Foreign travelers can travel from Nepal to Tibet besides travel from mainland China to Tibet. There are two ways to travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa, either by flight or by overland via Gyirong Port along the Friendship Highway. Tibet Travel Expert service, a local Lhasa travel agency, shares travel information about how to Travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Travel Overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Gyirong Port
The total length of the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway is 943km, and about 829km are in Tibet. The Tibet section is well-paved while no so much in Nepal section. The general route to travel overland from Kathmandu to Tibet is: Kathmandu → Gyirong → EBC → Shigatse → Gyantse → Lhasa, and stay about 2 or 3 nights in Lhasa city to visit some famous cultural heritages and monasteries. Afterwards, you can return to Kathmandu or further your travel to mainland China.
Travel by Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa
The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is the only international flight in Tibet. The nonstop flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa almost available daily, either by Air China or Sichuan Airlines, for about 1.5 hours. Usually it departs from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport in the morning and arrives in Lhasa Gongga Airport in the afternoon. There is amazing view of Himalaya ranges during the plane ride from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Required Document to Travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa
To travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa, either by overland or by flight, two documents are needed: Chinese Group Visa and Tibet Travel Permit.
1. Chinese Group Visa
To enter from Kathmandu to Lhasa, travelers need a special visa called Chinese Group Visa done in Kathmandu. Any other regular Chinese visa is of no use here. The process takes 3 full working days after your arrival in Kathmandu with your original passports.
2. Tibet Travel Permit
Same as travel from mainland China, Tibet Travel Permit is also needed when travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Local travel agencies, like Tibet Travel Expert service, apply and obtain Tibet Travel Permit for you based on your itinerary in Tibet. Local Tibetan guide needs to bring the original Tibet Travel Permit to pick you up either at Gyirong Port or Lhasa Airport, before you can start your tour in Tibet.
Tips about Traveling from Kathmandu to Lhasa
*The time difference between Kathmandu and Tibet is 2 hours 15 minutes. The time shows on flight schedule is based on local time.
*The altitude difference between Kathmandu and Tibet is around 2250 meters. Upon your arrival at Lhasa, please rest to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude of Tibet.
For more inside tips about how to Travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa, please feel free to contact Lhasa-based local tour operator, Tibet Travel Expert. Travellers are also welcome to contact us via email at inquiry@tibettravelexpert.com, to find out more about Tibet travel tips about Tibet tours.
