Nepal and Tibet, located on either side of Mount Everest, are both the best destinations to explore the amazing Mount Everest and the Himalayas. As the only land gateway to Tibet outside the mainland of China, how to travel from Nepal to Tibet, and how to travel across the border are the most asked questions by tourists planning to travel overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Here, we’ll show you a detailed travel guide about how to cross the Gyirong border for your Nepal to Tibet overland tour or vice versa to make your overland tour hassle-free.

Gyirong Border: The Only Land Crossing for Foreign Tours Between Nepal and Tibet

Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China share a long border of 1,414 kilometers as the Himalayan ranges, but only the Gyirong border is available for tourists traveling between Nepal and Tibet by land.

At 2,700 meters above sea level, the Gyirong border is located in the Gyirong Valley on the northern side of the Himalayas in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. It is about 35 kilometers from the town of Rawuwagadhi in Nepal, connected by the Friendship Bridge. The Gyirong border is 140 kilometers north of Kathmandu and 500 kilometers west of Lhasa.

Gyirong County and Gyirong Port on the Tibet Map.

What Travel Documents Are Needed to Cross the Gyirong Border from Kathmandu to Lhasa?

If you travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa by land, you need to obtain the Group Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit in advance. The Tibet Travel Permit is required for all trips to Tibet. Only with the Tibet Travel Permit can you board the train/flight to Lhasa or cross the land border to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region. It can be easily applied for since you book a Tibet tour with us. You simply need to provide a scanned copy of your passport, and we will apply for the permit on your behalf.

A Sample of Tibet Travel Permit

The Group Visa is a type of Chinese Visa that is specially issued for traveling from Nepal to Tibet. Even if you already have a Chinese Visa, you still need to apply for the Group Visa for entering Tibet from Nepal. Only tourists with a passport that enjoys a visa-free policy to China do not need the Group Visa for traveling from Kathmandu to Lhasa. So, if you already have a Chinese Visa, it is not suggested to enter Tibet from Nepal as your former Chinese Visa will be banned once the Group Visa is issued.

A Sample of China Group Visa

While the Tibet Permit can be applied online through a local travel agency, the Group Visa can be only applied through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu on your own. Generally, it takes 4 business days to issue the Group Visa, even an emergency application takes 3 days. So you need to arrive in Kathmandu at least 4 days in advance for the Group Visa application.

Inside Tips:
For our customers who book a Kathmandu to Lhasa tour with us, we will provide a 1-on-1 service, helping you with tour arrangement and all necessary travel documents.

How Long Does It Typically Take to Cross the Gyirong Border?

Once you arrive at the Gyirong border, it takes around 20 to 30 minutes to pass through the customs and cross the border to enter Tibet from Nepal.

Cross the Gyirong Border.

First, you need to pass through the Nepali border at Rawuwagadhi and then enter the Chinese Customs in Gyirong. In peak tourist season, the process may take longer as you need to queue for the line.

Inside Tips:
The office hour at the border is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is recommended to stay in Rawuwagadhi for one night and cross the border on the next day, as it takes 7 to 9 hours to drive from Kathmandu to the border.

What Transportation Options Are Available from the Gyirong Border to Lhasa?

Once you cross the Gyirong border, you will be picked up by your Tibetan local guide. There is no public bus available for foreign tourists at the Gyirong border. You will take an arranged vehicle with your Tibetan guide.

It can be either a group vehicle or a private car according to your tour type and group size. As the largest local travel agency, we offer a range of vehicles to suit your needs, from comfortable SUVs to spacious tourist vans. We ensure a safe and comfortable transfer throughout your journey in Tibet.

Our Tibetan travel guide will pick you up at Gyirong Port.

Besides the pre-arranged vehicles for your trip, if you plan to take a self-drive or motorcycling tour, you can also drive your own car or ride your motorbike from Kathmandu to Lhasa. But these require extra documents for your vehicle. Feel free to contact us if you need any help to arrange a self-drive journey to Tibet.

What are the Accommodation Options near the Gyirong Border?

For better acclimatizing to the high altitude of the Tibet Plateau, it is highly recommended to stay one night at Gyirong town after crossing the Gyirong Border. The accommodations near the Gyirong border are mostly gathered in Gyirong town, which is 10 kilometers away from the border.

The clean room of Qomo Langzong Hotel in Gyirong Town.

In Gyirong town, there are numerous guesthouses and hotels. However, due to the remote location, the hotel facilities and service standards can not be compared with hotels in big cities. But the scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere often make up for it.

How to Visit Tibet after Crossing the Gyirong Border?

After crossing the Gyirong border, you can follow the Friendship Highway to Lhasa with a detour to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, which is one of the world-famous overland routes. The Kathmandu to Lhasa overland trip takes 8 days, during which you can get in-depth travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

8 Days Driving Across Himalaya Overland Adventure from Kathmandu to Lhasa

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

Price from USD1019 p.p

This is the most popular overland trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

For pilgrims who want to visit Mount Kailash only, it is also possible to take a round trip from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It takes 10 days to complete a Kailash Manasarovar yatra from Kathmandu and back, including the classic 3-day Kailash kora. This is the most essential trip for pilgrims without visiting any other tourist destinations in Tibet.

Inside Tips:
If you are visiting Mount Kailash with an Indian passport, you can only book a tour via the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR or the Pilgrim Center.

10 Days Kailash Pilgrimage Tour from Kathmandu, via Gyirong Port

Tour Route: Kathmandu – Gyirong – Saga – Mt.Kailash – Lake Manasarovar – Darchen – Saga – Gyirong – Kathmandu

Price from USD1749 p.p

This trip to Mount Kailash via the Gyirong Border is popular among pilgrims traveling from Nepal.

Experience an Easier Border Crossing from Lhasa to Kathmandu!

Crossing the border from Nepal to Tibet needs an early trip arrangement and travel documents application. For an easier border crossing between Nepal and Tibet, you can take an overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu. which is much easier for border crossing.

Lhasa to kathmandu overland map.

While traveling from Lhasa to Kathmandu by land, you only need your passport and obtain a Nepali Visa on arrival at the border. All you need include your passport, cash for the visa fee, and visa-sized photos.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour: Traverse from the North Side to the South Side of Mt.Everest for the Best of the Himalayas

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

Price from USD989 p.p

This one-week overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu via Gyirong offers the best views of the Himalayas.

More Insider Tips for Nepal Tibet Border Crossing

Pay attention to the time difference between China and Nepal. China is 2 hours and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal. Once you cross the border, check your watch.

Be prepared for high altitude after you cross the border from Nepal to Tibet. The elevation of Gyirong is over 2,000 meters above sea level, while Kathmandu is at 1,370 meters above sea level. The altitudes on both sides of the border range from 1,440 meters to 2,700 meters. Be sure to take precautions to better avoid altitude sickness.

Road conditions from Kathmandu to Gyirong can be poor during the rainy season, so expect potential delays. The border may be closed due to road destruction. In this case, you may need to wait at the border for the border reopening or get back to Kathmandu or Lhasa for flights.

Bring cash in both Nepalese Rupees and Chinese Yuan and consider carrying some US dollars for the Nepal visa fee.

12 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa via EBC Motorcycle Tour

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

Price from USD p.p

In addition to the classic overland trip, you can also travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa by motorcycle.

Conclusion

The border crossing from Nepal to Tibet is not difficult, but it requires early planning, as you need to apply for the Group Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit in advance. The border crossing from Lhasa to Kathmandu is much easier, as you can get the Nepali visa on arrival upon your arrival at the border.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, we provide kinds of Nepal Tibet tour, offering 1-on-1 travel arrangement, hassle-free travel documents application, and best local serves.