Tibet Tours from Kathmandu: Flights, Overland & Packages (2026)

Kathmandu is the classic gateway to Tibet from outside China, and entering from Nepal is different in one important way. Travelers who come via Nepal do not use a regular Chinese visa — they enter on a Group Tourist Visa issued in Kathmandu through your tour operator, in addition to the Tibet Travel Permit. The reward is one of the great Himalayan border crossings or a short, jaw-dropping mountain flight.

How to Get to Tibet from Kathmandu

The fastest way is the direct flight from Kathmandu (KTM) to Lhasa Gonggar (LXA), operated by Sichuan Airlines roughly every other day. The flight is only about 1 hour 25 minutes, and on a clear day it offers astonishing views of the Himalaya, including Everest.

The alternative is the overland route via the Gyirong (Kerung) border. You drive about 175 km from Kathmandu to the frontier (5–6 hours), cross into Tibet, and continue some 820 km up to Lhasa over several days. It is a long, high, scenic journey that climbs steadily onto the plateau — ideal if you want to travel slowly and acclimatize, and usually combined with Everest Base Camp, Shigatse and Yamdrok Lake along the Friendship Highway.

Route	Mode	Typical duration	Notes
Kathmandu → Lhasa	Flight (Sichuan Airlines)	~1h25	Every other day; Himalayan views
Kathmandu → Gyirong → Lhasa	Overland (private vehicle)	~8 days total	~1,100 km; gradual acclimatization; EBC en route

For more on entering from Nepal, see how to get to Tibet.

Tibet Travel Permit from Kathmandu

Entering Tibet from Nepal works differently from entering within China. You still need the Tibet Travel Permit and you must be on an organized, guided tour — independent travel is not allowed. But instead of a standard Chinese visa, you travel on a Group Tourist Visa arranged in Kathmandu. Because of this, your trip must be booked through a tour operator on the Tibet side, who coordinates the visa and permit together.

Send us clear scans of your passport early so we can prepare the paperwork and arrange a licensed Tibetan guide and vehicle. The Group Visa is processed in Kathmandu shortly before departure, and your guide meets you for the crossing or on arrival in Lhasa. Allow roughly 15–20 days of lead time, and note that if you already hold a regular Chinese visa, it is generally not valid for entry via Nepal. Details are on our Tibet Travel Permit page.

Recommended Tibet Tours from Kathmandu

Nepal-side travelers are often heading for the mountains, which makes the overland routes especially popular. The Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour (8 days) and the reverse direction take in Everest views and the high passes. Pilgrims and serious adventurers consider the Everest & Kailash pilgrimage tour (15 days). For a city-focused trip, fly in for the Lhasa Essential Tour (4 days). See our Tibet tours page for everything.

Practical Tips

• Plan your visa through your operator. Entry from Nepal requires the Group Tourist Visa, not a regular Chinese visa.
• A prior Chinese visa may not help. If you enter via Nepal, you typically travel on the Group Visa instead.
• The overland route aids acclimatization. Driving up gives your body time to adjust to the altitude.
• Flights are weather-dependent. Himalayan conditions can affect the Kathmandu–Lhasa schedule, so allow buffer days.
• Pack for big temperature swings. From Kathmandu's warmth to high passes, conditions change fast.