Tibet Tours from India: Permits, Routes & Kailash (2026)

Planning a trip to Tibet from India means thinking about two things at once: getting to the Tibetan plateau, and arranging the documents that make entry possible. The route is not direct, and the paperwork has a fixed sequence, so a little advance planning goes a long way. The Tibet Reserve handles the Tibet side of the trip, including your permit and a fully guided itinerary.

How to Get to Tibet from India

There are no direct flights between India and Lhasa. Almost everyone connects either through Kathmandu or through a mainland Chinese city, then changes to a flight into Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA). The Kathmandu route is popular because Delhi–Kathmandu flights are short and frequent, while Chengdu offers by far the most onward flights to Lhasa.

Route	Typical connection	Notes
Delhi/Mumbai → Chengdu → Lhasa	Chengdu (CTU)	Chengdu has the most daily Lhasa flights; reliable year-round
Delhi → Kathmandu → Lhasa	Kathmandu (KTM)	Short hop to Kathmandu, then a direct flight to Lhasa on select days
Mainland hub → Xining → Lhasa by train	Xining (XNN)	Scenic Qinghai–Tibet Railway; aids gradual acclimatization

Flying via Chengdu is usually the most dependable option. The Kathmandu route is convenient and is also the classic gateway for overland journeys and Mount Kailash pilgrimages, where logistics differ from a standard fly-in tour. We can advise on the best option once we know your start city and dates.

China Visa & Tibet Travel Permit

Foreign travelers need a Chinese tourist visa first, and then a Tibet Travel Permit plus an organized, guided tour. Independent travel in Tibet is not permitted. We arrange the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf once you have booked a tour; we will need clear scans of your passport and China visa roughly 15–20 days before your start date.

Important note for Indian passport holders: the permit process for Indian nationals differs from that for many other nationalities and can be more restricted. We do not want to overstate or understate what is possible, because the rules can change. Please contact us at /contact so we can confirm current eligibility for your passport before you book flights.

Mount Kailash is one of the most meaningful destinations in Tibet for Indian pilgrims, and we understand how much the journey can mean. We can discuss honest, up-to-date Kailash logistics with you directly — route, timing, and documentation — through /contact, rather than promising specifics here that may not apply to your situation.

Recommended Tibet Tours

If this is your first visit, a Lhasa-focused itinerary is a comfortable introduction to the altitude and the culture. From there, many travelers add Everest Base Camp or a longer pilgrimage route.

• Lhasa Essential Tour (4 days): the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the great monasteries, at a pace that helps you acclimatize.
• Everest Base Camp Tour (8 days): Lhasa highlights followed by the drive to the north-side Everest Base Camp.
• Everest & Kailash Pilgrimage Tour (15 days): a comprehensive route combining Everest with the Kailash region for those seeking the full pilgrimage.

You can compare all itineraries at /tibet-tours.

Practical Tips

• Start with the visa. Secure your China tourist visa before we apply for your Tibet Travel Permit; the permit depends on it.
• Build in buffer time. Send passport and visa scans at least 15–20 days ahead so the permit is ready before you travel.
• Acclimatize gradually. Lhasa sits at about 3,650 m. Take the first day or two slowly, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol on arrival.
• Pack for range. Days can be warm and nights cold, especially at higher elevations toward Everest or Kailash.
• Confirm eligibility early. Because Indian passport rules differ, reach out via /contact before committing to flights. See also our /tibet-travel-permit overview and /tibet-travel-guide/how-to-get-to-tibet.