Lhasa Tour from Kathmandu
The Lhasa tour from Kathmandu is an 8-day journey to the spiritual heart of Tibet. After two days in Kathmandu while your Chinese group visa and Tibet Travel Permit are finalised, fly over the Himalaya to Lhasa (3,650 m) and explore the Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, the pilgrim circuit of the Barkhor, and the great monasteries of Sera and Drepung with a licensed Tibetan guide.
The tour is easy in pace but at high altitude, with rest time built in on arrival in Lhasa. The best time is April to October. Foreign visitors can only visit Tibet on an organised tour; we arrange the group visa, permits, flights, hotels, transfers and licensed guide with trusted partners in Tibet.
Trip highlights
- Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lamas
- Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit
- Monk debates at Sera Monastery
- Drepung Monastery above Lhasa
- Flight over the Himalaya between Kathmandu and Lhasa
- Kathmandu sightseeing while the Tibet visa is processed
Short itinerary
View detailed itinerary- Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m
- Day 2 Kathmandu sightseeing 1,400 m
- Day 3 Free day in Kathmandu, visa collection 1,400 m
- Day 4 Fly to Lhasa (3,650 m) 3,650 m
- Day 5 Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor 3,750 m
- Day 6 Drepung and Sera monasteries 3,750 m
- Day 7 Fly to Kathmandu 3,650 m
- Day 8 Final departure 1,400 m
Lhasa Tour from Kathmandu overview
Lhasa, meaning "place of the gods", has been the religious and political centre of Tibet for more than a thousand years. Set in a wide valley at about 3,650 metres, it is crowned by the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, and centred on the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibet, where pilgrims from across the plateau come to pray and prostrate.
This tour combines a short stay in Kathmandu, needed to process the Chinese group visa for travellers entering Tibet from Nepal, with three full days in Lhasa. The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa crosses the main Himalayan range and, on a clear day, offers views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.
Lhasa tour at a glance
| Trip fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days (3 nights in Lhasa) |
| Route | Kathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu by air |
| Altitude | Lhasa about 3,650 m; sites up to about 3,750 m |
| Documents | Chinese group visa and Tibet Travel Permit (arranged by us) |
| Guide | Licensed English-speaking Tibetan guide |
| Accommodation | Hotels in Kathmandu and Lhasa |
| Best time | April–October |
Tour highlights
- Potala Palace, the thirteen-storey winter home of the Dalai Lamas.
- Jokhang Temple and the Jowo Shakyamuni statue.
- The Barkhor kora with pilgrims spinning prayer wheels.
- Sera Monastery and its lively monk debates.
- Drepung Monastery, once one of the largest monasteries in the world.
- The Kathmandu–Lhasa flight over the Himalaya.
Tibet visa and permits
Travellers entering Tibet from Nepal usually need a Chinese group visa, issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu through a tour operator, rather than a standard Chinese tourist visa. You must be in Kathmandu with your original passport for several working days while it is processed. A Tibet Travel Permit is also required and is arranged in advance by our partners in Tibet. Rules can change and Tibet occasionally closes to foreign visitors for short periods, often around February and March; we confirm the latest requirements when you enquire.
Altitude
Flying directly to Lhasa takes you from about 1,400 m to 3,650 m in a single step. The first afternoon in Lhasa is kept free for rest, and sightseeing is at a gentle pace. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and heavy exertion for the first days, and tell your guide about any symptoms. Consult a doctor before booking if you have heart or lung conditions.
Best time to visit Lhasa
April to October is the main season. May, June, September and October offer the best weather; July and August are the warmest months, with occasional showers, and the Shoton festival usually takes place in August. Winter is cold but clear.
Extending your Tibet tour
Continue overland to Gyantse, Shigatse and Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side, returning to Nepal via the Kerung border, or visit Namtso Lake or Samye Monastery. Ask us for a tailor-made itinerary.
Why book your Lhasa tour with Himalayan Hiking?
- Group visa and permits handled by our Kathmandu team and partners in Tibet.
- Kathmandu sightseeing while your visa is processed.
- Licensed Tibetan guides and a relaxed pace for acclimatisation.
Day-by-day itinerary
What’s included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu and Lhasa
- 4 nights in a hotel in Kathmandu and 3 nights in Lhasa with breakfast
- Chinese group visa and Tibet Travel Permit
- Flights Kathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu
- Licensed English-speaking Tibetan guide in Lhasa and city guide in Kathmandu
- Private vehicle for all sightseeing
- Entrance fees at the sites in the itinerary in Lhasa
- All government and local taxes
Not included
- International flights to Kathmandu and Nepal visa fee
- Travel insurance covering travel to 4,000 m
- Lunch and dinner
- Kathmandu heritage site entrance fees
- Extra costs due to flight changes or permit delays
- Tips for guides and drivers
Useful info
Chinese group visa
You must be in Kathmandu with your original passport for several working days while the Chinese group visa is processed. Please send us a scan of your passport when booking. Existing individual Chinese visas may not be valid for travel from Nepal to Tibet.
Permits and rules
Foreign visitors must travel on an organised tour with a licensed guide and a set itinerary. The Tibet Travel Permit is arranged in advance. Regulations can change at short notice.
Altitude
Lhasa is at about 3,650 m. Rest on arrival, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol at first and move slowly. Consult a doctor before booking if you have health conditions.
Money and communication
The currency in Tibet is the Chinese yuan. Many international websites and apps are blocked in China, so plan your communication in advance.
Etiquette
Walk clockwise around temples, follow your guide's advice on photography (often restricted inside temples), dress modestly and avoid political discussions or materials.
Packing list
- Warm layers and a down jacket (evenings are cold)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and lip balm
- Moisturiser for the dry air
- Refillable water bottle
- Personal medication
- Original passport and copies
Add-ons & trip options
Choose add-ons and quantities on the booking form.
More options, quoted on request:
- Overland to Everest Base Camp (north side) and back to Nepal via Kerung.
- Namtso Lake day trip or overnight.
- Mount Kailash kora pilgrimage.
- Private tour on your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
No. Foreign visitors must travel on an organised tour with a licensed Tibetan guide and a Tibet Travel Permit, arranged by a tour operator.
Usually a Chinese group visa, issued in Kathmandu through a tour operator. You need to be in Kathmandu with your original passport for several working days.
About an hour and a half. On a clear day, ask for a seat on the side facing the Himalaya.
About 3,650 m. Rest on arrival and move slowly for the first days.
April to October. Tibet can close to foreigners for short periods, often around February and March.
Yes. Visits are timed and limited, and your guide books your entry in advance.
Yes. An overland extension via Gyantse and Shigatse to Everest Base Camp and back to Nepal takes about a week more.
Photography is often restricted or charged inside temples. Your guide will explain the rules at each site.
Yes, most nationalities need a Nepal visa for the days in Kathmandu, available on arrival or online.
Rules for Indian passport holders can differ. Please contact us for current requirements before booking.
Occasionally permits are delayed or Tibet closes at short notice. We keep you informed and discuss alternatives or refunds according to our partners' policies.
It's priced per person, and groups get a discount; the price box has the details. It includes the group visa, permit, flights, hotels, guides and entrance fees in Lhasa.