1

Land crossing through Burma is still out - just fly in, fly out*.

"Nepal and so on" - does this mean you plan to go from Nepal to China? I don't think that will be possible with a bike.

Try searching the Thorn Tree for the visa questions - asked regularly here - see the advanced search function top right.

Also try looking, then posting if necessary on the relevant country branches.

*Yes, I know the odd person has done a border crossing into Burma from China, but it is a rare occurrence and definitely not a guaranteed option.

2

Hi

Briefly; Nepal visas are available on arrival for most nationalities including the UK - it's straightforward process = money, photo and completed.

I understand it is possible to cycle from Nepal through Tibet (which is currently closed and can be with no notice) but you still need to meet the standard conditions of hiring a guide, vehicle and driver to accompany you. But then you will only have a limited time in China.

From my reading a better route is through the 'stans and into SEA avoiding Burma/Mayanmar.

As said, ask on the relevant destination branches for visa details.

Great trip, good luck.

scoodly

3

Correct, the "and so on" was going to be from Kathmandu to Lhasa, then catch a train to kunming. Then to cycle down through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. I just seem to be having a few troubles with the Tibet visa requirements. They say you cannot travel with less than 3 people of the same nationality.

4

If you enter China on an inclusive tour visa, which is the only possibility for crossing this border and travelling to Lhasa just now, then you have to leave China on an inclusive tour visa. So don't think you can do the inclusive tour visa business to get into the country, then just proceed to travel in China independently once you get there.

And cycling in a short distance uphill from Nepal to the 5000m pass really is a very nasty headache in a very literal sense. Indeed it can be fatal if you aren't very careful about it. That's why at least 99% of cyclists do it the other way - you won't find any pre-arranged inclusive tours doing it uphill, and if you arrange your own you'll have difficulty persuading anyone to go with you.

If this was a straightforward patch to proceeding from India to China by bike, lots of people would be doing it. But it isn't, which is why no one this forum has heard of has done it. The Chinese have got their act together, and the days when cyclists could sneak through Tibet seem to be over.

5

Just to add, that if you manage to get the visa for Tibet, and you don't die of altitude sickness, your problems still won't be over, because the visa you will get means you have to exit back to Nepal.

Unless you have a very large budget, riding in Tibet is not realistic - and is impossible via Nepal as part of a longer trip. You'll either have to fly from India to Thailand or go, as most people do via the Stans to China, and then down into Laos or Vietnam. Another option is to cross from Pakistan to China, but you can't ride all the way and there are serious security problems in Pakistan these days.

6

Hi

There are any number of difficulties cycling from Nepal to Tibet including altitude issues, expense and the limited time (usually) allowed in China. Which all adds up to an alternative route making more sense but there was (prior to the closure) no requirement to return to Nepal; one could exit via China (whether cycling or otherwise). Many people did, though all the group on the TTP would have to remain together (at least until leaving TAR, I understand).

So, very difficult rather than impossible.

BTW, there is a report on the sticky thread NE Asia branch) of a permit being issued...

scoodly

7

That must have changed recently then. Return to Nepal has been compulsory for a long time if you go that way.

8

Hi pq

No doubt return to Nepal was compulsory once but not when I looked into it and who knows what the situation will be when (if0 Tibet is re-opened.

It seems that permit was not issued recently.

scoodly