# 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 facts - **Destination:** Tibet - **Duration:** 8 days - **Difficulty:** Easy to moderate (altitude) - **Activity:** Cultural tour - **Max altitude:** About 3,750 m / 12,300 ft - **Best season:** Apr–Oct - **Group size:** 1–15 people - **Accommodation:** Hotels in Kathmandu and Lhasa - **Meals:** Breakfast daily - **Price:** from US$1,690 per person - **Web page:** https://himalayanhiking.com/lhasa-tour-from-kathmandu - **Book:** https://himalayanhiking.com/booking?trip=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 factDetailsDuration8 days (3 nights in Lhasa)RouteKathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu by airAltitudeLhasa about 3,650 m; sites up to about 3,750 mDocumentsChinese group visa and Tibet Travel Permit (arranged by us)GuideLicensed English-speaking Tibetan guideAccommodationHotels in Kathmandu and LhasaBest timeApril–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. ## 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 ## Day-by-day itinerary ### Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m) We pick you up at the airport and drive you to your hotel. We collect your passport to apply for the Chinese group visa. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing Guided tour of Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Boudhanath while your visa is processed. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 3: Free day in Kathmandu, visa collection Free day for shopping or optional sightseeing in Patan or Bhaktapur. We collect your group visa and brief you for Tibet. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 4: Fly to Lhasa (3,650 m) Fly over the Himalaya to Lhasa Gonggar Airport and drive to Lhasa with your Tibetan guide. Rest for the afternoon to acclimatise. _Altitude: 3,650 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 5: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Visit the Potala Palace in the morning, then the Jokhang Temple, and walk the Barkhor kora with pilgrims. _Altitude: 3,750 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 6: Drepung and Sera monasteries Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon to watch the monks' debates. _Altitude: 3,750 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 7: Fly to Kathmandu Transfer to the airport and fly back to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner. _Altitude: 3,650 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 8: Final departure Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Meals: Breakfast_ ## What is 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 information ### 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 ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I travel to Tibet independently? No. Foreign visitors must travel on an organised tour with a licensed Tibetan guide and a Tibet Travel Permit, arranged by a tour operator. ### What visa do I need for Tibet from Nepal? 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. ### How long is the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa? About an hour and a half. On a clear day, ask for a seat on the side facing the Himalaya. ### How high is Lhasa? About **3,650 m**. Rest on arrival and move slowly for the first days. ### When is the best time to visit Lhasa? **April to October**. Tibet can close to foreigners for short periods, often around February and March. ### Can I visit the Potala Palace? Yes. Visits are timed and limited, and your guide books your entry in advance. ### Can I add Everest Base Camp on the Tibet side? Yes. An overland extension via Gyantse and Shigatse to Everest Base Camp and back to Nepal takes about a week more. ### Is photography allowed in temples? Photography is often restricted or charged inside temples. Your guide will explain the rules at each site. ### Do I need a Nepal visa for this tour? Yes, most nationalities need a Nepal visa for the days in Kathmandu, available on arrival or online. ### Can Indian citizens join the Lhasa tour? Rules for Indian passport holders can differ. Please contact us for current requirements before booking. ### What if the Tibet permit is delayed? Occasionally permits are delayed or Tibet closes at short notice. We keep you informed and discuss alternatives or refunds according to our partners' policies. ### How much does the Lhasa tour cost? 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.