All tourists visiting Tibet requires valid China visa & a special Alien Travel Permit, which they can obtain only by joining tours organized by recognized travel agencies. Those who arrive in Kathmandu with a Chinese visa issued by Chinese Consulates outside of Kathmandu will find it useless for entry into Tibet . There is no minimum group size requirement for traveling into Tibet . As long as one is traveling in an organized tour visa will be issued for even individuals. Please note Tibet visa regulations often change & hence given information may not be true at the time when you travel.

Diplomatic passport holders must get clearance from Beijing for travel into Tibet , which often takes a long while. It is advisable to travel on non-diplomatic passports, if you have one.

We require at least 7 days notice to process your Tibet visa via Lhasa & at least 4 days in Kathmandu for the Chinese Embassy to handle your passport.

Consular section of the Chinese Embassy is open for business between 10-12 am on Monday, Wednesday & Friday only.

Visa can also be issued in less than 3 days upon payment of visa rush fees.
Normal group visa fee is USD 58 & visa rush fee is another USD 56. For USA nationals the group visa fee is USD 142.

Those entering via Mainland China must pay a handling charge of USD 60 to our China agent for handling Tibet permits, booking & issuing flight tickets.

60 days Nepal visa is readily available at the Tribhuvan International Airport or any other land entry points on payment of USD 30 visa fee. However, tourists transiting through Kathmandu & spending less than 3 days are now issued with gratis visas. Also nationals of SAARC countries & Peoples Republic of China are no longer required to pay visa fees.

For detailed information regarding flights to Tibet , from all sectors in China , please email us, info@abcsikkim.com;

Surface Transportation
Because of the harsh landscape and uneven roads (most roads outside Lhasa are not even gravelled), we use four-wheel drive Land Cruisers for our groups in Tibet . The Land Cruisers are the more deluxe 4500 version. We also provide a supporting truck for trekking and expedition groups, to carry all the necessary supplies. It is only possible to use a car or van in Lhasa , where there are some tarmac roads.

Rail
On October 15, 2005, the final rail was put in place along the bank of Lhasa River, marking the end of a history of transport without railways for Tibet, which covers one-eighth of Chinas landmass.

The railway which runs across the roof of the world has been linked up. It is 1,956 km from Xining to Lhasa The first section, 814 km between Xining and Golmud, was laid in 1979 and opened to operate in 1984.

The more recently-constructed railway starts from Golmud in Qinghai , passing through Nachitai, Wudaoliang, Tuotuo river, Yanshiping and the Tanglha Mountains . It then enters Tibet , going through Amdo, Nakqu, Damxung, Yangpajain, and Nagqu to Lhasa . This is considered to be the longest and highest highland railway in the world. For detailed information regarding trains to Tibet.

Book a rail tour? Email us at info@abcsikkim.com