over the edge of a 3120m high cliff is Bhutan’s most iconic site. Though altitudes make the hike feel a little challenging, the rewarding feeling when you finally reach the Tiger’s Nest Monastery complex and look out to Paro valley below more than make up for it. Bhutan is also home to The Snowman Trek – one of the most difficult yet beautiful trails in the entire Himalayan region. Adventure travelers will revel in the opportunity to participate in the Snowman hike and to trek along the Bhutan-Tibet border, over 13 mountain passes and incredible alpine scenery.
Masked monks performing during a festival
#2 Bhutanese Food is Sumptuous and Unique
Taking influences from national local dishes in neighboring Nepal, Tibet and India, Bhutanese cuisine is diverse and unique. Traditionally eaten by hand on wooden kitchenware, Bhutanese food is usually comprised of generous servings of rice, served with curries or hearty stews. The food is traditionally quite spicy, often packed with chilli peppers in order to warm up the body in the cold temperatures. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to sample ema datshi– Bhutan’s national dish of melted yak’s cheese served with chopped chili peppers.
#3 The People Have a Positive Outlook on Life
Bhutan is the only country in the world where happiness is measured as an output. In Bhutan, happiness is considered as more important than GDP. The King of Bhutan and the country’s government take a lot of care to ensure that their people lead happy, fulfilled lives. Under Bhutanese policy, education and healthcare is free, and initiatives are in place to build various recreational and entertainment areas that the locals can use for free. It is eye-opening to speak with the Bhutanese and hear how their values and priorities differ to the western world where money can often be the main motivator.
#4 It’s as Off the Beaten Path as You Can Go
With less than 70,000 international tourists each year, Bhutan is one of the least visited countries in the world. Word about the Dragon Kingdom has finally started getting out in the last few years, with more and more adventurers moving Bhutan to the top of their bucket-lists. For now though, the masses have not yet discovered Bhutan’s treasures. The major plus side to this is that you can enjoy visiting the various temples, trails and museums in Bhutan and have them virtually all to yourself if you visit during the off season months like December or January. Contact us for Bhutan tour info at: thelandofsnows@gmail.com
#5 Ancient Traditions Are Still Embraced
With the turn of the 21st century and the development of modern technology, most countries have seen significant changes over the past few centuries in terms of the way they lead their daily lives. In Bhutan however, it can feel as though you have been transported back in time. Traditional methods are still used for farming, cooking and other tasks. The locals wear the traditional attire (“gho” for men and “kira” for women) and ancient festivals that have been enjoyed since the 16th century still take place.
The mountains in rural Bhutan
#6 The Dragon Kingdom Has a History Unlike Anywhere Else
Bhutan is a land where myth and magic are a part of fact and reality. Bhutan is a Buddhist country and the religion was spread to the nation from Tibet several centuries ago. The tales behind Buddhism’s introduction here though, and the history of the country in general, are fascinating. Take the Tiger’s Nest Monastery as an example – the temple complex is said to have been built after Tibetan Buddhist Master Guru Rinpoche flew to the location on a magical tigress and fought off evil spirits. Similarly, the nations most famous monk is known as the “divine madman” and is rumored to have fought off evil spirits with a thunderbolt from his magical genitalia.
#7 The Dragon Kingdom is a Green Kingdom
The Bhutanese take their environmental responsibility seriously. Bhutan is the only country in the world that is not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative. This means that the Bhutanese offset more carbon dioxide than they actually create. The government policy states that at least 70% of the country must be kept as forest and as it stands, Bhutan’s current forest cover exceeds that.
For the traveller, that means fresh, crisp mountain air, pollution free skies and stunning greenery that extends as far as the eye can see. Bhutan is arguably one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.
Prayer flags on a bridge in western Bhutan
#8 High Value, Low Impact Tourism
One of the reasons that you see far less tourists in Bhutan when compared to the numbers in neighbouring India or Nepal is because Bhutan practices a policy of “high value, low impact” tourism. This is designed to protect the country’s unique cultural heritage and minimize the negative effects of mass-tourism.
Plenty of people have the desire to travel to Bhutan, but then they are put off when they discover that they must pay a minimum daily tariff in order to do so. This tariff is largely misunderstood. Though it indeed ranges between $200-$250 USD per day and certainly does sound expensive, this is all-encompassing and includes the use of a private guide and driver, three meals per day, accommodation at 3 and 4-star hotels, and most admissions fees. The quality of meals and services are typically very good. Travelers are treated like VIP guests in Bhutan.
#9 A Pleasant Climate All Year Around
Though Bhutan does possess four distinctly different seasons, they all present relatively pleasant temperatures and weather conditions making the country accessible and suitable for exploring all year around as per whatever period fits best in your schedule.
The summer months in Bhutan are technically monsoon season, however Bhutan does not see monsoon in the same way as say, India, sees monsoon. A little light rainfall means that after a short drizzle, you can continue on your way. The months of spring and autumn are the most popular times to travel to Bhutan owing to their warm, sunny climate.In the winter, though temperatures can dip into the early minuses at night, they seldom drop below 10 degrees Celsius in the day, meaning that even the coldest time of year is more pleasant than many countries.
#10 The People
The people in Bhutan are some of the friendliest that you can meet anywhere in the world and the Bhutanese love helping travelers uncover the beauty of their country. Locals possess strong, traditional Buddhist beliefs and believe in being kind to others, and that all sentient beings are our relatives from our other stages of reincarnation. As such, travelers can feel rest assured that this small Himalayan nation is a safe and peaceful country, and that the locals will always be willing to help them out with their Bhutan travel experience as much as they can.
Summary of Why You Should Visit Bhutan
Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalaya Mountains and is one of the most fascinating countries to visit. Relatively few travelers go to Bhutan, which requires a full organized tour in order to enter. Most of Bhutan is off the beaten path, but also has some famous places such as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Bhutan cuisine is interesting and almost always features a chili cheese dish. Bhutan has some epic trekking, including the strenuous Snowman Trek.
If you have any questions on these 10 Reasons to Visit Bhutan, or would like to book a Bhutan tour, email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
Being avid travelers ourselves, we know how important a good night’s sleep is when away from home. Getting good sleep in Tibet not only allow you to enjoy each day far more, but good rest at night also helps your body in adjusting to Tibet’s higher altitude. Unlike most other companies that often place clients in lower quality, uncomfortable hotels, we place clients at higher quality hotels that are located in convenient parts of each town that we go to. Jamin “Lobsang” York, an American and one of the owners of Himalaya Journey, goes out each year to handpick the best hotels to place our clients at.
It is important to understand that Tibet is located in an extremely remote, isolated, high altitude and underdeveloped part of the world. Luxury hotels, especially outside of Lhasa, simply don’t exist and likely never will. Again, this is important to understand. While hotels in many areas of Tibet are clean and comfortable, they will never make Conde Nast’s List of Best Hotels in the World! Just 10 years ago many hotels in Tibet were extremely basic guesthouses with no private bathrooms, no WiFi and no showering facilities. Now, most areas of Tibet have 3 and 4 star locally rated hotels that offer all of these things (though WiFi can be slow at times). Some of Tibet’s more remote areas, such as the Everest base camp region, Lake Manasarovar, Nam Tso Lake and along all treks, still only offer basic guesthouses with shared bathrooms, but for the most part hotels in Tibet are quite good compared to the remote location they are in.
Hotels outside of Lhasa and Shigatse often get their hot water from solar panels located on the roof. This means that the BEST times to take showers are not in the mornings, but between 7pm and 10pm at night. The hot water can take several minutes to come thru the tap as it is traveling from the roof. Hotels in remote areas like the Everest and along the way to Mt Kailash can still experience periodic electricity cuts. When this happens, the electricity is almost always turned back on by 7pm.
As ethical and responsible travel to Tibet is of the upmost importance to us, nearly all of the hotels that we place clients at are Tibetan owned, managed and staffed. Our goal is to make sure that your tourism money goes into the hands of local Tibetan people, rather than Communist government owned companies.
NOTE: Though not common, we sometimes have to change your hotel due to unscheduled closure of a hotel, renovation or if we find a BETTER hotel for you to stay at (again, we are always checking out new hotels!).
Where we place our clients
Here are the hotels that we place the majority of our clients who explore Tibet with us. If you wish to change and stay at a hotel of your choice, that is great! Just let us know and we can book that for you. If you don’t see the specific area of Tibet you are going to on this list, no worries! We know that area, but it is a lesser-visited area that isn’t as popular. We will check that area and see what the best hotels are and book you there.
In Lhasa, we typically place clients at a nice 4 star or GOLD star hotel. Outside of Lhasa, we place clients in the best hotel that each town/region offers. Be advised that in remote areas of Tibet, the best accommodation could be a very simple guesthouse!
LHASA
Lhasa is the capital of Tibet has many hundreds of hotels to choose from. The Lhasa Old Town, which is located around Jokhang Temple, is the best place to stay in town as it is close to the main pilgrimage destinations and many of the best restaurants.
Dekang Hotel: This hotel is under new ownership and was completely renovated from the top-down in 2018. It has a rare GOLD Star rating, which means that it is higher than a 4 star rating. The locally-owned hotel has a beautiful Tibetan design, modern rooms with heating, and boasts an excellent top floor restaurant that looks out to the Potala Palace! On top of that, the staff are EXCELLENT! This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Lhasa. Here is a description of the Dekang Hotel that it is in the new 2019 edition Lonely Planet Tibet Guidebook:
Kyichu Hotel: This is another great hotel in the Lhasa Old Town. It is locally rated as a 3 star hotel with modern rooms, floor heating, and a great garden restaurant. The Kyichu is located about a 7 minute walk from Barkhor Square. The staff here speak fluent English and have been hosting foreign guests for more than 2 decades.
Shangbala Hotel: The Shangbala Hotel has one of the best locations in Lhasa, being just a short 3 minute walk from Barkhor Square. This 3 star hotel was completely renovated in 2016. Rooms are clean and modern and the hotel was good internet. The staff speak English and there are 2 coffee shops within a 1 minute walk of the hotel lobby.
St Regis Hotel: If you want to UPGRADE to an international 5 star hotel in Lhasa, the St Regis is our TOP choice. We have researched all of the handful of international luxury hotels in Lhasa and this one, in our opinion, is by far the best. This beautiful hotel is located about 15 minutes walk from Barkhor Square and has every amenity that you would expect an international luxury hotel to offer. The staff are great (with many Tibetans!), pool is amazing, food is delicious….if you have the money, this is the place to stay! The best rates for this hotel are almost always found by booking directly with the hotel thru their website. Let us know if you plan to upgrade to this international 5 star hotel.
Looking at the Kumbum Stupa in the town of Gyantse
GYANTSE
Gyantse is small town located 260 kilometers west of Lhasa along the route to Shigatse and Everest Base Camp. The town is not big and only has 2 real options for accommodations.
Yeti Hotel: The Yeti Hotel is a nice 3 Star option in the center of town. The staff here are great and they serve a good breakfast. Rooms are basic, but have heating, private bathrooms with hot showers and usually have humidifiers to combat Tibet’s dry air. The hotel has a Nepali-style restaurant, plus there are good restaurants and stores located just a few minutes walk away. The hotel does not have an elevator, but staff are happy to help carry luggage. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Gyantse.
Gyangtse Hotel: This older hotel was built in the mid 1980’s and really hasn’t be renovated since then. The hotel is huge and has an elevator. Since it is an older hotel, we rarely place clients here unless they specifically ask to stay here.
Shigatse is Tibet’s second largest city
SHIGATSE
Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and is located 90 kilometers west of Gyantse and about 350 kilometers before the Everest Base Camp Region. It is a rapidly growing city, but still only has a small number of good hotels.
Tashi Choten Hotel: This is a 4 star hotel in Shigatse that is quite nice with spacious rooms, heating and English speaking staff. Though we like the rooms at the Gesar Hotel just SLIGHTLY more, the location of the Tashi Choten Hotel is excellent! It is located at the start of the Pedestrian Street and is close to many good restaurants, the Old Town Market as well as Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. This is a good hotel to stay at if you wish to spend time walking thru the most interesting parts of Shigatse. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Shigatse.
Gesar Hotel: The Gesar Hotel is another nice Tibetan-style 4 star hotel that has beautiful rooms, great staff, heating and decent internet. In our opinion, this is the best hotel in the city, however there is one drawback. It has a terrible location. It is located on the far side of Shigatse and isn’t within walking distance of anything. In Tibet, you will have your own private vehicle and driver, but we understand that most of our clients prefer to stay in hotels that are within walking distance of markets, temples, shops and restaurants. We love this hotel, but the location is very inconvenient. We give clients the choice of this hotel or the Tashi Choten Hotel as we give both of them a thumbs up.
Qomo Langzong Hotel: This is a 4 Star Hotel in Shigatse, however, we almost never place clients there. The reason is that this Communist government hotel caters almost exclusively to domestic Chinese travelers. Almost none of the staff here speak English or are accustomed to having foreign guests. We have had a small number of clients request this hotel over the years and almost all of them switch to the Tashi Choten Hotel after the first night due to problems with rude hotel staff. If you really want to stay here, we can arrange it for you, but it is not a hotel that we recommend due to the poor way in which foreign travelers have been treated here in the past.
LHATSE and SAKYA
Lhatse is located 160 kilometers west of Shigatse along the way to the Everest Region and Nepal border. It isn’t a popular place to stay the night as most people will stay in either Sakya or in Shegar. There are only 2 hotel options in Lhatse, with both of them being very basic.
Sakya is a small town located 28 kilometers off of the main road leading from Shigatse to the Everest Region. It is home to Sakya Monastery, one of the most influential in Tibet. This more remote town only offers a small number of hotels that are much more basic than hotels in Tibet’s larger cities.
Lhatse Shanghai Grand Hotel: This is a basic hotel in Lhatse that is by far the best in town. The hotel looks fancy from the outside, but the rooms are just so-so….definitely fine for a night. Rooms have private rooms with hot showers, though like many hotels in the area, the hot water can take a while to come thru the taps. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Lhatse.
Yuan Mansion Hotel: This 3 star option in Sakya is the best in town with nice rooms with private bathrooms and showers. The staff can speak basic English and the hotel is within walking distance of the monastery. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Sakya.
Sakya Manasarovar Hotel: This is an aging hotel in Sakya that is becoming less and less popular. It is listed in older editions of guidebooks, but we really don’t recommend it anymore.
The North Face view of Everest from the Tibet side
SHELKAR (Shegar) and OLD TINGRI
Shegar and Old Tingri are the closest towns to the Everest Base Camp Region. Both are very small, poor and sit at an altitude of just over 4300 meters. Due to the remote, higher altitude location, hotels here are VERY basic than what you will find in Lhasa and Shigatse. Remember, you are in the Everest Region and not in a major metropolitan area. Clients will usually stay in Shegar for a night before going to Mt Everest. Clients will stay in Old Tingri for a night along the way to the Nepal border or when going to Saga and the Kailash region.
Qomolangma Everest Hotel: This large hotel remains the best in the region. In fact, climbers paying up to $65,000 USD to summit Mt Everest stay here before heading up to base camp. The hotel is located in between the truck-stop village of Baber and the larger town of Shegar. The hotel has many different rooms types and offers a buffet breakfast and dinner. Rooms have private bathrooms and hot showers (hot water times vary and are not available 24 hours). This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Shegar.
Tingri Roof of the World Grand Hotel: This is a newer option in the Shegar area, but the staff here are not nearly as good as the Qomolangma Everest Hotel and the hotel can be quiet loud from domestic tourists. Rooms have in room bathrooms with hot showers, but again, hot water times vary. This is a good hotel and we can certainly place you here if you are interested.
Kangar Hotel: Old Tingri, located about 60 kilometers west of Shegar, is nothing more than a truck-stop town. The best option in town is the Kangar Hotel, which is only open from mid April thru mid October. Rooms are clean and comfortable and the courtyard looks out to Everest and Cho Oyu. The restaurant here is great. Rooms have private bathrooms with showers, but hot water times vary. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Old Tingri.
Old Tingri Hehu Hotel: The Hehu Hotel is located in the center of town and is often full of Tibetan traders or domestic travelers, so it can be quite loud. It is a decent option if the Kangar Hotel is full. The rooms have private bathrooms with showers, but like all hotels in the area, hot water times vary.
View of Cho Oyu from Old Tingri
KYIRONG
Kyirong is the last town in Tibet before crossing into Nepal. There are several hotels in this small town, but only a few of them have the permits required to host foreign travelers. This is a remote area of Tibet so hotels here are BASIC, but clean.
Phuntsok Rabsal Hotel: This is the best option in Kyirong, located in the center of town. The staff speak basic English and there is a good Nepali restaurant on the ground floor that serves breakfast and dinner. Rooms have private bathrooms with hot showers and some rooms have good views of the nearby snow-covered peaks. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Kyirong.
Kyirong Hotel: This is another decent choice, but we find the rooms to be somewhat small, especially the bathrooms. This hotel is good, but not as good as the Phuntsok Rabsal.
Peiku Lake in western Tibet
EVEREST BASE CAMP REGION
The Everest Region only offers very basic accommodations. This is a remote, high altitude area that has only the most BASIC of amenities.
Rongphu Monastery Guesthouse: This guesthouse, elevation 5000m, is extremely basic and has only shared bathrooms that are separated for men and women. There are no showering facilities here and no WiFi. However, the guesthouse has an absolutely AMAZING view of Mt Everest (just look at the picture below!). The guesthouse is located just across the road from Rongphu Monastery. The small restaurant at the guesthouse serves good dinner and breakfast options. This is the main guesthouse that we place clients at in the Everest Region. NOTE: Due the a large scale government clean-up operation going on at Mt Everest (Tibet side), government officials can unexpectedly book out a large number of the rooms at the Rongphu Monastery Guesthouse. Booking priority will always be given to government officials over travelers. As there are a limited number of rooms here, there is nothing we can do if the government takes our bookings away from you. If the booking is taken by the government, we will move you to the Tent-Hotels (see below) or to the village of Basum.
Rongphu “Tent-Hotels”: Local Tibetans operate about 3 dozen or so tent-style “hotels” near Rongphu Monastery. These tents are large with plenty of room to stand inside. The tents have a stove inside, as well as tables and beds (with plenty of bedding/blankets). Each tent will have a small kitchen inside that offers simple, but good, hot meals.
Basum Village Guesthouses: For those wanting to stay at a lower altitude this night, you can choose to stay in a basic guesthouse in the village of Basum, located 40 kilometers north of Rongphu Monastery. There is only a slight view of Everest from here, but it is almost 700 meters lower in altitude. These guesthouses have shared bathrooms without showering facilities, but normally do have WiFi.
Qomolangma Everest Hotel: For those only wanting to spend the day at the Everest Base Camp Region, we can have you return to Shegar (2 1/2 hours from Rongphu Monastery) and stay again at the Qomolangma Everest Hotel. Though basic, this is the only real hotel option within many hundreds of kilometers. We only place clients here who specifically want to go to the Everest Region on a day trip.
View of Everest from Rongphu Monastery in Tibet
SAGA
Saga is a remote town located along the way to Western Tibet’s Mt Kailash. It is the largest town between Mt Kailash and Shigatse. The town is very small, underdeveloped and only has a few hotel options. So, expect rooms to be more basic here. For most of the hotels in Saga, breakfast is very simple. There is a Tibetan-style restaurant in town that we normally take our clients to.
Norling Hotel: The Norling Hotel is a 3 star, Tibetan-owned hotel that our staff researched in the summer of 2018. Though fairly basic, the hotel is clean, has good private bathrooms and hot showers. It even has WiFi (slow at times). There is a supermarket and numerous restaurants within a few minute walk. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Saga.
Grand Hotel of Western Post: This is another 3 star hotel in Saga. We used to place clients here until the summer of 2018. This hotel during much of the high season fills with pilgrims on their way to Mt Kailash. The hotel is often incredibly loud deep into the night. In addition, the staff here are also rude and place an emphasis on large pilgrimage groups over other travelers. This hotel has been known to cancel reservations made weeks or months in advance in order to host a large pilgrimage group.
Mt Kailash is the most sacred peak in Asia
DARCHEN
Darchen is the starting point for the trek around the sacred peak of Mt Kailash. It wasn’t that long ago when basic guesthouses (or tents) were the only option here. Now, accommodations are still basic, but now include hotels with in-room bathrooms and hot water (hot water usually available after 6 or 7pm). Still, you must remember that this area is one of the most remote areas on the planet! Keep your expectations low and remember that a 3 or 4 star hotel in Darchen is a million times better than a cold night in a tent!
Himalaya Kailash Hotel: Though the sign inside says it is rated as a “4 Star Hotel”, it isn’t. What it is though is the best hotel within a 400 kilometer radius. The Tibetan owned hotel has rooms with private bathrooms and hot water, but the hot water has limited hours (usually in the evenings). This isolated part of Tibet also has limited electricity. The schedule changes, but normally this region of Tibet only has electricity after 6 or 7pm thru around midnight. This hotel is open from late April thru early to mid October. The hotel offers a breakfast, but there are other restaurants located nearby. This is the main hotel that we place clients at in Darchen.
Kou’An Hotel: The Kou’An is a Chinese owned hotel that is located in the middle of Darchen. We normally only place clients here if the Himalaya Hotel is closed or if it is completely booked. The hotel is fine and has clean rooms with attached bathrooms with showers, but again, hot water and electricity are very limited.
Lake Manasarovar in western Tibet
LAKE MANASAROVAR and KAILASH TREK
These isolated and extremely remote areas only have VERY basic guesthouses that only have shared toilets (separated for men and for women). There are no showering facilities here and no WiFi. We get emails, particularly those from India and Sri Lanka, who think that these locations have luxury hotels. They don’t! They don’t even have hotels as only basic guesthouses are available. The guesthouses normally have between 4 and 6 beds inside with a small table. The beds do have blankets, but we STRONGLY recommend bringing either a sleeping bag liner or a lightweight sleeping bag as the bedding is not washed regularly. The bathrooms are usually located about 100 meters away and can be filthy dirty. Remember, this is one of the most remote wilderness regions on the planet. If you are going here, you must realize that there are no luxury amenities.
There are several small guesthouses located just off of the shore of Lake Manasarovar. They are all basically the same and cost about the same. In addition to the rooms with 4 to 6 beds, each of the guesthouses will have a restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner.
Along the 52 kilometer Kailash Trek, there are basic guesthouses at Dira Puk Monastery and at Zultul Puk Monastery. These guesthouses are similar to those at Lake Manasarovar in that they have rooms with 4 to 6 beds and a bathroom located about 100 meters away. They also have a restaurant. When we were last at Mt Kailash in late October 2018, we saw new construction at both Dira Puk and Zultul Puk that appear that they will be hotels. If they are actual hotels, they will certainly be basic, but would be an upgrade over the current guesthouses. We will keep up-to-date on the construction and if they open in 2019, we will surely place our clients there.
Nam Tso Lake
NAM TSO LAKE
Nam Tso Lake is located about 6 hours north of Lhasa and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet. Due to its high altitude (over 4700m) and more northerly location, the climate here can be extreme. The lake is usually only open from late April thru the end of October, however snow can cause these dates to be earlier or later. There are no real hotels at Nam Tso, only guesthouses that usually resemble a makeshift shed. Despite not looking the most appealing from the outside, the insides are usually nice and comfortable. They do not offer private bathrooms, but are shared and separated for men and women. There are no showering facilities here. Those going to Nam Tso Lake must realize this area only has basic guesthouses.
Holy Lake Nam Tso Guesthouse: One of the few actual buildings at Nam Tso, this is probably the best choice at the lake. The rooms have beds that normally have electric blankets. The guesthouse has a cozy restaurant (with English menu) that serves pretty good food. The bathrooms are located inside on the far side of the guesthouse. This is the main guesthouse that we place clients at in Nam Tso Lake.
Sheep Guesthouse: This is another well-run guesthouse (don’t let the metal shack look scare you!) at Nam Tso. It is very clean with lots of blankets and the restaurant is heated with a yak-dung stove. The staff here are friendly. We often will place clients here if the Holy Lake Nam Tso Guesthouse is full or overly busy.
Damxung White Horse Pema Hotel: Located about 65 kilometers before Nam Tso Lake, the small town of Damxung is the only place where you will find an actual hotel in the area. It is clean with in-room bathrooms and hot showers, though hot water is normally available after 7pm (check hotel staff for specific times). We often place clients here who only want to visit Nam Tso on a day trip from Lhasa or those going to the lake from Shigatse.
Samye was the first monastery to be built in Tibet
SAMYE and TSETANG
Samye and Tsetang are both located to the east of Lhasa. Samye is home to Tibet’s very first monastery, while Tsetang is close to the very first building made in Tibet, the Yumbulhagang Palace. These are great places to explore and see fewer travelers than some other areas of Tibet. Though these areas have several hotel options, only a few of them have the licenses needed to host foreign travelers.
Samye Monastery Guesthouse: This is the best option in Samye that has modern double rooms with private in room bathrooms with hot showers. Though named after the monastery, the guesthouse is separate from the monastery and does not look anything like a monastery. The staff are friendly and enjoy having foreign guests. This is the main place that we place clients in at Samye.
Tsetang Hotel: Often, the Tsetang Hotel is the only place where local officials will permit foreign travelers to stay at (regulations change often). This is a good 3 star option in the center of town that has standard double rooms with private bathroom and hot shower. The hotel typically has WiFi as well (can be slow). This is the main place that we place client in at Tsetang.
Lhasa’s Potala PalaceBoudha Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal
KATHMANDU, NEPAL
Many of our journeys end in the Nepal capital city of Kathmandu. Nepal has many hundreds of hotels to choose from so we can book you at any of them. If you take one of our package journeys, we typically place clients in a quiet area in the popular Thamel District. This district has many great restaurants, shops, markets and is an overall fun place to be!
Nepali Ghar Hotel: This is one of our favorite hotels in Kathmandu. This 4 star option in a quiet area of Thamel District has a great traditional design, excellent staff and awesome food. If you are looking for a well-priced (semi) luxury hotel, this is our recommendation. For our group tours, we typically place clients here.
Aryatara Hotel: This quiet, well-managed hotel is consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 places to stay in Kathmandu. The location is perfect; it is down a guarded alley in Thamel that is quiet, very safe and gets little pedestrian traffic. The staff are all excellent. The restaurant on the first floor serves great Nepali and Continental food. Though not a luxury hotel, the Aryatara is a solid option in Kathmandu.
Dwarika’s Hotel: This is one of the absolute best hotels in all of Nepal and one of the best in South Asia. This is a unique heritage hotel that is unlike any other in Kathmandu. Dwarika’s is a luxury hotel with an amazing pool and garden area. Rooms are modern and stylish. If you are looking for something special, this is the place for you!
If you have any questions about traveling in Tibet, please let us know! We are the experts in Tibet travel and are happy to share our own personal experiences of traveling, trekking and exploring in Tibet the past 20 years!
Email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
Interested in traveling to Tibet? We can help! Email for more details: info@himalayajourney.com
Call us at (+1) 253 289 9166 in the US/Canada, (+44) 20 3239 2917 in the UK, (+61) 2 8003 5630 in Australia
The main Tibet Nepal border crossing finally opened in September 2017 after being closed for more than 2 years because of the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake. The announcement was made by the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa, which regulates and sets the travel regulations in Tibet. Foreign travelers can now exit Tibet into Nepal as well as enter Tibet overland from Nepal. This means that the epic overland route from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal can now be made again!
Kyirong: The new border post
Before the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake, the border crossing on the Tibet side was at the town of Zhangmu (Dram in Tibetan). However, Zhangmu suffered major damage in the earthquake and was largely destroyed. The China government has changed the main border crossing to Nepal to the port of Kyirong, roughly 100 kilometers west of Zhangmu. The first town on the Nepal side of the border is Rasuwagadhi, which is 130 kilometers from Kathmandu. Foreign travelers are now permitted to use the Kyirong port to enter and exit Tibet.
The road from the Tibet border to Kathmandu is a very rough, bumpy dirt road. Though the distance is only 130 kilometers, it will take all day to make this drive. Be sure to mentally plan on this being a longer day than usual.
Organized Tour in Tibet Required
All foreign travelers going to Tibet must be on an organized tour that includes travel permits, a private vehicle, an official travel itinerary and a tour guide. There are no exceptions. Only a travel agency in Tibet can arrange a journey for you, which is VERY easy to do. Permits for Tibet take between 15 and 21 days to obtain, so it is best to contact a travel agency at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Again, getting to Tibet is very easy as the travel agency in Tibet that you use will take care of almost everything for you. Himalaya Journey can arrange all types of journeys in both Tibet and Nepal.
For more information on how to get to Tibet or for info on a journey to Tibet, contact us at: info@himalayajourney.com
Since 2008, all areas of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) close to foreign travelers from mid-February until the end of March. During this 6 or 7 week annual closure, it is impossible to travel to Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, Kailash and all other areas of Tibet. In 2019, Tibet will be closed for ALL of February and March. Tibet will reopen on April 1.
This closure ONLY affects travel in the TAR for a short 6 or 7 week period and does not affect travel in Nepal, India or Bhutan. This closure also normally does not affect travel in the eastern Tibetan Plateau regions of Amdo and Kham. For more about this annual closure in Tibet, please read the following link: Tibet Closed Every February and March
If you have any questions about this annual closure in Tibet or about arranging a journey to Tibet, please send us an email at: info@himalayajourney.com
Like neighboring Tibet, all foreign travelers going to Bhutan are required to be on an organized tour that must be arranged in advance through a travel agency. This organized tour includes just about everything during your stay in Bhutan: all meals, all accommodation, private vehicle, driver, tour guide and all entrance fees. Bhutan has an emphasis on “high value, low impact” tourism. Contrary to popular belief, there is no restriction on the amount of travelers allowed into Bhutan each year and there is no requirement to be on a group tour. Though it can sound complicated and difficult, getting to Bhutan is very easy. If you still have questions about traveling to Bhutan after reading through this post, please send us an email at: info@himalayajourney.com
Getting Started
The Bhutanese government has a set “daily tariff” that all travelers must pay in order to travel in Bhutan. This rate varies at a minimum $250 USD per day, per person in the high season and a minimum $200 USD per day, per person in the low season. Bhutan has 2 high seasons that are from March through May and again from September through November. The low season are June through August and again from December through February. If you are a solo traveler, regardless of high or low season, there is an additional surcharge of $40 per day. If you are a group of 2, there is an additional surcharge of $30 per day, per person. There are also additional charges for certain treks, if you wish to stay in a luxury 5 Star hotel or if you wish to include other activities such as rafting or cycling. From the daily tariff, $65 per day goes to what is called the “government royalty”, which is used to fund both hospitals in Bhutan and education, both of which are free for Bhutanese citizens. In fact, health care in Bhutan is free for everyone…even travelers who get sick or injure themselves in Bhutan.
At first, the set daily tariff in Bhutan can sound quite expensive. However, when you realize everything that is included in the costs (which is just about everything) and that Bhutan puts a strong emphasis on quality tourism, the costs are actually not bad. For the most part, tourists are required to stay in at least a 3 Star locally rated hotel. Tourist vehicles are usually quite nice and spacious and guides are extremely professional and knowledgable. Though tourism in Bhutan has been gradually increasing over the past decade, it still remains a little visited country with an average of only around 57,200 foreign travelers per year with another 59,900 regional travelers (mostly those from India) per year since 2012.
What we will do for you
All foreign travelers to Bhutan are required to be on an organized tour that requires a tourist visa, a private vehicle, a driver and a tour guide. It is impossible for you to arrange these on your own without the assistance of a travel agency. At Himalaya Journey, we will take care of everything for you including visa invitation letter, all hotel bookings, vehicle, driver and guide. Our experienced sales managers will make getting to Bhutan very easy for you!
Getting to Bhutan
There are 2 ways to enter Bhutan. The most common way is to fly to Paro, where the only international airport in Bhutan is located. The other option is to go overland from India to Bhutan. There are 3 international border crossings that foreign travelers can use to enter Bhutan from India.
To Bhutan by Flight
The only international airport in Bhutan is located in the town of Paro in western Bhutan. There are no direct international flights to Bhutan except from major cities in India (Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bagdogra) as well as Bangkok, Kathmandu, Singapore and Dhaka. The most popular places to fly to Paro are from Bangkok and Kathmandu. There are only 2 airlines that fly to Bhutan. The first is Druk Air and the other is Bhutan Airlines. Both airlines offer similar prices, though Druk Air has more daily flights to Paro and offers more destinations than Bhutan Airlines.
After clearing immigration and customs at the Paro Airport, your guide and driver will be waiting for you outside the airport. They will be holding a sign with your name on it.
To Bhutan overland from India
There are 3 international border crossings from India to Bhutan that foreign travelers can use. The most common is at Jaigoan, India and Phuntsholing, Bhutan. This border crossing is located in southwest Bhutan and can be easily reached from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri. The other two overland border crossings are seldom used by foreign travelers and are located at the Bhutanese towns of Samdrup Jongkhar (southeast Bhutan) and Gelephu (south-central Bhutan).
Regardless if you fly into Bhutan or go overland to Bhutan from India, you still MUST have an organized tour arranged in advance. It is not possible to arrange a tour of Bhutan at the Indian border on arrival. Your Bhutanese guide will be waiting for you at the India-Bhutan border. They will be holding a sign with your name on it.
Tourist Visa for Bhutan
All foreign travelers to Bhutan require a visa. The visa regulations for Bhutan are different than most other countries. All travel for Bhutan must be paid in advance. This includes the entire cost of the journey as well as the $40 visa fee. Himalaya Journey will send you a visa application form for Bhutan. You will fill out the short form and scan and email it back to us along with the information/photo page of your passport. Our staff in Thimphu will then forward your application and passport information to the Tourism Council of Bhutan, who will check to make sure that your tour is paid in full, including the visa fee. The Tourism Council of Bhutan will then issue us an approval letter, which we will then forward to you by email. You will need to print out this 2 page letter and keep it with you. You will show this visa approval letter when you check in for your flight to Paro or when you cross the border from India to Bhutan. Once you arrive at the Paro Airport, a visa for the duration of your organized tour will be stamped in your passport. Again, our full-time Bhutan staff at Himalaya Journey will take care of the visa approval letter for you. We will make getting to Bhutan very easy!
If you have any questions regarding traveling to Bhutan, please feel free to contact us. Even if you do not choose to have us arrange your journey to Bhutan, we are happy to answer any travel questions you have for free! Send your inquiries to us at: info@himalayajourney.com
Ladakh is located in the western Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir in far northern India. Ladakh is bordered by Tibet to the east, Pakistan to the west, Xinjiang, China to the north and Himachal Pradesh to the south. Ladakh, often referred to as “Little Tibet” is a stunning area with a very unique and preserved culture. It is one of our favorite regions of the Himalaya. It is filled with amazing Himalaya mountain views, stunning alpine lakes, amazing treks and some of the friendliest people. Not many travelers make it to this remote area. From 2011 to 2013, Ladakh averaged only about 38,000 foreign travelers per year with another 140,000 Indian tourists per year.
Ladakh is divided into 2 districts: Kargil and Leh. Kargil lies in the western section and is predominantly Muslim (with the exception of Zanskar), while Leh lies in the eastern section and is predominantly Buddhist. Ladakh was an independent kingdom for 900 years. To this day, Leh still looks and feels more like Tibet than India. Many dozens of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are found across Leh and Zanskar. The town of Leh was once the capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh and now serves as the administrative seat of Ladakh.
There are 2 main ways of reaching Ladakh. The first (and easiest) is to fly. There are daily flights to Leh from Delhi. There are also weekly flights to/from Srinigar and to Jammu. The Leh airport is open all year round. Flying is the only way to reach Leh from mid autumn until late April/early May as the highway connecting Ladakh to Himachal Pradesh is blocked with snow from mid-autumn until mid-spring.
For the adventurous, you can take the bus or hire a jeep from Manali, Himachal Pradesh to Leh. The journey covers 479 kilometers and takes 2 days with a stop in Keylong for the night. Himalaya Journey can arrange a private journey taking multiple days while stopping at all of the main sites along the way. Another option is to take a bus from Srinigar to Leh, a journey of about 422 kilometers via Kargil. Buses take around 19 hours to cover the distance while private jeeps can do it straight-thru in around 14 or 15 hours. Again, the roads connecting Leh with both Srinigar and Manali close due for many months due to heavy snow beginning in mid autumn making the flight to Leh the ONLY option for getting to Ladakh during the long winter.
Tso Moriri Lake in Ladakh, India
Visa for India
All foreign travelers need a visa to travel to India, except citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. It will be your responsibility to get this visa yourself. Getting a tourism visa for India is now MUCH easier than in the past as now 113 countries, mostly those in North America, South America, Western Europe, Australia, Oceania and Eastern Asia, can now easily apply for an e-Tourist Visa online. This convenient visa allows you to enter at any of the 16 most frequently entered airports across the country. The visa price varies between $25 and $60 per person, depending on your nationality. The e-Tourist Visa should be applied for within 30 days of your planned arrival to India. When filling out the visa application, it is best to NOT list Ladakh or Jammu/Kashmir on your visa application. Doing so could give you problems. Simply list a couple of major cities in India and you will be fine. You are free to visit areas of India not listed on your visa application form. For more information on the e-Travel Visa and how to apply for it, go to the following site: India e-Tourist Visa
For those who are from countries that are not eligible for an e-Tourist Visa, you will need to apply for an Indian Tourist Visa at the Indian Embassy or Consulate that is nearest to you. For more information, please look at the following website: Visa for India
Travel Permits for Ladakh
Some areas of Ladakh require an Inner Line Permit that only a travel agency can arrange for you. These regions include Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, the Upper Indus region and Tso Moriri Lake. The Himalaya Journey staff based in Leh can arrange these for you within one working day.
If you have any questions regarding how to get to Ladakh, India, please feel free to contact us. Even if you do not choose to have us arrange your journey in Ladakh, we are happy to answer any travel questions you have for free! Send your inquiries to us at: info@himalayajourney.com
Nepal is a small country located in the central Himalaya between Tibet (China) to the north and India to the west, south and east. Nepal is home to 8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains and has more than 250 peaks that rise over 6000 meters (20,000 feet). Despite being quite poor, Nepal is one of the world’s premier high-altitude climbing and trekking destinations.
Nepal is roughly 800 kilometers (500 miles) long from east to west and about 200 kilometers (125 miles) wide from north to south. Elevation in Nepal varies drastically in the 200 kilometers the country spans from north to south. The southern Terai region along the India border is less than 100 meters above sea-level, while Mt. Everest is the far north tops out at 8848 meters. Because of the drastic elevation change in such a short 200 kilometer distance, the climate in Nepal varies from tropical in the south to Arctic in the far north.
Flying to Nepal
Kathmandu has the only international airport in Nepal. Outside of Asia, there are no direct flights to Kathmandu. This means that all flights from North America, South America, Africa, Europe and Australia will have to first fly to a major city in Asia before continuing on to Kathmandu. From Europe and the east coasts of North and South America, most flights to Kathmandu will have a layover in either Delhi, Dubai or Abu Dhabi before going to Kathmandu. From the west coast of North America, many flights will require 2 stops before reaching Kathmandu. From Australia, most flights to Kathmandu will go via Kuala Lumour, Bangkok or Delhi.
There are direct flights to Kathmandu from many major cities in Asia including Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Dhaka, Kunming, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangkok, Lhasa, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Muscat.
Overland From India to Nepal
There are 5 overland border crossings from India to Nepal that are open to foreign travelers. Nearly all nationalities can get a visa on arrival at the entry ports into Nepal. These overland border crossings include the following:
Sunauli, Indiato Siddharthanagar, Nepal
Raxaul, India to Birgunj, Nepal
Naxalbari, India to Kakarbhitta, Nepal
Banbasa, India to Bhimdatta, Nepal
Bahraich, India to Nepalganj, Nepal
From each of these border crossings from India to Nepal, you can continue using public transportation to reach Kathmandu.
Overland from Tibet to Nepal
There are two overland border crossings from Tibet into Nepal. The first and most common is the overland border crossing from Kyirong, Tibet to Rasuwagadhi, Nepal. Most travelers take this route starting from the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and go overland through Central Tibet and the Tibet-side Mt. Everest Base Camp before finishing at Kathmandu going through the Kyirong border crossing. This border crossing was closed for 2 years, but reopened in August 2017.
The other overland border crossing from Tibet to Nepal is near the far western Tibet small town of Khojarnath. From Khojarnath, Tibet, you will continue 8 kilometers to the small border village of Sher where you can cross into Nepal as long as you have all the valid permits required for this region. From the Tibet-Nepal border here, it is a 5 or 6 day trek to Simikot, Nepal. From Simikot, you can fly to Kathmandu via Nepalganj.
All foreign travelers going overland from Tibet to Nepal MUST have a complete organized tour in order to travel in Tibet. For information on journeys in Tibet, please email us at: info@himalayajourney.com
Visa for Nepal
For most travelers (except a handful of African nations as well as Iraq and Afghanistan) a Nepal visa can be obtained on arrival at one of the overland borders or at the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. The price of the visa is $25 for a 15 day visa, $40 for 30 days and $100 for 90 days. For overland border crossings into Nepal, make sure you have at least a couple of passport photos for the visa application. At the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you no longer need passport photos as there is now a computer where you can scan your passport instead.
Trekking Permits for Nepal
Nearly all Himalayan treks in Nepal require people to have permits, including a Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card as well as other permits such as national park or conservation permits. You do not want to be caught without the proper permits in Nepal. For everyone organizing a trek through Himalaya Journey, we will obtain all required permits for you. For a list of permit prices for specific treks in Nepal, go to the following link: Trekkers’ Information Management System Permits
If you have any questions regarding how to get to Nepal, please feel free to contact us. Even if you do not choose to have us arrange your journey or trek in Nepal, we are happy to answer any travel questions you have for free! Send your inquiries to us at: info@himalayajourney.com
