Lhasa Overland Tour from Kathmandu - 13 Days

The Tibetan Group Tourist Visa, issued by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal is only granted to groups consisting of at least four people. Hence, our groups consist of minimum four people for all Tibet trips. The maximum number of travelers for private trips can vary as per travelers’ group size.

It is recommended to book your tour at least 30 days in advance from the departure day to ensure all necessary arrangements and permits are secured.

Yes, our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpa, and porters. Please browse through our legal document page to view insurance details.

Yes, you will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking Nepali guide while in Nepal. Once you enter Tibet, you will be guided by an experienced Tibetan guide who will not only act as an interpreter but also provide valuable insights into the Tibetan way of life.

Many Tibetan guides have different accent of English-speaking capacity due to their mother tongue and Tibetan language, which makes hard to understand while in the conversation with them. Hence, our travelers must consider these facts before you book for any trip to Tibet.

It is not mandatory but you can take some cold flu immunization as precaution. Typhoid vaccination is recommended but not required.

We suggest you have a dental checkup before your trip and know your blood type. It is helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. Ace the Himalaya keeps your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.

Yes, you can extend your holiday in Nepal and Bhutan. However, extending your trip duration in Tibet is not permitted by the authorities.

Ace the Himalaya provides various options and alternatives for extending your holiday in Nepal and Bhutan. For more details, please visit our Trip Extension page.

Yes, it is highly recommended to be in good physical condition when undertaking this tour, as it involves traveling to high-altitude regions. Travelers with high blood pressure, asthma, migraines, or heart problems should consult their doctor for a thorough evaluation and obtain medical certification before tour.

Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes should ensure they have a regular medication plan and closely monitor their health throughout the trip.

Tours in Tibet are prohibited for individuals aged 80 and above due to challenging conditions and potential health risks. Individuals aged 70-79 are required to obtain proper medical certification from a doctor confirming they are fit to travel.

No, credit cards are generally not accepted for international visitors. Visa cards are only allowed to be used by domestic tourists or locals.

Cash is the best option to carry instead of a credit card. Only Chinese Yuan is accepted in Tibet.  It’s best to exchange your money for Chinese Yuan, which can be done in Kathmandu or at the border.

When exchanging money at local exchange centers in Kathmandu or at the border, please ensure you’re accompanied by your guide to avoid the risk of receiving counterfeit notes.

Your daily expenses will vary depending on your spending habits.

In Nepal, a budget of USD 15 to 20 per day should be sufficient to cover lunch, dinner, bottled water, and other essentials.

In Tibet, a budget of around USD 30 per day should be enough to cover the cost of meals and drinks.

Tipping is part of the local culture, and guides expect it as a reward for their service. While not mandatory, it is appreciated. Typically, $10 to $20 per day per person is offered, reflecting your satisfaction and personal interaction with your guide.

Yes, our airport representative will be there to greet you at the airport. S/he will be displaying an Ace the Himalaya sign-board. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Yes, we handle all procedures for the Tibet Visa and Travel Permit, with processing charges included in the trip price. Tourists entering Tibet from Nepal must form a group of at least four to obtain a Chinese Group Visa and a Tibetan Travel Permit, issued by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal.

Due to new regulations, guests should arrive in Kathmandu a week in advance, preferably on a Sunday. This allows us to apply for the visa on Monday, obtain it by Thursday or Friday, and continue the tour the next day.

The best time for the tour is between April and October. The tour is usually avoided in peak winter season i.e. November to February.

Tibet climate is unexpected and drastically changes due to its geographical condition situated with a minimum elevation of 3,500 m high. You can find average low temperature keeping the climate chilled most of the time in whole year due to high elevation, low humidity and strong wind.

However, at present day, Tibet is also affected by the Global warming so you can feel hot temperature in a daytime during summer season. Whereas you will experience minus 10 to minus 20 degrees temperature in the night and 10-25 degree in the day.

Summer (June-August): 7 to 12 degrees in the night and 20 to 25 degrees in the day.

Autumn (Sept-Nov): 5 to -10 degrees in the night and 15 to 20 degrees in the day.

Winter (Dec-Feb): -10 to -20 degrees in the night and 10 to 15 degrees in the day.

Spring (March-May): 5 to -5 degrees in the night and 15-20 degrees in the day.

In Kathmandu, you’ll stay in standard rooms at 3-star hotels, with breakfast included.

In Tibet, we use 3-star hotels in Kyirong, Shigatse, and Lhasa. We use guesthouse in Timure with attached bathrooms if possible.

Lhasa offers a range of hotels from budget to luxury. Budget Hotels offers basic amenities, simple rooms, and limited services.

On the other hand, luxury hotels provide comfort, extensive services, with Tibetan-themed decor.

If you want to upgrade your accommodation to a higher standard in Kathmandu or Tibet, please contact us.

Breakfast during the trip is included in our package.

While on the tour, expect to find predominantly local Tibetan cuisine in the mountain region, as international dishes are not typically available in hotels or restaurants. In Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyantse, you’ll have access to a broader variety of dishes, with multiple choices of Chinese, Tibetan, and continental food.

Lhasa has a growing number of international restaurants and cafes offering Western-style food, such as pizza, pasta, and burgers. Some restaurants in Lhasa also offer vegetarian and vegan options.

Tap water throughout the trip is generally unsafe to drink directly. In Kathmandu, you can purchase bottled mineral water for the Nepal portion of your journey.

While in Tibet, our guide and staff will provide purified water free of charge. However, if you prefer bottled mineral water, it will be available at an additional cost, payable directly to the hotels and guesthouses.

Ace the Himalaya is dedicated to offering you authentic local insights, cultural experiences, and thrilling adventures. We offer a range of deluxe and luxury vehicles to ensure a comfortable and relaxing trip in Tibet.

Depending on your group size, we can arrange various types of transportation, including Jeeps, SUVs, vans, Hiace vans, coasters, and buses, to suit your needs and enhance your experience in the highlands.

The flight duration between Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) and Lhasa (Lhasa Gonggar Airport) is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This flight offers stunning aerial views of the Himalayan range, including Mount Everest. However, flight times can vary slightly depending on weather conditions and air traffic.

Yes, you will need to book your international flights to and from Nepal, as we are a local agency and do not handle international flight arrangements. You can easily browse airline websites to find and book the most convenient flights for your travel plans. However, if you need any assistance, we are more than happy to help.

Please note that your flight back from Lhasa is included in the travel package, so there’s no need to worry about arranging it separately.

The reason we return to Kathmandu instead of offering direct flights from Lhasa to your home country is due to a policy that requires the return flight for all travelers to be to the same destination.

Given that our groups are often mixed, with participants heading to different home countries, it’s more practical and organized to fly everyone back to Kathmandu first. From there, each traveler can easily connect to their respective international flights home, ensuring a smoother and more coordinated departure process for the entire group.

Laundry service is easily available at your hotel in Kathmandu while the services might be limited in Tibet. Laundry and dry cleaning are possible in Tibet side town area. These services usually cost additional charge.

Yes, there are communication facilities available throughout the tour. Most hotels provide Wi-Fi access.

You can purchase and get new Chinese SIM Card for the best means of communication and for the messaging platform.

To get a Chinese SIM card, you will need to provide one photograph and a copy of your passport. It is advised to use WeChat as the best means of communication instead of WhatsApp and Viber. We highly recommend you to active your WeChat account.

These facilities will be available in your hotel, sometimes with an extra charge. Remember to bring travel adapters!

Yes, good internet connectivity is available in Kathmandu, and most hotels along the route offer Wi-Fi services. You also have an option to use internet from local SIM card in the form of Mobile data.

In Tibet, access to social media is limited, so using a VPN is necessary to access these platforms. Despite these restrictions, WhatsApp and WeChat are available and can be used without a VPN.