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 Group Visa: It is a single-entry group visa required for foreign travelers entering Tibet from Nepal. 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 Chinese Group Visa.

Aliens' Travel Permit: Travelers traveling to partially restricted areas such as EBC, Mount Kailash and Manasarovar 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 Manasarovar.

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 Manasarovar 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.

2. How to apply for Chinese Group Visa in 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 Chinese 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 Chinese Group Visa and original passport on the afternoon of the fourth working day.

3. What is the best time to join Kathmandu Lhasa tours?

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, riding motorbikes, 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 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.

4. How to get to Lhasa from Kathmandu?

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.

5. Where to stay during Kathmandu Lhasa tours?

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.

6. What to eat during Kathmandu Lhasa Tours?

Traveling in Kathmandu, you can find authentic Napali food such as momos, chicken masala and various curries. During your trip in 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.

7. How to deal with possible altitude sickness?

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.