Planning a Tibet – Nepal – Bhutan combined trip from Singapore or Southeast Asia: routes, permits, and practical tips

Among the most fulfilling multi-country trips, Singapore to Tibet, then Nepal and Bhutan, and finally back to Singapore is. In this article, I will discuss reasonable flight and overland routing possibilities in both directions, the popular alternative – fly to Nepal first, then Tibet and Bhutan – and the paperwork that you must arrange prior to your trip. Quick legal/permit summary (very important) Singapore passport holders (ordinary passport): at present under the mutual visa-free entry agreement to Mainland China (including Tibet) for up to 30 days. Citizens of Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Japan & South Korea are also under visa-free entry to Mainland China and Tibet. Tibet Travel Permit: All foreign tourists, including Singaporeans, need a physical copy of the Tibet Travel Permit in order to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region. The permit is a precondition for any policy on China’s entry permission and has to be organized beforehand through a licensed tour operator. No independent travel is allowed in Tibet. Always verify the exact permit documents required by contacting Everest Vacation for your mode of transport (air, train, or overland). Bhutan entry: Bhutan needs either a pre-arranged tourist package and visa/permit processing through a licensed tour operator. There are flights operated by Drukair (Druk Bhutan Airlines) between Singapore and Paro. Check the schedule and book early. Currently, there are two direct flights per week with a 40-minute stop at Guwahati. Flights from Singapore to Paro (Bhutan) are on Thursdays and Sundays; flights from Paro (Bhutan) to Singapore are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. (Visa and permit rules change — always verify with tour operator like us / official embassy / airline before finalizing plans.) Sample Itinerary 1: Tibet and Bhutan Tour Package – 11 days Travel to Tibet Nepal Bhutan from Singapore Route ‘A’ — Singapore → Tibet → Nepal → Bhutan → Singapore (or vice-versa) Why this sector? It follows a west-to-south-to-east path and minimizes backtracking: get into Tibet from China, descend to Nepal (Kathmandu), then fly to Bhutan (Paro) and return to Singapore from Paro or via Kathmandu/Singapore. Typical routing (detailed) Singapore to an entry city in China (common hubs): Fly SIN → Chengdu (CTU) or Kunming (KMG), or Beijing/Shanghai depending on available schedules and fares. From these cities, you will collect the Tibet Travel Permit sent to your hotel, then fly/train to Lhasa. Chengdu/Kunming/Beijing → Lhasa: connecting flight or scenic train options. Sightseeing & acclimatisation in Tibet: Lhasa–Shigatse–EBC depending on permits. Tibet → Nepal: flights Lhasa→Kathmandu (4 flights per week) or overland. Nepal → Bhutan: Flights available daily in peak season. Bhutan → Singapore: Drukair direct flights twice weekly. Route B — Singapore → Nepal first → Tibet → Bhutan → Singapore Kathmandu is easier for permits and acclimatization. Good for flexible routing. Sample Itinerary 2: Tibet–Everest Base Camp–Bhutan – 13 days Fly Singapore–Kathmandu, arrange Tibet permit in Nepal → Kathmandu to Lhasa via flight/overland → Tibet exploration → Return to Nepal → Fly Bhutan → Return Singapore. Sample Itinerary 3: Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet Tour – 20 days Full extended version including EBC & deep cultural circuits. Practical Tips & Checklist • Book early (Apr–May, Sep–Oct peak). • Tibet Travel Permit must be arranged by tour operator, not online. • Singaporeans get 30-day China visa-free — verify latest rules. • Bhutan requires tour package and USD 100 SDF fee nightly. • Manage altitude + insurance. • Prefer spring/autumn windows. Sample Itineraries A/B/C (10–14 days) Routes combining Singapore → Chengdu/Kathmandu/Lhasa → Nepal → Bhutan → Singapore. Detailed day-by-day sequences (Potala, Jokhang, Shigatse, Paro, Thimphu, Tiger’s Nest). Booking & Operator Advice Use experienced multi-country operator to coordinate Tibet permit + Bhutan visa + Nepal logistics. Airlines: Drukair (Bhutan), Sichuan Airlines/Air China (Lhasa), China hubs (CTU/KMG/PEK). Final Recommendations (especially Singaporeans) • For easy paperwork → Singapore → Kathmandu first → Tibet → Bhutan. • For direct China entry → Singapore → Chengdu/Kunming/Beijing → Lhasa. • Book 30–60 days early. • Always reconfirm official embassy policy. Sample Itinerary 4: Nepal–Bhutan–Tibet Overland EBC – 18 days Neighbouring Countries Using Same Route: Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Japan, South Korea. Important: Tibet Permit required regardless of visa-free China access. Routing Samples (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Laos, Myanmar) Multiple hub-to-Lhasa options via CTU/KMG/PEK or Kathmandu overland. Visa Summary Tibet permit mandatory for all foreigners. Nepal visa on arrival. Bhutan visa processed by operator. Other Multi-Asian Tours Available via Everest Vacation across 11 destinations including Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam & Thailand.