About Gordon Janow Expertise I have been traveling for a good part of the last 15 years including 4 years
total in India/Nepal/Pakistan. I operate one of the US`s leading travel
companes and have had travel and fiction writing published in the US and India.
Have traveled at all economic levels thought neaqrly every state and happy to
answer any questions. Have also travled extensively through Asia and the middle
East...
Expert: Gordon Janow Date: 4/16/2007 Subject: visas & travel from Kathmandu
Question Hi. I'm looking at a tour that starts in Beijing and ends in Kathmandu--I live in Chicago & am a US citizen. I'm wondering if there is any cheaper way to fly to and from these cities, the prices I'm seeing are about $2,400. I'd be willing to spend a day on a train if it would save me $1000, but I have no idea where I should head to attempt a cheaper flight.
Also, how long does it take to get visas for China, Nepal and Tibet? I would be departing for this trip on May 5th. Many thanks, Andrea.
Answer Hi Andrea - question is a bit confusing. It seems you are looking to tour China ( perhaps visit Kathmandu, though most of the interesting places are on treks in the countryside.) Tickets are less expensive if you fly in/out fo the same city. You can probably get to Nepal for $1500 ( fly in/out of Bangkok) - then you can book a flight and obtain visa for Tibet/China in Kathmandu. Then you can take the train to Bejing ( new train, you can read about it in teh current issue of the New Yorker). Then fly home from Bejing via Bangkok ( this way you wil benefit from the rountrip ticket ( Bangkok. ) China can be difficult for a first tiem indeoendent traveler.
