How to get to Tibet from Kathmandu in Nepal

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, one of the most popular travel destinations for international tourists, is near enough to reach the remote regions of the Himalayas and the mysterious Roof of the World - Tibet. As one of the gateway cities to Tibet, starting your Tibet tour from Kathmandu is definitely a good choice for tourists who want to get a taste of both sides of the Himalaya. Kathmandu is also the best city to start the Tibet tour for Indians due to its convenient flights' connections. 

In this article, we would like to focus on: 

• How to Travel to Tibet from Kathmandu
• What is the travel policy when you enter Tibet from Nepal

How to Travel to Tibet from Kathmandu? 

Currently, there are two ways to get to Tibet from Kathmandu: by flight and by overland.
 

Travel to Tibet from Kathmandu by Flight

Kathmandu is the only city outside of China with direct international flights to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa are operated by Himalaya Airlines, and it takes only about 1.5 hours, which is the shortest flight to Tibet. 

The cost of the flight varies depending on the traveling season, on average, a single economy flight ticket from Kathmandu to Lhasa is ranging from 2,600 - 3,800 CNY/about 370 - 540 USD per person. The month of July to September is considered as the peak season while the other months are the shoulder seasons. 
 

Special tips when you take the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa:

1. Please ask for a window seat on the left side of the plane when you get your boarding pass at Kathmandu airport, so you will be able to enjoy the jaw-dropping God’s-eye view of the summit of Mt. Everest and the amazing Himalaya Mountain Ranges. 
2. Due to the huge ascent from Kathmandu Valley (1,340m) to Lhasa (3,650m), we would advise tourists to have at least 2-3 days in Lhasa for good acclimatization, before heading further. 
3. You are required to show your 'Group China Visa' sheet at Kathmandu airport, which is proof that you are taking an organized tour for Tibet. Once you arrive at Lhasa airport, your guide will meet you at the customs of Lhasa airport with the necessary Tibet permit. If you're a foreign citizen eligible for visa-free travel to China, you only need show your valid passport with the copy of your Tibet travel permit.

Overland Travel from Nepal to Tibet 

The China-Nepal Highway (also called Friendship Highway) connecting Lhasa and the Chinese/Nepalese border is regarded as one of the best overland journeys in Asia, rewarding you with breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders on the Tibetan Plateau. It is about 800km (467miles) in length and the westernmost portion of China National Highway 318. The landscapes along this part of the highway feature some important Tibetan cultural towns/monasteries, the upper valley of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the vast grasslands and the mountain vistas including some highest peaks in the world: Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu, and Mt. Shishapangma.

The overland travel from Nepal to Tibet is available, generally, we don’t recommend this overland travel as the altitude gain is simply too rapid to be considered safe, you will be put at high risk of serious and deadly altitude sickness. Instead, we would recommend you a safer option, that is doing this route in the opposite direction going from Lhasa to Nepal, which allows you to acclimatize for a week or more before heading to the highest point - Mount Everest Base Camp at 5200m and then traveling down to the border and continuing to the Kathmandu valley in Nepal. This is one of the most popular overland travel routes in Tibet.

The overland travel from Tibet to Nepal starts from Lhasa - the historic capital of Tibet. It brings you not only the historic palaces and operating monasteries, but also lines of breath-taking natural sceneries, such as turquoise Yamdrok Tso Lake, mighty Nyenchen Kangsar Karola glacier, the great peaks of Himalayas, and the world summit Mt. Everest Base Camp, before gradually descends to the beautiful Gyirong border town (2,600m). The border town in Nepal is called Rasuwa, where you can catch a public bus or take a private/shared Jeep further to Kathmandu. You may check our 8-days Lhasa to Kathmandu tour for a more detailed itinerary. Or join our 7 days Lhasa to Kathmandu group tour via E.B.C.

We only recommend you take the overland travel from Nepal to Tibet after you have done Everest Base Camp trek at Nepal side or other high elevation trekking, your body might already be adjusted to the high altitude, then you will most likely be fine to go on the overland trip from Nepal to Tibet. 

We know that there are a lot of Hindu pilgrims and trekking fans with limited time, choose to travel from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash by an overland route via Gyirong Port, without the detour to Lhasa. However as mentioned above, we really don't recommend this overland route unless you have adapted the high elevation well in Nepal. You may check our 11-days Kathmandu Mount Kailash overland tour for a more detailed itinerary.

Special tips: 

The journey from the border at Gyirong to Kathmandu is challenging, as the road is partly unpaved, narrow, and bumpy. Although the distance is only about 140KM, the drive typically takes about 8-9 hours. If you plan to travel during the Monsoon season in July or August, consider adding 1 or 2 extra days to your itinerary as a precaution, in case the road is obstructed by landslides. During the summer months, a helicopter service is available from Kathmandu to Gyirong. This service costs approximately $1,600 and can accommodate up to 4 people, allowing costs to be shared among passengers.
 

China Visa and Tibet Permit policy - Travel to Tibet from Nepal

Whether you travel to Tibet from Nepal or mainland China, it is mandatory to join an organized tour with a licensed guide and obtain the necessary Tibet Travel Permit and China Visa as per travel regulations.
Visa requirements differ significantly depending on your entry point. For those traveling from Nepal, you do not need to apply for an individual Chinese tourist visa in advance. Instead, your travel agency, such as WindhorseTour, will assist you in applying for a Group China Visa at the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu upon your arrival. This visa typically takes 3-4 working days to process, so it's advisable to plan a few extra days in Kathmandu before proceeding to Tibet.

For those eligible for visa-free travel to China, there's no need to apply for a Group China visa in Kathmandu. You can directly travel to Tibet with just your passport and the copy of Tibet Travel Permit. Learn more about How to get China Group Visa when traveling from Nepal to Tibet. 

Here’s a streamlined description of the process for travelers heading to Tibet from Nepal:

Submit Passport Copies: As soon as you book your tour, email us copies of your passport. We will apply for the China Visa invitation and the necessary Tibet permit through the Tibet Tourism Bureau office. To ensure there is sufficient time to arrange all necessary documents, please confirm your booking at least one month in advance.

Arrival in Kathmandu: Once you arrive in Kathmandu, contact our local travel agency. Our staff will meet you to guide you through the visa application process. You will need to fill in the application form and leave your passport with our team. At this time, you will also need to pay the application fee. Please plan to stay in Nepal for at least 3-4 working days to allow time for the China Group Visa to be issued. Note that the application fee for the China Group Visa varies by nationality; we will provide the fee details for your reference.
 

Notes:

• Ordinary visa processing time: minimum of 4 working days
• Urgent visa processing time: minimum of 3 working days
• Top urgent visa processing time: minimum of 2 working days
• Top urgent processing is only for exceptional cases.

3. After your China Group Visa is processed, our staff in Kathmandu will hand back your passport along with the China Group Visa (a sheet). You will need your passport and this visa to board your flight to Lhasa or to cross the border from Nepal into China. Upon your arrival at Lhasa airport or the Gyirong border, your local Tibetan guide, holding your original Tibet permits, will be there to greet you and facilitate your entry into Tibet.

Special tips: 

1. The Group China Visa typically has a validity of up to 30 days, though in exceptional cases, it may be valid for up to 60 days. Unlike a standard Chinese Tourist Visa, it cannot be extended. If you plan to stay in China for more than 30 days, it is advisable to enter Tibet from mainland China.

2. The Group China Visa is issued not as a sticker in your passport but as a paper document detailing your travel and listing the names of all group members. It is required that the entire group enter and exit China through the same customs port simultaneously.

3. Please note that if you have already obtained a Chinese Tourist Visa or any other individual visa, it will be canceled when you apply for the Group China Visa in Kathmandu.