Visa for Tibet

michellemm · Dec 21st, 2004, 23:25

Hello!!

I wanted to know how can I get a visa for Tibet,...I'll be first in India (for about 25 days), then go to Nepal (about 7 days) and then head to Tibet.

Can anyone help me??

kolobar · Dec 22nd, 2004, 00:37

You need chinese visa to enter Tibet and if you are entering from Nepal you will need group visa. Individual visas are cancelled by chinese embassy in KTM if you have one in your passport. Also you need a permit. Individual entry into Tibet from Nepal is not allowed so you will have to book a tour in Kathmandu. There are regular budget tours which you can book by different travel agents in Kathmandu. They are gathering individuals to form a group, provide necessary visas&permits and arrange transfer from KTM to Kodari (nepali-tibetan border) and further into Tibet. These are 5 days tours and will take you via Lhatse, Shigatse, Gyantse to Lhasa. You will get a group visa with just your name on so after you reach Lhasa you can stay in Tibet on your on or travel further into China. The visa is issued for 2-3 weeks (depends on the agency).
Also you can fly to Lhasa. Some people were entering Tibet by plane with their individual visa and had to pay fine which was less than group visa would cost. But my latest info was that Chinese had raised the fine so it was not worth to use individual visa.
Just one thing: if you book a budget tour to Tibet in KTM, check where you will spend the first night. Some tours stay in Zanghmu - the first city on tibetan side of the border. That is very risky itinerary considering the need for acclimatisation since next day you will gain more than 2000 meters. It is better to stay the first night in Nyalam further on and higher up into Tibet.

michellemm · Dec 22nd, 2004, 00:43

Thanks Kolobar!

And once I get to these agencies, how long does it take to get the visa? 'Cause I'll only stay in Ktm for 7 days, so I'm afraid it takes longer than that to get it....what do you think?

Cheers!

kolobar · Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:40

Agency can arrange it in one day if necessary (if there are no holidays, weekends when embassy is closed) so 1 week is fine, only you have to pay additional "urgent visa fee" if embassy has to issue visa in less than regular 7 days. Visa was 26usd and urgent visa fee was 17usd in 2004.

Jeroen · Jan 9th, 2005, 03:32

Overland, you *must* enter Tibet from Nepal in an organised group - contact one of the KTM agencies to arrange it all. Expect to pay about $120 for the 5 day trip up to Lhasa including hotels but excluding meals, entrance fees, etc. You can get an all-included trip if you pay more of course. I´ve written a detailed guide on my 2004 Nepal-Tibet experiences elsewhere on this site as well as on the Lonely Planet thorn tree forum - do a search there. Have fun.

Dec 21st, 2004, 23:25	#1
michellemm Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brazil Posts: 73	Visa for Tibet Hello!! I wanted to know how can I get a visa for Tibet,...I'll be first in India (for about 25 days), then go to Nepal (about 7 days) and then head to Tibet. Can anyone help me??

Jan 9th, 2005, 03:32	#5
Jeroen A government of India undertaking Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 296	Overland, you must enter Tibet from Nepal in an organised group - contact one of the KTM agencies to arrange it all. Expect to pay about $120 for the 5 day trip up to Lhasa including hotels but excluding meals, entrance fees, etc. You can get an all-included trip if you pay more of course. I´ve written a detailed guide on my 2004 Nepal-Tibet experiences elsewhere on this site as well as on the Lonely Planet thorn tree forum - do a search there. Have fun. __________________ 'To see the world in a grain of sand; and heaven in a wild flower; to hold infinity in the palm of your hand; and eternity in an hour'

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Dec 22nd, 2004, 00:37	#2
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	You need chinese visa to enter Tibet and if you are entering from Nepal you will need group visa. Individual visas are cancelled by chinese embassy in KTM if you have one in your passport. Also you need a permit. Individual entry into Tibet from Nepal is not allowed so you will have to book a tour in Kathmandu. There are regular budget tours which you can book by different travel agents in Kathmandu. They are gathering individuals to form a group, provide necessary visas&permits and arrange transfer from KTM to Kodari (nepali-tibetan border) and further into Tibet. These are 5 days tours and will take you via Lhatse, Shigatse, Gyantse to Lhasa. You will get a group visa with just your name on so after you reach Lhasa you can stay in Tibet on your on or travel further into China. The visa is issued for 2-3 weeks (depends on the agency). Also you can fly to Lhasa. Some people were entering Tibet by plane with their individual visa and had to pay fine which was less than group visa would cost. But my latest info was that Chinese had raised the fine so it was not worth to use individual visa. Just one thing: if you book a budget tour to Tibet in KTM, check where you will spend the first night. Some tours stay in Zanghmu - the first city on tibetan side of the border. That is very risky itinerary considering the need for acclimatisation since next day you will gain more than 2000 meters. It is better to stay the first night in Nyalam further on and higher up into Tibet.

Dec 22nd, 2004, 00:43	#3
michellemm Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brazil Posts: 73	Thanks Kolobar! And once I get to these agencies, how long does it take to get the visa? 'Cause I'll only stay in Ktm for 7 days, so I'm afraid it takes longer than that to get it....what do you think? Cheers!

Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:40	#4
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	Agency can arrange it in one day if necessary (if there are no holidays, weekends when embassy is closed) so 1 week is fine, only you have to pay additional "urgent visa fee" if embassy has to issue visa in less than regular 7 days. Visa was 26usd and urgent visa fee was 17usd in 2004.

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