Yes, as Indian tourists, you can absolutely visit Tibet. The only requirements are to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit and join a tour group. Also, for those visiting Mount Kailash, you need to book your trip through the Pilgrim Center, instead of a regular travel agency.

But this doesn’t make planning your Tibet tour difficult. In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how Indians can visit Tibet in different situations, from ordinary tourists to pilgrims and those with a third-party passport. You will also learn the best ways to travel to Tibet from India and more insider tips for a smooth journey.

Can Indians Visit Tibet? Yes, But Certain Permits and a Tour are Required

Like other international tourists, Indians are allowed to visit Tibet. But there are certain requirements.

First, individual travel in Tibet is not permitted for foreign tourists. Therefore, as an Indian tourist, you need to join an organized tour group when traveling to Tibet. When touring Tibet, you should be accompanied by a local travel guide, which is arranged by your tour operator.

Secondly, you need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit. The Tibet Travel Permit is required for all international tourists and should be obtained before you enter Tibet. Individual application for the Tibet Travel Permit is not allowed, so you need to contact a trustworthy local Tibetan travel agency to handle the permit on your behalf.

In addition, more travel documents like Aliens’ Travel Permit and Military Permit will also be required if you want to travel beyond Lhasa, such as the EBC.

Join our most popular Kailash Manasarovar tour for a smooth experience!

How Can Indians Visit Tibet as Ordinary Tourists (Excluding Mount Kailash)?

For Indian tourists, if you plan to visit Tibet for places like Lhasa, Shigatse and Everest Base Camp, without heading to the Ngari region for Mount Kailash pilgrimage, then you can enjoy your trip just like other foreign travelers do.

First, you need to contact a reliable local travel agency like us, and book your Tibet tour with us. You can choose to join a small group tour or a private tour, according to your travel preference and budget. At the same time you will need to determine the travel time, the places to visit, etc.

Then, you need to email us copies of your passport and Chinese Visa, which are used to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months. Normally it takes 8 to 9 working days to process the application for the Tibet Travel Permit.

After we get the issued permit, we will immediately deliver it to your address in mainland China. With the permit, you can then go to board the flight or train to Tibet. In some emergent cases, we will hand the permit to you in person at the railway station or airport.

If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, we will also help you to get your Tibet Travel Permit and Chines Group Visa (if you prefer this option over a regular Chinese Visa) in advance. And then you can take a flight or travel overland from Kathmandu to Tibet.

One thing to note is that it is recommended to start the application of the Tibet permit at least 20 days before you leave for Tibet.

How Can Indians Visit Tibet as Pilgrims for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra?

If you are going to visit Ngari for a Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar pilgrimage tour, you cannot take your trip in the ordinary way as mentioned above.

You can only contact the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR or the Tibet-India pilgrim Reception Center (Pilgrim Center for short) to handle your Tibet tour. The Foreign Affairs Office of TAR is a governmental organization, while the latter is non-governmental. Any other travel agencies are not allowed to receive Indians visiting Ngari.

Besides, you can book your Mount Kailash tour through a Nepal travel agency or an Indian travel agency which are authorized partners with the Foreign Affairs Office and Pilgrim Center.

How Can Indians Visit Mount Kailash with a Tibet Travel Agency Like Us?

As we mentioned above, Indian travelers visiting Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar cannot contact a regular travel agency. Only two organizations (the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR and Pilgrim Center) can handle the tour for Indian travelers to visit Ngari in Tibet.

However, if you are an Indian living outside of India and hold citizenship or a passport from another country, such as the United States or Australia, then you can book your Mount Kailash tour with us directly.

As the leading Tibet tour operator with years of experiences, we can help you to enjoy a smooth trip to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. We offer one-stop services from Tibet Travel Permits to accommodation, from local Tibetan guides to comfortable vehicle. Feel free to contact us and tell us your travel ideas!

Join us for a smooth and hassle-free Kailash journey in Tibet!

How to Get to Tibet from India? Enter Via Nepal or Mainland China

It is becoming more and more convenient to get to Tibet from India nowadays. Although there are no direct flights, you can choose to travel either via Nepal or Mainland China. Each way has its pros and cons.

India to Tibet via Nepal

Bordering both India and China, Nepal is always the first choice for many Indian tourists on the way to Tibet. It is convenient to travel from India to Tibet via Nepal.

First, you can take a flight from India to Nepal. The most time-saving and cost-effective flight is the one from Delhi to Kathmandu, which departs several times every day and only takes about 2 hours. If you leave from other cities in India, like Kolkata, Varanasi, Bangalore, and Mumbai, you can also take a flight to Kathmandu.

Then from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you have two options. One is to travel overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Gyirong. It is popular among tourists who want to enjoy the world-class overland journey across the Himalayan mountains.

The other option is to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa only takes around 1.5 hours, and offers chances to view the Himalayan peak view. This way, you can reserve more time to explore the plateau.

India to Tibet via Mainland China

If you prefer to enter Tibet from mainland China, then you can first take a flight to the major cities in China from India.

It is recommended to fly to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, or Guangzhou, as these cities receive more direct and convenient flights from Delhi of India. And the flight time can take about 11 to over 20 hours, depending on the layovers.

Then you can choose to board the Tibet train or take a flight to Lhasa from these cities in mainland China. From Beijing to Lhasa, the flight takes about 4 hours, while the train takes about 40 hours. From Shanghai, the flight takes about 8 hours, and the train takes normally 44.5 hours.

If you choose the flight, it is recommended to take the flight from Chengdu to Lhasa. Departing over 20 times per day, the flight from Chengdu to Lhasa takes only about 2 hours, being much more convenient than other routes.

More Insider Tips for Indians Visiting Tibet

1. Plan your Tibet tour early. It can take time to get the Tibet Travel Permit approved, especially if you are traveling during the peak season from April to October. Begin the permit application process at least 20 days before your tour.

2. Pay attention to altitude sickness. Tibet’s high altitude (average 4000 meters) means you need to acclimate properly. Take it slow, stay hydrated, eat lightly, and avoid strenuous activities, especially during the first few days.

3. Choose the best time to visit Tibet. If you plan to visit Everest Base Camp or go for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, the best months are April to June and September to October. If you want to experience Tibetan festivals, like the Saga Dawa Festival, the perfect time is May or August.

4. Follow a popular Tibet tour route. Choose the 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour if you are interested in the Himalayan mountain views, the 15-day Lhasa to Kailash and Manasarovar tour for a pilgrimage trip, or the 7-day Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour for a world-class road trip across the Tibetan Plateau.

We are dedicated to offering you a safe and enjoyable Mount Kailash tour!

Conclusion

Indians are allowed to travel to Tibet, as long as you obtain the Tibet Travel Permit and join a tour group. For those who want to visit Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, you will need to contact the specified organizations for your tour arrangement. In either case, we are glad to help you to enjoy a wonderful trip in Tibet. If you still have any questions about the Tibet tour, please contact us for inquiries.