Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Budget Tour

Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Budget Tour

Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland tour is an exotic journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa and vice versa which will let you enjoy the Hindu cultural sights of Kathmandu and Buddhist monasteries of Lhasa. This fascinating journey will let you enjoy some of the best Himalayan scene and cultural settlements of the high lands of the Himalayas. Lhasa (3650m) the capital city of Tibet is rich in cultural and natural beauty along with ancient cultural artifacts. Some of the famous sites of Lhasa are Potala palace, Sera monastery, Drepung monastery, Jokhang Tempale, Barkhor market and Norbulingka Palace, Summer Palace of Dalai Lama.

Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland tour starts with a classic exploration of Kathmandu city and exotic Himalayan flight to Lhasa. Upon your arrival we will assist you throughout your travel. Enjoy cultural programs, evening sightseeing around the city and delicious dinner. Commencing tour into the Himalayan kingdom of Tibet will let you explore the natural and historical sightseeing and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Tibetan inhabitants.

Destination: Kathmandu-Kerung-Tingri-Shigatse-Gyantse and Lhasa.

(Cost USD for other nation and USD USD for USA/CANADA) PER PERSON BASIS.

(Minimu 05 Pax needed to run this trip).

Trip Details

  • Itinerary
  • Trip Info
  • Useful Info

Itinerary:

Day 01: Kathmandu (1300) -Kerung Border (145 Km) 06-07 hours drive: Early in the morning scenic drive to Kerung Border (Nepal-Tibet Border) through the beautiful Nepalese countryside and after necessary border formalities at Nepalese immigration, an hour adventurous uphill drive by Bus & jeep (normally) or 2 hour walk uphill (in case of landslide to Chinese immigration, check-in to hotel or Continue drive to Kerung. Stay overnight at Guest House.

Day 02: Kerung - Tingri (4300m) / Lhatse (4,350m): 225 Km/244 Km: Day drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape offering sheer feeling of standing on the roof of the world. from where, weather permitting, breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mt Cho Oyu (8201 M) & Mt Xishapagma (8012M) but dwarfed by the Vastness of the Tibetan plateau. From TINGRI, one can enjoy the magnificence of Mt. Everest (8,848 M). Stay overnight at Guest House.

Day 03: Tingri/Lhaste - Xigatse (3,900 M): 244 Km: Continue scenic drive crossing Over Gyatchu La (5,220M), the highest pass en route to Lhasa via Lhatse from where a road to Mt Kailash bifurcates to the west. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Xigatse - Gyantse (3,950m): 90 Km: Morning sightseeing to the Panchen Lama's Tashilhumpu Monastery. Drive to Gyantse and visit to the Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery. Stay overnight the Hotel.

Day 05 Gyantse - Lhasa (3,650m): 261 Km: Full day picturesque drive crossing over Karola (5,010m), Kambala (4,749m), Colorful Yamdrok-Tso Lake and the Tibetan lifeline river Brahma Putra (Yarlung Tsangpo) . Stay overnight at Hotel.

Day 06-07: Sightseeing In Lhasa: Two full days sightseeing tour to Lhasa including Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka Monastery, Barkhor Bazaar, and And Potala Palace Drepung & Sera Monasteries. Stay overnight at Hotel.

Day 08: Lhasa - Departure: Early morning drive to Gonggar airport or train station for your departure flight to Kathmandu or to your onward destination to Mainland China.

Cost Inclusive:

  • Private Transportation by Van.
  • Tibet Travel Permit.
  • English Speaking Guide.
  • Accommodation with Breakfast.
  • Sightseeing and Monastery Entrance Fees as per our Program.
  • Kathmandu to Kerong Transfer by Jeep or Bus.
  • Tibet Group Visa.

Cost Exclusive:

  • Lunch and Dinner.
  • Insurance any kind.
  • Personal Expenses such as drink, Tips & Etc.
  • Any additional cost due to Natural calamities and Unforeseen Circumstance.
  • Flight fare from Lhasa onward.

By the law of the People’s Republic of China, in addition to China visa, foreigners also need Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Travel bureau) to be able to board a train or plane to Lhasa. For this, you need to pre-arrange an itinerary through a legal travel agency in Lhasa before arriving in Tibet.

You need travel permits to travel outside Lhasa Prefecture, eg. Alien's Travel Permit & Military Permit and you can currently only get these by hiring transportation and a guide as part of your itinerary.

If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, besides all the Tibet Permits, you will have to travel on China Group Visa which can only be obtained through the joined effect of travel agencies in Lhasa and Kathmandu.

Here at Adventure Treks Nepal, a Kathmandu based local travel and trekking agency, with all the advantage of a local company, we provide you with a worry-free Tibet travel experience by taking care of all these permits applications.

What We Need to Apply TTB

We need the following documents & information from each and every traveler to obtain Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Travel bureau). The time needed to apply for it changes irregularly. But we usually need at least 16 days prior to file the application with these documents &. Information. Tibet Tourism Bureau will issue TTB permit about 7 days or so prior tour starting date.

* Colour-scan/photo of valid passport photo page
* Colour-scan/photo of valid China visa page
(Except L Visa, tourist visa, any other types of China Visa need additional stamped paper in Mandarin from your school/company in China, in which your name, passport No., position, company add should be stated.)
*From which city of China you plan to enter Tibet;

Of which city of China you plan to depart to after your Tibet tour

(please be aware, entering/departing city will be print on your permit, once issued it would be the only city you be able to enter/depart. takes extra time & fee if later you want to change it).
* Job occupation. If currently unemployed or retired, pls let us know your former job.
(journalists, government officers, and professional film/photography team, etc. won't be able to travel Tibet through travel agency).

Tibet Travel Permit (TTB)

A Tibet Travel bureau permit is currently required to get into Tibet. Without one, you will not be able to board a flight or train to Tibet and will not be able to secure the other permits you need to continue traveling throughout Tibet.

Nowadays you can only get a TTB permit through a tour agency in Tibet (agencies outside Tibet can arrange trips, but ultimately they subcontract to travel agencies in Lhasa, such as Great Tibet Tour). You can no longer travel to Lhasa, meet up with some travelers and organize a tour there. Everything must now be arranged beforehand, including any trekking itinerary you have planned.

To get a permit you need to:

* Work out an itinerary detailing exactly where you want to go in Tibet
* Agree with a price and send a deposit
* Send us documents & info we needed to apply for TTB permit
* Arrange an address in your entering city before Tibet (eg. hotel), to receive your posted TTB permit, if flying to Lhasa

You can book your own train or air ticket to Lhasa or have Adventure Treks Nepal or (Our agents in Lhasa) arrange this for you.

You need to have the original TTB permit in your hands in order to board a flight to Lhasa. Mostly we arrange TTB permit to post to your hotel of your entry city in China by S.F Express, usually, takes about 2-3 days.

A photocopy or scan of an original TTB permit is currently all that is required to board a train to Tibet.

Notes:

* Chinese resident of Hong Kong & Macau does not require a TTB permit to enter Tibet.
* Taiwanese need to consult us case-by-case since the rules change often.
* Foreigners visitor on business/study/resident visa in China need additional docs to apply for TTB permit
* Journalists and embassy staff won't be able to get a TTB permit as a tourist

What TTB Looks Like

TTB Permit usually combined with two pages.

On Page 01, it states your tour details, such as your travel agency’s name, your tour number, when you first arrive in Tibet, when you depart entry and departing city, etc. but above all, check the Permit No. on the upper right corner which is printed in red by Tibet Tourism Bureau.

On Page 02, you will see your name (printed in Chinese way, family name + given name)/ nationality/ gender / passport No. / Profession / date of birth.

Other Permits: Alien's Travel Permit & Military Permit

With TTB permit you will be able to enter Tibet and travel Lhasa and around. But if you were to go further to the regional capital, eg. Mt Everest, etc., you will have to budget an hour or so in Shigatse for your guide to process the Alien Travel Permit, which is issued by the Public Security Bureau PSB). Usually, you can apply for it once you arrive at Lhasa. Sensitive border areas – such as Mt Kailash, the road to Kashgar and the Nyingtri region of eastern Tibet - also require a Military Permit.

You should give your agency 20-day or so to arrange all you permit 30-day if Military Permit. The authorities generally won't issue permits more than 15-day in advance and certain areas can close without warning, so you’ll need certain flexibility if headed off the beaten track

Alien's Travel Permit

In addition to TTB permit, if you were to visit certain areas, Alien's Travel Permit will be required. Unlike TTB permit which will be applied in advance without your original passport, Alien's Travel Permit will be applied after your arrival in Tibet with your original passport.

Areas require Alien's Travel Permit:

Tsetang: All the places you will visit such as Samye, Yumbulhagang, Trundruk etc.
Shigates: Sakya, Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery
Gyantse: Pelkhor Chode Monastery, Kubum Stupa
Ngari: All the places you will visit such as Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasorovar etc.
Nyingtri: All the places you will visit such as Draksumtso, Pomi etc.
Chamdo: All the places you will visit such as Chamdo, Riwoche etc.

Military Permit

Military Permission is required if you want to visit the border areas such as Mt Kailash, eastern Tibet, or overland tour to Tibet from Sichuan, Yunnan, Xinjiang and Qinghai.
Areas require Military Permit:

Ngari: All the places you will visit such as Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasorovar etc.
Nyingtri: All the places you will visit such as Pomi etc.
Chamdo: All the places you will visit such as Chamdo, Riwoche etc.
Overland from/to Sichuan, Yunnan, Xinjiang or Qinghai