Currently, there’re two ways to get to Lhasa from Kathmandu.
Taking a flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu. There is at least 1 direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa every day (during peak tourist season, there’re 2 flights). It takes around 1.5 hours to arrive in Lhasa, which is the quickest way to reach Tibet from Nepal. However, the flight is always delayed due to unstable weather conditions. Sometimes, it will be even canceled and put off to the next day, which could disrupt your original tour plan indeed. Travelers should have known this possibility in advance.
Or, taking a car from Kathmandu to Tibet via Gyirong Border, across the Himalayas. Since the Gyirong border reopened on 29th August 2017, travelers could cross the magnificent Himalayan mountains and enjoy the amazing scenery along with the famous Friendship Highway, i.e. Sino-Nepalese Highway. We offer both group and private Tibet tours from Kathmandu to Lhasa for different needs. The basic route is Kathmandu – Gyirong Border (Nepal) → Gyirong Town (Tibet) → Tingri → Shigatse → Gyantse → Lhasa. Considering the altitude sickness, we will have a far view of Everest instead of visiting Everest Base Camp(EBC). If you want to visit EBC as well, please contact our travel consultant for a customized Kathmandu Gyirong EBC Lhasa overland tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the Kathmandu to Tibet Tour cost?
Great Tibet Tour offers many tours to Tibet from Kathmandu. You can contact our travel experts to plan your Tibet tour and ask for a quotation as per your travel customization.
Can I travel by air to Tibet from Kathmandu?
There are not many airlines that travel to Tibet from Kathmandu. As of now, only two airlines are accessible to tourists. Sichuan Airlines and Air China. They make seven flights each week overall, and a one-way plane usually takes 1h 30m.
Air Ticket Fare: Approx. 370USD (one-way), and these prices are prone to rise substantially during the peak tourism season in Tibet (from April to October).
Can I travel from Kathmandu to Tibet via Train?
Presently, there are no trains available. But the most recent news from the meeting between the Chinese and Nepalese Premiers hinted that a railroad would be extended. Once that is finished, tourists will be able to travel from Kathmandu to Tibet via train.
How can I travel to Tibet from Kathmandu by road?
Before the deadly earthquake in Nepal in May 2015, roadways were the dominant form of transport for traveling to Tibet from Kathmandu. And, the tragic event has left the Zhangmu Border inoperative, but it’s known that the reopening of Zhangmu Border was put on the agenda for the tourists currently.
Fortunately, the Gyirong Port can be used as a substitute. So you may have the overland tour via Gyirong now. The route from Kathmandu to Lhasa is about a week, at least. You will have to pass by the Himalayas as well as many places on the Sino-Nepal Highway.
What are the Visa requirements for traveling to Tibet from Kathmandu?
For entering Tibet from Kathmandu, you need a China Group Visa instead of a China Visa. Even if you have already obtained a valid China Visa, it would be turned invalid. According to the regulations, foreign travelers who go to Tibet from Nepal have to get a China Group Visa from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. It requires your original passport and an invitation email from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. The application process usually takes three working days. It’s a single-entry visa with a validity of at most 60 days, which means you could travel to other parts of China after your Tibet trip. We have long-term partners in Kathmandu who can help you get it. You just need to send us your passport copy by email. Then, we will handle the rest of things for you.
