Home to the sacred Mt. Kailash, Lake Mansarovar, imposing Mt. Everest, and countless holy Buddhist sites, Tibet remains one of the ultimate travel bucket list destinations for Indian travelers.

Neighboring India and Nepal, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China can be easily reached from India. In this travel tutorial, we offer you a complete guide to how to go to Tibet from India, including the best travel routes, entry permits needed, and other insider hacks. So, you can plan a seamless journey from India to Tibet.

How Far Is Tibet from India? India to Tibet Distance on the Map & Travel Routes Available

Traveling from India to Tibet is easy. On the map, the India to Tibet distance (from New Delhi to Lhasa), is 1354.8 km (or 841.8 miles) as the crow flies, though the actual flight and overland routes take longer due to the terrain.

Geographically, as Nepal is sandwiched between India and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and there is no international flight between India and Tibet, over 85% of Indian travelers will use Nepal as a stepping-stone to visit Tibet from India, either by flight or road, which is also the most straightforward way to go to Tibet from India.

Fly from New Delhi to Lhasa via Kathmandu.

Alternatively, you can skip Nepal by directly flying from India to inland Chinese cities, such as Chengdu (closest to Tibet), Beijing, and Shanghai, and switch to flights or the scenic Tibet train to Lhasa. This option works for travelers who want to maximize the travel experience with more time and budget.

So, whether you want to travel through Nepal or mainland China to Tibet from India, we will cover both options and offer you the complete guide below, please read on.

How to Go to Tibet from India via Nepal by Flight? The Fastest Way to Reach Tibet from India

Since Nepal is the only country with international flights to Tibet, flying from New Delhi to Kathmandu and then connecting to a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is the most time-saving way to reach Tibet from India.

With 11 daily non-stop flights from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, flying from New Delhi’s airport to Nepal is Indian travelers’ best flight option, as opposed to fewer flights in Kolkata, Varanasi, Bangalore, and Mumbai. Besides, a handful of non-stop flights are also available from Varanasi and Mumbai.

Non-stop Flights from New Delhi to Kathmandu

Currently, only Himalaya Airlines runs non-stop flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Make sure, you book the left-window seat on the plane for the mind-blowing bird’s eye view of Mt. Everest during the flight.

One thing worth mentioning is that since overseas travelers can only visit Tibet via a pre-booked guided Tibet tour with a local Tibet travel agency like us, you need to budget at least 4 to 5 days in Kathmandu to apply for a Chinese Group Visa and Tibet Travel Permit to board the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

A sample of Tibet Travel Permit.

Chinese Group Visa and Tibet Travel Permit are required to enter Tibet from Nepal.

In addition, due to the dramatic altitude ascent from Kathmandu Valley (1,355 m) to Lhasa City (3,656 m) on the towering Tibetan Plateau by flight, don’t rush to explore Lhasa attractions on your arrival date. Instead, have a good rest at your hotel to acclimatize to the high elevation to avoid acute altitude sickness.

11 Days Kathmandu Lhasa Everest Big Loop Tour (Start & End in Nepal)

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD p.p

How to Travel to Tibet from India by Road through Nepal? The Most Thrilling Overland Adventure across the Himalayas

While flying from India to Tibet via Nepal offers you an effortless way to reach Tibet, you miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime adventure by road across the mighty Himalayas.

So, another popular way to travel to Tibet from India is to break your journey into two legs: firstly, fly or travel by train/car from India to Nepal, then travel overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa by crossing the Gyirong border and the jaw-dropping Himalayan Range. We recommend that you fly from New Delhi to Kathmandu and later travel overland to Lhasa for it is a perfect balance of efficiency and a thrilling road trip adventure.

8 Days Driving Across Himalaya Overland Adventure from Kathmandu to Lhasa

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Gyirong - Everest Base Camp - Tingri - Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa

Price from USD1169 p.p

Of course, you can get the trains to Nepal to enter through Siliguri and Kakarbhitta in the east, Banbasa and Bhimdatta in the west, or via the southern crossings which are located at Jamunaha/Nepalgunj, Sunauli/Bhairawa, and Raxaul/Birganj. From any of these entry points, you can then get buses to reach Kathmandu, which can take anywhere from 3 hours to 8-10 hours, depending on where you cross into Nepal. Check how to travel from India to Tibet by Train.

India to Nepal overland route map.

After you get your Chinese Group Visa and Tibet Travel Permit in Kathmandu, you are well on your way to cross the Gyirong border to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and inch slowly up to the Everest Base Camp to admire Mt. Everest (4448.86m) and Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8516m), Cho Oyu (8201m) and Shishapangma (8012m) on rolling Himalayas and keep moving to Shigatse and Lhasa.

The classic road trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa on scenic G318 Hwy covers around 1,300km in 8 days, bringing you some of the best highlights in Tibet like Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yamdrok Lake, Potala Palace, Barhor Street and much more. Adventure awaits!

8 Days Private Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour with EBC

Tour Route: Kathmandu - Gyirong - Everest Base Camp - Tingri - Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

How to Visit Tibet from India via Inland China Cities? Recommend to Fly from India to Chengdu and Head to Tibet

If you plan to explore modern Chinese cities before heading to Tibet, then flying from New Delhi to major gateway cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, and later taking domestic flights or the scenic Tibet train to Lhasa would be your best bet.

Flights from New Delhi run to Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Kunming, while flights from Kolkata only run to Guangzhou and Kunming. Flights from Mumbai run to Beijing only, and are one of the most popular flights to mainland China for Indian tourists from the south of the country.

India (New Delhi) to China Flights

Of all these arrival cities in China, Chengdu stands out as our most recommended jumping-off point to reach Tibet from inland China, due to its proximity to Tibet and up to 10 non-stop flights to Lhasa and Nyingchi daily. Besides, it’s also the starting point of the well-known Chengdu to Lhasa overland tour via adventurous G318 Hwy and with easy access to Tibet by Tibet train, the world’s highest railway. Learn the detailed guide to traveling from Chengdu to Tibet.

7 Days World-class Overland Route: Chengdu to Lhasa via G318 Highway

Tour Route: Chengdu - Xinduqiao - Litang - Batang - Zogang - Ranwu - Nyingchi - Lhasa

Price from USD1780 p.p

What Are the Best Times of the Year to Travel from India to Tibet? April to Nov

Tibet is an all-year-round destination worth visiting for Indian travelers. However, certain times of the year can be more appealing to certain travelers.

If your main goal is to visit Everest Base Camp or experience the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, trekking in Tibet, etc., April to June and September to October are believed to be the best times for India to Tibet tours. With clear skies, perfect road conditions, crisp air, and relatively mild temperatures, it’s a perfect time for all outdoor activities in Tibet.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

May and August are the prime times to experience the vibrant Tibetan festivities, like the Mt Kailash kora during the Saga Dawa Festival, and giant Thangka unfolding, and Tibetan opera performances in the Shoton Festival. Check all the Tibetan festivals in Tibet.

16 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: Touching Mount Kailash with Spiritual Saga Dawa Festival Experience

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Saga - Darchen - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2299 p.p

BTW, Indian passport holders who plan to visit Mt. Kailash can only book tours with a licensed Nepali or Indian travel agency that is authorized by the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR or Pilgrim Center (also known as Tibet-India Pilgrim Reception Center). However, if you are an Indian origin and live outside of India and have another passport, let's say a US or Canadian passport, in this case, we can help you arrange Kailash tours for you.

15 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2069 p.p

If you are a student, then the most affordable time to visit Tibet from India is late October to March, the off-season of Tibet travel. With substantial hotel and fight discounts, less touristy monasteries, and more pilgrims in Tibet, you can immerse yourself in exploring Tibet with our local experts. Discover winter tours in Tibet.

What Travel Documents and Services You Need to Travel from India to Tibet? Tibet Vista Is Your Best Choice for One-stop Service

Now, that you know how to go to Tibet from India and the perfect timing, another crucial factor that will make or break your India Tibet tour is choosing the right Tibet travel service.

As the largest local Tibetan travel agency since 1984, we have helped 8,000+ worldwide travelers fulfill their dream of visiting Tibet annually. With offices in Lhasa, Kathmandu, and Chengdu, we offer diverse budget-friendly Tibet small group tours and extensive fully customizable Tibet tours, plus one-stop services to save you from tons of hassles.

We help you process the Tibet Travel Permit for free and apply for China Group Visa for entry from Nepal, book quality hotels, flights, and Tibet train tickets, and offer local pick-up and border transfers. Most importantly, you can travel with our expert local Tibetan guides (20+ years of experience) and local drivers, which ensures you an authentic Tibetan experience and travel safety. A dedicated local travel service manager in Lhasa and a professional team behind will support you throughout your journey.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the easiest way to travel to Tibet from India is by flying from Delhi to Kathmandu and then connecting to Lhasa by air. Traveling overland via the Gyriong border or from inland China to Tibet offers an utterly different experience. If you have more questions about the India Tibet tour, please feel free to email us for free travel solutions. Cheers!