Travel Permit to Visit Mount Everest in Tibet

Why Mount Everest is So Special

Mount Everest, known in Nepali as Sagarmatha and in Tibetan as Chomolungma , is Earth’s highest mountain  at the altitude of 8,848 meters, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The international border between Nepal (Province No. 1) and China (Tibet Autonomous Region) runs across its summit point. It attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world and numerable experienced mountaineers that attempt to climb its summit every year.

Best Time to Mount Everest

April-May and September-October are the best periods to visit Mount Everest. Generally, most travelers choose to set off from Lhasa and drive to Everest Base Camp(at the altitude of 5,200m). On the way, they can visit Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Tashilhunpo Monastery, etc.

Travel Permits to Mount Everest

For every mountaineer, climbing Mount Everest via Tibet is a lifetime dream. It is more challenging to take the north route in Tibet than the south one in Nepal. Every best time to visit Mount Everest, a large number of mountaineers from all over the world gather together at the Everest Base Camp and prepare for their climbing to Mount Everest.

When you want to plan a trip to Mount Everest from Tibet, you have at least three types of special permits as follows:

1. Tibet Travel Permit

Tibet Travel Permit is a must to travel in Tibet, otherwise, visitors cannot enter into Tibet. 

2. Frontier Pass

Frontier Pass can be applied for through the Armed Police Tibet Frontier Corps in Lhasa. Without this paper, foreign travelers will not be allowed to go to Mt. Everest or Nepal via the Zhangmu Border. Even if you fly to Kathmandu from Lhasa, you will be required to show the pass at the airport. The application procedure takes around 1-1.5 hours. If you want to handle the Frontier Pass, you shall have these documents as follows:

  • A copy of your original Tibet Travel Permit
  • A copy of your passport
  • A copy of your Chinese Visa
  • Your tour itinerary
  • A liability statement from the travel agency you hire

3. Aliens’ Travel Permit

The Aliens’ Travel Permit, issued by the Public Security Bureau, at a cost of 50 Chinese Yuan, is a necessary for your travel to Mount Everest. If you do not have this permit, you will not even be able to reach the Everest Base Camp. You can apply for the Aliens’ Travel Permit at the Foreign Affairs Office in either Lhasa or Shigatse. Generally, you are advised to apply for the permit in Shigatse, which is the closest place to Mount Everest. Alien’s Travel Permit procedure usually takes about 1-1.5 hours. If you want handle the permit, you shall prepare these documents as follows:

  • A copy of your original Tibet Travel Permit
  • A copy of your passport
  • A copy of your tour guide’s original certificate
  • Your Frontier Pass
  •  Your tour itinerary

Note: If you have any problems about the travel permits to visit Mount Everest in Tibet, please contact us.