Tibet hugs the northern border of Nepal and is part of the China land mass. In the 7th century AD, Tibet rose to prominence as an important center of administrative power when Songtsen Gampo, a local ruler in the Yarlung Valley, went about the task of unifying Tibet. He built a palace on the site that is now occupied by the Potala and made it his capital.

The fifth Dalai Lama also made Lhasa his capital. He built his palace, the Potala, on the site of ruins of Songtsen Gampo's 7th century palace, Lhasa has remained Tibet’s capital since 1642

Little is known of the origins of the Tibetans, but it is believed that they came from the nomadic, warlike tribes known as the Qiang.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

When entering Tibet from Nepal, Chinese Visas cannot be used. As such, the visa for Tibet must be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. As visa's are only issued on Mondays, Wednesday's and Thursdays (except if they fall on a Chinese Holiday), tours need to be arranged to suit these visa issue dates, i.e. any one going on a tour departing for Tibet from Nepal, needs to arrive in in Kathmandu at least three days before entering Tibet.

When you confirm your trip with us, we will organize your Travel Permit for Tibet, Visa Approval Documents and apply to the Chinese embassy to obtain your visa. We will thus require your full passport details, 3 weeks prior to your arrival at Kathmandu.

Please note that visa for Tibet obtained elsewhere has still got to be endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

Your current Passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of travel. The passport must also have more than two blank visa pages. We will require two full front passport photo's taken against a clear background, in either colour or black and white. Photo's cannot be scanned and if digital, must be printed on gloss photo paper.