Expert: Nilesh Korgaokar - 11/11/2008

Question
Hey Nilesh Its good to see an expert of all info i need.
I am an Indian wanting to vsit Tibet via Nepal.

I shall be highly obliged if u guide to the following-
1. If I enter Tibet via kathmandu, do I need chinese Visa along with the Tibetian Permit?
2. How can I obtain tibet visit permit & china visa in this case? Is it issued to an individual, may be through a tourist agent in Kathmandu? If yes what are the time & document requirements?
3. If I obtain tibet visit permit and enter tiber through kathmandu, can I travel to golmud(china main land) by the quinghai rail?
4. what is the expence and availability of vehicle for lhasa from the frendship bridge? Is to & from vehicle available on hire from this point?
5. What is the best season to visit quingha rail & everest base camp?  

Answer
Hi Rupender,

Thanks for your email. Please see my answers against your questions below -

1. If I enter Tibet via kathmandu, do I need chinese Visa along with the Tibetian Permit?
You will require a Chinese Visa. There is nothing like a Tibet Permit

2. How can I obtain tibet visit permit & china visa in this case? Is it issued to an individual, may be through a tourist agent in Kathmandu? If yes what are the time & document requirements?
If your trip is being organised by an Agency in Kathmandu, they should be able to do everything for you. It takes a day or so in Kathmandu at the Chinese Embassy there and the visa is valid for 30 days.

3. If I obtain tibet visit permit and enter tiber through kathmandu, can I travel to golmud(china main land) by the quinghai rail?
Yes, you can as long as your visa is valid until then otherwise try and get an extension in Lhasa or somewhere in China.

4. what is the expence and availability of vehicle for lhasa from the frendship bridge? Is to & from vehicle available on hire from this point?
You are better off doing all this via a Travel Agent, Tour Operator or Guide in Kathmandu. There are several in Kathmandu.

5. What is the best season to visit quingha rail & everest base camp?
From May to September would be the best time.

Hope this information helps and have a great trip. I did this journey about 13 years ago well before the train line came up. I spent 36 hours in a bus with a platoon of Chinese Army guys who smoked their way to Golmud.

Nilesh.