Yes, the overland border crossings and roads connecting Kathmandu to Lhasa remain strictly closed to international travelers.

begin quote from AI Overview

 

Yes, the overland border crossings and roads connecting Kathmandu to Lhasa remain strictly closed to international travelers. 

The classic overland route along the Friendship Highway—which crosses high-altitude mountain passes over 16,400 feet (5,000+ meters)—and its active detour corridors are entirely blocked due to recent catastrophic weather events: 

The Gyirong Port Crossing is Closed: On August 26, 2026, a massive glacier collapse and subsequent flash flood completely devastated the Rasuwagadhi-Gyirong border corridor. While China managed to partially reopen its side of the G216 highway to allow heavy rescue machinery into the disaster zone, the Nepalese side of the border infrastructure was wrecked. Overland tour group permits for this crossing have been suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season. 
The Zhangmu/Kodari Crossing is Unusable: The older alternative crossing at Zhangmu remains completely non-operational for tourists due to severe road destruction from heavy monsoon rains. 
Current Travel Status: If you need to travel between Kathmandu and Lhasa, flying is currently your only option. Direct flights continue to operate normally between Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and Lhasa Gonggar Airport. 

If you are planning an upcoming trip, I can provide details on how to rearrange your itinerary by air or look up the latest permit requirements for fly-in tours. Would you like more information on that? 

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