Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour

5.0

Planning to travel from Kathmandu to ancient Tibetan towns, all the way to Lhasa? Join us on this unique adventure along the route, where history and spirituality blend into a journey of discovery and unforgettable experiences.

At a Glance
Location

Lhasa, Tibet

Duration

8 Days

Activities

Cultural

Accommodation

Hotel/Lodge

Meals

Breakfast

Group size

Min 4 Pax.

Best time

May, June, and September, and beginning October

Max. Altitude

5050m.

Take an unforgettable journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Traveling to Tibet by road is an extremely immersive experience, providing an excellent opportunity to connect with the local Tibetan people and their culture. The journey begins in the lush green hills of Nepal and takes you across the border into Tibet, climbing over the Himalayas to reach the Tibetan plateau. Along the way, you’ll be treated with landscapes of vast open spaces and infinite skies, with snow-capped peaks lining the southern horizon.

The road trip includes visits to the historic cities of Gyantse and Shigatse, as well as the capital, Lhasa. Each city offers a peek into the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. In Gyantse, you can explore the iconic Kumbum stupa and Phalkor Monastery. Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, is home to the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.

The journey continues to Lhasa, where you will visit the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, the Jokhang Temple. The monasteries in these cities still welcome crowds of pilgrims from all regions of Tibet. Every evening in Jokhang Square, the air is filled with the sounds of Buddhist mantras and the haunting call of conch shells, creating a mesmerizing and deeply spiritual atmosphere.

Major Highlights

  • Traverse the beautiful high-altitude road from the border to Lhasa.
  • Visit to the historic cities of Shigatse and Gyantse.
  • Explore the iconic Potala Palace and learn its history.
  • Find the monastic treasures of Drepung and Sera Monastery.
  • Experience the Jokhang, the most sacred sanctuary for Tibetan Buddhists.
  • Enjoy evenings around the Barkhor with dedicated pilgrims.
  • A view of the Tashilumpo Monastery, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Everest, and Mt. Shisha Pangma

Necessary Documents for traveling from Nepal to Tibet

For travelers journeying from Nepal to Tibet, several essential documents are required. Here is a list of all the necessary documents:

Valid Passport: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity (typically 6 months or more from your travel date) and enough blank pages for any necessary stamps.

Tibet Travel Permit (TTP): Also known as a Tibet visa, this document specifically allows entry into Tibet. It is mandatory for all foreign travelers visiting Tibet. You must apply at least 21 days in advance through a registered travel agency with a confirmed Tibet tour booking.

Chinese Group Visa: Unlike a standard Chinese visa, this special group visa is required for travelers entering Tibet from Nepal. It is issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. The visa requires a valid passport, a photo of the group visa, completed application forms, and a fee paid in cash.

Itinerary

Start your journey early in the morning from Kathmandu, taking a 4×4 drive. The road will quickly turn into a rough track as you cross the Rasuwagadhi Nepal-China border into Tibet. Once you arrive, you will stay overnight in Kerung (Kyirong in Chinese). The journey will take 8-9 hours, covering a distance of 175 kilometers.

After having breakfast in Kerung, we continue our journey into the Himalayas towards Tingri. This road trip offers breathtaking views of the north face of Mount Everest. We spend the night in Tingri after traveling 140 kilometers.

Continuing our road adventure, we leave Tingri and traverse 300 kilometers towards Shigatse. Upon reaching Shigatse, you will have the opportunity to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is the seat of the Panchen Lama. After a day of exploration, return to a hotel in Shigatse for the night.

Start your morning by visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery and the colorful Shigatse market. Shigatse is a haven for traditional Tibetan handicrafts like Tibet Lhatse knives, Tibetan shoes, incense, Thangka paintings, Gyantse carpets, and medicine, perfect for souvenirs. Later, departure for Gyantse, 2 hours of travel. Take time to visit the Kumbum stupa and the Phalkor Monastery. We stay overnight at the hotel. The travel distance for the day is 90 kilometers.

During our journey to Lhasa, we pass through some of Tibet’s most scenic landscapes. Along the way, you will see turquoise Yamdrok, a freshwater lake, and make your way up the high-altitude Karola Pass (5010m) and Kamba La Pass (4794m). Here, witness yak herders and their animals dotting the landscape. Once arrive in Lhasa, the cultural heart of Tibet, settle into the hotel for a well-deserved rest. The journey covers a distance of 259 kilometers from Gyantse to Lhasa.

Today, we will be exploring Lhasa. Our first stop will be the iconic Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former residence of the Dalai Lama. The palace has never suffered severe damage. Inside the palace, there are two chapels: Phakpa Lhakhang and Chogyel Drupukthe. The most sacred place in the Potala is the Phakpa Lhakhang chapel, which dates back to the 7th century and houses the statue of Avalokitesvara.

After that, we drive to Sera Monastery, located 5 km from Lhasa. Sera is one of the six great Gelugpa monasteries and was founded in 1419 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa. It is a true monastic city, including the Great Assembly Hall, three tratsang (specialized study colleges), and thirty Khangtsen (residences reserved for monks from different regions).

Next, we head to Barkhor, a commercial center and the busiest street in Lhasa. Around Barkhor, you can see dozens of pilgrims, including old women with wrinkled smiles, young Tibetan women in colorful blouses, and nomads from the high plateaus, prostrate themselves 108 times before the most sacred place in Tibet.

This is our second day exploring the Lhasa. Our day begins with a visit to Drepung Monastery, one of the largest monastic universities in Tibet. Drepung Monastery is situated 8 km west of Lhasa, perched on a cliff. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Chöje, the principal disciple of Tsongkhapa. In the 16th century, it became the center of political power in Tibet. Drepung is the monastery that suffered the least from the Cultural Revolution, retaining a large number of its artworks.

After returning to Lhasa, the next stop is Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s summer palace. Then, head to Barkhor and visit the Jokhang. Songtsen Gampo built the temple in the 7th century. The holiest part is a chapel dedicated to Jowo Sakyamuni. Pilgrims form lines to touch the sacred representation with their foreheads.

Our journey concludes with a memorable flight from Lhasa’s Gonggar Airport back to Kathmandu. The flight lasts 1 hour and 10 minutes. During the journey, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Yamdrok Lake, and the towering peaks of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Mt. Everest, providing a proper farewell to our adventure through the Himalayas.

Cost Includes
  • Tibetan permit
  • English-speaking guide
  • Monastery entrance fees
  • Standard hotel in a twin room with breakfast
  • Transportation in a van or private bus depending on the group size
  • Breakfasts
Cost Excludes
  • Round-trip flight Lhasa/KTM
  • Meals: lunches and dinners
  • Chinese and Nepali visa
  • Personal expenses tips and drinks
  • Personal insurance covering mountain rescue costs
  • Nights and meals in KTM ( on demand)
Book your spot

Starting from

$1,203

If 6 travelers (flight not included)

Instant Booking

Secure Payments

No Hidden Costs

Trip Difficulty

Easy

5.0

Glacier Safari Treks Nepal

Tripadvisor Traveler Rating

Recent Traveler Reviews

star rating  Excellent voyage et découverte du Népal - Que du bonheur ce tour du Manaslu en 15 Jours. Apres un tour du Solou fait l'année dernière, c'était notre 2eme voyage avec GST au Népal. Circuit adapté à nos... read more

avatar thumb Arnaud B
November 14, 2023
Richmonda
Richmonda

Jul 01, 2024

Fantastic Trek- Annapurna Circuit Trek

My Annapurna Circuit trek with GST was amazing. Our guide knew a lot about the local culture and terrain. We trekked through beautiful rhododendron forests, and under clear blue skies.

Arnaud B
Arnaud B

Jun 06, 2024

Manaslu Trek - Incredible Journey

Wonderful Manaslu trek experience. The local people were welcoming, and our guide made the trek safe and enjoyable. Thank you, GST, for this incredible journey.

Harry Kc
Harry Kc

Jun 06, 2024

Excellent trek

I have used GST services multiple times over the past five years, in Kathmandu and Tibet. They are a highly reputable agency, and I highly recommend their services.

Christina Perri

Jun 06, 2024

Langtang Valley trek- Unforgettable experience

GST made our Langtang Valley trek unforgettable. Beautiful scenery, great guides, and perfect organization.

Alexander White

Jan 05, 2024

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking

The 15-day Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek was well-organized with a friendly guide. It offers challenges, breathtaking views, and diverse scenery. We highly suggest GST for anyone looking to discover Nepal’s beauty.

FAQs

There are two ways to travel from Nepal to Tibet. You can either take a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, which offers a quick and convenient option. Alternatively, you can drive from Kathmandu to Lhasa, passing through cities like Kerung, Shigatse, and Gyantse along the way.

The best time to visit Tibet from Nepal is spring (May, June) and Autumn (September and October). These seasons offer mild weather, clear skies, and amazing views of Mt. Everest and other peaks. In spring, the landscape is desolately beautiful with remaining snow, while autumn shows lush greenery. Avoid the summer monsoon season (June to August) for both destinations because natural disasters like landslides may occur in hilly areas.

Some main highlights include a visit to the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the cities of Gyantse and Shigatse, and the Drepung and Sera monasteries. You will also have the opportunity to see Mount Everest and other nearby Himalayan peaks.

Yes, the tour includes visits to monasteries and markets where you can interact with local Tibetans, learn about their culture, and observe traditional practices.

No, you cannot visit Lhasa without a guide. According to Tibetan regulations, all foreign tourists must be accompanied by a licensed local guide throughout their visit to Lhasa and other parts of Tibet. Even if you stay in Lhasa or spend time shopping, you still need a guide. Solo travel without a guide isn't allowed. Joining a group tour or arranging a private tour through a licensed agency is the best way to explore Tibet within these rules.