Traveling overland between Lhasa and Kathmandu is one of the most exciting adventures across the Himalayas. The route mostly follows the well-paved Friendship Highway, ensuring a smooth road trip. Along the way, you will also witness some of Tibet’s most amazing sights, including Mount Everest.

But here is the question: should you travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu, or Kathmandu to Lhasa? While the route and attractions are largely the same in either direction, each journey offers some differences, such as altitude gain, EBC overnight experience. Read this ultimate guide to find out which way best suits your travel plans.

Overview of the Overland Trips between Lhasa and Kathmandu

Whether you begin your trip in Lhasa or Kathmandu, both routes offer breathtaking scenery and deep cultural immersion. Normally, the Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour takes 7 days, while the Kathmandu to Lhasa tour takes 8 days to complete. Here’s an overview of each journey:

Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour (7 Days)

The Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour is usually a 7-day itinerary. The journey starts in Lhasa, where you will spend three days exploring the city’s highlights such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.

On the next two days, the route takes you westward toward Everest Base Camp, passing through Gyantse, Yamdrok Lake and Shigatse. After sightseeing at EBC, you will continue to Gyirong and spend one night there. Finally, on the last day, you will cross the border and exit Tibet into Nepal.

Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour (8 Days)

The Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour, on the other hand, often spans 8 days. On this route, you will first travel from Kathmandu to Gyirong and spend a day exploring the scenic Gyirong Valley. After that, you will gradually ascend to Everest Base Camp and continue to Tingri.

From Tingri, the journey continues along the southern route via Shigatse, Gyantse and Yamdrok Lake. Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will spend two days exploring the city before your departure on the final day.

Join our well-designed Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour for a smooth experience!

For Better Altitude Acclimatization: Choose Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour

Altitude sickness is a common concern when traveling through Tibet, especially for first-timers to the plateau. To better acclimatize to high altitudes, it is suggested to travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu, which has a gentler altitude ascent along the way.

You will first spend a couple of days in Lhasa to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. The route then gradually ascends from Lhasa (3,650 meters) to Shigatse (3,850 meters), and onward to Everest Base Camp (5,000 meters) over two days. From there, it descends to 2,800 meters at Gyirong and finally to 1,400 meters in Kathmandu.

In contrast, traveling from Kathmandu to Lhasa involves a quicker ascent. After crossing the Gyirong border (2,800 meters), you ascend rapidly, reaching Everest Base Camp (5,000 meters) in just one day. This can be more challenging for proper altitude acclimatization.

For an Overnight Experience at EBC: Choose Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour

One highlight of the overland tour between Lhasa and Kathmandu is the chance to see Mount Everest up close from the Tibetan side. If you dream of staying overnight at Everest Base Camp, then the Lhasa to Kathmandu tour is the ideal choice.

On this route, you will spend a night in the tent guesthouse or Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse near EBC. Both accommodations allow you to see the close view of Mount Everest peak. When the weather is clear, you will also enjoy the stunning sunset or sunrise over the peak, as well as the beautiful starry night sky.

On the other hand, the tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa only offers a short visit to EBC, without an overnight stay. After sightseeing at EBC, you will travel to the lower Tingri for the night. This helps ensure your travel safety and reduces the risk of altitude sickness.

You can get close view of Mount Everest peak when traveling overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

For Cycling or Self-driving Adventures: Lhasa to Kathmandu is the Preferred Route

If you are planning a cycling or self-driving tour, choose the Lhasa to Kathmandu route for a more comfortable and less strenuous journey. This direction is mostly downhill compared to the reverse route. And you will also have more time to gradually adjust to the altitude, making the trip less tiring.

Moreover, the overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu is mostly well-paved, except for the section in the border region. You can also benefit from the well-developed infrastructure in Lhasa and Shigatse, which makes the start of your cycling or self-driving journey smoother and easier.

For European Travelers Looking to Save on Flight Costs: Kathmandu to Lhasa is a Wise Choice

If you’re traveling to Tibet from Europe, you can either fly to Kathmandu or a gateway city in mainland China before continuing to Lhasa. For a more cost-effective option, it is recommended to fly to Kathmandu and then take the overland tour to Lhasa.

Flights from Europe to Kathmandu are often cheaper than those to cities in mainland China. For example, a flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Kathmandu starts from around $276 (with stopovers), while a direct flight from Frankfurt to Beijing typically starts from $481.

Kathmandu is also geographically closer to Tibet. Once you arrive, you can travel directly overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa, which shortens the overall travel distance compared to the route via mainland China.

You can save on flight costs when fly to Kathmandu from Europe.

For an Extended Trip to Nepal and Bhutan: Choose Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour

If you’re planning to extend your Tibet and Nepal tour to Bhutan, the Lhasa to Kathmandu route can best fit your itinerary.

After finishing your overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu, you can spend several days exploring Kathmandu and its surroundings. From there, it’s easy to catch a flight to Paro, Bhutan. Flights between Kathmandu and Paro are frequent and offer more convenient options compared to other routes.

Taking this way, you can avoid backtracking and enjoy a smoother, more efficient journey through Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.

For More Exploration in Mainland China: Start with Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour

If you are interested in exploring more of mainland China, starting your overland tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa is a smart choice.

Once you complete your journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you can easily travel to popular cities in mainland China, like Chengdu, Beijing or Xi’an, by flight or train. Flights to these cities are frequent and mostly direct. And it is easier to get a Tibet train ticket leaving Lhasa than one going into Lhasa.

While in mainland China, you can spend your time exploring one or more cities before departure. These cities are well-connected by direct flights and high-speed trains, making travel between them smooth and convenient.

Conclusion

Whether you travel from Lhasa to Kathmandu or the other way around, it all depends on what you want from your trip. If you prefer altitude acclimatization, a full Everest Base Camp experience, or plan to cycle or self-drive, the Lhasa to Kathmandu route is ideal. It’s also a great option if you plan to continue to Nepal and Bhutan.

On the other hand, if you want to save money on flights, especially if you are coming from Europe, or if you want to explore more of mainland China after Tibet, then the Kathmandu to Lhasa route might suit you better.

Whichever route you choose, you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural experiences. If you still cannot make a decision or have more questions, feel free to contact us. We are happy to help make your Tibet trip smooth, worry-free and pleasant!