How to Get from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Driving from Lhasa to Kathmandu directly needs about two days, kind of tedious and exhausting, and seldom done by people. Most travelers would like to spend time on visiting wonder destinations along the driving. Such as, get to Gyantse and Shigatse to see the holy Buddhist monasteries and nice nature there. A detour to Mount Everest with extra two days is another recommendation. Even you can go to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Ngari. In the end, you will reach Gyirong Port and cross the border to enter Nepal. To transfer from Gyirong Port to Kathmandu, it takes about 8 hours and even longer during peak season. Road conditions is not as good as in Tibet.

Budget Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Group Tour:

√ 7 Days Join-in Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour

This trip takes you visit three top destinations in Tibet with major landmarks.

Day 1~3 Arrival & Lhasa Tour

In the first three days, it is helpful to stay in Lhasa to get amazed by the incredible wonders in this Holy Land, like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera Monastery etc. and acclimatize your body to the high altitude at the same time.

Day 4~5 Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse

Drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via emerald Yamdrok Lake and impressive Karola Glacier. Make a short stopover in historical city - Gyantse. Palcho Monastery with featured Kumbum stupa is worth a visit. Tashihunpo Monastery (the residence of Panchen Lama) is a must-see in Shigatse.

Day 6~7 Tingri- Gyirong - Kathmandu

Drive all the way from Tingri, Shigatse to Gyirong Town, peaceful nature leads you to the “backyard of the Himalayas”. Stay overnight in the small border town. In the last day, you will be escorted to Kathmandu for your Nepal tour.

√ 7 Days Overland Tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu

It’s rather bold and reward visiting the world’s highest peak - Mount Everest during your Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour. If you have more time and physical condition allows, we suggest you a Everest tour. That must be a once-in-a-lifetime trip you will never forget. When weather is good, you may view part of the true face of Mount Everest and be shocked by the majestic snow-covered mountains and its surroundings, when watching from Rongbuk Monastery - the highest temple near EBC. Generally, you need at least 8 days for a Lhasa to Kathmandu overland your with Everest included.

√ 8 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour via Mount Everest

【More Flexible Itinerary: Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour with Kailash/More Destinations】

Honestly, Tibet is full of sacred spots to purify your eyes and soul. The holy lake Namsto nearby Lhasa is another natural highlight. If you are interested in cultural treasures of Tibet, Tsetang and Shannan are good places to go. If you want to have an in-depth discovery, contact us to customize your Lhasa Kathmandu tour.

More Lhasa to Kathmandu Tours:

√ 9 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour with Namtso & Everest

√ 13 Days Tibet to Nepal Overland Tour via Tibet Holy Mountain Everest & Kailash

There is no available train between Lhasa and Kathmandu at present, but traveling from Lhasa to Kathmandu by train will come true in the future. The Investigation Report of Feasibility of China Nepal Railway and the Belt and Road China and Nepal Co-building pointed out the urgency of its construction. It is also reported that the China-Nepal Railway (also called Lhasa-Kathmandu Railway) is an extensive rail of Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and it mainly includes two sections - Lhasa-Gyirong Railway and Gyirong-Kathmandu Railway.

The world-famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway (connecting Xining in Qinghai Province and Lhasa in Tibet) has been further extended from Lhasa to Shigatse. (The train from Lhasa to Shigatse takes only 3 hours, while the driving via Yamdrok Lake needs more than half a day.) It’s believed that, after the accomplishment of Lhasa Kathmandu Railway, it will be more convenient and simple to transfer from Tibet to Nepal.

Needless to say, going on a cross-border cycling from Lhasa to Kathmandu refreshes any of your record before. It will be a surprisingly unforgettable experience ever. Tibet and Nepal are both paradise filled with superb scenery, particularly, the perfect landscape of the Himalayan Ranges along the highway. So outdoor sports enthusiasts love to challenge themselves and choose this popular biking route on high-elevated region.

The whole Lhasa to Kathmandu cycling journey takes about 15 days. It is a visual treasure but also demands a husky build and amazing endurance. Lots of physical work and preparation need to be done fore start.

If you are interested in Lhasa Kathmandu cycling tour, click Lhasa to Kathmandu Cycling Guide to get more detailed information of visas, itinerary, dining, accommodation, packing, etc., or feel free to contact us for a customized tour.

Several years agon, there once was direct international bus running between Lhasa and Kathmandu via Zhangmu Port on every Friday. During the peak seasons, there was an additional bus available on Tuesday. The whole journey took over 2 days, and the buses would make stop for food, accommodation or rest. After the earthquake, the buses were canceled and you can only book the driving service from the local travel agency like Tibet Discovery for an overlanding transportation. It is also available to book a car service to Gyirong Port. After crossing the border, you can take a bus to transfer to Kathmandu. Read about China Nepal Highway >>

Traveling from Lhasa (Tibet) to Kathmandu, Nepal, whether taking flight or overland driving, you have to apply for and bring necessary travel documents with you, including Chinese Visa, Tibet Entry Permit, Alien Travel Permit and Border Pass. It you want to visit Mount Kailash, you will to have an extra permit – Tibet Military Permit. Before arriving at the border, you will also have to apply for a Nepal Visa in Lhasa in advance.

Chinese Visa

If you want to travel from Tibet to Nepal, you have to obtain a Chinese Visa first. Group Visa is not qualified. The Chinese Visa will also be used to apply for Tibet Entry Permit before your trip. learn more >>

Tibet Entry Permit

Tibet Entry Permit is foremost and compulsory for foreign passport holders to enter Tibet. Issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, it is also called TTB permit. Without the permit, you can’t board your flight to Tibet or cross overland from Nepal, also will not be able to get other permits to continue to travel Tibet further.

Every non-Chinese passport holder, including US citizens, UK citizens, Australians, Canadians, Germans, Taiwanese, etc., has to obtain Tibet Entry Permit. It takes about 15~20 workding days to obtain this permit. know more details >>

Tibet Border Pass

To pass the China-Nepal border area, travelers have to hold a Border Pass which is issued by Tibet Armed Police Border Corps in Lhasa. It can't be applied by travelers individually. One has to contact a Tibet travel agency to apply the Border Permit from the Tibet Armed Police Border Corps in Lhasa. know more details >>

Alien Travel Permit

When foreign travelers travel beyond Lhasa to other prefectures in Tibet, such as Shigatse, Shannan, Ngari, one has to have an Alien Travel Permit. The Lhasa to Kathmandu Cycling passes Shannan and Shigatse Prefectures. So the Alien Travel Permit is required. This permit can be applied after arrival in Tibet. Your tour guide will take you original passport and Chinese visa to apply for the permit. It usually takes only about 30 minutes to get the permit. learn more >>

Nepal Visa

Before arriving at the Nepal Tibet border (Gyirong Port), you have to apply for a Nepal Visa in Lhasa to enter the land of Nepal. It is simple and quick to complete the application with our help. Original passport is needed.

Traveling with us, your tour become worry free when we settle all details in advance. You can get to destination as swiftly and smoothly as possible. Our local guide and driver can accompany you to airport or Gyirong Port. Transfer service from Gyirong Port to Kathmandu can be provided if you need. Moreover, you will enjoy the freedom and flexibility to stop on the way for sightseeing or photograph. All cars are equipped with skilled and reliable drivers who have many years of driving experience in Tibet. There is also an Oxygen Box prepared for tourists.

Besides, our travel consultants will customize a tour, apply all needed permits and book the flight/train for you. During journey, your local professional travel guide will be at your side and help you enjoy a wonderful journey. Contact us to start your Tibet and Nepal discovery now!