You’ll generally find three main pathways into the region, with each offering a noticeably different mix of comfort, time commitment, and physical strain.
Via Nepal: The Most Popular Route
The vast majority of international visitors opt to slip into Tibet via Nepal.
The Overland Route: This classic journey kicks off in Kathmandu. From there, you drive out to the Kyirong border, rolling across the vast Tibetan plateau until you hit Darchen, the traditional gateway to Mount Kailash. Expect this entire circuit to take anywhere from 13 to 16 days.
The Helicopter Option: If you are a bit pressed for time, helicopter itineraries are up for grabs. You’ll fly out of Kathmandu over to Nepalgunj, then on to Simikot, before finally crossing the Hilsa border. Doing it this way usually shaves the trip down to a brisk 9 to 11 days.
Via the Indian Government Routes
For Indian nationals, the Ministry of External Affairs runs two official pilgrimage corridors.
The Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand): Serving as the ancient, traditional route, this path requires some heavy-duty trekking and demands a good 22 to 25 days. It’s tough going, yet it remains incredibly popular with pilgrims wanting an authentic experience.
The Nathu La Pass (Sikkim): This route is mostly accessible by motor vehicles, making it noticeably more comfortable, and generally takes roughly 21 days.
Keep in mind that both of these official routes are strictly regulated, relying on a tight selection process dictated by government rules and bilateral agreements.
Via Lhasa
A third avenue is heading into Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, either coming from mainland China or Kathmandu.
From the capital, you make an overland drive out to Kailash. Yes, it takes longer, but the slower pace is brilliant for acclimatising to the thin air. Plus, you get the chance to take in legendary sights like the Potala Palace before the real pilgrimage even begins.
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