Kathmandu to Lhasa – 2016 Update

Border Town Zhangmu before the Earthquakes

The adventurous overland tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa through Zhangmu, the China-Nepal border, is now closed because of the Nepal earthquakes since 24^th April’ 2016. During the earthquakes, the border and the both the border towns, Zhangmu (on the Chinese side) and Kodari, (on the Nepalese side) have been badly effected bringing down a lot parts of the road between Nyalam to Zhangmu, eventually having to close the border without any notice about the reopening. And a major part in Shigatse (including Everest Base Camp) had to be closed for tourism almost throughout the year.

Anyhow, now that the earthquake sites are recovering from the disaster, the word is that the border isn’t opening for any kind of transportations for another 2-3 years, which pretty much is the conclusion to entering Tibet overland. But with the Tibet Group Visa issued at the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu, you can always take the Kathmandu-Lhasa flight. It couldn’t be more than a 3 hour flight. The flight frequency isn’t very stable, fluctuates according the weather and tourism season. So, it would be wise to a book the right flight in the right period. If you came in the wrong period of time and couldn’t get a flight ticket, the only option for you would be to enter Tibet through mainland China, fly to any part of mainland China available in Kathmandu, then enter Tibet overland, on a train or a flight, take your pick.

AirChina to Lhasa