Trip permits for solo travellers to Tibet from Nepal

Replies: 4 - Last Post: 04-Apr-2007 01:26 Last Post By: farflung

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daboo9

18-Mar-2007 14:30
Posts: 5

Trip permits for solo travellers to Tibet from Nepal

Hi there,
I am planning a solo trip to Tibet later this year, and I am a little muddled as how and where to get the required paperwork for a trip departing Kathmandu flying to Lhasa and then an overland trip back to Kathmandu (making travel arrangements in Lhasa). I am happy to meet up with others to make up a 'group' but I am not sure exactly how this works. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
It appears as though you need a 'group' permit to fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu (is this correct?), and the LP posters have repeatedly said that you can join with others in Lhasa to form a group to save on costs. Now my question is this:

If I am in Kathmandu and need a 'group' permit to get to Lhasa how do I get that if I am solo? Do I just find a 'tour' in Kathmandu that consists of a one-way flight and 1 night hotel in Lhasa and then use a travel agent (I see that FIT at the Banak Shol Guesthouse is highly recommended) to get the rest of my paperwork sorted out?
Does this mean I have to meet up with others in Kathmandu to form a group there in order to get to Tibet?
Or is there another way to get from Kathmandu to Lhasa alone that I am missing?
Any light you can shed on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.
Cheers!
T

farflung

23-Mar-2007 11:34
Posts: 1,262

It is possible you might be able to get a group permit for just one person (i.e. yourself) from an agent in Kathmandu. It would cost at least US$400 for the one way Kathmandu-Lhasa flight and permit/visa. That would give you the freedom to travel around Tibet and return to Nepal independently.

farflung

27-Mar-2007 12:59
Posts: 1,262

Actually it would cost somewhat more than that.

daboo9

03-Apr-2007 13:02
Posts: 5

Hi everyone,
Just wondering if there's anyone else out there that may have a few pointers for me.
Thanks so much.
Cheers!
T

farflung

04-Apr-2007 01:26
Posts: 1,262

To join a group, it is organised through any travel agency in Kathmandu. Once you are in a group you have to stay with the group and exit the country with the same group. If you want to enter Tibet from Nepal 'alone' you will basically have to pay a substantial premium to get a group permit/visa with just your name on it (i.e. a one person group). That gives you the freedom to travel around and leave Tibet as you please. You need to be sure to request a sufficient duration for your individual permit as you cannot extend it once in Tibet/China. All of these rules and restrictions are in place, basically in order to deter hordes of budget travellers descending on Lhasa and the rest of Tibet.

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