How to Travel from Nepal to Tibet: The Ultimate Guide in 2024

Tibet, a top Southeast Asian destination, boasts a high-altitude plateau with stunning landscapes, including snow-clad mountains, holy lakes, and ancient Buddhist sites. Close to Nepal, a popular destination for trekkers and nature enthusiasts, Tibet can be seamlessly accessed from Kathmandu, making it an ideal starting point for international travelers.

Where are Nepal and Tibet? How Far is it from Kathmandu to Lhasa?

As neighboring regions in the Himalayas, Nepal, and Tibet share a long border that stretches approximately 1,414 km along the southern edge of Tibet and the northern border of Nepal. The Tibet Autonomous Region of China is located in the southwestern part of the country, on the high-elevation Tibetan Plateau. Nepal, a landlocked country, shares a border with China to the north and India to the south.

The straight line distance between Kathmandu and Lhasa is around 600km, but the actual distance of the journey varies depending on how you travel. Overland, along the Friendship Highway linking the two regions, is the most common way. The route is around 1,000 km long and navigates through mountainous terrain and high-altitude passes.

Nepal to Tibet by Overland: the Most Popular Way across Tibetan Plateau

Nepal to Tibet Overland via Gyirong

Overland travel into Tibet from Nepal is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to get to Tibet. Instead of flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu, you travel overland through Gyirong Port, the Chinese border checkpoint between China and Nepal. Getting there is relatively easy and is a six-hour drive from the Nepali capital, though you may want to stop along the way and start again from closer to the border in the morning, as the border closes at 3 pm Nepali time.

The border crossing of Gyirong Port has reopened since August 2017, after an earthquake in 2015 closed all border crossings from Nepal to Tibet. Now a major international border crossing, with Rasuwa Gadhi being the checkpoint on the Nepali side, thousands of people and vehicles with goods pass through this overland port every day.

Classic Itinerary: Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland via Mount Everest

An 8-day Kathmandu to Lhasa adventure that takes you across the massive Himalayas, this classic tour is one of the most popular tours of Tibet and is a great way to travel across the plateau from Nepal. Crossing the border at Gyirong Port, you will stop to acclimatize at Gyirong Town before taking the long drive to Mount Everest Base Camp, at 5,200 meters above sea level. The base camp lies a short distance from the remote Rongbuk Monastery, renowned as the highest Buddhist monastery in the world.

From there, you will double back to the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway and travel east through Shigatse, the second city of Tibet, and Gyantse to reach Lhasa. Known as the City of Sunshine because of the huge number of sunny days throughout the year, Lhasa is the religious and cultural heart of Tibet and is the location of the most sacred temple in Tibet, the 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple. An outstanding city with a host of popular attractions, it is also the location of the Potala Palace, the stunning Red and White palace that was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas.

Nepal to Tibet by Flight: the Most Time-saving Way across the Himalayas

There is one direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa each week at present. The flight to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu takes around 90 minutes to cross the 607 kilometers across the plateau and pass directly over the summit of Mount Everest along the route.

While it is the fastest way to get to Lhasa from Nepal, the flight is not cheap, and a one-way economy flight can cost as much as 334 US dollars per person. The flight is offered by Himalaya Airlines and departs every Monday at 7:25 am. For many people traveling to Tibet from international locations outside Asia, Nepal is a popular stopover before traveling to Tibet by flight.

We recommend the 7-day Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour to get the best of both ways of traveling. After arriving by flight, you’ll spend a few days in Lhasa exploring the city's famous cultural attractions before following the route back to Kathmandu while exploring Tibet overland.

In Lhasa, you’ll visit places like Potala Palace and Sera Monastery and then set out for Shigatse. On the way there, you’ll stop at the holy Yamdrok Lake, have lunch with a local family, and pass over Simila Mountain Pass. The next day, it’s on to Everest Base Camp to spend the night under the stars with the iconic mountain. Finally, you’ll descend to the beautiful Gyirong Valley before crossing the border back into Nepal.

Nepal to Tibet by Cycling: the Challenging Route for Adventurous Tourists

Tourists looking for a challenging adventure with an intimate experience of the region’s natural beauty can cycle from Kathmandu all the way to Lhasa. The whole tour covers over 1,000 km and takes between 13 and 20 days to complete.

Cycling along the Friendship Highway is an amazing experience. The landscape is filled with majestic scenery of sweeping grasslands, pristine alpine lakes, and soaring mountains. You will be able to feel nature’s rhythm as you cycle through and stop along the way to visit monasteries or eat at small villages. It is bound to be the highlight in any cycling enthusiast’s life.

It is not a trip to be taken lightly hover. With an average altitude of 4,450 meters and some big ascents, a good fitness level is required. Altitude sickness is a significant risk, and weather conditions can become harsh at any time of year. Safety is essential at all times, a mechanical failure on your bike can cause injury. It can also be difficult to resupply on the way. As the leading local Tibet tour operator, we offer expert cycling leader and the professional support, to guarantee you a comfortable cycling journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Nepal to Tibet by Train: A Forthcoming Experience to Expect

The planned railway between China and Nepal isn’t open yet, but it is moving forward, so it will be an option in the future. In 2014, the railway connecting Lhasa and Shigatse opened, immediately making transportation between these cities more convenient. That railway line will be extended by 628 km to reach Kathmandu via Gyirong. The Shigatse-Gyirong section is expected to start construction in 2025.

The railway will mostly follow the highway route from Shigatse to Nyalam, then Nyalam to Gyirong. When it is finished, tourists can enjoy high-speed rail travel through a larger part of the beautiful Tibetan Plateau.

What Documents are Required to Enter Tibet from Nepal?

For you to enter Tibet from Nepal, several documents are required before being allowed across the border. This applies to both overland travel and travel by plane, and it is not possible to enter Tibet from Nepal without all of the documents already in your possession.

Chinese Group Visa and Tibet Travel Permit: Essential Documents

The first thing you will need is the Tibet Travel Permit, which is required for entry into Tibet and travel around the region of Lhasa. We obtain this by using a scanned copy of your passport before your trip. Processing usually takes up to 15-20 days, so it is advisable to book well in advance to ensure that your permit is ready for your departure date.

You will also need to have a Chinese Group Visa, which is a special visa only available to those entering Tibet from Nepal. This is not applied for in person or in advance but is done on your behalf by your travel agency when you arrive in Kathmandu for your trip to Tibet. Once you arrive, we will get your passport and make the application at the Chinese Embassy, which does not permit personal applications. Processing is usually three working days, so you should be in Nepal at least five days before you are due to enter Tibet.

More Documents for Tibet Discovery

There are also other permits that you will need for travel into and around Tibet, and they are required for travel in certain places on the plateau.

The first is the Alien’s Travel Permit, which is required for travel to Tibet's “unopened” areas outside Lhasa like Mount Everest region. This is normally obtained once you reach Lhasa when traveling from mainland China, but for those traveling from Nepal, we will apply for and receive the permit in advance of your trip on your behalf.

Besides, you will also need the Military Permit. This is required for travel to certain military-restricted areas of Tibet, such as Ngari and Nyingchi, and is only needed for entry from Nepal to Tibet if your trip takes you to Mount Kailash in Ngari Prefecture. We will also help you to obtain it in advance.

Conclusion

Traveling from Nepal to Tibet, whether by flight or overland, is now the most efficient way to get to the plateau region and is becoming more popular with international tourists due to the convenience and ease of access. Our travel agency will handle all your paperwork. Once you book your tour, all you have to do is show up and enjoy your awesome Roof of the World tour.