As the only international gateway city to Lhasa, Kathmandu has become a very popular destination among tourists. A Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour is one of the best tour packages that takes you traveling along the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway to explore the tranquil lakes, ancient monasteries and beautiful cultural reflections of the Tibetan Buddhism lifestyle. Choose one of the itineraries from our travelers favorite Tibet and Nepal trips below to uncover the mysteries of the Himalayas with help from our friendly local travel experts. All of the tours are customizable, so just tell us your needs and we'll do the rest to give you a once in a lifetime experience to these two Himalayan kingdoms.
There are two ways to get to Tibet from Kathmandu, via road transportation or by plane. Most travel agencies have to arrange a car drive to Gyirong port without carrying any tourists to pick you up if you choose to go to Lhasa from Kathmandu via road transportation, so the price is very high, so we suggest you take a plane to Lhasa. It is a much cheaper and faster way.
Nepal is the only country with direct flights to Lhasa, which costs about 300 US dollars. The whole journey is about 600 kilometers, and it takes about an hour and a half, which is pretty short for an international flight. There are two flights per day from Kathmandu to Lhasa, CA408 (12:10-16:00) and 3U8720 (11:30-15:05). The flights schedule may change without noticing any side, so it is suggested to check out the exact schedule with us at least one week in advance.
If you do want to travel to Lhasa from Kathmandu via road transportation, our partner in Nepal will send you to Gyirong, the new port between China and Nepal, and our Tibetan guide will pick you up after you pass customs. Due to the increasing elevation, you should stay at the port for a while to acclimatize yourself to the altitude, and then set off to the east Tibet slowly. Before reaching Lhasa, you’ll visit Tingri, Everest base camp and Shigatse.
There are numerous fascinating attractions along this classic route, such as Mount Everest, magnificent Buddhist monasteries and Lake Yamdrok. In addition, you will have the chance to meet face-to-face with local residents and explore exotic cultures and traditions.
Currently, it takes 4 working days to apply for a group visa for Tibet. That means you’re need to stay in Kathmandu for at least 4 working days. Then you can leave for Lhasa on the fifth day. Please note that you do not need to apply for a China visa if you have applied for the Tibet group visa.
For international tourists, visa applications need to be submitted to the Chinese embassy in Nepal through local operators. Visa fees vary according to your nationalities. It usually ranges from 90 US dollars to 200 US dollars.
Necessary documents include invitation letter, original passport and application form.
It takes about four days from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The following itinerary is for your reference:
If you want more sightseeing, it is recommended to spend one more day in Shigatse. The Karola Glacier and Kumbum Monastery could be included in the one-day tour in Shigatse. The Tashilhunpo Monastery could also be visited on the day you go to Lhasa from Shigatse.
The Tibetan group visa is one type of Chinese visa, but it is different from other types of Chinese visa.
Difference in entry cities: Tibetan group visas are only available for international tourists who enter Tibet from Kathmandu. Other types of visas allow tourists to travel to other places except Tibet. If other visa holders want to travel to Tibet, they need to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit.
Difference in the number of applicants: Tibetan group visas are applicable to more than 5 people and are supposed to apply through local travel agencies (If you don’t have travel partners, we could arrange other tourists to make the number reach 5. They will only share the visa, but will not travel with you); but there are no such restrictions in applying ordinary visas.
Difference in the requirements for entries to China: Visitors with Tibetan group visa are required to enter Tibet and leave China at the same time. there are no such restrictions for ordinary visa holders.
Difference in the requirements for visa extensions: Visas for Tibetan groups cannot be extended. Ordinary Chinese visas are more flexible and can be extended.
Until now, visas for Tibetan groups can only be issued in Kathmandu. The original passport must be submitted to the Chinese embassy in Nepal. Therefore, if you prefer to get to Tibet from Kathmandu, you should leave enough time for the application in Kathmandu.
Some of our customers posted their passports to Kathmandu for applying for the Tibetan group visa. According to their feedback, it took almost one month due to the slow international mail service in Nepal. Some of them even lost their passports. So it is not a good option.
Only local travel agencies in Kathmandu can submit applications for Tibetan group visas. Tourists are not allowed to submit applications as individuals. Asian Odyssey Travel has been operating trips in Tibet for over 10 years and has a long-term relationship with local travel agencies in Nepal. We are confident that we can handle it well for you and provide you with a comfortable journey if you book a trip to Tibet with us.
Just wanted to say I and my partner Jane had a fantastic trip of a lifetime and can’t thank all the team enough! Amy you did a great job! Everything went perfect loved the ancient Hotel and Tibetan people were so so nice to us. Train journey was a pleasure and 2 days past like 2 hours.
Would have loved more days in Tibet.
Thanks for Tibet odyssey. Me and my friend had an unforgettable and amazing 9 days tour in Tibet in June 2019. During those 9days, our tour guide Ms Gao hong were really responsible, helpful and reliable, he arranged all of the schedule and help us to go through every single day smoothly, safely and comfortable, even when we in the highest place where is altitude 5200m, we didn’t feel any afraid and fearful. He explained and shared lots of history, knowledges and culture of Tibet with us, odyssey not only helped us to experience the amazing views but also delivered lots of knowledges to us.
Ms Kay helped us to deal with lots of problems and offered the kindest advice and service. Giving us flexible arrangements and respond our question effectively.
Fully recommend Asia odyssey!!!!
We had a wonderful 8 days trip in Tibet with agency Odyssey travel’s organization and thanks too to our operator Amy’s help from begining to the end. Also, our guide she is an excellent guide, she is passionate and knowledgeable about Tibetan culture and religion, she taught us more than we thought. Thank you again Amy for your patience and all the follow-ups when I had questions even at night local time in China, it was great to have you as my tour operator. I feel very lucky to have accomplished my goal to the Mr. Everest, thanks for making this possible for us : )
Overall, I am very satisfied with the service. Our travel consultant Monica is very responsive and helpful. She responded to our questions promptly and willing to accommodate my request. Tibet tour is very nice and memorable. We got well along with other travel members and became very good friends. The only thing I do mind is the condition of the public toilets, hard to describe, you should see them by yourself.
Firstly, special thanks to our tour guide we met, Mr. 扎西. He was so helpful, knowledgeable, considerate, experienced and professional. He is fluent in English. We had smooth conversation.
Secondly, thanks to our tour Consultant, Amy, for organizing o
Most beautiful place to go! Tour guide very funny and knowledgeable. Tour guide very good on taking picture. Suggest more site seeing and less temple. Suggest to eat hot pot every night. We reach the tallest point of 5248. Make sure not to fall to sleep. Make sure to take high altitude sickness bill and travel sickness bills before going. This trip is not for everyone, but for those whose are health and want to have some advantages. Make sure to bring flu and cold medicine with you since you can get sick very easily during winter. Very cold during the winter and make sure to bring enough cloths. Bring lotions, sun glasses and gloves. Make hot water every night in hotel and put it into the drink bottle to warm your bed. Best if you take the train to go in and plane to get out. But check the weather first, if snowing make sure to take the train. Once snowing, all plane will stop flying. Most beautiful place to go! Tour guide very funny and knowledgeable. Tour guide very good on taking picture. Suggest more site seeing and less temple. Suggest to eat hot pot every night. We reach the tallest point of 5248. Make sure not to fall to sleep. Make sure to take high altitude sickness bill and travel sickness bills before going. This trip is not for everyone, but for those whose are health and want to have some advantages. Make sure to bring flu and cold medicine with you since you can get sick very easily during winter. Very cold during the winter and make sure to bring enough cloths. Bring lotions, sun glasses and gloves. Make hot water every night in hotel and put it into the drink bottle to warm your bed. Best if you take the train to go in and plane to get out. But check the weather first, if snowing make sure to take the train. Once snowing, all plane will stop flying.
