2018/08/24 Tibet Travel Alert: Nepal-Tibet border landslide and road blockage
Tibet Travel Alert

 

 

 

Tibet Travel Alert! Due to incremental weather in the Himalayan ranges during the monsoon season, several landslides have taken place in the past week on the only pass way connecting Nepal and Tibet. The most severe damage has appeared in close proximity to the Nepal-Tibet border. Many travelers have to arrange temporary stay in the near by Syabrubesi town on the Nepalese side, and Gyirong town on the Tibetan side. Many local efforts are being made to get the road condition back to normal, but the current situation has already affected and delayed a great number of travelers. We advise that travelers currently in this area wait patiently for updates on the improvement of condition. Other travelers planning for an overland trip between Nepal and Tibet in the near future should consider delaying the trip or making extra preparations.

A Brief History of Lhasa to Kathmandu overland road

The route between Lhasa, Tibet and Kathmandu, Nepal has been a popular choice among adventurous travelers. By traveling this way, you can visit both sides of the Himalayas on one single trip. However, the road condition has always been poor in general and is subject to constant threat from natural disasters. The major earthquake in Nepal in 2015 famously led to the permanent closure of this route. A new road was opened in 2017, which moves the border checkpoint from Nylam to Gyirong. The change brings the possibility of traveling between Nepal and Tibet overland back into reality. However, it doesn’t make the road less vulnerable to potential future risks. Last week, four landslides have unfortunately happened near the border of Nepal and Tibet, which immediately created a great deal of uncertainty and danger to every traveler present in the region.

What to do when the road condition between Lhasa and Kathmandu is poor

As a local Tibetan travel agency of more than a decade’s experience in operating tours between Nepal and Tibet, we want to give the best advice to our guests. It is important to choose the best time of the year to do the overland trip. The monsoon season in Nepal and its nearby Himalayan ranges is July and August. The road condition will be very poor during this time period. If your vacation time is flexible, you should choose another time period to do this trip. If not, you are also better off choosing another itinerary or travel method during this extreme time period, for example, visit Tibet in May or September. When a natural accident happens after you begin your trip, there are measures you can take as well. For example, direct flights connect Kathmandu and Lhasa daily, which can always serves as your backup plan. For more information regarding traveling in Tibet and Nepal, please email us anytime at inquiry@tibettravelexpert.com.

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