Traveling from Lhasa to Kathmandu has been an all-time favorite route for Tibet and Nepal tours. Currently, you can either travel by land or air from Lhasa to Kathmandu. The Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway is the only road linking Tibet and Nepal, open to cars, cyclists, and motorcyclists. In the near future, a train journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu may soon be feasible once the railway is completed.

Whether you take the scenic land route across Mount Everest from Lhasa to Kathmandu or choose the convenience of air travel, each option offers distinct travel highlights and tour combinations.

Follow our Tibet travel guru’s guidance and find out which means of transportation may work best for you.

1. Most Popular Choice: 7 Days Overland Journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu

To the majority of tourists, the 7-day Lhasa to Kathmandu tour via Everest Base Camp is the most popular and best energy-saving way to navigate your way from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

Your Lhasa to Kathmandu tour will start from Lhasa, the holy city of the Tibetan Plateau.

It is a 1300-km one-way journey along the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway across the Himalayas. During this trip, you can visit the prestigious Buddhist monasteries, stroll along turquoise Yamdrok Lake, catch sight of the world’s highest peak at Everest Base Camp, and immerse yourself in local Tibetan customs.

First, you will spend 3 days in Lhasa and its surroundings to acclimatize to the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau in Lhasa and its surroundings. You will explore the magnificent Potala Palace, visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, and wander through the vibrant Barkhor Street. The day trip to Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery will give you a better understanding of the real life of Tibetan monks.

Next, you will hit the road to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse. Along the way, you can enjoy the beauty of the turquoise holy lake, witness the ancient Karola Glacier up close, and catch a glimpse of the historic town of Gyantse.

After a brief visit to the prestigious Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, you will follow the G318 National Highway to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. You will marvel at the top 4 peaks of the Himalayas at Gawu La Pass (5198m), and witness a spectacular sunset at Everest Base Camp (5000m). The night spent at the base camp, under starry skies, could become a lifetime memory for you.

The next day, after visiting Rongbuk Monastery (5154m), the world’s highest Buddhist site, you will bid your farewell to Mt. Everest. Descending from the high altitude, you will pass by the enchanting Pekutso Lake (4591m) before reaching Gyirong Town (2700m).

Visit Rongbuk Monastery and enjoy a majestic view of the world's highest peak.

On the last day, you will pass through the Gyirong border and enter Nepal. You can apply for a Nepal Visa On Arrival at the Gyirong Port and go through the customs to Nepal’s side. After crossing the Resuo bridge, you can take a bus or use our transfer service of 30-60 USD/person to Kathmandu.

On average, for the overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu, you need to have at least 1,500 USD. If you want to travel on a budget, you can join our Lhasa to Kathmandu small group tour, which costs from 989 to 1200 USD for the classic 7-day journey. In this case, you can share the tour cost with your group members while meeting like-minded travelers globally. And a Tibet winter tour from November to February next year will save you more cost for hotel, flight, and attraction entrance fees along the way.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour

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

Price from USD989 p.p

2. Most Convenient Way: 1.5 hours Flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu

If you have just completed your Tibet tour or have a tight schedule, travelling from Lhasa to Kathmandu by air is the most efficient way to reach Nepal. The flight distance is around 609km, and you can have a bird’s eye view of the mighty Himalayas, esp. the summit of Mt. Everest.

Recently, there is only one direct flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu that is run by Himalaya Airlines. It takes 1 hour 35 minutes and runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from June to October. In the low season, there might be fewer flights. Please check the exact schedule when planning your Tibet Nepal tour.

If you take the direct flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu, do choose a window seat on the right side of the plane right behind or in front of the wing of the plane. As the plane approaches Kathmandu, you will be rewarded with an incredible vista of the majestic Himalayan Range, esp. the bird’s eye view of the pyramid-shaped summit of Mt. Everest.

Enjoy the flight from Kathmand to Lhasa over the Himalayas.

Insider Tips: There are also many daily connecting flights from Lhasa to Kathmandu with stopovers in Chengdu, Kunming, or Chongqing. The shortest connecting flight takes around 13.5 hours, while the longer may take over 30 hours.

3. New in 2024/2025: Flexible Self-drive from Lhasa to Kathmandu

According to the latest policy, international tourists can take a self-driving tour in Tibet, which means now you can drive yourself from Lhasa to Kathmandu along the epic Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway.

The self-driving trip follows the same route as the overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu. You will explore the attractions along the way at your own pace during the self-driving tour.

Lhasa to Kathmandu self-drive tour.

Like general trips to Tibet, you will need a Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region. Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will also need to obtain a Chinese temporary driving license to drive within Tibet. Additionally, you need to rend a car and be accompanied by a travel guide that arranged by the local travel agency.

As the largest local travel agency in Tibet, we, at Tibet Vista, guarantee your Tibet Travel Permit and help you get all necessary travel documents for self-driving in Tibet. Also, we offer well-conditioned vehicles with experienced local travel guides who offer co-pilot driving services.

7 Day Lhasa to Kathmandu Self Drive: The Epic Road Journey for the Best of Mount Everest

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

Price from USD1,599 p.p

4. Adventure Options: Lhasa to Kathmandu by Bike or Motorcycle

The Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway, also the final stretch of the G318 National Highway, is the only land route from Lhasa to Kathmandu. As opposed to enjoying the window view from the tour vehicle, a more challenging way to travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu is on two wheels by bicycle or motorcycle, offering unparalleled flexibility and a true sense of freedom.

Generally, the cycling tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu takes 16 to 19 days following the only land route connecting Lhasa and Kathmandu - the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway.

Lhasa to Kathmandu cycling tour.

Likewise, normally the newly-arrived travelers need to spend 3 days in Lhasa, touring the landmark Buddhist sites like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, etc., and more importantly get acclimatized to the high altitude.

Then you can have a test ride around the surroundings of Lhasa city. So, both you and your guide know your stamina for cycling on the Tibetan Plateau and he can help you to design the day-to-day cycling distance, which fits best for you or your team. Afterward, you and the whole cycling team can venture out towards Shigatse after getting enough supply and preparation.

The same route can be done in around 12 Days by motorcycle from Lhasa to Kathmandu. The thin air, up-and-down ride, eye-blinding sunshine, and incredible alpine lakes and sublime Himalayan peaks will add to your sweet and bitter memories.

16 Days Cycling across the Himalayas, Lhasa to Kathmandu Bike Adventure

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse - Lhatse - Everest Base Camp - Rongphuk - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD2790USD p.p

Unlike cycling or motorcycling elsewhere in the world, taking a two-wheeled travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu is never a budget-friendly option. In fact, it costs much more than normal travel by a tour vehicle, because of longer days of travel and more staff and resources (such as a supportive van, logistic supply, guide, chef, medical help, camping and cooking facilities, etc.) are involved.

For the exact quotation based on your needs, please feel free to contact our travel consultants for free consultancy.

5. In the Future: Train Travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Taking Lhasa to Kathmandu train to reach Nepal has been a common aspiration shared by Chinese and Nepali citizens for years. Nevertheless, so far there is no railway connecting Lhasa and Kathmandu at present. However, a railway between Lhasa and Kathmandu is being designed by both the Chinese and Nepalese governments.

Lhasa to Shigatse High-Speed train.

The current situation is that on Tibet’s side, the Lhasa to Shigatse train was put into use in 2014. This is the high-speed train running between the two largest cities of TAR within 2 hours.

The rest of the section from Lhasa to Gyirong is expected to be finished in the near future. Once the entire route is finished, traveling from Lhasa to Kathmandu by train will offer a new and exciting experience.

6. More FAQs about Traveling from Lhasa to Kathmandu

1) What travel documents to obtain for a Lhasa to Kathmandu tour?

A Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit are needed to enter Tibet. Some other local travel documents, like Alien’s Travel Permit, are also needed for the journey.

Once you arrive in Nepal, no matter by land or by air, you need to obtain a Nepal Visa-on-arrival at the border or airport.

But don’t worry. We will help you take care of all the travel documents. The only thing to remember is to book your Lhasa to Kathmandu tour at least 25 days in advance. So we have enough time to help you apply for the Tibet Permit to enter Tibet.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour

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

Price from USD989 p.p

2) Do I have to worry about altitude sickness for the journey?

All the newly arrived travelers will respond physically to the altitude change. So, there is no need to panic. Having a great rest for the first day on arrival is very important. Never exert yourself by running or jumping. Then drinking lots of water and spending a couple of days in Lhasa will be helpful to adapt to the high altitude.

Always avoiding quick ascent is key to preventing acute altitude sickness. Our Tibetan guide will closely follow your health throughout your stay in Tibet. You can also buy some altitude sickness medicines in the local drugstore with the consultation of your doctor and local pharmacists.

3) When is the best season for a Lhasa and Kathmandu tour?

The best time to visit Tibet and Nepal is April, May, early June, September, October, November, and December. If you plan to take a cycle or motorcycle tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu, try to avoid summer (the rainy season) and winter (too cold for riding).

4) Can I travel independently from Lhasa to Kathmandu?

Backpacking or independent travel is not available for international tourists. According to the policy, all the international tourists need to visit Tibet via a pre-booked tour with a licensed Tibet travel agency.

You have to rely on this travel agency to apply for the Tibet Permit and other travel documents. During your stay in Tibet, an assigned Tibet guide will travel with you throughout the tour.

13 Day Lhasa Mt. Everest Mt. Kailash Lake Manasarovar and Kathmandu Adventure Tour

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

Price from USD2069 p.p

5) Can I take a Bus from Lhasa to Kathmandu?

Currently, travelling from Lhasa to Kathmandu by bus is only available for Chinese citizens and Nepali nationals living close to the Sino-Nepal border.

Chinese and Nepali passengers can take the Lhasa to Kathmandu bus near the consulate general of the Kingdom of Nepal in Lhasa at Norbulingka Road 13.

The long-distance overnight buses depart from Monday to Friday at around 4 PM and leave at around 1 PM on the weekend. It takes 17 hours or so to reach Gyirong, skipping all the highlighted attractions from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

The cost for the bus in high season (April to Oct) is about 480 CNY (69USD)/person, whereas it’s only 280 CNY (40USD)/person in the off-season (Nov to Feb).

The Lhasa to Kathmandu bus actually stops at Gyirong border. After you get off the bus, you need to hire a private car 30-60USD/person, or take 15USD/person to reach Kathmandu.

Insider Tips:
The distance between Gyirong town and the Gyirong border is 77km or 1h55 m drive. The customs of Gyriong border works from 10:00 to 18:00 Beijing time. Normally, travelers will spend one night in Gyirong town and cross the Gyirong border to Kathmandu the next morning.

6) How about the dining and hotels for the Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour?

In Lhasa, you can enjoy awful lots of choices for dining and hotels. Traditional Tibetan noodles, Tsampa, sweet tea, Tibetan momo, dried yak meat, etc. are readily available in local Tibetan restaurants. Typical Western dishes, Nepali and India food can also be easily found around Barkhor Street. The cost for a meal will set you back around 25CNY to 65CNY (or 4-9 USD/per meal) on average.

On the other hand, from cheap youth hotels to 4-star clean and cozy Tibetan hotels and up to instantly recognizable luxury resorts, like St. Regis or Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise, you can find the right choice that suits your pocket.

As you leave Lhasa and travel from Shigatse to the Everest region, the dining and accommodation will become very basic due to the inhospitable environment at extreme altitudes. Instant noodles, stirred rice with eggs and Tibetan momos, dried yak meat or lamb meat are pretty common. And there is no hot tap water to be used and you may encounter the notoriously filthy public toilet.

So, downplay your expectations for the comfort since traveling from Lhasa to Kathmandu is an adventure tour through the Tibet Plateau.

Accommodation at Everest Base Camp mainly consists of Tent Hotels.

7) What to pack for the Lhasa to Kathmandu tour?

The drastic temperature change between day and night, strong solar radiation, and head-numbing chilly wind on the Tibetan Plateau is what you need to take care of.

It’s advisable to wear multiple clothes rather than extremely thick clothes. During the daytime, the temperature remains around 13-20°C with warm and cozy sunshine.

For a normal Lhasa to Kathmandu tour, a beanie can help to prevent your head from strong gale. Sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses can shield you from sunburn. Then, a scarf, thermal clothes, trousers, a sweater, T-shirt, Jeans and a down jacket, wool mitten and thin/thick socks, and comfortable sports shoes will do in most cases.

Remember even in summer, you need the down jacket when you travel to high passes or Everest region. In addition, toiletries and personal medicine, like for the cold and diarrhea, etc. is also needed. There is no need to carry sleeping bags. We offer a tourists-friendly rental service.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour

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

Price from USD989 p.p

Conclusion

When traveling from Lhasa to Kathmandu, the choice of route depends on yourself. Whether you prefer the epic overland trip across Everest or seek the freedom of self-driving, biking, or motorcycling, we are ready to assist you. With local offices in both Kathmandu and Lhasa, we, at Tibet Vista, are here to help ensure a smooth journey from Tibet to Nepal with the best local travel services at the most reasonable local prices.