Ngari Gunsa Airport is the nearest airport to Mount Kailash, located in the western part of Tibet. It shortens the travel time to the sacred mountain, compared to the overland trip from Lhasa. However, flying also presents a challenge in altitude adaptation.

So, where is Ngari Gunsa Airport and which flights go there? How to travel from the airport to Mount Kailash? Check this guide for all the essential information about Ngari Gunsa Aiport, and get insider tips for your smooth trip to Mount Kailash and Ngari.

Where is Ngari Gunsa Airport? How Far is It from Mount Kailash?

Ngari Gunsa Airport (IATA: NGQ), also known as Ali Gunsa Airport, is located in the Ngari Prefecture in the western part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. At an elevation of 4274 meters, it is one of the highest airports in the world. Opened in 2010, it is the fourth airport in Tibet, following Lhasa, Nyingchi and Qamdo airports.

The airport is about 50 kilometers from Shiquanhe Town, the administrative center of Ngari Prefecture, and is about 200 kilometers from Mount Kailash. By car, the journey to Mount Kailash normally takes 4 to 5 hours, depending on road conditions. The route crosses rugged and vast terrain on the Tibetan Plateau, offering views of snow-capped mountains, grassland and pristine lakes.

Join our Lhasa to Mount Kailash tour for a smooth experience!

Ngari Gunsa Airport Flight Schedule: Direct Flights from Lhasa, Kashgar and Urumqi

Due to its remote location, flight options to Ngari Gunsa Airport are limited. It is currently well-connected to three domestic cities: Lhasa, Kashgar, and Urumqi. If you want to fly to Ngari from mainland China, you can first fly to one of these cities and then transfer to Ngari Gunsa Airport.

Lhasa to Ngari Flights

Four direct flights fly from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to Ngari Gunsa Airport every day, all departing in the early morning. Operated by Tibet Airlines, these flights take only about 2 hours.

Route	Dep. – Arr.	Flight No.	Airlines	Frequency	Price
Lhasa to Ngari	07:20-09:15	TV9943	Tibet Airlines	Every day	From $440
Lhasa to Ngari	07:30-09:20	TV9713	Tibet Airlines	Every day	From $440
Lhasa to Ngari	08:10-19:00	TV9723	Tibet Airlines	Every day	From $440
Lhasa to Ngari	08:30-10:20	TV9969	Tibet Airlines	Every day	From $440

Kashgar to Ngari Flights

Kashgar is a city located in the southwest of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. From Kashgar, there is one direct flight to Ngari every Tuesday and Sunday. Operated by Tibet Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, these flights take about one and a half hours.

Route	Dep. – Arr.	Flight No.	Airlines	Frequency	Price
Kashgar to Ngari	09:00-10:35	MU2131	China Eastern Airlines	Tue.	From $204
Kashgar to Ngari	11:25-13:10	TV6005	Tibet Airlines	Sun.	From $204

Urumqi to Ngari Flights

Urumqi is the provincial capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. At present, there is one flight from Urmiqi to Ngari every Friday, with a stopover in Kashgar. The total flight time is about four and a half hours.

Route	Dep. – Arr.	Flight No.	Airlines	Frequency	Price
Urumqi to Ngari	07:35-12:00	8L9681	Lucky Airlines	Fri.	From $357

Since flight schedules to Ngari Gunsa Airport may change due to the demand and weather conditions, we recommend contacting us in advance to confirm the latest information.

What Permits to Obtain Before Flying to Ngari Gunsa Airport?

Before flying to Ngari Gunsa Airport and taking a Mount Kailash tour, you need to prepare several essential documents.

Firstly, a Chinese Visa is necessary, as the place is located in Tibet, which is a province of China. The visa is obtained on your own. If you are from a Chinese-Visa free country, then you don’t need to apply for it.

Then, you need a Tibet Travel Permit, which is a must to enter Tibet. This permit cannot be obtained through individual application. However, we can help you to get it on your behalf, and the process is quite simple.

Besides, For visiting Mount Kailash and Ngari region, you will also need Alien’s Travel Permit, Military Entry Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit. These documents are essential to access remote or restricted areas in Tibet.

The good news is that we can handle all the Tibet travel documents for you if you book your Mount Kailash tour with us. We offer hassle-free services to make your journey smooth and pleasant. Just contact us in advance to avoid any delays.

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How to Travel from Ngari Gunsa Airport to Mount Kailash?

Mount Kailash is located about 200 kilometers southeast of Ngari Gunsa Airport by road. There is no shuttle bus between the two places, but you can travel along the well-paved G219 Highway for most of the route. The drive takes about five hours to reach Darchen, a small village the foot of Mount Kailash, which offers basic accommodations and supplies for trekkers and tourists.

To make your journey stress-free and easy, we offer a convenient shuttle service from the airport to Mount Kailash for all our clients. Upon arrival at the airport, our local guide and driver will meet you and escort you in a comfortable vehicle. This ensures a seamless transfer especially if you are unfamiliar with the local environment.

Insider Tips for a Smooth Journey to Ngari and Mount Kailash?

1. Take the Overland Route from Lhasa to Avoid Altitude Sickness

Since the Ngari region has an extremely high altitude of about 4500 meters, flying directly to Ngari can be risky and may cause altitude sickness. To reduce the chances of altitude sickness, it is recommended to take an overland tour from Lhasa to Mount Kailash instead.

This allows for a gradual ascent to the sacred mountain at a more relaxed pace. Plus, you will not miss the amazing attractions along the way, like Yamdrok Lake, Shigatse city, Mount Everest, etc.

2. Choose the Best Travel Time for Mount Kailash

The best time to visit Mount Kailash is from April to October, when the weather is mild and the roads are accessible. April to June and September to October offers the best trekking conditions with clear skies and stable weather. Summer remains pleasant, as monsoon rains rarely affects the region.

Winter is not an ideal time to visit Mount Kailash, as the extreme cold can be challenging, and roads may be blocked by heavy snow.

Besides, the annual Saga Dawa Festival, normally held in May or June, offers a unique chance to experience local culture and traditions. There are always grand celebrations at Mount Kailash during this time.

3. Pack Essentials for the Weather

It is necessary to pack warm clothing, even if you are visiting in summer as the nights can get cold. Layered clothing, thermal wear, down jackets, and gloves are essential. Sturdy and comfortable boots are also important for trekking around Mount Kailash.

Besides, sunglasses, sunscreen and hats are useful for sun protection. Moisturizers and lip cream are helpful to cope with the dry weather. Altitude sickness medication and other medicines for common diseases are also recommended.

We offer one-stop services to ensure you a seamless Mount Kailash tour.

Conclusion

The Ngari Gunsa Airport offers a quicker route to Mount Kailash, but it also presents challenges related to altitude and weather. Thus, careful preparation is needed to fly to Ngari and take a Mount Kailash tour. To avoid altitude sickness, you can also choose to travel to Mount Kailash from Lhasa by overland.

No matter which route you take to visit Mount Kailash, the journey will be a lifetime experience. As the leading Tibet tour operator with years of experience, we are always here to help you enjoy a worry-free journey. Feel free to contact us for any inquiries or book your tour with us now!