Bhutan and Tibet
 

Four days in the Paro Valley and Thimpu and then four days in Kathmandu. Thinking about whether to extend and go to Chitwan or go to Lhasa for a few days and then take the train to Beijing. Thoughts?

Personally, I wouldn't go to Lhasa for a few days, as you're likely to spend most of it feeling bad from the altitude. I'd want at least a week to make it worthwhile.

I think you are trying to cram in too much. Why not spend more time in Bhutan if Bhutan is of interest to you?

Our last trip to Kathmandu we spent a full week just exploring world heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley.

I agree with Kathie. For such a short time I would be inclined to spend it either all in Bhutan or all in Kathmandu. I have been to both places & cannot imagine only having 4 days.

Thanks for your responses. It's a conference so we don't have much choice in terms of Paro/Thimpu and then Kathmandu. The question really is the extension - Chitwan or Lhasa and the train to Beijing. We can also extend further and do three more days hiking in the Annapurna Valley. So, Chitwan or Lhasa and the train the Beijing?

Those are such different options, no one but you can know what interests you more. The one note I'd make is the one I made in my first response. I'd be hesitant to visit Lhasa for such a short time and risk having altitude sickness the whole time I was there, especially since you would be flying in to Lhasa.

First of all wish I had conference destinations like that!
Tell us a little more about what you like to do.

We like to take the "road less travelled" as much as possible but we will "sell our soul" if it's a conference! Love to hike, ski and scuba. The only thing that puts me off Chitwan is that it looks like a bit of a tourist trap and the only thing that puts me off the train is sitting for two days. What to do? What to do? We are fine with Lhasa as we did not experience any altitude sickness in Peru and we also take Diamox before we go so that really helps.

You don't have to sit in the train for 2 days to get to Beijing. Get off at Xining or Lanzhou after 24 hours and then fly to PEK.

Yup, those long train journeys do involve actually traveling on a train. It's in the nature of the beast so, if you are truly that hyperactive, it'll be a strain.

Of course, it might be a brilliant opportunity to do what long trips on trains are really for; to stare out of the window and reflect on your place in the cosmos.

There are some very fine active opportunities in Nepal, treks and stuff: I've been there lots but never once felt the urge to go to Chitwan. It depends on how well-animal-traveled you are. For some people a parrot is wildly exciting. Me? Nah. I think Chitwan is geared to the less adventurous but if you've never seen an elephant, then I guess it's good.

You don't say when this is. That makes a bi-i-i-igg difference.

Max bragging rights: Lhasa and the train. Take sedatives. You're just having an action attack.

It makes sense to do away with the tibet trip for a short period of time. Spend more days in Bhutan

Thanks to you all for your input. No decision yet but we are meeting with a Bhutan/Tibet "expert" tomorrow. BTW - going late in March.

Thanks to you all for your responses. We leave next Thursday and actually decided to extend our trip and do the Annapurna trek. Very excited!

Do come back and tell us all about it!