Tibet Overland Tour

International Flights:Air China and Sichuan Airlines generally operate regular flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu. However, the flights have been suspended until further notice, so the only option for now is to travel overland.

Overland: The Kodari border (north of Kathmandu) is the only accessible point of entrance to Tibet from Nepal. The immediate town on the Tibet side is Kerung, which is a 6-7 hour drive away from Kathmandu on winding mountain roads.

Except for Chinese and Tibetans, all other nationalities are required to obtain a Tibet group visa and Tibet Travel Permit from Kathmandu before entering Tibet. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and can be obtained through a registered travel agency in Kathmandu. Once you have the travel permit, a group Tibet visa application has to be submitted at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, as you are only allowed to travel to Tibet in groups.

The required documents for the necessary permits include a scanned color copy of your passport (diplomatic passports are not accepted), a Tibet Travel Permit, an application form with necessary details, proof of travel insurance covering Tibet, and the visa fee. You need to submit your original passport along with a passport-sized photo (a front-facing photo with no glasses and a white background) at least 5 days before the travel date.

Visa fees are USD 125 per person for most foreign passport holders, except those from USA, Canada, Argentina, and Romania, for whom the rates are an additional USD 90.

The total processing time typically takes upto two weeks. A minimum of four people must be in a group, and the visa application has to be applied as a group at the same time. Rest assured, we handle the permits on your behalf.

Important notes: Diplomatic passport holders, journalists, professional media photographers, and government officials are not able to obtain Tibet permits through travel agencies. Please provide your personal passport when applying for a Tibet permit. It’s important to note that visas to Tibet are not guaranteed.

Accommodation is provided in standard hotels with clean rooms, comfortable beds, attached toilets, and air conditioning.Although not comparable to the hotels in Kathmandu, lodges in Tibet are leveling up to meet the needs of tourists. In major cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyatse, you also have the option to stay in upscale hotels. If you’re interested in reserving a specific hotel or upgrading to luxury accommodations, let us know, and we will make the necessary arrangements.

Hotel prices are based on double or twin-sharing occupancy, meaning two individuals will share a room. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge.

For cell service, a reliable and hassle-free option is purchasing an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. However, this can be quite expensive. Another option is buying a local SIM card, which is available in Lhasa. Common service providers include China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, all of which have a very good network coverage in most parts of Tibet.

Internet speeds are generally quite fast and available in most hotels in Tibet. If you’re traveling for a short duration, you can rely on a combination of hotel Wi-Fi and roaming services to stay connected.

As most places in Tibet lie above 3,500m/11,482ft, there’s a fair chance of experiencing mild altitude sickness during this tour. Hence, we will take extra precautions throughout the trip by staying hydrated and ascending gradually. The tour is generally safe as we travel overland, and most people do well.

In any case, please inform your guide immediately if you experience dizziness or a headache. Our vehicle is also equipped with portable oxygen cans for safety. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, kindly inform us when booking.