Two Spiritual Cities Tour - 11 Days

Duration: 11 Days

Nepal:  05 Nights/06 Days

Around 6 days will be spent in Kathmandu Valley exploring different special places, 4  day to work out for Chinese visa and travelling in and out to Lhasa and back to Kathmandu with final departure.

Tibet: 05 Nights/06 Days (4 Nights+1night Xigatse)

Around 5 days will be spent in Tibet exploring some of the interesting and exciting spot of Tibet.

Challenges:

The tour is purely focused on the Cultural, Spirituality and a bit of hiking allowing visitors to experience the rural setup and one to be with nature.

The true challenge of this tour is Tibet because of the elevation, which reaches 3,650 meters. Some people may find it difficult to adapt to the altitude, which can lead to headaches, breathing difficulties, and difficulty sleeping. Therefore, anyone with long-term medical issues, such as heart/lung problems, should speak with their doctors before going on this tour.

Otherwise, the tour is a simple, easy grading with lot of beautiful stupas, temples, dzongs, ancient palaces and interacting with friendly people who are very spiritual.

Visa Formalities:

Nepal: Visa Requirements:

All foreign nationals need a visa to enter Nepal. You can obtain this either through the Nepalese embassy in your country or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

For a smooth process, ensure your passport has at least six months of validity on the day of departure. You can also fill out the online visa application form Online Services to shorten the visa processing time at the airport.

Visa Fees: Payable in US dollars (cash) upon arrival or through an online payment before arrival.

• Required Documents: Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and the appropriate visa fee.

TIBET: Visa Requirements:

Traveling to Tibet requires both a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. The process differs based on whether you’re entering Tibet from Nepal or China. If you are traveling from Kathmandu, please note that a Chinese visa issued in any other country will not be valid for entry into Tibet. Instead, a group visa will be issued for all travelers entering Tibet from Nepal.

Obtaining Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit:

If the plan is to travel to Tibet from Kathmandu, then there must be a minimum of 4 participants, and one needs to wait at least 4 working days to obtain the visa.  Also, the guests need to be physically present in Kathmandu as we must submit the passport to the Embassy for verification.

In case one wish to travel from China Mainland and don’t want to spend that much of time in Kathmandu then the option is you need to obtain the China visa from your hometown, and we will arrange the Tibet Travel permit

Visa Procedure for Tibet from Kathmandu:

Step 1:
You must book a tour package with a local travel agent in Kathmandu. The minimum group size for obtaining a group visa is 4 participants.

Step 2:
After booking, send a scanned copy of your passport and make the payment. Once received, the agent will begin the process of obtaining your Tibet Travel Permit, which takes around 1 week to process.

Step 3:
Once the Tibet Travel Permit is obtained, the next step is to submit a China visa application to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. You will need to be physically present in Kathmandu for this process as the embassy requires the original passport.

Step 4:
The China visa takes about 4 working days to be issued. It will be a group visa, not stamped in your passport, but rather in a separate sheet listing the names of all group members. All travelers in the group must enter and exit China at the same time.

Passport Size Photographs Basic Requirements:

China Visa Photo Size

The China Visa Application Photo has specific size requirements applicants must obey. If you submit an improper photo online, you can replace it with a new photo before the application is processed, otherwise, your visa application may be refused. What is the exact photo size for China Visa? A Chinese passport photo (33mm×48mm) is the one and only acceptable standard.

• Digital Photo:the electronic photo should meet the requirements of horizontal pixels: 354 – 420 pixels and vertical pixels: 472 – 560 pixels.
• Paper Photo:the printed photo should be 33mm

1. Color:A color (RGB 24bit true color) photo, any black and white photo is not accepted.
2. Background:Can only use white and off-white background
3. Size: 33mm×48mm for paper photo.
4. Date:recent photo taken in the last 6 months.
5. Quality:a clear-cut photo in high resolution, without any damage, stain, folding creases, and no shadows over face or in background.
6. Format:photos must be JPEG image, within size of 40 KB – 120 KB.
7. Others:the photos should present the front view of applicants, showing the full facial features clearly and completely. Head should be horizontally centered with certain distance to the upper and bottom edge.

Important: A visa issued from any other country will not be valid for Tibet travel if entering from Nepal.

Accommodation:

Nepal

Option : 1

Hotel Dwarika’s Kathmandu: Classic Deluxe Heritage Hotel

Option: 2

Hyatt Regency-A Five Star Hotel Where Luxury Meets Culture

Tibet:  

Lhasa: World Class Luxury Hotel St. Regis

Xigatse : Luxury Hotel Hilton Shigatse

Meals:

Kathmandu: Breakfast basis

Tibet: It is on Breakfast basis

Transportation:

All the vehicles used on the tour will be comfortable and the best available and the size can differ according to group size.

Guide Support:

Nepal: We will have a guide who is highly efficient, huge experience guide.

Tibet: Also, our guide from Nepal will accompany the tour to make the trip comfortable, knowledgeable and enjoyable.

Health and Safety Tips

Generally safe destinations for travelers, though the terrain and lack of modern infrastructure can pose certain health risks. The most common illnesses are traveler’s diarrhea and respiratory infections like colds.

• Vaccinations: Although no specific inoculations are required, it is advisable to get hepatitis and tetanus vaccinations. Consult your local healthcare provider for up-to-date recommendations.
• Water Safety: Always drink bottled mineral water or treat your water with purification tablets. Tap water is not recommended for drinking.
• Altitude: Those having a long-term medical problem related to heart, lungs or other serious problem, pregnant women we do not advise because this program involves traveling to Tibet which is in the high altitude.
• Consult with the doctor: It is always wise to consult with the doctor/physician before booking the trip

Ideal Time to Undertake this Tour:

Autumn: October:

This is a great time to visit as the sky opens, and the temperature is mild, perfect for travel to Nepal.  Whereas Tibet can be bit cold with average temperatures ranging between 1 to 17 degrees centigrade. But the days are sunny with clear blue skies and having a comfortable weather. The nights can be chilly due to the high elevation.

Spring: April to May

April to May is another good period for traveling to this part of the world. Kathmandu can be a bit hot and stuffy; temperature reaches up to 28°C with a bit of rainfall. Whereas in Tibet the weather starts warming up and can be anywhere between 3 to 16 degrees require warm clothes. But the views can be wonderful.

Flights: Lhasa:

The only direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is by Himalayan Airlines and has a schedule every Mon, Wed, Thu and Friday but this can change anytime without any prior information.

Flight Option: There are flights flying to Lhasa via Chengdu, but we will have to spend an overnight there. Flights are almost every day by different airlines.

Baggage Allowance:

Himalaya Airlines’ baggage allowance varies depending on the travel class and route. Generally, the following guidelines apply:

For Business Class passengers, the allowance typically includes two pieces of checked baggage, with a maximum weight of 30 kg (66 lbs) per piece.

For Economy Class passengers, the allowance usually consists of one piece of checked baggage, with a maximum weight of 20 kg (44 lbs).

Clothing and Accessories:

Given the high-altitude nature of Tibet, dressing appropriately is crucial to your comfort during the trip. Layered clothing is recommended to adapt to varying temperatures throughout the day.

• Recommended Clothing:
  • Light layers: shirts, sweaters, jackets, and cotton inner wear.
  • Warm clothing (October to April): woolen jackets, down feather coats, and boots.
  • Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection accessories such as a hat and sunglasses.
  • A warm jacket is essential, even during the day.
• Additional Accessories:
  • Water bottles and purification tablets.
  • Chapstick and sunscreen (Tibetan sun can be harsh).
  • Utility knife, flashlight, bandana or dust mask, and first-aid kit.
  • Medications for common cold, headache, fever, stomach issues, and Diamox (for altitude sickness).

Altitude Sickness: What You Need to Know

Given Tibet’s high altitude (average 3,600m+), travelers are at risk for altitude sickness. Symptoms can range from headaches and dizziness to nausea and difficulty breathing.

Prevention:

• Gradual Acclimatization: Spend a few days in Lhasa before traveling to higher altitudes.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and avoid altitude sickness.
• Move slowly and avoid overexertion.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness:

• Headache, nausea, dizziness, and loss of appetite.
• Fatigue and sleeping difficulties.
• Breathing problems and overall unsteadiness.

If symptoms persist, the only remedy is to descend to a lower elevation as soon as possible. Always listen to your body.

Insurance:

You need to have Travel Insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and evacuation is highly recommended for all visitors.