Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour

Tibet Travel Permit: This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) and is required for all foreign travelers visiting Tibet.

Chinese Tourist Visa: As Tibet is located within China, you are required to apply for a China Visa in advance when traveling from Kathmandu to Lhasa. If you are from countries that enjoy China’s visa-free policies, including the 15-day, and 30-day visa-free policies, you need not to apply for the China Visa.

Aliens' Travel Permit: Travelers traveling to partially restricted areas such as Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, need to obtain Aliens’ Travel Permit via Tibet Travel Agency (like Tibet Horizon).

Military Area Entry Permit: Since Ngari Prefecture is a military-sensitive area, a Military Area Entry Permit is required for foreigners and Taiwan compatriots’ visits to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

Border Permit/ Frontier Pass: This permit is required for Taiwan compatriots and Chinese nationals including Hong Kong and Macau residents visiting the restricted areas around Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake.

Our Xizang (Tibet) tour packages include Tibet Travel Permit and all the necessary Tibet travel documents. If you book with us, we’ll help apply for the permits needed to ensure a smooth and worry-free Kathmandu to Lhasa tour.

You should book a Tibet tour first with Tibet Horizon, for example: Kathmandu to Lhasa loop tour, Kathmandu Everest Lhasa tour, or Kathmandu Kailash Lhasa tour. The permit is issued according to your fixed travel plan.

After confirming the itinerary, you need to send your documents to the travel agency. Usually, a passport (must be valid for at least 6 months) and a Chinese Tourist Visa copy (not required if you meet the visa-free policy) are required. We use these documents to submit the application.

Once these permits have been approved, your guide will meet you at the Gyirong Border with them, ensuring your smooth entry into Tibet under their guidance.

Taking the climate and temperature of the Himalayan region into consideration, the best time to join our Kathmandu to Lhasa tours is generally from April to June and from September to October. During these months, the weather is relatively stable, with less rainfall, clear skies and mild temperatures, making it ideal for enjoying the stunning views and trekking around Mt. Kailash. Also, you can experience the grand Saga Dawa Festival in May. In summer, the weather may be rainy, but tourists can witness the celebration of the Shoton Festival. Winter in Tibet is not as cold as you might think, and you can enjoy a lower cost of transportation and accommodation and feel less crowded as there are fewer tourists. Also, Losar, the Tibetan New Year, often falls in February or March.

To get from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you have two primary options. One is by road, which involves a scenic yet lengthy journey through the Himalayas. You'll start by driving from Kathmandu to the Gyirong Border, where you can enter Tibet by road and continue your journey to Lhasa. The other option is by air, with a direct flight from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar Airport, offering a much faster and more straightforward route.

Major cities like Lhasa, Shigatse and Kathmandu offer more diverse options from 3-to 5-star hotels to local guesthouses. They provide basic to luxury facilities, all ensuring a comfortable stay. For private travelers, you can choose according to your standards. However, in remote areas like EBC and Mount Kailash, only cozy tents and guesthouses are available.

Traveling in Kathmandu, you can find authentic Nepali food such as momos, chicken masala and various curries. During your trip to Tibet, we have handpicked restaurants with food safety guarantees for our travelers. You can enjoy unique Tibetan and Sichuan cuisines along the way. Specialties include yak hotpot, sweet tea, butter tea, roasted pig, tsampa, barley wine, stone pot chicken and spicy diced chicken. You can also find Nepali, Indian and Western-style dishes in Tibet. If you have any special dietary requirements, please keep our guides informed and they will help you check food composition when you order dishes.

Traveling on the Tibet Plateau with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, it’s common for some tourists to experience altitude sickness. The symptoms of altitude sickness can include headache, nausea, and dizziness.

To minimize the effect of altitude sickness, it is important to allow time to acclimate to the high altitude and to take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. Travelers should drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and avoid alcohol or caffeine. It is also recommended to take a slow path in the first two days after entering Tibet, avoiding strenuous activities like running.

If you feel uncomfortable, tell your guide. We have prepared oxygen tanks in our vehicles. You can inhale oxygen and take medication when necessary. If symptoms of altitude sickness persist or worsen, we’ll help transfer you to the hotel or hospital to seek medical attention immediately.

Most itineraries traveling from Kathmandu to Lhasa span 7 to 13 days, with the duration varying based on the specific sightseeing content: shorter routes typically focus on classic destinations such as Lhasa, Shigatse, and Everest Base Camp, whereas more extensive itineraries combine pilgrimage experiences, such as Kailash Kora. Furthermore, Tibet Horizon offers extended itineraries lasting 19 to 20 days, including the Guge Kingdom Ruins and other sites, providing a truly comprehensive trip to Tibet from Nepal.

First, confirm your Tibet tour.
Discuss your Tibet trip itinerary with our travel consultant. Then, sign the tour contract by paying the deposit. After booking your trip, provide the copy or photocopy of your passport to us.

Secondly, submit the Tibet Travel Permit and Invitation Letter application.
We will gather your travel information and submit your Tibet Permit application to Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). Normally, it takes 8-9 working days to get your Tibet Travel Permit. Meanwhile, we’ll apply for your Official Group Authorization Visa Invitation Letter, which is needed for applying for your China Group Visa. It usually takes 8 working days to arrange your Visa Invitation Letter and we’ll send it to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

Thirdly, arrive in Kathmandu and give your original passport to our staff.
Please arrive in Kathmandu at least 4 days earlier before you enter Tibet and give your original passport, personal photo, visa fee, and service fee to our staff in Kathmandu and fill out the application form. You also need to visit the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu to input your fingerprint.

Lastly, get you China Group Visa.
Your China Group Visa will be given to you in person by our staff in your hotel in Kathmandu. Typically, after you submit your application, you can get your China Group Visa and original passport on the afternoon of the fourth working day.